Alexa Coburn is the owner of Stemly Tutoring. Read our interview with Alexa about her experiences with Xcelerate Business Advising. 

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What inspired you to start your own business? 

I was unfulfilled in my Mechanical Engineering job and wanted to pursue my passion for tutoring and helping students. My experiences as a woman in STEM inspired me to create a business that supports and empowers young people, especially women, to succeed in science and math.

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What were some of your key goals that you worked with Xcelerate on this year? 

This year, I focused on enhancing marketing strategies to reach more clients, gaining clarity on tax and legal processes, improving team management and communication systems, and developing financial analysis and projections to drive sustainable growth.

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How has your identity as a woman and any and all other intersectional identities impacted your business?

As a woman in STEM, my identity has driven my mission to create opportunities for young women pursuing STEM careers. It’s shaped an inclusive culture in my business, celebrating diverse learning styles and making education accessible and personalized for all students.

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What were some of the challenges you faced this year and how did working with Xcelerate help you to overcome these challenges?

One of my biggest challenges was scaling the business while maintaining strong systems and workflows. Xcelerate provided valuable insights and guidance that allowed me to approach these challenges with more confidence and clarity.

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Are there any wins or achievements you have celebrated this year while working with Xcelerate? For example - hiring new employees, paying yourself, quitting a day job, achieving profitability, opening a new location, increase in sales, launching a new product. Please be as specific as possible.

This year, I achieved a 56% increase in sales and a 63% increase in net profit. I transitioned my virtual assistant to take on more executive assistant tasks, which has streamlined operations and freed up my time. I also began tracking key performance indicators, such as active students and total tutoring hours, providing valuable insights for growth. By strengthening SEO and expanding school outreach, I significantly boosted the number of consultation calls booked, contributing to the overall success of the business.

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How do you personally define success for you and your business?

Success means building a business that helps students achieve academically and gain confidence while providing me with the financial stability, time, and freedom to live the life I want.

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Is there anything else you'd like to share about your Xcelerate experience?

Xcelerate has been an invaluable part of my business journey. Running a business on my own has felt isolating, but having access to resources and support for specific challenges or areas where I need advice has been incredibly helpful. The coaches I’ve worked with have been exceptional, providing insights that made a lasting impact on me and my business.

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Find them: @stemlytutoring