As a dedicated leader in early childhood education, Jay Shah stands as the Founder and CEO of Marigold Academy, a distinguished childcare franchise that has rapidly become synonymous with excellence in high-quality childcare services. With a relentless dedication and unwavering commitment to the mission, Jay has steered Marigold Academy into an emerging franchise opportunity, earning acclaim for its captivating narrative and commitment to superior childcare services.
With a proven track record in business development, Jay brings years of experience at the helm of Marigold Academy. His skills span a diverse range, including business analysis, growth strategies, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), operational risk management, and franchising. Jay’s strategic mindset and proficiency in standard operating procedures (SOP) and operations management have been instrumental in Marigold Academy’s growth.
Before Marigold Academy, Jay demonstrated his expertise as a Growth Consultant at Princeton Equity Group, contributing to the launch of the Mental Health Investment Fund platform. His role involved meticulous pre-acquisition due diligence, assessing strengths and weaknesses, conducting enterprise valuation analysis, and identifying opportunities for acquisition and scalability. Jay’s skills in business analysis, growth strategies, and financial modeling were critical during this period.
Prior to his consultancy role, Jay served as the Controller at Anthony & Sylvan Pools, overseeing financial and accounting management. His strategic approach included developing processes and SOPs to enhance internal accounting procedures, creating transparency, and implementing KPIs to drive cost improvement and operational efficiency.
Jay’s entrepreneurial journey also includes a successful stint as a Dunkin’ franchisee, where he owned and operated multiple Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in Pennsylvania. His responsibilities included overall operational and financial management of a multi-unit restaurant network.
Jay’s financial acumen was further honed during his roles as Finance Manager at Preferred Sands, Vice President Finance at Bank of America, and Vice President Finance at Ally. His responsibilities ranged from optimizing financial performance, developing business plans, and managing securitization credit facilities to collateral management and credit risk management.
A proud alumnus of Michigan State University – Eli Broad College of Business with an MBA in Finance and Supply Chain Management, Jay also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Wayne State University.
Jay Shah is not only a visionary leader but also a seasoned professional with a comprehensive skill set. His journey, marked by success and continuous learning, showcases his commitment to excellence and innovation in the fields of early childhood education and business development.
Character: Jay Shah is a dedicated and visionary leader with a relentless commitment to excellence in early childhood education and a proven track record of success in various entrepreneurial ventures.
Knowledge: With a solid educational foundation in MBA Finance and Supply Chain Management, coupled with a background in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Jay Shah possesses a diverse and comprehensive skill set that extends to financial management, business analysis, and strategic planning.
Strategic: Jay Shah showcases strategic prowess through his roles as the Founder & CEO of Marigold Academy and as a Growth Consultant at Princeton Equity Group, where he played a key role in launching and scaling ventures, conducting meticulous due diligence, and implementing growth strategies.
Communication: Demonstrating effective communication, Jay Shah’s leadership is highlighted by his ability to convey a captivating narrative for Marigold Academy, engaging stakeholders through the franchise’s website and fostering successful collaborations in various roles, emphasizing the importance of clear communication in business development.
