Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebekah Daniell.
Rebekah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My husband and I started tutoring part-time in 2013 as a way to pay off our student loan debt. Over time, it evolved into a full tutoring business, where we helped students with subject areas such as math, science and reading. We eventually added test prep for ACT and SAT. As demand grew, we kept thinking of ways to expand our business. We had previously consulted on college essays in an informal capacity, but lockdown allowed us to flesh out the college admissions piece of our business, and our first full class was the Class of 2021. Since then, I have started the University of California at Irvine’s Independent Education Consultant certificate program, which I will complete this summer. This program has allowed me to enhance my knowledge of college admissions and stay up to date on emerging trends.
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?
I don’t think there’s such a thing! Working full time while also running a full-time business has been the biggest challenge. There’s never enough time, and there hasn’t been enough balance from a personal perspective. The other thing that has been tricky is that there’s no road map for starting your own business. Brad nor I have a background in business, so there definitely has been a learning curve. Luckily, we have leaned on family, friends, and a good accountant to help us.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We value the relationships we form with students and their families. We want students to feel comfortable with us in a laid-back environment, so we try not to take ourselves too seriously. We meet students where they are and try to make learning and studying fun. While getting extra math practice or science help isn’t always enjoyable, we try to make it a positive experience. We aim to get to know the students and families, so we can develop a connection that lasts for years. Nothing makes us prouder than watching a student who worked with us from their freshman year through graduation grow and achieve their goals… Knowing we had a small part in their academic and personal development is the legacy we are proudest of.
We have specialized in subject area tutoring, ACT/SAT preparation and college admissions counseling. We have tutored math and science the last eight years, ACT/SAT the last four years, and provided college counseling for two years. Recently, though, we have focused primarily on ACT/SAT and college counseling. We have been fortunate to hire wonderful tutors who help us with the content area tutoring.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Reach out if you need tutoring or if you think you would be a valuable addition to our team. We are always looking for people who make us better tutors, provide new ideas, and expand our reach. You can also follow us on Instagram (@danielltutoring) or subscribe to our newsletter on Danielltutoring.com for regular updates on college admissions and test prep.
Contact Info:
- Email: danielltutoring@gmail.com
- Website: www.danielltutoring.com
- Instagram: @danielltutoring
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielltutoring/
Image Credits:
My headshot was taken by Alice Park (https://www.aliceparkphotography.com/). The two photos of students were taken by Sarah Lewallyn.
