Meet Shantell Witter: Founder/Head Tutor & Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shantell Witter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shantell, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After substitute teaching for the local school district across the county, I saw a huge discrepancy in resources, academic rigor, and opportunities offered to students who lived in the more affluent areas versus those who lived in less affluent areas. Although that is well known to be expected, it bothered me as a former graduate and as a mother of a former enrolled student (I now homeschool my child) of that same district. On top of that, I was even more disturbed to see that there wasn’t a single educational resource available in my area that offered affordable and non-contactable rates to families. All of these things inspired me to create The Academic Medics (aka TAM for short). I created TAM because I personally know what it’s like to want to do more for your kids, however struggle to be able to do so, due to having limited resources or lack of access to nearby resources. In the creation of TAM, I made sure to be in a place that was walkable and/or easily accessible by car, bike, or Gwinnett Transit  (bus). In addition to that, I made sure to offer my services on a sliding scale basis so that families can afford the help in which they seek for their kids. For example, we offer monthly tutoring packages starting as low as $65 for the month as well as 6-week academic enrichment classes for $85. I don’t think you can find prices like those anywhere whether for tutoring or classes in SAT/ACT test prep, coding, chess, art, etc. Coming soon this year: we’ll be offering college admission counseling and academic core homeschool classes online with affordable rates as well. Be sure to check out our website for updates! Overall, we are here to uplift our local community’s families by providing access to top-notch services to the students of our next generation regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Was it easy to create The Academic Medics, quite frankly it wasn’t too too hard. Let me explain. I have a saying, “When the stars align”… that I apply to my everyday life. When I wanted to jump on the mission of launching this business on “my time” it was frustrating- there were no buildings or locations available for lease, my resources were limited, and the clients weren’t there. Even with all my personally attained knowledge and negotiating skills from having been in real estate as a Realtor® for 10 years didn’t help me to overcome obstacles that I was facing. But when I said “God, if you lead I’ll follow”, that’s when things started moving and shaking, I’m talking from me getting lease signings approved, contractor work completed, deals on furniture, equipment, etc. I lacked nothing…. Even once we finished buildout and I started to need a roster of students, I went from zero to one to ten and so on in less than a month. Now, this Covid- 19 pandemic threw a wrench in the mix for 2020, but even with the challenges that I faced, I still managed to pivot and grow. In the fall we’ve moved into a larger office suite, so now we can teach more than one class at a time, as well host digital learning support lounges to assist families that can’t have someone sit at home with their child to assist them throughout the day. I look at all of these things as blessings and opportunities that made my journey not as disheartening as others might’ve had in being a new entrepreneur. Especially since our growth has occurred prior to being open for a year.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have way too many to list. Over here in the Duluth/Lawrenceville/Norcross area, there are so many places that I go to for great eats or to chill and relax- that naming one just wouldn’t be fair, in my honest opinion. What I will say is that everyone should check out the café and eatery scene in those areas. It’s important for us to support the small businesses in these areas, as our community wouldn’t be so culturally enriched or lively without them. If you drive up and down those neighborhoods, I’m sure you could find a place you’ll love for any time of the day. Better yet, I promise you, you won’t be disappointed!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give thanks first and foremost to GOD. If it wasn’t for Him placing these amazing ideas and crazy thoughts on “how to make the world a bit better than how I found it” and for having blessed me with the hyper-focused ability “to make things happen” even when the odds look against me- I don’t think The Academic Medics would’ve come about, nevertheless this opportunity of speaking with you . I’d also like to thank my daughter, Julianna, as she’s my junior business partner in-training and muse for some of the amazing programs/classes I’ve designed for TAM; my grandmother, as I learned and developed my entrepreneurial skills from her growing up watching her build her successful Mary Kay career as a kid (and she still sells to this day), and my other near and dear Mamas- “Aunty” Elaine, Mama Lisa, and Mama D for helping shape me into the woman I strive to be – Proverbs 31.

Website: www.theacademicmedics.org
Instagram: www.instagram.com/theacademicmedics/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheAcademicMedicsLLC
Youtube: The Academic Medics