Megan Haycock, franchisee of Language for Fun, has been named Young Woman in Franchising of the Year 2026. Recognising her exceptional business growth, community impact, and inspiring leadership within the franchising sector.
Still early in her franchising journey, Megan has already made a remarkable impression, combining strong commercial success with a deeply people-focused approach to education and business growth.
A “special and emotional” win
Reflecting on her achievement, Megan described the moment as both overwhelming and meaningful.
“Winning the award was incredibly special and honestly quite emotional. Being recognised by EWiF means so much because it reflects not only the growth of my business, but the wider impact it has had on my learners, my local community, and the wider franchise network.”
She added that the recognition felt like a moment of validation:
“As someone who is still relatively early in my franchising journey, it was a real moment of validation and a reminder that hard work, innovation and community-focused leadership really do make a difference.”
Standout growth with a people-first approach
When asked what she believes helped her stand out to the judges, Megan highlighted both her business performance and her commitment to community-building.
Over the past year, she has:
- Expanded her territory
- Doubled student numbers
- Created new opportunities through tutor recruitment
- Maintained a strong focus on meaningful, people-centred growth
Rather than prioritising growth alone, Megan has built her franchise around connection, learning, and local impact, values that strongly align with the ethos of EWiF
She also credits her journey as a previous finalist for shaping her success:
“I believe this was inspired from being a finalist for this award last year, as meeting and hearing the stories of the other finalists really pushed me to take my business to another level.”
The impact of winning her award
For Megan, the award is more than recognition, it’s a platform for growth and visibility.
“I think winning this award will give even greater credibility and visibility to my business, both locally and within the wider franchising sector. It provides a fantastic platform to raise awareness of what we offer and to reach even more learners who may benefit from being part of our community.”
She also sees it as a confidence boost in her own leadership journey:
“On a personal level, it has also given me even greater confidence to continue growing, innovating and taking on leadership opportunities within the franchise network.”
Perhaps most importantly, Megan hopes her achievement will inspire others:
“I hope it will also inspire other young women considering franchising by showing that age is never a barrier to building a successful and impactful business.”
Inspiring the next generation of franchise leaders
Megan’s success with Language for Fun highlights the power of combining entrepreneurial drive with purpose-led education. Her journey demonstrates that franchising can be both commercially successful and deeply community-focused.
Her recognition as Young Woman in Franchising of the Year 2026 at the EWiF Awards reflects not just what she has achieved so far but the significant potential she represents for the future of franchising.
As she continues to grow her business, Megan stands as a strong example of what can be achieved when passion, perseverance, and people-first leadership come together through the support and platform of Encouraging Women into Franchising.
