The Alimond Show
Garima Rai Owner of OnlineChalk
When the roots of one's family tree are deeply embedded in academics, branching out into the entrepreneurial world of virtual education seems almost destined. Our latest episode features the founders of Online Chalk, a dynamic sister duo who have channeled their experiences as Indian immigrants into a compassionate mission: guiding students and their families through the intricacies of the American education system. Their tale is not just about the startup grind; it's a heartwarming narrative of turning personal challenges into a beacon of support for others, especially during the uncertainty of a pandemic and the joys and trials of motherhood.
Navigating cultural shifts and educational contrasts, our guests take us on a profound journey through their upbringing and how it shaped their approach to learning and teaching. They convey the unique chemistry necessary between a student and teacher, the kind that transforms apprehension into achievement. The sisters illuminate their paths from academia to entrepreneurship, sewing a tapestry of memories from inspirational English teachers to their zest for writing workshops. And all this while, they embody the essence of mentorship, ensuring that Online Chalk is not just a business but a platform for intergenerational dialogue and empowerment.
Wrapping up, we uncover the entrepreneurial zest that flourishes within the realm of education, as our guests share how personal milestones and global celebrations, like Women's Day, intertwine with their professional achievements. They offer sagacious advice on learning and wellness, advocating for the necessity of support networks, the virtues of meditation and gratitude, and the enduring spirit of being students of life. So, let our guests inspire you with their dedication to creating inclusive educational communities and their insights into balancing the roles of women in business with the nurturing demands of motherhood.
When the roots of one's family tree are deeply embedded in academics, branching out into the entrepreneurial world of virtual education seems almost destined. Our latest episode features the founders of Online Chalk, a dynamic sister duo who have channeled their experiences as Indian immigrants into a compassionate mission: guiding students and their families through the intricacies of the American education system. Their tale is not just about the startup grind; it's a heartwarming narrative of turning personal challenges into a beacon of support for others, especially during the uncertainty of a pandemic and the joys and trials of motherhood.
Navigating cultural shifts and educational contrasts, our guests take us on a profound journey through their upbringing and how it shaped their approach to learning and teaching. They convey the unique chemistry necessary between a student and teacher, the kind that transforms apprehension into achievement. The sisters illuminate their paths from academia to entrepreneurship, sewing a tapestry of memories from inspirational English teachers to their zest for writing workshops. And all this while, they embody the essence of mentorship, ensuring that Online Chalk is not just a business but a platform for intergenerational dialogue and empowerment.
Wrapping up, we uncover the entrepreneurial zest that flourishes within the realm of education, as our guests share how personal milestones and global celebrations, like Women's Day, intertwine with their professional achievements. They offer sagacious advice on learning and wellness, advocating for the necessity of support networks, the virtues of meditation and gratitude, and the enduring spirit of being students of life. So, let our guests inspire you with their dedication to creating inclusive educational communities and their insights into balancing the roles of women in business with the nurturing demands of motherhood.
So my company, online Chalk, is a women-owned, women-run virtual education company and, apart from like just doing classes, we cater to elementary through high school.
Speaker 1:I like to think of it like a support system and kind of like a mentoring system for students of all age groups and then typically students to join us either in elementary or middle school and then they're with us all through high school and so eventually we guide them with their college applications and profiles and things like that.
Speaker 1:The reason why I'm doing this is I felt like Immigrants, like I'm from India and I'm an immigrant here I realized that there is a lot of knowledge gap In terms of how people from other countries, they were educated or they had a different system and a different process as compared to the American education system, which is completely different. So I'm trying to, like, help Families bridge that gap, bridge that gap, and I'm just trying to, you know, help them understand that, okay, this is the difference, so that way they feel empowered to navigate through the process and they are able to help their children better. And they it's very, they find very relatable. You know, they find me very relatable Because I understand where they're coming from. And the students, because I'm a professional here. The students find me very relatable, also because they know that I know the system, so I can kind of help the parents and their kid also communicate in a better way. So that's the goal and that's the mission of what we're doing.
