Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilana Lopez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ilana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
While I was on maternity leave with my second child, I dreamed of a job where I could have a flexible schedule and continue to work in the field of education. It didn’t occur to me to start a business. Instead, I decided to create flexibility within my full-time position at a university. At first, It worked well. I was excited to see colleagues and jump into projects I loved. However, after a few weeks, the pace of work and home felt unmanageable.
I loved my job. I was co-creating youth programs with local partners (principals, teachers, after-school providers) and training college students, alongside faculty members, to work in San Diego schools. Though this hit many passion points, as a parent, I longed for a way to work more directly with other parents and have a more balanced life.
I spoke with my husband about the desire to connect more directly with parents. He said you know so much about education, from preschool through university. What if you started a business where parents could ask you any education question about their kids? I loved the idea of tailoring advice to the specific needs of parents. There is an information overload with social media and the internet. Parents often get conflicting and sometimes inaccurate advice. I believe every child is unique and every family has its own special dynamic. With this in mind, I began listing potential services for parents. The seed for what is now Education Solution was planted.
Over the past year, the services at Education Solution has evolved with the needs of the parents. I have provided parents with personalized lesson plans – which parents implement at home, advocacy plans for parents who are navigating Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s), helped parents select a school for their child, researched and provided recommendations when parents face important decisions around their child’s education (i.e., should my child skip a grade, should my twins be in separate classrooms), and helped parents navigate issues with school administration. I found that I absolutely love working with parents individually!
In addition to working one-on-one with parents, I also consult with Bayside Community Center and was asked to join their Board of Directors. Through working with this community center, I lead parent workshops on any issue parents wish to learn more about: from navigating school systems to how nutrition impacts academics.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Within one month of coming up with the initial idea around Education Solution, I developed a website and services. I did this while I was working full-time and had two children under the age of five. It was exhausting!
Everything came to screeching halt when I contracted meningitis (I don’t have a spleen and get sick more easily than others). I thought it was the stomach bug at first and barely made it to the hospital in time. I was unconscious and on life support for several days. My spouse was told that I may not survive. My youngest child was 7 months at the time.
After several weeks of recovery and being unable to work, I realized that I had to make a change. I couldn’t work full-time, parent, take care of myself and launch a business. It was scary to make the decision to transition out of my full-time position to focus on my business, health, and family.
I went several months without any clients, but I believed in the idea of customized, affordable solutions for parents. I got my first client because of the way I answered a question about her child’s school in a Facebook group. She referred another parent to me and I slowly started to build up a client base.
Just as I started to get clients, Bayside Community Center called about being on their Board of Directors and consulting with them on their parent workshops. I started to feel confident that I am filling a need in the San Diego community.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Education Solution – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I offer several services to parents, including personalized lessons plans (easily implemented at home, adapted around busy schedules), parent advocacy plans to help parents navigate school systems (for parents with or without an IEP), selecting a school, and college advising. I also developed a parent toolkit for navigating school systems.
I see myself as an education problem-solver for parents. I know how the system works and I know how to teach (I have an M.Ed in Literacy and a teaching credential). I’ve had the unique opportunity to be in many classrooms across San Diego County, nationally, and internationally. I’ve learned so much, spoken to and worked with amazing educators, and deeply enjoy leveraging that knowledge on behalf of parents. Parents call me or send me an email and, usually within 24 hours, I provide them with a thorough, expert solution to their problem.
As a parent, I know how much we worry about issues at school; from bullying to academics. I’m really proud to ease that burden for parents. I’m a big believer in the “It takes a Village” adage. I like to think of Education Solution as a part of a parent’s village.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I look forward to supporting more parents by developing partnerships with wellness centers, community centers, and schools in the region and beyond. In my previous position, I cultivated partnerships. I love working collaboratively and look forward to expanding my client base with this approach.
In addition, I have mostly supported parents with children in schools. I am expanding my services to support San Diego’s vibrant homeschool community with personalized lesson plans tailored to the interest and learning preference of their child.
Pricing:
- Parent Advocacy Plans: $40-$60 (depending on the situation)
- Personalized Lesson Plans (a series of bite-sized lesson plans, tailored to your child): $40 per subject area
- Selecting A School: $50 – $80 (depending on needs)
- Parent Toolkit: Navigating School Systems: $4.99
- Sponsor A Parent: $10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.educationsolutionhacks.com
- Phone: 619.356.4796
- Email: info@educationsolutionhacks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solutioneducation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/educationsolutionhacks/
Image Credit:
Michelle Padilla
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