98: The Birth of Shooting Star E-Learning LLC

They say some people don’t dream at night they dream all day, and I was that person. For years the image of this hazy endeavor, this dream, this ambition had echoed in my mind calling out my name; yet I was never able to fully figure it out until one day when it became a reality!

As a kid, I had dreamed beyond the stars to be an astronaut, businesswoman, or scientist. Yes, though I was blessed with 2 bright kids and loved being their mom, their guide; something was missing in my life.  I wanted to make my own mark on this planet! Hence, I decided to embark on my own treacherous adventures with my first challenge being the baffling B.Ed.!

Time ticked by as I studied the nook and cranny of every single book, every single piece of information late in the night with only an auburn lamp, just like the old times. I often missed dinner overwhelmed by the pressure or overslept in the morning only to hear a hue and cry on waking up. Even though my family tried their best to support me, sometimes I felt like I was journeying alone on this path, but for some odd reason, there was this burning desire within me that fueled my determination to believe in myself! It was difficult to find time to dedicate to my studies while taking care of my young children, so I would stay up late at night to get work done. After a long struggle, I appeared for my B.Ed. exam and to my surprise I passed with flying colors. I was over the moon, but all of a sudden, I was left with a void of obscurity. I had achieved finally my goal after all these years, but what next, I asked myself? Days passed by as I searched for that very answer, but right then life’s second station decided to pay me a visit and I set my eyes towards being a teacher.

I had always had this hidden passion for educating, inspiring young minds and fortuitously this was that one occupation by which I could build a harmonious balance between my family and career without much hassle. Without any hesitation, I took it and commenced my voyage into the universe of Kindergarten Starters as an assistant primary teacher. Throughout my journey, my family was my strongest source of support. My husband helped to reduce the burden of housework and my kids helped around the house as much as they could. Their willingness to support me started a new fire in me.

Due to this newfound passion and my diligent efforts soon enough, I was offered a great opportunity in another school as an assistant primary teacher.  I was on cloud nine and with my consistent efforts, I got promoted to be a class teacher! But over time the monotonous schedule, pressure, and tension created holes in my perfectly woven canvas. Something still felt incomplete, I felt like I was made for something bigger, I felt my potential wasn’t being used adroitly. I wanted to be the pilot of my aircraft, I wanted to steer my own life, I wanted to be my own boss!

At first, nothing really struck my mind. I was blank awaiting to take my first steps when one ordinary day I enrolled my daughter in online classes for her upcoming board exams. Then, a lightbulb lit in my mind, this was my eureka moment! I had the caliber and experience in the very same profession, so an idea crossed my mind – Why don’t I start something similar? In recent years, the rise of online educational institutes had created a niche market space and now, I was more than ready to pounce on the opportunity. Without wasting a second, I got to brainstorming, I drew rough plans, started making connections in India for veteran educators, and asked my brother to help me create a website. Never did I imagine that reviewing your own website was a mammoth task! After several interviews and precisely 2 months later it was the official birth of my 3^rd child, a virtual education platform providing quality teachers for all at affordable prices in various academic spheres such as NEET, SAT, IELTS, and more, but I knew the journey ahead wasn’t going to be easy! The first few months the website lay untouched by customers, the arrival of summer holidays completely destroyed my hopes of new students, and to top it all off getting trained and experienced teachers was a colossal challenge! There were times where I would doubt myself and my abilities to make my dreams come true. When I first started my business, I was overwhelmed by the competition in the market. I was worried that my smaller, newer business would easily be swallowed up. Initially, I struggled to market my business and receive inquiries from students.

Still, I never lost hope and believed that after every dark night I faced there would always be a brighter day!

So, I  started becoming more active on social media platforms to spread awareness about my institute, soon the dust of uncertainty started washing away as we got our 1^st batch of students for primary tuition,  and then the news started spreading through word of mouth! I worked even harder to build my institute brick by brick and finally few students from reputed schools in Dubai enrolled in my institute for SAT Training. That was the happiest day of my life, that day I felt like “I have finally done it, I have finally accomplished something”, I proved to everyone that I have what it takes and that very day I also realized that the fruit of one’s hard work is truly the sweetest! Just 6 exhausting months later we had 30+ students training under 15+ teachers and yes, it sounds like a small amount but for me, it means the world!

Talking about the present, my company is officially registered as a certified LLC under the UAE government – Shooting Star E-Learning LLC – with a miscellany of qualified teachers and plans to expand my horizon to an international platform. I still have a lot to learn but I am proud to say that my family, my relatives have finally started to believe in my vision, and powered by this I have expanded the company to greater heights.

To conclude, looking back I have emerged a new person from this experience. 6 years back I was someone who dreamed of something great but never ventured out of my comfort zone, and now I am a successful entrepreneur who helps educate students across the globe! Throughout this entire journey that burning flame, that passion within me guided me to find my own shooting star, my own true calling as an entrepreneur. Every step of the way I faced challenges but that did not stop me. Still every now and then I often ask myself “Is this it?”, “ Is the journey over ?”  but the answer is always “No” because I know the day I say “Yes “I’ll put a brake on improving my career, my business, and my institute.

In a nutshell, I had always felt something missing in my life but that very day when I decided to embark on this adventure I changed my destiny towards finding my true calling, my very own shooting star!

From a dreamer to a teacher, to an entrepreneur this is the story of my life. What’s yours?

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

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Co-written with Vedanth Aggarwal, 13, Dubai, UAE, under the StoryBuddy program.