Speaker 2:That is awesome. Can you tell me a little bit about what you did before that, because I saw online that you guys started this during COVID. So, like, what brought that on and how did you like get your foot in there?
Speaker 1:So Before I moved to the US I was also working with academics. I was, you know, working with a similar setup back in India that help Students get into college in India. It's a very different system, it's more streamlined, and so I was helping those students there and my family through the generations, both my sides, my in-laws and my parents. They come from a heavy Academic background there, so I've always seen that growing up and when I came here I used to volunteer in a lot of places like libraries, and my husband is a free searcher so you know he was working with universities, so I would just kind of volunteer there and you're surrounded by all that academia.
Speaker 1:Yeah so initially, you know, I briefly worked with another company and then I learned, and I want to say that the knack of doing these things was there already, and Then that's it, like I quit my other job because I during COVID I was also pregnant. It was getting too much. So then, you know, like I quit and Then I decided to start something of my own for more flexibility. So yeah it sounds like you have a passion for it too.
Speaker 1:I do, I really do, and see by training. I'm a microbiologist Wow, masters in microbiology but teaching was always my calling, like I'm the oldest sibling of two sisters my sisters, co-founder, in fact and Um, really, yes, yes, really yeah. So shout out Roli. So she, I was always. Even as a young kid, I was always like teaching other younger cousins and yeah, they always come to you right. Yes, so that's probably how it started, I guess that's awesome.
Speaker 2:Can you tell me a little bit about growing up with your parents, like with the academia I? I totally understand what you mean when it is very different from American. I have an old boss and she was Gujrati Wow, and she, I had trouble with math and she helped me and she showed me a different way and out my mind was Below and it was so much easier. But it was just the craziest thing I never thought of and I was just like why are they teaching it in such a complicated way? So how did your parents like is it just like more of like a cultural thing the way that it's taught in India, because it's so much simpler Like why can't we do?
Speaker 1:it like that, I think so, I think so.
Speaker 1:And education and kind of like your grades and everything was like a high priority, and I think I can say that for most Indian families even now that staying on top of your grades and, you know, doing the best that you can was always a priority, and that was the case in my family also.
Speaker 1:And growing up I changed a lot of schools because my dad moved around for his job, so I was exposed to a lot of different schooling systems back in India and also I realized that as little kid I was, always the subject was like the teacher was more important than the subject. So if the teacher was fun and interesting and you know, like you're saying like they would blow our minds away those were the classes that I loved and I usually did better in those classes Me too, see, yeah, so then I realized that you know, the teacher, student chemistry is so important and even now, like I try to maintain that with my students, and my students are very free to talk to me and I know most of their birthdays also, so you know, I'm very.
Speaker 2:Oh, you have that closeness with them.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm very friendly with them and they kind of, you know like, think of me as a mentor, but at the same time, they can, you know like, share their aspirations and their dreams with me.
Speaker 2:So that's very nice to have, because sometimes I feel like it can be intimidating, especially when you go with somebody that you don't know. You kind of feel shy and just like I don't want to tell them anything. I'm scared. That's how I would feel. So I think the personality which you seem to have a great personality and a very kind face and smile I think that really helps you in your favor too.
Speaker 1:I just love. I mean, I think this is what, I know what I guess. I don't think I would be able to do anything else if I did not do what I'm doing now, yeah, and how did your sister get involved?
Speaker 2:Was she like, hey, I want it, or how did that happen?
Speaker 1:So of course, I have to say that I was doing one of these things. It was my husband who inspired me that. Hey, you know you're so involved with what you do, so why don't you do something of your own? So you know, like you can introduce new things as you want to do. And my sister she like we are five years apart but still like we're almost like twins sometimes, and she also has the same kind of mindset of being very entrepreneurial and also trying to help the community yes, over here, and she's actually currently an MBA candidate. So she's decided that, you know, let me support you in, you know this way in the back end, yes, and kind of bring that operations and the strategy part of it to the business. So, yeah, that's how it is, that's awesome. It's a very homegrown. We're still a very small business and it's a very homegrown kind of a setup, but we're expanding. I'm hiring more instructors, I'm hiring more social media people to help me.
