Deborah's Muse sat down in an interview with Shundell Osborne, a teacherpreneur. Shundell has been teaching for 31 years and owns her own school for 7 years. She professed that with all she has invested, "it is not about the income but about the outcome." She also urged parents to not compare their children.
"I press on."
Deborah’s Muse: Who is Shundell Osborne?
Shundell: I am Shundell Patricia Osborne. I am the fourth child of my parents, born in the month of May. I'm dark and beautiful with a unique personality. I'm a teacher by profession for 31 years. I've taught in the public school for seventeen years, then migrated to the Bahamas where I taught for six years. Then I migrated back to my beautiful homeland where I taught at the New Guyana school for one year after which I followed my dream and launch my own school. Colors OF LIFE PLAYSCHOOL.
Deborah’s Muse: What service does your business provide?
Shundell: My business provides an Educational service opened to the public. A right start for a brighter future. Clean safe fun learning environment Where we cater to your child's five spices, social, physical, intellectual, cognitive, and educational needs. Small classroom setting and very affordable.
Deborah’s Muse: Where is your business located?
Shundell: Colours of life playschool is located in the heart of Vergenoegen at Lot 4 Markenday street.
Deborah’s Muse: How can you be contacted?
Shundell: I can be contacted via telephone, email, or Whatsapp. My contact information is as follows landline number:260 -2082 cell phone number; 6732495 and my email address is 0sborneshundell@gmail. com. If you call, text, or email me and don't get an immediate response I will get back to you as soon as I am available.
Deborah’s Muse: Describe briefly your academic journey?
Shundell: My academic journey was one with lots of hurdles, but like the saying goes the race is not for the swift but for those who endure to the end. My journey began at the Vergenoegen Nursery School then at the Philadelphia Primary school where I spent my primary years. After writing the SSEE examination I was awarded a place at the Vergenoegen Community High school. I further pursuit of my goals at the Cyril Potter College of Education where I received my class one grade one early childhood certificate.
Deborah’s Muse: What was your motivation behind choosing teaching as a career?
Shundell: As a child growing up, teaching was never something I wanted to do. I was aspiring to become a nurse but because I wasn't of the right age I was persuaded by my fathe to choose another career. His advice was '"you will do good teaching at a nursery school". Being the youngest on the job I was motivated and encouraged by the H.M (Head Mistress) and teachers at the school. So hats off to the previous H.M and staff members at the Vergenoegen nursery school. (staff members of 1989-2006)
Deborah’s Muse: Were there challenges in pursuing your academic goals?
Shundell: Yes they were challenges some greater than some but with God in the picture and a great support team behind I was able to climb those hurdles with ease
Deborah’s Muse: How did you use your career as an Educator to establish your business model?
Shundell: As an educator, I was taught not to show favoritism among no one you treat everyone the same no matter their socio-economic status, race, cultural background, etc. My business targets the public at large. Most of my customers I taught them at the Vergenoegen nursery school so they are eager to have me teach their children. Another is my years of teaching in the business arena. I have a wide knowledge and experience that would attract customers. People from in and out of vergenoegen attend my school. So there is not a problem where the school is located I'm an individual attraction and a household name.
Deborah’s Muse: Some people truly possess the gift of teaching. What character traits you possess that channeled you to become successful as you ventured into the business arena?
Shundell: As for me teaching is an art and you have to love it to do it. It's not the income for me but the outcome, making sure that a child develops holistically. Children must feel loved, a sense of security, and eagerness to go to school because of the teacher's approach towards them. We need to realize as teachers the children are our future . So if we beat and abuse them physically, mentally, and emotionally we are destroying them. Let's encourage them and mold and fashion them in the right way. Correct them in love speak being into them and you would see what they can do.
Deborah’s Muse: What was the largest obstacle you encountered while expanding your business?
Shundell: The biggest difficulty in getting my business off the ground was public awareness.
Deborah’s Muse: What is one fundamental principle you profess to live by as a business owner?
Shundell: Humbleness and determination are my priced character traits. These are what channeled me to be successful as I ventured off into the business arena. Combining these with focusing and setting my eyes on the price led me to bigger success.
Deborah’s Muse: How has the SAR CoV-2 also known as COVID 19 affected your business?
Shundell:Because of this virus my school was severely affected. My school was closed since 16 th March 2020 until the 30th April 2021. During that period no teaching was done so the children was at a great disadvantage.
Deborah’s Muse: If it was business as usual, what preventative action did you employ to protect your clients?
Shundell: All the covid 19 guidelines and protocol would have been followed.
Deborah’s Muse: What was the biggest difficulty in getting your business off the ground?
Shundell: Finance was the largest obstacle I encountered as I expanded my business.The demands for a larger workforce and the ability to employ someone with the appropriate intelligence and requirements.
Deborah’s Muse: What advice would you give your fellow women who are having difficulty starting that business?
Shundell: My advice to my fellow women who are having difficulty starting that business is that in everything you do put God first. Stay focus and humble. Have positive people to guide you and follow after your dreams.
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