WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:08.330 Raphael: Hey folks, and welcome back to the Small Tech Podcast. 00:00:08.330 --> 00:00:10.350 Today, we have another amazing guest. 00:00:10.420 --> 00:00:14.999 She has been a business advisor, a director of a Montessori school, 00:00:14.999 --> 00:00:19.370 and for the past few years, she has been building Edify Learning Spaces, 00:00:19.380 --> 00:00:24.659 the world's leading tutor matching platform for neurodivergent children. 00:00:25.279 --> 00:00:26.889 She is Priya Tronsgard. 00:00:27.254 --> 00:00:27.664 Hi, Priya. 00:00:28.309 --> 00:00:29.389 Priya: Hi, thank you. 00:00:29.609 --> 00:00:35.779 I think most people, to say neurodivergent is a mouthful, and I like to say 00:00:35.779 --> 00:00:40.449 neurodivergent, and I also like to say anyone who learns differently, 00:00:40.534 --> 00:00:41.074 Raphael: Yeah, 00:00:41.156 --> 00:00:45.306 Priya: and I think that is very easy to understand and say. 00:00:45.896 --> 00:00:47.006 Welcome to the club. 00:00:47.006 --> 00:00:49.236 Raphael: Yep, definitely tripping over my words there. 00:00:49.876 --> 00:00:50.456 Priya: Everybody. 00:00:50.456 --> 00:00:53.566 I mean, saying it, spelling it, you think they would choose an easier 00:00:53.566 --> 00:00:55.766 word, but here we are, neurodivergent. 00:00:56.576 --> 00:00:57.046 Yeah. 00:00:57.096 --> 00:01:04.879 So that's anybody with ADHD living as an autistic has dyslexia, dyscalculia, 00:01:05.059 --> 00:01:09.499 and any other learning difference and need more support and have. 00:01:09.705 --> 00:01:15.204 There's a lot of additional powers that are given to them that we can all benefit 00:01:15.314 --> 00:01:19.634 Raphael: yeah, I mean, with that, I'd love to learn more about how you got here. 00:01:19.634 --> 00:01:23.944 I was you know, Doing my research, digging through your LinkedIn and, you know, I've 00:01:23.944 --> 00:01:28.074 talked to you in the past, so I kind of know some of this stuff, but I wanted 00:01:28.074 --> 00:01:33.124 to dig into how you ended up starting Edify what was this journey like through 00:01:33.124 --> 00:01:35.194 life that led you to to this place? 00:01:35.769 --> 00:01:39.929 Priya: Yeah so I've lucky in life to experience lots of 00:01:39.929 --> 00:01:42.349 different things like most of us. 00:01:42.409 --> 00:01:47.284 But I think what really helped me start Edify was And I think that was 00:01:47.284 --> 00:01:51.959 my belief in seeing kids who could do better in our current system. 00:01:52.089 --> 00:01:56.359 Both of my kids are neurodivergent, they learn differently, they 00:01:56.359 --> 00:01:58.499 are awesome and autistic. 00:01:58.879 --> 00:02:02.414 They are awesome and have ADHD. 00:02:02.414 --> 00:02:05.149 And I learned so much from them. 00:02:05.599 --> 00:02:12.369 And I think seeing them thrive in our current education system was the 00:02:12.369 --> 00:02:15.079 impetus of what helped me start Edify. 00:02:15.329 --> 00:02:21.109 And You know, working in the education field for over 20 years helped me 00:02:21.109 --> 00:02:23.329 realize that parents need support. 00:02:23.709 --> 00:02:27.039 And I knew that there was something really magical happening 00:02:27.359 --> 00:02:28.709 and I wanted to share that. 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:30.064 And that's what Edify is. 00:02:30.514 --> 00:02:31.174 Raphael: Awesome. 00:02:31.244 --> 00:02:36.774 And I think I know this already, but this is your first step into entrepreneurship, 00:02:36.774 --> 00:02:39.394 or not, had you started things before? 00:02:40.084 --> 00:02:40.804 Priya: Oh, yeah. 00:02:40.804 --> 00:02:44.594 So I basically started when I was 12. 00:02:45.784 --> 00:02:48.144 So what happened was a sad story. 00:02:48.144 --> 00:02:50.514 So my mom passed away when I was 12. 00:02:50.544 --> 00:02:52.074 My dad's an entrepreneur. 