Today we’d like to introduce you to Ty Lewis.
Ty, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2015, I realized that I wanted to move past being comfortable. I loved working with children, but I was becoming complacent with my former job. I decided that I wanted more, but I didn’t know what my “more” looked like.
In my quiet time with God, He confirmed that it was time for me to step out and leave my job as a Special Education Assistive Technology Specialist with Atlanta Public Schools and start my own educational business. All I had was faith and a glimpse of what my life would look like if I said, “Yes” to God.
I started my business with one child. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I did know that my faith was bigger than my fears. When I committed to walking in my purpose, so many people supported me. Donors were generous enough to provide tables, chairs, books, curriculum, technology and other in-kind donations to help me on my journey. I even had donors who paid the rent for my building for a year. Can you believe that the only thing that I paid for in my building was one printer? When I realized how faithful God was during that season, I knew that anything was possible.
Since opening in 2015, we have served over 500 children. I have contracts with different school districts and have created products for parents and educators. I’ve also had the opportunity to travel to different states to offer professional development in the area of reading. It’s amazing what can happen when you’re faithful over the few things.
Has it been a smooth road?
Every business owner has struggles/challenges. There are always obstacles when you become the CEO of your company.
When I first started my journey, I wanted to open a school. Unfortunately, that plan failed due to city regulations. I was devastated. I didn’t know what to do next, and I felt like giving up was better than moving forward. I had all of the plans for the school and had started advertising. When that plan fell through, I felt like I didn’t have any other options. I went back to the drawing board, prayed and asked God to lead me.
Instead of opening a private school, I offered tutoring, Saturday School, educational consultations, professional development for school districts, online tutoring and a summer enrichment program. The biggest lesson I learned during that season is that everything has a time. It wasn’t my time to open a school. I needed to grow, serve and truly learn how to lead.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Our center was established to provide academic excellence to students who have deficits in the areas of reading, math, and writing. We offer one on one tutoring, professional development for school districts, a summer enrichment program, and educational consultations for parents.
Our commitment to offering our scholars a future and hope sets us apart from our competitors. Education is not just about data, grades, academic achievements or standardized test scores. It’s also about making every child known. If you ever have the chance to sit and talk with me, you will always hear me say this, “This business does not belong to me. God is my boss, and I’m just a good steward over what He has given me.”
This is my ministry. Sometimes when a child walks through my door, they don’t need a phonics lesson or word problem in math. There have been many times when I had to stop teaching just to love on a child. Being in this position gives me an opportunity to meet the needs of children who have been forgotten in the system.
We aren’t just an educational center; we are a business built on faith and love.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I believe that our city is an excellent place for a business like mine. My advice would be to research your area to make sure the clientele needs what you’re offering.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2440 Fairburn Rd. Suite 302 Atlanta, GA 30331
- Website: www.educationallyspeaking.net
- Phone: 770-713-7757
- Email: educatespeak@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/educationallyspeaking
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/educationallyspeaking
- Other: educationallyspeaking.blog
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