Speaker 2:And tell us the name. Is it Science Genie? Did I mess it up? Science, the name of your company Sigh Online Chalk. I'm sorry, online Chalk. I was just thinking microbiologist, I was thinking science.
Speaker 1:I know, I know, I get that Online.
Speaker 2:Chalk, so yes online chalk.
Speaker 1:Okay, because we're a virtual company, so the online word comes from there, but the chalk is kind of nostalgic to us, you know, growing up. Yeah, so of course now they don't have these talk boards as much as we used to, sadly, it's okay, yeah, so that's kind of you know. I wanted to bridge the gap here and send their kids the way I see it now, like there's a lot of communication that can happen, but there's a gap, yeah. So I wanted to, you know, like connect both the generations.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love that. Do you have any fond memories of any teachers that really stood out to you? We're just like wow, I'll never forget this teacher. They really like helped me understand this. Are they inspired you?
Speaker 1:So they were always my English teachers for some reason and yeah, and they would always tell me, like you're going to grow up into great things, and they were typically my mentors also that they inspired me and they would bring out my creative side. So now when I I mean, although I have a science degree and all of that but like when I'm doing these writing workshops with my students and helping them with their essays, all of that kind of comes back. You know all of the things that I was taught as a child and you know reading all those Shakespeare and crazy books that we used to read.
Speaker 1:I was always a reader. I used to love reading. I don't get as much time now. I'm sure you're busy with your baby. Yeah, so I have two babies. My company is one baby and then I was a toddler. She's three and a half. So, yeah, it just keeps me on my toes.
Speaker 2:What do you like to do for fun, when you're like taking a little break with your daughter, what do you like to do?
Speaker 1:So I have to say this I mean it may sound very silly, but the work that I do normally, I don't need a vacation from it.
Speaker 2:So even when I'm traveling.
Speaker 1:if I'm in India, also visiting my parents and my in-laws, I'm working. You know I'll be up at 2 am because there's a time zone difference. I'll be up at 2 am and kind of working with my students Wow. But I do take a few days off every year and we probably visit India or maybe some destination over here. Other than that, I'm also a meditator. I'm also a meditation facilitator because I feel like I need to have that quiet space, because I'm just talking all the time.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, that's okay. Your brain needs oxygen to breathe.
Speaker 1:Exactly so yeah, I like to meditate and have some quiet time in the morning before my kid is up and about, and that's what I do.
Speaker 2:I find that very important. Recently I think it was two nights ago I was having a really bad headache and I was stressing over something and my husband was just like just breathe. We were laying in bed and I was like, can you help me? He's not a professional or anything, he's like just breathe. So I was like, can you like count it down? I think you can Google how to do it and I did it for a couple of times and my headache was gone and it was like magic. I was shocked that I'm getting more oxygen to my brain and getting you know and I feel like we don't take time enough from our days to do that.
Speaker 2:We just are constantly breathing normal, but not closing our eyes and like kind of like really breathing. I'm shocked that, like how I usually just take Tylenol and it's gone, but breathing it was like magic. I was shocked and everyone always told me that I was like yeah, right, I know you have to go through it. Yes, yeah, for that experience. So that's very amazing. Like, how did you get into that? Like, how did you decide that you wanted to also be?
Speaker 1:It was so I have an arranged marriage I'll give you a little bit of a background and my husband, Tell us your story.
Speaker 2:Everything Like how did you come here?
Speaker 1:Everything and so my husband, he's a neuroscientist, he's a computational neuroscientist, so he was with this organization, art of Living Foundation, and they recently did the World Cultural Festival in DC, so he was, you know, actively volunteering with them and he just said, you know, why don't you take a meditation class and see how you like it? It's very casual. And I was like, okay, you know, whatever you say, let's go for it. And it was magic, the breathing work, the breath work that they taught us. It was amazing and it really helps me, even to this date, to kind of manage my emotions, to manage all the stress and to manage other things, because we're I'm juggling a lot of balls right now.