00:02:52.514 --> 00:02:54.674 And my brother was seven years old. 00:02:54.844 --> 00:02:58.544 So there we were with a mortgage to take over. 00:02:58.864 --> 00:03:01.314 And mortgages were a lot more affordable back then. 00:03:01.344 --> 00:03:04.914 But it's still we still were not making enough. 00:03:04.914 --> 00:03:10.159 So So on the weekends, we would DJ local weddings during the summer. 00:03:10.199 --> 00:03:14.169 And then we started to build out our offerings. 00:03:14.269 --> 00:03:19.049 And I did that for 10 years until I graduated from UBC. 00:03:19.089 --> 00:03:23.689 So I think that was my first opportunity in really building the product 00:03:23.719 --> 00:03:26.467 offering and increasing our revenue. 00:03:26.667 --> 00:03:31.847 Our net revenue by 10X, so I think it, that was our 00:03:31.847 --> 00:03:33.047 first, that was my first step. 00:03:33.157 --> 00:03:38.107 Even though I didn't start it, I was part of that business and then 00:03:38.117 --> 00:03:39.647 also started with the offerings. 00:03:40.267 --> 00:03:45.137 And there was a lot I learned in that, in those years while growing up. 00:03:45.632 --> 00:03:46.322 Raphael: Mhm. 00:03:46.382 --> 00:03:49.352 What sort of things can you think of that you learned back then 00:03:49.362 --> 00:03:50.342 that you're sort of applying 00:03:50.432 --> 00:03:53.202 Priya: Yeah, and I think a lot of that still sticks with me today. 00:03:53.202 --> 00:03:57.112 I'm a non technical founder, but the things that I learned about 00:03:57.162 --> 00:04:01.772 building relationships started from that young age of 12. 00:04:01.832 --> 00:04:09.347 And so I was DJing at 12 and you know, Like setting up the amp and making sure 00:04:09.347 --> 00:04:15.317 that I knew how to run a turntable and connect all of that to the speaker system 00:04:15.317 --> 00:04:20.267 and then put the speaker system away and by the time you hit the bed, it's 4am 00:04:21.147 --> 00:04:25.377 and you're still, you know, in grade eight for example. 00:04:25.397 --> 00:04:31.417 And so I think I got lost in the sauce, meaning that I was really 00:04:31.437 --> 00:04:33.667 about how to set up the DJ equipment. 00:04:33.972 --> 00:04:34.642 Raphael: Mhm. 00:04:34.762 --> 00:04:39.752 Priya: But as I grew into the business and saw opportunity, I saw that the 00:04:39.752 --> 00:04:43.442 main thing that I had to serve is for the customers, not the speakers. 00:04:44.192 --> 00:04:46.952 And that has stayed and stuck with me. 00:04:46.962 --> 00:04:51.317 And I think those No matter if there's a technical aspect to what 00:04:51.317 --> 00:04:56.847 you're doing, or a brick and mortar, or you're doing, you know, a barter 00:04:57.417 --> 00:05:02.177 system, I think the most important thing is who you're trying to help. 00:05:02.542 --> 00:05:03.022 Raphael: Yeah. 00:05:03.737 --> 00:05:04.997 Priya: And so that stuck with me. 00:05:06.422 --> 00:05:07.102 Raphael: Amazing. 00:05:07.152 --> 00:05:10.802 And so from then, from UBC where do you move on? 00:05:12.022 --> 00:05:13.222 What happened next? 00:05:13.257 --> 00:05:16.117 Priya: Okay you know, Everybody's get into business! 00:05:16.317 --> 00:05:18.977 And I have my degree in psychology, which is useful. 00:05:19.857 --> 00:05:23.577 And then I decide, you know, I think I want to live in Japan and work 00:05:23.577 --> 00:05:24.977 for the Tokyo Board of Education. 00:05:25.632 --> 00:05:26.282 Raphael: Amazing. 00:05:26.477 --> 00:05:28.277 Priya: Yeah, not the same thing. 00:05:29.417 --> 00:05:30.377 , it was very cool. 00:05:30.377 --> 00:05:32.997 I really wanted to know more about the culture. 00:05:32.997 --> 00:05:35.217 I really wanted to immerse myself in a culture. 00:05:35.517 --> 00:05:40.817 Growing up in Vancouver, I felt Vancouver didn't have a culture. 00:05:40.907 --> 00:05:42.942 And now I think differently. 