I recently started the Small Business Shout Out Series, a set of interviews with small business owners, where I learn about them, their businesses, and the impact they have on our communities.
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This month I’m sharing my conversation with Kait and Becky of Redwood Literacy.
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With experience in Chicago Public Schools and long-time educators, Kait and Becky have witnessed student after student in their classrooms who needed more support and intervention than they were able to provide during the school day in classrooms of 30+ students. Redwood Literacy was born as an answer to the need of these thousands of Chicago students who desperately need focused and individualized literacy intervention in order to reach their full potential as learners and contributors to our world.
What’s your business and the story behind it?
We have a full day school program that offers individualized, multi-sensory literacy intervention, after-school and summer services offering Wilson Reading intervention intensives, and intervention certification partnerships with Rogers Elementary School and 6 Noble High Schools for the 2019-2020 school year. There is a literacy crisis around our city and we want to be a small part in closing the gap for the next generation.
What’s your favorite product you sell/make/offer and why?
Wilson Reading intervention just works like no other literacy intervention program we’ve seen before. We are passionate about helping individuals of all ages with dyslexia recognize how intelligent and capable they are given the right tools!
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What is your advice for moms who want to start a business of their own?
You can do it! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be a wonderful mother and a successful business owner. If you are passionate about making beautiful things in the world, show your kids how to live out their dreams by living out yours.
What are 2 of your go-to small local businesses and what do you love about them?
Sol Cafe is our favorite place to meet to hash out Redwood plans because they have amazing food, perfect coffee, and the best atmosphere. KB Art Studio has been an integral part of providing awesome specials for our Redwood Day kiddos. Kaye is so gifted at what she does and provides such a beautiful spot in our neighborhood for people to create.
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What are some tips that help you (try to) achieve work-life balance?
To help me achieve a work-life balance, I make lists. I love crossing off items on my list. I don’t stress if the list is not finished in one day. It usually is not meant to be. I also have hired help for my own home. I tell my clients to not feel guilty having me in their home helping and I wasn’t taking my own advice. I needed help so when I got home from work, I could enjoy my family, not stress that the laundry wasn’t put away. Hiring someone to do my laundry was a game-changer for me.
What’s a typical day like for you?
Get up at 6. Kiss our kids good morning and get them to where they need to be for the day. Teach 1-1 sessions with students from 7:30 to-8:30. Start the school day at 8:30. Literacy block, math block, lunch & recess, networking meeting, a phone call with a potential student, team meeting. It’s 3:30! Pick up kids from school. Help with homework while making dinner. Check-in with after-school teachers to make sure group sessions are going well. Bedtime with the kiddos. Work out. Clean up the email inbox. Meditate and pray. Try to be in bed by 10 (fingers crossed!).
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What’s your best “mom-hack” you think other moms could benefit from? (We all have at least one time or sanity-saving tip that everyone would want to know…spill it!)
Trello is what we use to track all of our to-do’s and group collaboration for Redwood and our personal lives as well. If you have never heard of it, check it out! There is an app too!
What are 2 things you could not survive without?
Our students and their families. Our incredible staff.
Exclusive offer for Jessie Hearn Photography readers!
We would love to offer free consultations for Redwood Literacy and Redwood Day School for the month of January. Interested parties can sign up through our website and indicate that they heard about us through Jessie Hearn Photography for this $150 value
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If you are interested in participating in the monthly small business shout out, or you know someone who might be, please feel free to fill out this form and I will be in touch! Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!