Speaker 1:Yes, as a mom and, you know, as an entrepreneur.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And when you have your own business, there is really no break.
Speaker 2:That's what I hear. A lot of business owners tell us that they're like it's not a nine to five job, it's a 365 job, 24 hours a day.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, and I mean interviews or like podcasts or like things like this. Of the glamorous part that we don't get to do as often as we would like to. It's mainly the background work and the hustle and all those types of things. That's right. So that's what. And every year I try to take up three days off for like a silence workshop. That sounds nice, yes, and as I'm doing more work, I also realize I need that quiet space to you know kind of just sit back, and you know kind of reset my system, recalibrate everything.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's amazing. I find that very intriguing because I just think like she has a very calm energy and now that you say that, I'm like well, no wonder, it all is like piecing together. For me it makes sense and that's good to have, you know, because I'm sure some kids maybe feel stressed and they're like I don't understand and you have to like it's okay, be calm, because if you get frustrated, they might get frustrated too, you know.
Speaker 1:So the kids and more than their parents, you know, because parents who've come here they want to do the best for their children and they are like hustling, working hard. They're, you know, kind of wanting to give them all the resources. So like parents are more stressed, I feel.
Speaker 2:Oh, and then kids. I can't see that. That happens a lot. And then with your students I know you said the time difference, so do you work with, like kids from all over the world? I do, wow, like tell me all the different places.
Speaker 1:So my instructors are here in the US and primarily, most of our students are located in the US, but we've had students in Switzerland, we've had students in Singapore, we've had students from Ghana. There is a very big Indian school in Ghana where I work with a few students there. Currently I work with Abu. Dhabi. I have students there. So, yeah, it flows and you know, like it's not. I mean, they come, they study, they graduate, and then there's a next batch of students coming in. Yeah so yeah, but we work with students all over the world.
Speaker 2:Wow, so there's no limit. It's not just the US, it's everywhere. Yes, you need help. Reach out to us, yes, and talk to you.
Speaker 1:So and also we recently started expanding in India, also trying to help them, because a lot of Indian students are now interested in coming to the US. Yay, so now because I'm already located in the US, it kind of helps them to. You know, trust, a person who's there knows the system. So we're also kind of expanding and reaching out.
Speaker 2:I love that. I love that you're helping them out too. Like that's so beautiful. Like, yes, I think it. Where you come from, you know, I think that's so beautiful. I like yeah.
Speaker 1:That was the goal. I just wanted students to be more empowered, and I wanted these things to be very accessible.
Speaker 2:Sometimes it's hard. Well, you can't have like the best professor you know and they don't know who to ask Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1:So they have. Like, I want to create that space of you know, instead of being very cutthroat and competitive, I want it to be engaging and I want them to realize everybody can thrive. We can all do it together. Let's just build a community.
Speaker 2:That's a beautiful outlook to have it like you said, it can be cutthroat and intimidating. You know you're like do I ask them for help? I don't know if they want to help me or anything, so that's that's really important. I'm so happy that you found this and that they can come to you. For any parents who are inquiring or thinking about like, hey, I want to enroll my child for tutoring. What all do you offer, like, as far as tutoring, is it just a particular subject? Is it all subjects?
Speaker 1:Yes, my youngest student is actually a second grader. So for younger students we are trying to like if somebody's really interested in challenging themselves. So we offered that kind of a curriculum and all of our programs are one-on-one so it's very adaptive kind of. If the student wants to take it slow, we take it slow with them and kind of just help them bridge the concepts and gaps. Yeah, if a student is like very smart, you know, and they're bored in class, they want a challenge, they want a challenge. So then we try to adapt to their IQ and things like that, wow. And then Middle school onwards and high school onwards, I am typically helping them streamline their goals and kind of, you know, like helping them explore different options, but also kind of like just aligning their goals and what they're doing. Yeah, and we help students with apply to colleges and write their college essays. I'm not actively writing the essays, but I'm, you know, kind of we do brainstorming work, helping them through that process helping them come over that writers block and things like that.
