Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Fred Ray Lybrand, Founder of Independent Homeschool, located in New Braunfels, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I supply courses for homeschoolers. The courses cover the skills we uncovered as vital for our own 5 children as we homeschooled them from birth to college. The courses include Writing, Reading, Problem-Solving, Memory, Communication, Time Management, Focus, Setting up Systems, Goal-Setting, Mastering Emotions, Relationships, and Parenting.
Tell us about yourself
With my educational background (and my wife with a Master's in Education), we were concerned about the schools in our area from an academic viewpoint. Our firstborn had mild cerebral palsy, so we didn't want to get him 'labeled' too soon, either. As we began to work with it, everyone seemed to flourish. In time, we began to help others experience the success we had seen.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Either the new book: The Independent Homeschool, or The Writing Course (1,000s of students have been impacted pretty dramatically).
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing is doing too much by yourself. Developing courses and learning technology and learning marketing is time intensive (and very hard to be motivated with... meaning 'enjoying' every activity). Basically, sometimes just being 'bored' with routine things is the hard part for me.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- You can't start with perfect. Just start with OK!
- If you don't believe your product will help, they won't either. Focus on helping others.
- Look at your numbers and make it a business. If it's a hobby, it'll never become what you want it to be.
- Look at my YouTube Channel.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://independenthomeschool.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheWritingCourse
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independenthomeschool/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fredlybrand
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredraylybrand/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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