Building Confidence and Competence

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rachael Barron, Founder of Effective Students, located in Atlanta, GA, USA.

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

Effective Students is an Academic Coaching practice that equips students with executive functioning skills for school and beyond. We also provide curriculum and training to educators and schools to do the same.

Tell us about yourself

I started Effective Students because of my personal experience as an advocate and parent. Students, including my own kids and those for whom I advocated, were struggling significantly to manage their academic demands. Without the skills to do so, their academic performance suffered, anxiety increased, and they could not show their aptitude or enjoy learning. When evaluating how executive functioning skills were being taught, no one was training students to be independent and self-directed in a step-by-step, easy-to-follow manner. Even more importantly, there was no path to fade the adult support to let the student stand on their own.

I wrote the Effective Student Method so students would have a pathway to build these skills, feel confident and be competent. I am committed to equipping kids to be independent and self-directed. School and growing up can be complicated. Learning how to manage school shouldn't have to be. Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Impacting hundreds of students' lives, so they become confident, empowered learners. Sharing this success with our coaches, so they experience success as their students do! Relieving the tension between parents and students to improve the teen/parent relationship, specifically around academics.

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

One of the most challenging things is having to do several different things at once, innovate, account for quality, manage finances, etc. Budgeting time for each one helps. As we have grown, I have found reliable partners to help me with specific areas. Developing those practices take time and patience but will carry you in the long run.

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

Know what makes you and your idea different.
Test it with customers and commit to continual improvement.
Listen to people with more experience and ask questions.
Stay focused - you will need to learn to lead a team to grow.

Go for it.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://effectivestudents.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/effectivestudents
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/effectivestudents/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EffectivStudent
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3REvKsU

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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