Speaker 1:So yeah, and we've had students going to pretty good universities, we've had a few IVs and we've had the University of California system and we've had MIT. We've had impressive Thank you. Yeah, we've had every year. I just my students just surprised me and you must be so proud. Yes, and they are like. I feel like I'm blessed to have these great kids also and For, like, whatever year there, yours, they're working with us. I kind of like they're almost like my own kids.
Speaker 2:No, that makes sense. You get attached to them and you work one-on-one with them, learn about them.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, yes. So that's it's kind of a journey and then it's a relationship to form and and that's how the families can trust us and that's how the students can trust us. It's a safe space when we help our students and we inspire them to do better than they ever thought they could do. So, yeah, that's, and we always offer like a no commitment session before you decide if this is the right fit for you. So the instructor and the student will sit in a session. Yeah, they'll go over the requirements and the expectations. Parents join us to and, kind of you know, ask a lot of questions. So yeah, but yeah, I don't have anybody sign up before they're fully sure of what for the commitment.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, that's good. That's a good little test. Test the water, see how you like it. If it's exactly, I like that. And then what do your parents think about this? Are they just like, oh my goodness?
Speaker 1:I Don't know if my parents know the extent of work that we're trying to do, because they're back in India, yeah, yeah. So I mean they're proud, of course they're proud of all of us, the whole team, but I'm not sure.
Speaker 2:Like you and your sister, like wow, you guys, what is it, you know, like yeah, they.
Speaker 1:They gave us great values, they exposed us to all these great opportunities. But, like Always, the expectation is like a nine to five job. Yes, yes, right, and I would have done that too if I was in India. But, like, when you come here, it's a different Situation, it's a different country. You don't know the people and you just kind of Adapt to the things that are coming your way, mm-hmm, and you find your strengths in the process. So that's what was happening.
Speaker 2:Okay, that is awesome. Um, I'm trying to come up with another good question here for you. Don't worry, I'll edit this part out, so yeah. Yeah, yeah, everything no yeah, um, is there like a question or any like thing that else that you want to share as well, like that, maybe I didn't find online about you that you're just like hey, I have another thing here that you want to talk about, or a topic? Um.
Speaker 1:So I want to talk about a few things, especially because I'm working with a lot of immigrant families, and I don't mean I don't want to demean anybody or anything but like, typically, I come across parents who are coming from another country and they're like oh, we got this, you know, we know what we're doing, okay, and they're brilliant, they're educated, but the system is very different. The system is not on their side, you know. So a lot of the times they end up putting their student, like their children, in situations and they go through with it and then at the end of it all, they're like oh, I wish I had, you know, asked somebody else to kind of intervene and I wish I had given my child some resources outside of the house and kind of. Or you know, the trend is like oh, you know, the neighbor's kid made it to an IV. Let's just ask them and copy that formula Everybody's different.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that is what the American education system is. They are celebrating the differences, right. But where I grew up it was very streamlined, like you know. It's like at every stage it's very defined that this is what you got to do and then you do this and all of the other people in the family are also following that. So, but that's the system over there and it's working for the setup and the kind of people that live there, but here it's different. So I just wish more parents would ask Don't be scared don't be shy.
Speaker 1:Just because I'm a professional, they feel like, oh, you know, it's going to be like a big paycheck or, you know, like a big chunk of money we're shelling out. But I don't want to come off as that person. I want to be a mentor, first and bring them some value, and then, of course, for my, I mean for any service-based business they have to run the business.
Speaker 2:You have to run the show.
Speaker 1:So we are going to have to charge them eventually, but still, like I have a YouTube channel, what's it called? It's called Online Chalk. Okay, so all of my social channels, like a Facebook channel or Twitter, which I mean now X, which?
Speaker 2:is formally Twitter and Instagram.
