Today we’d like to introduce you to Komal Mathew.
Komal, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a doctor. After completing my pre-med course work at Georgia Tech, I took an American Poetry class with poet Thomas Lux. During his office hours, we discussed a poem I wrote. After, he encouraged me to pursue writing. It was something I never thought of as a possibility. I laughed and told him that I was going to be a doctor, but I could be a poet, too. He looked at me seriously and said, “No. You have to choose.” I don’t know if it was the urgency in his voice or my spiritual stirrings, but I just knew he was saying something true and hard.
So, I applied to Sarah Lawrence College in New York to pursue a graduate degree in writing, after which led me to eight years of teaching at Kennesaw State University. My next major change was when my husband and I found out we were having twins. After they were born, I struggled with trying “to do it all.” After much prayer, I resigned from my teaching position and started, in Toni Morrison’s words, “to mother my children and write books.” Two years ago, I started Three Revisions, a business that started from editing requests from friends and family to growing small business for new “friends and family.”
Has it been a smooth road?
Is it ever a smooth road? It most definitely was not for me. I had a very hard time leaving a job I loved; working with students and seeing them grow was and still is a deep passion of mine. I believe though that God wanted me to experience some heart work in patience and perseverance. In the years of waiting, I was able to see language from the very beginning in my children — from writing their ABCs to reading books and writing stories.
My now family of five have been and will always be my priority, so one of the biggest challenges in running a business is knowing when to say “no, thanks” to a good (sometimes, great) opportunity. For me, slow growth is an intentional strategy. I believe time is a resource of quality, so my work must serve the client well while allowing me to be present with my family.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Three Revisions – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Simply put, Three Revisions is an education consulting business focused on editing and proofreading. As the owner and editor, I provide valuable, specific feedback for students, professionals, and businesses. Because of my background in teaching students, I mostly edit academic work — whether it is for an international student struggling with an essay in his English college course or a doctorate student finishing her dissertation. Writing is always hard, and I am grateful to encourage writers as they learn how to write for greater impact.
Being an editor allows me to be a part of a writer’s journey, meeting them where they are and helping take them a little farther down the road, closer to the place that feels like who they really are. Unlike some of the large editing companies, I take pride in being a personal advocate for my clients. If my services won’t help them meet their personal or professional goals, I will tell them honestly. Similar to personal accountants or mechanics, I would love for everyone to have a go-to personal editor.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the diversity of people, food, activities, and art. I love that once you settle in, it feels like home and you miss it when you leave. The only thing that could make me love Atlanta more is if it had a robust transportation system like Chicago and NYC.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.threerevisions.com
- Email: komal@threerevisions.com
Image Credit:
Shawn R. Photography, Amanda Coffelt
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