We recently connected with Dr. Tyronne E. Carter and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Tyronne, appreciate you joining us today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?
Our business focusses on quality in terms of the STEM programs we present to schools and other organizations. So we try, whenever a problem arises, to focus on solving the problem. Our goal is to create and keep a customer, not just make a sale. One example is when there was a miscommunication with a customer and a class went longer than expected. Time is money, so we had to charge that customer an additional fee. The customer, who was using us for the first time, balked at paying more than originally estimated so we just wrote it off instead of arguing with them. Another time we had forgotten leave-behinds for a preschool class, so we came back immediately with the items so that the preschoolers and staff would feel we valued them as a customer. They were thrilled with the personal attention.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a licensed K-12 principal, licensed K-8 science teacher, certified STEM instructor, and served 13 years in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota school districts. I am the Director of Marketing and Curriculum Design for America’s Fun Science, a company I founded in 2015. America’s Fun Science delivers fun, hands-on science and STEAM programs for Pre-K through grade 8, throughout the Twin Cities metro area and beyond. Our programs help promote team building, leadership, self-confidence, creativity and joy. I am also a Vietnam-Era Navy veteran, and published children’s book author. I recently appeared on the local TPT series, “Hands-On Science.” In 2021 I was recognized as an outstanding black male educator by UpLIFT Impact Cohort magazine. More information on America’s Fun Science programs can be found at www.americasfunscience.com and our Facebook page.
Prior to changing careers to education, I was a human resources professional and diversity program director and trainer. I received my BS degree from Lincoln University, a Masters in Public Administration from Penn State University with a focus on Personnel and Labor Relations, and my advanced Educational Leadership degrees, EdS and EdD(ABD), from the University of St. Thomas. My STEM education certifications are from the University of Colorado and University of St. Thomas Engineering schools. Science has always been a love of mine, and my goal is to instill in students an interest and understanding of the world around them through fun, hands-on projects.
While working as a science teacher some years ago, I noticed that many elementary schools were allowing less and less time for science labs because of the focus on standardized test scores. Students were completing dull worksheets and memorizing boring facts as opposed to conducting exciting and fun science and STEM labs. Teachers needed exciting STEM and science labs but schools either did not have elementary science teachers or offered few or no labs. Further, many elementary schools did not have the money to bring in full time STEM teachers or purchase materials. This led to my creation of a business that would offer one- to two-hour STEM and science programs that would be exciting and cost effective for schools. And unlike other similar organizations, our programs are custom-designed.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Years ago I was working as a diversity program director, first for the state of Minnesota, and later for private industry. At that time I had a young son who was living with his mother in another state. I made the decision to change careers to education, so that I would have summers free to spend time with my son during his formative years. It meant really starting over in terms of college courses, and therefore increasing my student debt. But I had to choose a relationship with my son over whatever hardships I might encounter career-wise. And that ultimately led to the creation of America’s Fun Science.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
We did a low-overhead startup by creating one special event program from home, and used the income from that to develop other programs. We use a storage unit to keep all of our materials, and a UPS store mailbox to receive mail. We have no employees, but use independent contractors as needed. Today we have over 30 different programs available for schools, scouting organizations and other entities in our area. We present about 150 programs a year. If we tried to start up today it might cost thousands of dollars. Additionally, having a low overhead saved us during the initial COVID19 outbreak. Some of our local competitors had to lay off employees and/or went out of business during that time, and weren’t able to really recover. Yet we were able to stay the course, and were ready to provide programs once the demand came back. Now we’re doing better than ever!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.americasfunscience.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063813152286
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tyronne-ellis-carter-43ab9838/
- Twitter: @amfunsci
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFIkmAZruSqsd3gDRXy6ywA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/americas-fun-science-minnetonka?osq=america%27s+fun+science