Speaker 1:We are posting these resources day in and day out to help educate parents. Like, I'm also a parent, so I understand that I might not know everything. I'm still learning and all of us are learning and that is okay. That is okay. So we have all of these resources. Where you can, you know, just watch the videos and learn more. You need more information than reach out, but all of the socials we are sharing, we're sharing so many resources. Like recently, I had a huge group of parents reach out about for high school and they're all based in Northern Virginia, coincidentally, yeah, coincidentally huh and Loudoun County and you know, like the whole belt, fairfax, maclaine, wow, yeah. And you know, I hosted a webinar for them and they were like, oh, there was so much that we did not know and this is information. I don't get to keep information, thank you, yeah, I mean, what's the point?
Speaker 2:Yeah, share it. Share it, sharing is caring and it makes the world a better place, right? Absolutely. I love that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and all of us who come here from another world, we are, our survival instincts are so high that it's always very competitive. Yes, so I want them to like just take a breath, relax and meditate. Yes, and you know, kind of just understand that we're all learning and we can all thrive. There is opportunities for all of us. You don't have to, you know, put somebody down to succeed in life?
Speaker 2:Exactly yeah, do you feel like growing up in India really helped shape your perspective to like when you came here and you're like okay, this is how the system is. I want to help. I want to Help them understand that it's okay that you might not have to do it this certain way. We can do it this way, and I'm going to help you with my team.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, you're right, you're absolutely right, and that's a great question. Actually, that's why I relate a lot with the families that I'm working with, because I understand where they're coming from, okay, but I also understand that the kids are like, oh my god, what is this, why? Why do I have to do these hundreds of classes and those types of things? So, yes, it really helped shape my perspective, and then the kind of family that I was married into Also Helped me. Like my in-laws have schools back in India, they're my husband worked heavily with the universities like NYU, johns Hopkins and Harvard, yeah, so I was interacting with the student population pretty much as soon as I got here.
Speaker 2:Wow, so you instantly got like a taste of that, right?
Speaker 1:Yes, and I got a lot of insights and I understood, like it was very clear to me that this is how it is here and many people don't know it.
Speaker 2:Mm-hmm, yeah, they just think it's the normal. They don't even know there's another way, right?
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah and not like we don't work with American parents. We do, but they still have a little bit of you know like a better grasp on things because they have been through the system.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, it's more comfortable for them, like they understand that, they know it. Or they have kids who already did it, yes, but for somebody coming in from the outside looking in it's hard and they don't have anywhere probably to turn to. Or like, does anybody understand what I'm going through? And then they find you and they're like Okay, I'm in good hands, she knows, and she knows what I'm going through and she went through that too. Yeah.
Speaker 1:I want to do that. I mean, that's the kind of space that I'm aiming to build For Brown family. Yeah, out there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, I'm sure they appreciate that so much and hopefully when they hear this They'll be like okay, that's it, I'm gonna go to Chalk Talk online. I'm sorry, my brain is so bad. No, online Chalk. Online Chalk, online Chalk. I have so many names I need to remember. I will cut it and they will go to online Chalk and reach out to you.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, and I'm very much actively working with my students, like I'm actively involved. Even if I'm not teaching them, I'm still involved with what's going on. And you know, like I'll check in with their parents, mm-hmm, and see if they're, you know, okay, everything's going okay, that's good.
Speaker 2:I feel like a lot of people. When it gets too busy, they're just like okay, I can't keep up with that. You try to keep it like very holistic and just yes.
Speaker 1:I mean, you're not working like carpets. Yes, that's a big difference right now, but Hopefully when we expand. Even then we will still be able to maintain yeah, this. So when I'm hiring, this is the only thing that I'm looking for that. Can you like? Just connect rather than teach, yeah.
Speaker 2:So, on that, because you want to expand, where do you see you yourself in, like the next five, seven years from now, or goals that you have?
Speaker 1:I have very big goals and I want to take my students with me and you know I've helped a few of my students also start their own small businesses. Oh, my goodness, yeah, and we have them in turn because ours is a small business as well. So we have them in turn with us and you know, just understand the ropes Of, yeah, what a small business is like, and I let them play around with my social media like, oh yeah, experiment and learn the things, the things about fonts and graphics and how these things work and how the algorithm changes so Frequently. I want to do that. I want to post more like public events, like TED talks. I want to do it with my students and kind of bring them to that platform. That's awesome, look at you.
