Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Daphne McMenemy, Founder of Discover Gracie, located in Oakville, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am an educator and author, and I consult with school boards across the continent. I work with teachers to integrate coding and computational thinking into their daily programs with students as young as kindergarten.

Tell us about yourself

As an educator for the past 18 years, I create opportunities for children to explore learning in innovative ways. Using STEM to engage children as young as kindergarten age in discovering learning through coding, I work with educators to develop numeracy, literacy, and computational thinking skills through creative exploration. My experience in the classroom has proven to support even the most hesitant learners in building confidence in their abilities and engaging in the learning process. My first book, Gracie, is based on my personal experiences in the classroom. Gracie is a young girl whose learning is brought to life when her teacher introduces her to coding and a new way of thinking. The Gracie series offers educators a plethora of resources to build their learning and their students' learning.

As a child and young adult, I was focused on becoming an educator with the purpose of improving the lives of my students and making an impact on their educational journey. I am motivated each and every day to make a difference for students through innovative teaching practices that engage and motivate students to be empowered learners.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I was recently awarded the Canadian Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM. This award honours outstanding and innovative teachers in all disciplines for their remarkable educational achievements and commitment to preparing their students for a digital and innovation‑based economy. It is the most prestigious prize awarded to a teacher in Canada.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Rejection. It's hard to work so hard for something, to set a goal, only to come to a barrier that won't allow you to move forward to achieve that goal. I've learned over time that the adage, when life closes a door, find a window, is very true. The challenge is being able to find that window. Sometimes our minds are so cluttered with emotion that we're not ready or able to see that there are other ways to reach our goals. We must be willing to take the time needed to reflect. The important piece is that in order to be successful, we must always keep growing forward.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. The biggest piece of advice I have for anyone looking to take a risk and go out on their own to start something new is to just start. "You just start" was something that was said to me when I first began, and it changed the course of my life. Our day-to-day to-do lists can be overwhelming.
    Sometimes we have to put things aside and just take that leap, just start.
  2. Look at the bigger picture. Learn to look far beyond your own four walls. We must think about our goals on a global scale. We can't reach a community of people we're not thinking about in the first place.
  3. Learn to grow from failure. When we are able to sit back and learn from our mistakes, only then can we move forward and upward. We must be willing to look at and think deeply about the mistakes we've made, the missteps, and the missed opportunities and reflect on how we can make changes moving forward.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://www.discovergracie.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daphling01/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mcmenemytweets

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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