Meet Belinda Flournoy: A Solopreneur’s Journey in STEAM Tutoring
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Welcome to another interview of the BizStack Solopreneur Spotlight series! Today, we have the immense pleasure of speaking with Belinda J. Flournoy, also affectionately known by her students as Miss Bee. Belinda is a powerhouse of knowledge, creativity, and dedication in STEAM instruction and tutoring. With over 16 years of experience under her belt, she’s here to share her journey, insights, and tips with all of us. So, let’s dive in!
Meet Miss Bee: A Fusion of Art, Science, and Passion
Born out of a career transition from B2B tech sales and national coaching for real estate, Belinda has been enlightening young minds as a solopreneur for 14 years. Her philosophy intertwines a profound passion for teaching with an innate love for arts like origami and handmade animation techniques such as phenakistoscopes.
“My specialized area is math, but my heart belongs to creating a symphony of curiosity and learning in all subjects I teach.”
Belinda J. Flournoy
“I pride myself on tailoring my teaching methods according to each student’s needs, empowering them to use their time and resources effectively,” says Belinda. Her student-centric approach has garnered stellar reviews on Wyzant, making up 40% of her online contracts.
A Week in the Life of a STEAM Education Solopreneur
Belinda’s weeks are carefully segmented into creative planning, tutoring, administrative tasks, and personal time. Here’s a snapshot:
- Monday mornings are dedicated to calendar planning and communications.
- The afternoons are about preparing for the week’s sessions, including the Science Pod.
- Tuesdays focus on material procurement and more tutoring sessions.
- On Wednesdays, she commutes to Los Angeles for the Science Pod group.
- Thursdays are for administrative tasks, business development, and teaching.
- Fridays are reserved for marketing, planning, and more tutoring.
This structured yet flexible schedule allows Miss Bee to maintain a healthy balance between her professional and personal life, emphasizing self-care and time with family.
Tools, Strategies, and Productivity Hacks
When asked about the essentials for her business, Belinda emphasizes, “My computer is my lifeline!” It’s clear that technology plays a substantial role in her daily operations and interactions with students.
For business growth, she advises,
“Being proactive in communication and making new connections has been crucial. It’s about taking that initiating step forward.“
Belinda also highlights the importance of downtime, advocating for regular outdoor breaks to recharge creativity and productivity.
Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Achievements
The road hasn’t always been smooth. A significant challenge for Belinda was adhering to self-care amidst the demands of solopreneurship. Yet, by recognizing the importance of personal well-being, she has managed to strike a balance that keeps her energized and focused.
A proud moment in her journey was organizing her first full summer of Science Pod. “It was a leap of faith to branch out, focusing on playful STEAM learning, and it filled my summer schedule with joy and curiosity,” Belinda recounts.
Belinda J. Flournoy’s Lightning Round
In this lightning round, I asked Belinda to answer 12 rapid-fire questions:
What’s something that’s in your pocket right now, besides your phone?
nothing
Artificial intelligence: hope or dread?
Hope!
Your favorite place to think big?
Short scenic drives in my car, preferably as a passenger
If you were out of business tomorrow, what job would you pursue?
Remote work within my current environment or past experience.
One object from your childhood you could never throw away?
Childhood photos
One feature you wish your phone had?
Entrepreneurial motivating ideas pop-up messages
Your favorite mobile app?
Podcast App
The book that most influenced you?
“When Women Lead” by Julia Boorstin
Messy desk or clean desk?
clean
One thing you always have in your fridge?
sparkling water
Your favorite time-saving hack?
turn off all other devices
Best movie ever?
“Moonlight”
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Solopreneurs
For those considering the solopreneur path, Belinda offers sage advice:
“Surround yourself with a supportive community. It makes all the difference when challenges arise or when you simply need a sounding board for ideas.“
Belinda’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and continuous learning. Her story encourages current and aspiring solopreneurs to pursue their passions while making a meaningful impact.
If you’re inspired by Belinda’s story and wish to support STEAM education, she invites you to contribute to Khanmigo via Khan Academy.
For more insights and inspiration, follow her on LinkedIn. Let’s continue to learn, grow, and inspire together in our solopreneur journeys.
Thank you, Belinda, for sharing your story and insights with the BizStack community!
I’m founder of BizStack at Cagri Sarigoz LLC and a passionate advocate for entrepreneurs.
With over 14 years in tech, marketing, and AI, including my role as Head of SEO at CitizenShipper and co-founder of TaleBot at Intale AI, I’m dedicated to sharing genuine, useful product insights and tips.
At BizStack, I aim to cut through the digital noise to provide clear, actionable advice.
And more than all else, I’m a father to a (always) little girl and a husband.
Contact me at [email protected] for assistance.