Speaker 2:But let's see. I mean one thing at a time.
Speaker 1:I think you're gonna do just fine, I have a toddler to take care of also. So you know, I mean, if yeah, baby steps baby steps as long as you are moving.
Speaker 2:Little steps is something you know better than nothing. So yeah, we were.
Speaker 1:It'll be four years of online chalk Wow March, so a women's day was when my company was formed. How ironic.
Speaker 2:Intentional.
Speaker 1:Everything was in. Okay, that's good. It just happened that all my paperwork also came through the same day.
Speaker 2:Destiny. Right there, right, you found your calling.
Speaker 1:So yeah, I just happen. I wanted to do it like that and it just happened. So like women's day is very special to me.
Speaker 2:How important is it to you and why?
Speaker 1:I feel like I mean, whether you're East or West, whatever side of the globe you're in I feel like women can do with more representation. We are very enterprising, we can do so many things, but we just limit ourselves. We get in the way of ourselves. I feel so true, right. Then we're like let me just take a backseat and let other people take over. We don't ask. Even when we deserve something, we don't ask. I want to the space of mind. I wanted to always be in the hiring position.
Speaker 2:Me, Me and Aliyah is like here you go, baby, Written for the camera right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I wanted to be in a position where I could just like not your qualifications and all of that, grades and stuff to get in the way of who you can be and to identify the person's potential. Yes, so we, I want to give. And then women need a lot of flexibility. Let's just be honest. You know they need that space. So, like I try to, we always have instructors in rotation, you know, depending on what their bandwidth is, sometimes new moms or you know, like just taking a break from their other nine to five and I have them on a rotation new graduates so they can work with us, learn a lot of skills and learn a lot of things, and then I'll obviously write a glowing letter of recommendation for them. Yes, all right. So, yeah, we always. And yeah, typically it's a women-oriented team. I love that. You're empowering that.
Speaker 2:Because there's a lot of industries where, like, it's very male dominated. So it feels very. When I think of tutors, I usually think of guys. For some reason too, even photographers. When I think of photographers, I always think of guys.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I was trying to book like, a photo shoot with my daughter. Yeah, you know like. But yeah, I very few women were showing up on the platform.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's a thing I'm just like whoa, so I like that we're slowly changing that right. Yes, One step at a time.
Speaker 1:One woman at a time.
Speaker 2:One woman at a time? Yeah, exactly. If you could give any advice to somebody who wants to start their own business, what would that be?
Speaker 1:So my number one advice would be don't wait, just go out there, do it. You're never going to figure out the whole thing before you start, so just do it and learn along the way. I feel like if you commit to learning whether you're in business or whether you're a student anybody for that matter if you just commit to learning, I think you're all set for life, like you know you're open to new perspectives and things are changing. Our times are changing a lot. Yes, they are yeah.
Speaker 1:So I feel like if you're learning on the go, you're open and it makes you happier?
Speaker 2:I feel. No, I agree. I feel like if you just stop wanting to learn or being open to stuff, it's only going to backfire on you. It helps to learn and get new perspective as things change right. So yeah, because for me.
Speaker 1:All of my opportunities that came my way were very unexpected, as they always are, right, yeah, and I would have never imagined it to be like that if I had just kept a very limited mindset or even with my India expansion and my collaboration with other countries, it's coming from parents who are, you know, like very happy with our services and they're like we're going to help you grow and you know we'll just take you globally and that's. We're not spending any money on advertisement right now.
Speaker 2:That's amazing. So it's word of mouth for you. It's only word of mouth, that's the best.
Speaker 1:So it's and it's, knock on wood, it's growing. So, yeah, and so I just trust the people I work with and I just I just try to give. I may under commit, but I always try to like over deliver, yes To do, for whatever I'm trying to do with my services and I end up being friends with all of those parents.
