B. Ayesha's Phenomenal Allies Feature: Academy of Scholars, Inc.

Hey Guys & Dolls!! I'm so excited to present this week's feature on B. Ayesha's Phenomenal Allies! I'm a big supporter of small business owners. What better way to show my support but by featuring them and helping to get their name out, right? Here's another week of awesomeness!

I'm pleased to introduce to you Shevonica, Founder of Academy of Scholars, Inc.!

B. Ayesha: What is your name?

Shevonica: Shevonica M. Howell

B. Ayesha: What is the name of your business?

Shevonica: Academy of Scholars, Inc.

B. Ayesha: How long have you been in business (anniversary)?

Shevonica: My non-profit status has been valid since April 2012 and I am happy to tell you that I opened my school on Wednesday, September 3, 2014.

B. Ayesha: How did you get started in this business?

Shevonica: I have been teaching since 1997. I had the pleasure of teaching as a full time substitute for the public school system from 1997-1998 and I received my first full-time teaching contract during the 1998-1999 school year. I was one of the three finalist named to compete to be the 1998-1999 Teacher of the Year. Being that I was not a three to four year teacher, I was not able to hold the title after being nominated as the 1998-1999 Teacher of the Year. After teaching during the 1999-2000 school year, I took a sabbatical, joined the military and became a soldier from 2001- 2003. After completing two and a half years of successful service in the military and earning three medals and nine coins, I decided to go back to doing what I knew was my divined passion…Teaching to the whole child and trying to change disparity in education.

I also taught from 2005 – 2008 in public schools and from 2008 -2011 in the private sector.

After realizing that there were so many students being left behind although the students were being promoted and not ready, experiencing class sizes that were overwhelming for slower learners, and seeing private school founders that were only opening schools to receive checks, motivated me to try to make wrong, right.

As I struggled to complete all certifications, guidelines, and deadlines to open my school…from 2012-2014 I taught as an adjunct professor at two local colleges, went back to school to earn my Educational Specialist degree and participated in as many workshops, community events and contest that would give me the much needed “air-time” to speak about my vision.
There are many issues but in my business, these issues are worth having because I know I’m making a difference.

B. Ayesha: What are the biggest issues for running this type of business?

Shevonica: The biggest issue for running my private school would be the not knowing the “what-ifs” and trying to stay focused by knowing God is in control. I started with a full faculty and staff, and many prospective students wanting to attend my school to only having a select few of both. Receiving funding is extremely hard too because there are so many non-profits that are in need of funding. Being blessed with parents and students that believe that education is the key to success and that believe education is mandatory are harder to find than I thought it would be. I hate to tell you, but there are many parents that are more concerned with finding baby-sitters for the year than being concerned about their children receiving a valuable education.

B. Ayesha: Running your own business can become overwhelming at times. What motivates you to keep going?

Shevonica: Yes, running my private school is truly overwhelming all the time, but my grand daughter, my biological kids, and my students motivate me to keep going. It does my heart good when they tell me how proud they are of me and that I’m their role model. Hearing those words truly motivate me to stay the course.

B. Ayesha: What is the future for this type of business?

Shevonica: My goal is to continue promoting my school and to open other facilities in Brunswick, GA, Houston, TX, in OHIO, and in Charlotte, NC within the next decade.

B. Ayesha: What advice would you give other aspiring entrepreneurs?

Shevonica: The biggest advice I would like to give other entrepreneurs is this...remember to seek God first, plan, ask many questions, and NEVER GIVE UP!

If you would like to delve more into the fabulousness that is Shevonica and Academy of Scholars, Inc., you can find out more by email, website, or via telephone at (904) 924-4884!