Strive for Excellence

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with David Blobaum, Co-Founder of Summit Prep LLC., located in Roselle Park, NJ, USA.

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

Summit Prep specializes in private, personalized tutoring. We provide in-person and online tutoring for academic subjects and standardized tests (such as the SAT, ACT, ISEE, SSAT, GRE, and LSAT). We have tutoring centers in Summit and Bernardsville, New Jersey.

Tell us about yourself

I was waiting for my long-scope background check to the CIA to clear (I had been hired to be a Leadership Analyst focused on Pakistan) and began tutoring in the meantime. I found out I absolutely loved teaching, and private tutoring was the perfect niche for me: I am able to really get to know my students and have a tremendous impact on their education and their lives.

I withdrew from my offer to the CIA, and I haven't looked back since. Every day I get to help students become better versions of themselves, and for that, I feel very blessed and grateful for the opportunity to do so.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been to make a training curriculum that can turn smart tutors into extremely effective tutors. It is over 100 hours of training videos and 60 additional hours of training after that. We then provide a full-time salary with full benefits, 401(k) match, etc.

In so doing, we are able to attract fantastic candidates, train them better than anyone else, and retain the very best tutors. Combined with our extensive curriculum created from real SAT and ACT tests that adapts to target the weaknesses of each student, I believe we offer SAT and ACT tutoring that is second to none.

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

Managing expectations is the hardest aspect of my job as a business owner, both the expectations of clients and employees. Most clients have no idea what is tested on the SAT and ACT, so we have to educate parents about how much content is tested on these exams for them to understand how much work it will be to substantially improve.

Most employees initially have no idea how much work it will take to master these exams. Once we overcome a mismatch in expectations, then both clients and employees better understand the work required to produce stellar results.

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

Always grind like you're broke. Even when you have enough, always keep grinding. That's how you stay on top of your game and prepare for the future.
Be good. Greed is shortsighted and will lead to less in the end.
Be patient. Good things take time. If you persevere through difficulties, you will always succeed in the end.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://summitprep.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SummitPrepNJ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summit_prep/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SummitPrep_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/summit-prep-llc/

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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