Speaker 2:They love you. That's why. That's why they, like, want to help you to, because they have a connection with you and you have a passion for it too, probably, and it shows through, like when you do something with love and care, that energy is just going to come right back to you. That's what I believe.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I have not met them personally. Most of them like maybe a few, but I've not met most of the parents that I work with in person because all of our services are remote. They love you.
Speaker 2:He is Zoom, he is Zoom.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's awesome. So yeah, that's currently we're like upgrading our softwares and systems and making it more automated and all of those good things. I'm still learning a lot of text.
Speaker 2:Are you doing that yourself or do you have like outside help?
Speaker 1:So my husband takes care of all of the tech stuff. Awesome For us. That's good to have. Yeah, he's the way he takes care of those things, but, like the website, we built it together and that was a learning curve. Many sleepless nights, wow.
Speaker 2:Yeah, when I was pregnant.
Speaker 1:Oh yes, so much coding. But see now, a few years down the line, you don't have to code anymore for those things I heard.
Speaker 2:The guests before you told us that they made their website and there was no coding.
Speaker 1:No coding. Yes, yeah, yep, yep, that's amazing. But you learned the hard part, so if we ever go, back, you know, yeah, yeah, or if something breaks, which it does all the time yeah. So we're kind of automating stuff and bringing the digital exams and testing and it's getting busier, but I'm enjoying. It's like a playground and once you're in it you just can't you don't want to go home.
Speaker 2:You don't want to go home. Please, can I stay for an hour?
Speaker 1:Yeah yeah, and I was telling my husband the other day like I'm an outdoor cat now, like I cannot go to a typical like a 9 to 5 set up.
Speaker 2:You come and go and you please?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I like that flexibility. Of course.
Speaker 2:I'm cooking while I'm taking calls sometimes that's how you do it Right, that's how you get it. Sometimes I have to.
Speaker 1:Or my daughter will be. You know, like I try to work around her naps or when she sleeps. But the people I work with, like the parents, they're so, so, so kind, they understand that and they are willing to work with that also, like, oh, we'll call you when your daughter goes to bed.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's awesome. You can ask for better. Like people around you like that. I love that.
Speaker 1:I need and I need that for more women, for other people who are employing them, to understand that it's not easy for us?
Speaker 2:No, and it's your first baby too, right? So guilt is always there that's what I hear Like they don't want to miss and not be there for their baby, but they also want to like further their career. It's like oh it's up, yeah it is easy for guys in that way, unless they want to be more involved. But they probably are like, oh, just go to work, you know.
Speaker 1:Both of us are working from home, so that kind of works out.
Speaker 2:Because we don't have family here.
Speaker 1:Everybody's in India, yeah.
Speaker 2:Both our parents.
Speaker 1:They visit every now and then, but they are, but when they come, like they don't know how to drive, so it's like they're still depending on us, right? But yeah, my daughter has the time of her life with her grandparents when that happens. But yeah, so both of us are equally involved. I want to say, but still, sometimes I just have, I'm more guilty of missing on things. Yeah, and sometimes my daughter will also like walk in into my classes and she'll learn a few things and she'll be like oh, she'll go tell her dad, oh, they're doing shapes. Today, when I'm teaching geometry, she's like they're doing triangles. How old is she? She's three and a half.
Speaker 2:Oh, she's sneaking in on what mom's doing.
Speaker 1:Yeah, she's learning. She's like, oh, what are vertebrates and what are invertebrates? She's gonna be a smart baby.
Speaker 2:She's learned all this knowledge here. I don't know about that, I love it. And then, just to wrap things up, if you could leave one message for our listeners, what would that message be?
Speaker 1:Like I said before, just ask any time you feel like there is you're stuck in something. It might not be education related, it can be just in general in life. Just reach out. There are so many people out there to help you. And the next thing that I want to say is just be open to learning and just be a student of life and you be good. I love that.
Speaker 2:That's good advice. And breathe, don't forget to breathe.
Speaker 1:Absolutely Meditate. Yes, all moms must meditate, Even non-moms.
Speaker 2:I think too, Of course.
Speaker 1:You start somewhere right. The sooner you start, the better it is.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much. This was great. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1:Wow, you made it seem so easy.