We recently connected with Flenord Baker and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Flenord, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
What was the process of going from idea to execution?
Having a clear Vision, we proceeded to develop and define the Mission.
The Mission was defined, refactored, and refined to: Provide State of the Art (SOTA) Tech Education that prepares kids to positively contribute to the world now and in the future.
After exhaustive research we determined that Coding, Robotics, AI, Gaming (CRAIG) would allow us to accomplish our Mission.
Next was to build the leadership team that had the formal/informal, education, training, skills, and desire to support CRAIG. Fortunately, our immediate Family had the necessary skills to meet the Mission demands.
TEAM PROFILE
CEO: Fariah
Managed Academic center tours
Directed daily Academy operations
Proficient with AI Generative Tools, Google Suite, Social-Media, Technical equipment
Experience leading corporate strategy and financial performance
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
CTO: Flenord
Chief Systems Perimeter Software Security Engineer
Senior Automotive Engineer and Aerospace Engineer
University Director of Software Engineering
University Software Engineering
Software Engineering University Curriculum Developer
Mobile Game Development Engineer
COO: Franklene
Marketing Director for New York Times Best Selling Author
Director of Multicultural Affairs and Community Engagement
Small Business Owner of Software Engineering Consulting Firm
Principal Software Engineering Business Analyst
High School track and Cheerleading Head Coach
CMO: Frederick
Facilitated Academic center tours
Engage and oversee coaches/tutors
Proficient with Google suite, Social-Media, Marketing Tools
Experience developing Marketing Campaigns and Strategies
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
CCO: Fiana
Principal Career Planner: Supported students on their workforce career path
Community Engagement Manager: Facilitated orientations for community leaders.
Community Impact Manager: Managed Social Media content
Director of Recreation Programs: Developed and implemented strategic marketing plans
Director of Healthy Living: Managed Health and Wellness activities and special events.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
There was an idea to bring together a group of remarkable people, to see if they could become something more. This idea began after teaching as a University Professor and recognizing that motivated and curious students working together with emerging technology could create amazing projects that can positively change the world. This led to the belief that younger students could accomplish extraordinary results if they were also provided similar access to emerging technology in a nurturing environment that promotes exploration and advocacy.
To test this we provided summer camps to kids from 10-15 years of age. It became apparent within the first two years that the younger kids actually had tremendous enthusiasm, creativity, and tenacity and really wanted to develop new and exciting projects. It was at this time we realized that the group of remarkable people that could become something more, were actually, kids.
Over the next 10 years we followed the EdTech industry and Emerging Technology waiting for a signal that would indicate when the best time would be to open a “Tech Academy. ”Then on November 30, 2022 as we conducted our research on Emerging Technology, we tried a new and very unassuming application, ChatGPT.
Within an hour of reviewing this new application, it became apparent the WORLD would never be the same. Our first response was, this tech will break the WORLD. Collectively we knew our Tech Academy Vision would help kids build a better WORLD.
If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?
We knew from prior corporate experiences not to rely on a single revenue stream, and that to ensure sustainablity and longevity we would need to have multiple avenues or revenues. We initially started with what we learned from working at previous EdTech facilities:
1. Memberships (Consistent, Expensive, Builds Ownership)
2. Kid Workshops (Periodic, Affordable, Membership Gateway)
3. Special Events (On Demand, Affordable, Expands Brand)
4. Field Trips (On Demand, Affordable, Expands Brand)
5. Camps (Seasonal, Expensive, Expands Reach)
6. Game Nights (Planned, Inexpensive, Community Builder)
7. Adult Workshops (Planned, Free, Morale builder)
8. STEM Days (Planned, Affordable, Ad Hoc Support)
Have you ever had to pivot?
When we opened there were only a few STEM curriculum packages that were accredited and engaging for students. We now have a greater understanding of the needs and wants of the students and parents. With this new found understanding we have decided to create a comprehensive STEM curriculum that more adequately covers the range of needs and wants of the students and parents, as well as, meeting our Mission and Vision Goals.
We have also developed 5 software packages that provides a more effective and efficient system wide process of managing the many varied student curriculum pathways, session attendance, program and progress analytics
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stemality.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialstemality/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Stemality/61556776095551/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StemalityOfficial
Image Credits
Holder is STEMALITY Staff