Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrye Y. Hicks.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I’ve also always had a love for inspiring and teaching (both youth and adults) and sharing that love through the performing arts. I grew up on-stage–acting, dancing, singing, performing. I attended a private, Christian school from kindergarten through twelfth grade that was widely known, at that time, for its creative talent. We were a very musical and theatrical school–always hosting musicals and theatrical productions. It was my life. And growing up, I knew that whatever I did in life was going to have to include this element of performing and the love of the arts. It has always been a dream of mine to have my own performing arts school. A few years ago, I was teaching at a school, and the opportunity arose for me to coordinate and organize some theatrical productions and arts-related events. I thought I was home. Nowhere else had I been where my unique set of administrative, teaching, performing arts, and event planning skills could be used so significantly, simultaneously. Unfortunately, that school closed down. I remember contemplating the news of the school’s closing and I remember being sad because I felt like I would not find another place where I could use all my gifts and talents at the same time. I thought I’d have to go back to choosing which gift/talent to use at a particular job and being confined and inhibited to one gift. A nightmare for any creative. Sharing my concern with friends, I remember one of them saying, “Terrye, the only way you’re going to be at peace with using all the gifts God has given you and not being confined to choosing this or that, is to create your own thing.” Another friend immediately chimed in: “You know you can do this, right? You can have your own school.” And in that instant, the seed of a lifelong dream grew and the realization of that dream became a real possibility. I remember praying, “God, if this is what you want me to do, I need a clear, unmistakable sign.” Almost immediately, my phone chimed, and a friend who had been a school administrator for years texted me: “If you ever thought about opening your own school, now is the time. I will help you.” Well, I’m not sure how much more of a sign was needed. We got to work and explored our options, and Will Call Learning Center was born.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Smooth? That’s funny. I’d love to say yes, but I’d be lying. Any time you set out to do something unique, go off the beaten path, make visions a reality, struggle is inevitable. There is the struggle of others believing that you’re doing the right thing. There’s the struggle of you wondering whether or not you’re doing the right thing. Sometimes you wonder why you can’t be “normal”…you know, a regular person with a regular job, living a regular life. Then you take one look at your students, your program, your book, your invention, your work–whatever it is– and it all comes back to you. The why. And you realize that people won’t always get your why. If we’re honest, sometimes we don’t always get our why. I think it’s a thing every visionary / entrepreneur / creative struggles with–the head noise. The noise of distraction, disapproval, doubt, fear, the what ifs. I’ve had other struggles too, though. I’ve wanted to speed up the process of “success.” I learned I had to redefine success because success comes at all levels along the journey. It is not the destination. Making it through the day. Success. Helping the light bulb come on for a student. Success. Remembering to send that email. Success. Providing a safe, transformative space for children. Success. At first, I thought success was only a large facility, hundreds of students, a large staff, and several school locations all around the country. Maybe those are goals, but success can’t be measured by that right now. We’re just getting started. I was way too hard on myself and put myself under a lot of undue pressure and stress to perform–to be successful. I was comparing myself to other people who had been in business for 10, 15, or 20+ years and I was only in year one. Of course, my thing doesn’t look like their thing. It took me a long time to stop comparing, stop pressuring, and simply submit to the process.
Please tell us about Will Call Learning Center.
Will Call Learning Center is a Christ-centered, performing arts homeschool program in Douglasville, GA. And, it is the only program of its kind in the area. We accept students from kindergarten through 12th grade and teach all core subjects. Imagine you, a parent, decide that you want to explore nontraditional academic options. You decide you want your child to be homeschooled. However, you work a full-time job, aren’t comfortable teaching the material, or just want support. That’s what Will Call offers. We do the homeschooling for you. Think of homeschooling with a private school model. Our students have a regular school schedule, daily classes, wear uniforms, go on field trips, etc. Because it’s a homeschool program, we are able to tailor the curriculum to the child, focusing on meeting the needs of each student. We offer one-on-one instruction. Our small environment and class size also allow us to offer individualized lessons specific to the learning style and level of each child. In addition to the core subjects, we offer some fun extra-curricular classes–Music, Spanish, Life Skills, etc. Our students have engaged in cooking classes, dance lessons, growing a garden, visual art, and so many other fun activities. One of the highlights, for me, is that our students put on some amazing shows! Twice a year–once in the fall, and once in the spring–we put on some incredible theatrical productions that have left audiences awe-inspired. During the spring semester, we also do “Lunchtime Theater.” We transform our lunchroom space into a “dinner theater” setting, invite parents, family, and friends, and enjoy performances by the students. The students love it. I’m happy to pass along my love of the arts to them–and to see them embrace it so fully. I believe what I’m most proud of is Will Call’s transformative nature. About Will Call, my pastor once said, “Education can happen anywhere. Transformation happens here.” I believe it to be true. I’ve seen the shyest of students come and develop into the life of the party. I’ve seen other students afraid to speak above a whisper deliver the strongest of monologues during a Lunchtime Theater show. I’ve seen students who despised math or reading tackle their challenges and those very subjects became their favorite. I’ve seen students who weren’t too confident emerge as student leaders, inspiring and motivating others without hesitation. That is what I’m proud of. I once had a parent ask me, “Where’s your magic wand?” What we do is far from magic. It’s work. It’s effort. It’s a lot of prayer and a lot of tears. And every bit of it is worth it.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Wow. That’s a loaded question. I’d probably start with some capital. We started on a wing and a prayer. What can I say? It takes a lot of resources to run a business, especially one of this nature. I also would have opened up more immediately about the gem that we are. When I first started Will Call, I was so focused on just starting, meeting the needs, and getting things going, that I hardly put in any time for marketing at all. We were well into our second year before anyone really knew we existed. Word of mouth has been our best friend, marketing-wise. However, given my extensive background in marketing, it’s a wonder that we didn’t do more. I was so focused on one aspect of the business that I completely ignored this area. Now I find myself “making up for lost time,” but better late than never I suppose. And we really do have something great here. I want the whole world to know this type of support for nontraditional education exists.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.willcalllearning.org
- Phone: 470 729 0320
- Email: willcalllearning@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillCallLearningCenter/
Image Credit:
Alexis Reeves Photography, Evie Hartness, Terrye Y. Hicks
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