Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Burgess.
Dominique, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I became passionate about education specifically urban education during my first year of teaching. I remember staying at work late trying to find resources for my students to connect with. Parents would always ask me for materials and books to take home to help enhance their child’s educational experience, I begin sharing these resources with all families of traditional schooling and homeschooling. I realized there was a disconnect between educators and homeschoolers during my experience and knew I wanted to bridge that gap and be a resource for both. In 2018, Burbrella Education was created to provide homeschooling and traditional schooling families with educational resources to enhance the quality of learning in urban education. I created a Facebook group instantly that allowed families and educators to connect and collaborate. In 2020, we expanded to an LLC to extend the services and resources we provided. Burbrella Learning Academy was founded during the pandemic to provide families with quality and rigorous homeschooling instruction virtually. I noticed that many families were looking for learning material, learning products, and online classes for their children because of the fears surrounding education at that time. I was able to use my 12 years of teaching and leadership experience to found a school that collaborated with the families in their time of need.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As an educator, there are many obstacles you are faced with but many are out of your control however, when founding your own learning academy, it is a lot easier to jump over those hurdles. Some of the struggles I faced was 1)running a business as an individual without the support of a team. I knew very early in my incorporation process I would need a team to help me build and extend the company’s products and services. I decided I was going to reach out to homeschooling moms and offer my products, services, curricular, etc. in exchange for them to work for Burbrella. I was able to get many interested families many who are still with us today. 2) Another struggle we faced was trying to service families who were interested in signing their children up for our academy but wasn’t able to afford tuition. My team and I had to brainstorm ways to support these families and we knew we weren’t going to turn them away. We started doing fundraisers in the hope of turning the proceeds into scholarships to be able to help families who couldn’t afford tuition.
We’ve been impressed with Burbrella LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Burbrella LLC is an educational resource for both traditional and homeschooled learners. We focus on well rounded, innovative support for both the learner and the family while creating a diverse community of learners across the country. . What set’s us apart from other virtual academies is that our program provides families with learning routines and structures similar to a school setting but allows the flexibility and differentiated learning approach that homeschooling brings. In addition to our learning academy, we have our burbrella troupes program designed to build self-confidence, self-esteem, life skills, and social skills in girls ages 4-13 through workshops, forums, and activities. We pride ourselves in being able to service families looking to expand their children’s learning experiences through our programs and resources.
Burbrella Learning Academy offers 16 weeks virtual classes, virtual and in person field trips, school holiday shows and much more for homeschooling families and a nontraditional approach to tutoring for traditional schooling families. Our academy makes learning fun, flexible, and differentiated to meet the needs of all students. Our Burbrella Troupes program engages girls 4-13 in engaging workshops, informative forums, and interactive activities to build self-confidence and life skills. Burbrella LLC also offers homeschooling and learning consultations to families in need.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For anyone looking to start a homeschooling business, I would suggest doing research by engaging with homeschooling audiences, holding workshops and forums for homeschoolers to trust your experience and expertise and also figure out how what you offer is in alignment in what families need. When I first started out, I wish it was easier for homeschoolers to see how my experience as a classroom teacher and school leader was similar to what they are doing as homeschoolers. When sharing my homeschooling experience with my own two children and align it with my educational expertise, I notice other families are more intrigued. My experience as a homeschooling mom is also what makes what we do authentic for the families we serve.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@burbrellaeducation.com
- Website: www.burbrella.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/burbrellallc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BURBRELLALLC
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCHZ4q0kOHYVOSl99kSshWA
Image Credits
Burbrella Learning Academy
