What inspired you to set up your own business: I have always had a passion in education and particularly around the Human Rights component of education being a right of a child. There is a real need in inspiring and sparking curiosity in young minds as they are our future leaders. I feel called to help and support and pioneer this space.

Where did you get your entrepreneurial spirit? Are your parent’s entrepreneurs? My father has an entrepreneurial spirit. He created and built the first private Radio station in Tarawa Kiribati and private newspaper back in the 90s in Kiribati. My older brother is also a successful entrepreneur with 2 podcasts that he created. He has been listed in the Wall Street Journal (U.S) for Health and Wellness for his sleep podcast. He’s one of my inspirations. Along with this, my mother has a fierce and kind heart who loves to take chances and has always encouraged her children to aim high and big. These people who have played a significant part in my life have always mentored me and allowed me to always follow through with what we start and always strive for excellence.

What was your key driving force in becoming an entrepreneur? I wanted change. I suffered from so many loopholes in current systems such as school and it deterred at times. I have since looked and seen these gaps and thought, if I could do it the way I think is needed, it might help others. After teaching over 100’s of students over the years, I have seen that sometimes improved and more innovative methods are required when tackling existential problems that we may not have control of at times. Being an entrepreneur came naturally when I realised, I was the only one in my domain doing what I was doing. Schools are still following old systems of learning and change hasn’t taken shape there yet. I have found moving with the times and making strong authentic relationships with those I work with to work the best. We are able to address and understand problems and work out ways to resolve them. I’m grateful that I’m laser focused on what I want to achieve and how to go about it as it can be overwhelming in the beginning where you just want to try and do it all. I have found, drilling down and staying in my lane of what I aim to achieve which is empowering and equipping the students I teach with important life skills: those being notably: writing and communication.

Where did the idea of your business derive from? I studied Human rights and International law at university and from that, I was exposed to a lot of world problems. I discovered that the United Nations has a list of unsolved world problems that today are still not solved. World poverty, hunger, climate change, slavery, and so much more were still not solved. I used these problems to form the basis of my English curriculum and started teaching English in the context of these issues. I always said to my students that I am here to teach you the real stuff not the fluffy stuff, the Real stuff that matters. Real Stuff Matters! 😊

Considering the competition in today’s business world, how would you highlight your Business competitive advantages? What makes it stand out of the others out there? My hour of power classes. I am able to get my students gravitate to a topic I am teaching my encapsulating them with interest and love. My character and delivery of classes has a way of connecting with my students and I believe my genuine interest and passion combined enable me to always and continue to connect with those who have not even met me in real life. Showing up for my business everyday and delivering on my promises and value have also built genuine relationships both online and at face-to-face events.

Who is the one entrepreneur to be your greatest example and inspiration? I don’t have a favourite, I really love looking at those who excel in their areas and applying what I could use or value from and how I can apply it to my business too.

What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive in your day-to-day busy schedule?

1. Learning and working in corporate has allowed me to see what processes are at a macro level especially for large global organisations. I love applying the Japanese style of business planning to my business. I am fortunate to work for a global automotive company as a project manager and the amount of knowledge I have learnt there is incredible.
2. Working full time in corporate whilst developing my online business allows me to feel safe especially when you have family and various investment properties too so you can keep a steady income in.
3. Microsoft skills: I love excel and know data is the new old. Using data to quantify things and streamline information has been a huge help especially when you are a sole trader or a one man show.
4. Project mgt is really key. Thankfully, I do this full time where we analyse risk to delivery on certain things and work towards a strict timeline too.