Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lani Donaldson, Founder of UP Academy, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.

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

UP Academy is a 100% independent school serving motivated students who fall through the cracks, feel they do not fit in the public system, or simply want to accelerate their learning. We offer a more focused approach to learning where each child benefits from a personalized learning program. Students learn in a diverse number of ways. Up Academy considers these differences in all programming by meeting kids at their skill level and taking them to where they need to go in the way that serves them best.

Tell us about yourself

After years of teaching at the Junior/High level, I knew that the current system was not serving students. I met lots of students who were simply pushed through the system. And in my books, that needs to stop. Hence, I started my own school, UP Academy. A school where everyone succeeds and no one is left behind! Students are challenged to be the best they can be; after all, UP stands for Unlimited Potential.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is realizing my biggest dream - having my own school. It took a lot of courage to make the big leap, and I'm incredibly proud of how far I've come. I could not have done this, though, without the support of my team and my amazing husband!

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

I'm a great teacher, but that doesn't make me a great business owner. I've had to learn a lot of things the hard way over all the years that I've been in business. One of the hardest things is wearing all the different hats in your beginning years. You're the CEO, the caretaker, and everything in between! In short, you are the Chief Everything Officer.

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

  1. Do not go on this journey alone - make sure to have a business mentor (your family and friends who don't own their own businesses are not the best people to take advice from!)
  2. Think big picture first - what is your vision? Where do you want to take it? And then, work your way backwards in figuring out what your monthly, weekly, and daily steps need to be in order to get there.
  3. Build a team. Start with one person that can support you on the journey. It can be a VA (virtual assistant), a bookkeeper, or anyone who can take care of the little things so you can stay focused on making the cash register ring!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://upacademy.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UPAcademyPrivateSchool
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/upacademy-privateschool/

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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