Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stephanie Soetendal, Founder of Matrix Tutors, located in Boston, MA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Matrix Tutors is disrupting the future of education through AI Holograms with Machine Learning to democratize tutoring reserved for the top 1% of families to the United States Public Schools and low-income countries.
Tell us about yourself
The following experience was the igniter. I was an after-school teacher volunteer at an inner-city public school in Little Havana, Miami. 5th-grade students could not add or subtract fractions, a concept that is mastered in 2nd grade. Immediately after, I went to a private island to be the tutor of a student whose father had a car collection of ~$1m. The 15-year-old student wore a $15k Rolex and had a privileged life. That's when I realized the unjust system of education that still exists in modern-day society. In order to ignite society towards the next level of evolution, it all begins with children and the quality of education that molds their perspective and thought processes.
This education reserved for the top 1% of families, primarily from private schools that can afford thousands in tutoring per year, should be democratized to the 99% of society. Additionally, Matrix Tutors focuses on the consciousness development of children to ignite them into a purposeful future as they become aware of their infinite potential. What motivates the relentless hard work taken daily is the future happiness and emotional well-being of children and the evolution of humanity through individualized learning and emotional intelligence.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Successfully having AI Holograms come into existence. This was a vision held since the age of 22, except the hologram was on Mars, welcoming children into a new day of learning. My mind lingers in the future as I envision solutions to challenges humanity will have as we progress into a technology-driven society. Education on Mars can be provided through AI Holograms. The hardware is shipped to space while the educational content is pre-programmed to be taught at an individualized level through the AI functionalities. The AI Holograms are ready to provide the most expensive yet effective form of education as we evolve into planetary species.
Of course, the development of the AI Hologram came into existence with the assistance of the expertise of incredibly talented individuals. The igniter was MassChallenge's IBM Mentorship Program. A grateful thank you to Gautam Siwach, Principal Technology Leader at IBM, the mentor that guided me for the development of the AI Hologram. Another thank you to my ongoing mentor Matt Puccini for his continuous support with Matrix Tutors.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Never giving up despite the tremendous mission I have embarked
upon.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Mentally prepare yourself for the characteristics that are required to become a successful entrepreneur. This includes keeping an optimistic and open mind, finding opportunities in challenges, having strict discipline, and having gratitude for life.
- Your team is largely what makes a mission successful as they execute goals through their individual expertise. Compensate well and remind them of the immense gratitude for all their hard efforts.
- Balance in life is important. Though as an entrepreneur, sacrifices are required to be made. Be ready to work relentless hours. Stress management is important. For myself, I meditate every morning, work out 5-6xs per week, do yoga, and follow a pescatarian diet.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://matrixtutors.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hologramsteph/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-soetendal-185a961a/
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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