We were lucky to catch up with Danielle Barbee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Danielle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

I wish I had started my business earlier like when I finished college. However, I knew nothing about entrepreneurship or even what I was most passionate about even though I had been tutoring for a couple years by the time I finished undergrad.

After teaching for 5.5 years, I switched careers and began working for the missile defense agency as a cost analyst. I enjoyed my new position, but I missed working with students. After tutoring through a third party company, I decided to branch off and start my own company.

If I knew then what I know now, I would’ve started right out of college when I didn’t have much debt. I feel like I would’ve been farther along by now than I am. However, on the flip side, I needed those professional experiences I had after college to figure out my gift and purpose. Those experiences also helped clarify the vision that I wanted for my future.

Danielle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

After spending a couple of years as a biology major in hopes of going the pre-medicine route, I switched my major to mathematics. After about a year as a math major in college I began tutoring several of the college algebra students, which I really enjoyed doing because I love math and helping others understand it. I had no idea that this was preparing me to be a high school math teacher. When I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, I had no clue what my career path would be until one of my high school coaches called me a couple of months after graduation to let me know he had a math position open and thought I may be a good fit. My teaching experience helped me discover my gift and passion for helping students gain a better understanding of math, close gaps, and show growth on standardized tests. After 5.5 years of teaching I changed my career path to that as a cost analyst for The Missile Defense Agency. However, I missed working with students and was already tutoring through a third party company. After a conversation with another local tutor who encouraged me to start my own company, I took the leap of faith and started “Math Solutions Tutoring”. After a year and half of operating under that name, I decided to do a rebrand and offer more subjects, and we became “Tailored To Your Learning”. Then the pandemic hit, and we became a 100% virtual company. After becoming a mom, I took a break from business to adjust to motherhood. During that time, I received lots of coaching and mentoring, which helped me realize that I possess a unique gift of helping students in different grade levels (Kindergarten to college) learn math in a simplified way. I also had the desire to be a math instructional coach, which was a hard position to come by due to a shortage of math teachers. Therefore, I created The Math Success Coach where we specialize in making math simple for grade levels 3 – 12. We do this virtually and in person in Jackson, TN. We provide homework help, test preparation, and intervention. Our intervention program focuses on closing learning gaps for students who have struggled in math for multiple years by diagnosing areas of weakness and developing individual tutoring plans customized to their individual needs. We also provide support for students who may not have always struggled in math, but they may be experiencing a difficult math class such as Pre-Calculus or Algebra 2 or having difficulty understanding their math teacher. Our mission is to help students build a solid mathematical foundation, increase math skills, and increase confidence for success in all math classes.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I first started my tutoring company, I had a 9 to 5 corporate job. For 6 years, I worked 13 to 14 hour days. After seeing the potential success of my business, I knew that full-time entrepreneurship was something I wanted, but I was afraid of taking the leap. I struggled with continuing to work my corporate job or stepping out on faith and pursuing my business full-time for years.

After having my daughter last year, I knew something would have to change. I didn’t want to spread myself thin, because I needed to be the best version of myself for her. I also wanted her to know that she could do anything she put her mind to if she worked hard and stayed consistent. I also knew that she needed to see that example in me.

On a Sunday night, about five months ago, I prayed to God to give me a sign if I should leave my corporate job to pursue my company or stay, and this time I would believe him by taking action. The very next day, I logged into work (I was working from home permanently at this time) and got knocked over the head with the sign. It was clear as day that I needed to leave my job. So I believed him as I promised and submitted my resignation letter. It was one of the scariest feelings, but I knew I had to take a chance or it would always bother me.

I’m so glad I did. It was nerve wrecking for the first 2 months, but I kept marketing, posting, and believing my small business would take off. The Math Success Coach is currently servicing the highest amount of students in our after school in person and virtual programs that we have ever served since I started tutoring as a business, and we are implementing our first tutoring contract with a local school system.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Staying consistent, operating with integrity, and providing real results. The stories that parents share with me, I share with my audience so they can see that someone like them has achieved the results they desire for their student. Also, doing what I say I’m going to do and providing good customer service has helped build my reputation. Also, this is more than just a business or side hustle. It’s something I’m passionate about. So I do everything I can to make sure students are improving. If not, I adjust my methods to be sure the student is receiving a good, quality service.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.themathsuccesscoach.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themathsuccesscoach
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themathsuccesscoach

Image Credits
Trunetta Atwater Photography