On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Brainfeed took the opportunity to recognize the efforts of twenty exceptional women leaders in the field of education. We featured them in our cover story “Women Edupreneurs” of March 2023 edition of the Brainfeed Magazine. These women leaders focused and strived for creating a positive ecosystem at their workplace that helped other women in contributing to their fullest and ushering in the much needed change. Each one of these women educational entrepreneurs shared what it took them to successfully complete their entrepreneurial journey during which they have explored and found new identities for themselves and other women working with them.
Dr Keni is the founder of a unique institution that has paved its own way of learning. Steering away from the conventional, Dr Keni has developed a personal skill-based learning method. Apart from owning an alternative progressive school in Bengaluru, she runs a career-focused junior college and is an educational advisor for multiple institutes.
Here are excerpts from the interview.
Journey as an Edupreneur
I worked in the corporate for 10 years before I left the job to home-school my child. I was not satisfied with the education system. Soon I enrolled in courses such as child psychology education, career guidance, and counselling. As I worked with parents and children I tried out various hypotheses on education. Some of the parents and children liked my ideas. They motivated me to start my own school where children could learn using practical models and examples. That is how Aurinko came into being and my stint in endupreneurship as well.
In order to start something of your own, you have to take risks and make compromises. Raising finances will not be easy. You have to be prepared for all of these when you are starting out as an edupreneur or entrepreneur. What can eventually be beneficial at this point is getting help from people. Don’t try to control everything, let others help you out. Only support can keep you thriving in the journey.
Message for women who aspire to become entrepreneurs
It is important to understand education holistically if youare aspiring to be an edupreneur. You must know where technology is leading us and where education is headed towards. Being a visionary is key in any field. It is important to have an insight about the needs of children, twenty-forty years ahead. It is also important to have proper knowledge and skill.
Particular knowledge of psychology and education is an add-on. You should be able to understand the curriculum, content and be able to work with parents to address their worries and challenges. Know your job and subject well and also look into the future trends of the same. An overall knowledge of the education system is really very important.
It is important to understand education holistically if you are aspiring to be an edupreneur