Debbie Elder
CELEBRATING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT
MEET THE ALUMNI:
DEBBIE ELDER, SHADY OAK PRIMARY SCHOOL
WHY DID YOU APPLY TO THE PROGRAM?
I’m always looking for ways to be a better business woman and though I have been fairly successful through trial and error, I wanted to learn how to further grow the company. I knew my business had growth potential but also that growing too fast could jeopardize my business. I needed to learn how and when to tell if you are ready for that growth.
WHAT HAS GROWTH BEEN LIKE FOR YOU SINCE GRADUATING FROM THE PROGRAM?
With 18 months since graduating from the program my school has more than doubled in students and we’re looking for ways to physically expand the school and its offerings. The school has become my foundation and inspiration as I grow and undertake bigger opportunities. I’m able to do what I love and hold speaking engagements related to education and entrepreneurship, with the confidence of knowing my business will still run and succeed with the right people in place.
HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET IN YOUR BUSINESS AND TEAM?
The foremost way that entrepreneurism thrives in my business is the culture I’ve created of empowerment and independence for my teachers and staff. They’re able to make decisions without me and look to each other for problem-solving collaboration. This essentially has served as an inspiration for the growth opportunity of a teacher institute that I worked on during the program. My teachers are also often inspired by entrepreneurship by embedding it into their curriculum, such as a bazaar we’re hosting in the coming weeks where students will sell the items or services they’ve created to the community.
HOW ARE YOU SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY?
I strongly believe in the value of collaboration and the partnerships I’ve created with other schools and businesses in the community; they have engaged in my growth and in turn grown with me. It’s further become a community of support for small businesses and schools alike.