Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Matthew X. Joseph, CEO of X-Factor EDU, located in Millis, MA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
X-Factor EDU started in 2016 after I finished my Ed.D in educational leadership from Boston College. I began my journey to supporting educators and districts. Experiences such as the Director of Teaching and Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, elementary school principal, classroom teacher, and district professional development specialist provided me with incredible insights on best-supporting teaching and learning. These experiences led to nationally published articles and opportunities to speak at multiple state and national events.
After writing Modern Mentor, Reimagining Mentorship in Education by Times 10 Publications, I met Brian Aspinall from Code Breaker Inc. I signed on as a Code Breaker Inc. author and began writing Power Of Connections: Connecting Educators, Cultivating Professional Learning Networks. After publication, I began organizing and facilitating national and international leader and educational meetups.
In the summer of 2021, Brian approached me to add a publishing arm to X-Factor EDU and be a publishing affiliate of Code Breaker Inc. In August 2021, X-Factor EDU publishing was launched.
X-Factor EDU is a full-service professional development organization with educators from multiple countries and backgrounds. In addition to publishing the voice of amazing educators, we provide leadership coaching, district consulting and workshops, and keynotes around many educational topics. Our mission is to be unapologetically YOU, and our team is ready to support you and your staff.
Tell us about yourself
I am driven by supporting educators to have confidence in their abilities and reach their full potential. Having an avenue to support and encourage educators to share their voices and story drives me every day to be better. X-Factor was built for educators who want to share their stories. Our profession is rooted in authentic stories from practitioners who learn by trying, learning, and then growing. We have so many talented educators in this field; I want to learn with and from them.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Twelve months ago, X-Factor publication did not have one book or one author on our team. Today we have over 20 authors, four leadership books, and four children's books and publications. Our team speaks all over the country and contributes to podcasts, blogs, in national events.
I'm proud that our team is seen as support but at the same time as educators doing the work. Our guest blogs allow aspiring writers to get their voices and ideas out. Our full-length leadership publication books provide ideas and instructional strategies for schools and educators. Our children's books provide stories with important messages to your readers. Our first book, Stronger Together, symbolizes our team. We all rise together.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I am balancing providing opportunities to educators while ensuring the content and ideas match our vision. I feel a great responsibility to produce high-quality work. X-Factor does not only represents our educators.
Xavier is the middle name of my Gran father, who instilled my grit and whose name I carry on as my middle name. I want to allow everybody to share their voice, yet I have an obligation to ensure that what we produce with our name on it will support the field at the highest level.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know who you are as a leader.
- Be open to feedback to support your growth.
- Have FUN.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://mxjedu.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthew_x_joseph/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MatthewXJoseph
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmxj/
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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