00:05:42.947 --> 00:05:45.997 I think that it is a beautiful culture of many. 00:05:46.367 --> 00:05:50.242 But there wasn't like a monoculture and I really wanted to immerse myself into that. 00:05:50.242 --> 00:05:55.487 And I learned a lot about education in Japan as well and how they 00:05:55.487 --> 00:05:58.067 run their education businesses. 00:05:58.067 --> 00:06:00.517 And that was interesting and eye-opening for me. 00:06:00.987 --> 00:06:06.063 So I learned a lot of different things there and I really, I heard a lot of 00:06:06.068 --> 00:06:12.277 things like, you're not going to get a job because you were brown and they're really 00:06:12.277 --> 00:06:19.107 just looking for a white person with blue eyes and blonde hair to teach English. 00:06:19.677 --> 00:06:25.547 And I ended up just making more connections and making 00:06:25.547 --> 00:06:31.437 more friendships and getting extremely awesome opportunities 00:06:32.087 --> 00:06:33.837 that nobody else was getting. 00:06:33.857 --> 00:06:40.317 And so if 99 percent of the population is Japanese and there's only 1 00:06:40.317 --> 00:06:45.537 percent who isn't, and they have a big idea about foreigners, and I 00:06:45.547 --> 00:06:48.307 found a way to make that connection. 00:06:48.777 --> 00:06:54.027 I think that was my biggest win is making that those connections 00:06:54.027 --> 00:06:58.697 and those relationships that were meaningful that cut through some 00:06:58.697 --> 00:07:00.867 of the, you know, apprehension. 00:07:01.707 --> 00:07:02.267 Raphael: Yeah. 00:07:02.427 --> 00:07:05.737 Can you pull a bit or dig a little deeper into that? 00:07:05.747 --> 00:07:08.817 I feel like you've talked about building connections and talking to 00:07:08.817 --> 00:07:10.267 people and connecting with people. 00:07:10.677 --> 00:07:12.127 What, how does that work for you? 00:07:12.127 --> 00:07:15.797 What's important when you're exploring a new culture, when you're trying 00:07:15.817 --> 00:07:17.507 to connect with a new community? 00:07:18.007 --> 00:07:18.487 Yeah. 00:07:18.707 --> 00:07:19.127 Priya: Yeah. 00:07:19.127 --> 00:07:24.237 So I really think that I really wanted to know, you know, why 00:07:24.267 --> 00:07:29.214 the culture was so polite and how they had systems within systems. 00:07:29.764 --> 00:07:34.334 And I looked at that and I looked at how it's an island. 00:07:35.114 --> 00:07:39.104 My family originally comes from an island, so I kind of felt like 00:07:39.104 --> 00:07:43.664 I understand a little bit about you know, the community aspect. 00:07:44.294 --> 00:07:50.386 And so I think I went in with the understanding and that the empathy that 00:07:50.446 --> 00:07:55.236 I know what it feels, I kind of know what this could feel like even though I grew 00:07:55.236 --> 00:08:01.176 up in Vancouver, so I kind of, use that empathy to make stronger connections. 00:08:01.436 --> 00:08:02.706 I didn't think of it at the time. 00:08:02.706 --> 00:08:05.166 I just vibed with it and, you know. 00:08:05.516 --> 00:08:06.206 Enjoyed it. 00:08:06.456 --> 00:08:10.286 But as I look back now, I think there's some clear themes of 00:08:10.526 --> 00:08:14.926 connecting, making real relationships and really trying to understand. 00:08:15.246 --> 00:08:18.496 Of course, it's easy to be like, okay you're racist and that's done. 00:08:18.552 --> 00:08:20.852 but then that would have been a short trip. 00:08:20.932 --> 00:08:22.422 I ended up staying for five years. 00:08:22.907 --> 00:08:23.427 Raphael: Oh, wow. 00:08:23.427 --> 00:08:24.497 I didn't know it was that long. 00:08:24.507 --> 00:08:25.247 That's awesome. 00:08:25.297 --> 00:08:26.137 That's super cool. 00:08:26.512 --> 00:08:26.882 Priya: Yeah. 00:08:26.952 --> 00:08:29.752 I felt very welcomed by most people. 00:08:30.167 --> 00:08:30.697 Raphael: Nice. 00:08:30.987 --> 00:08:35.477 And so when you were there, you were working in the education space. 00:08:35.477 --> 00:08:39.557 What did you pull out of that experience that you're applying now or in your 00:08:39.557 --> 00:08:41.967 previous experiences here in Vancouver? 00:08:42.166 --> 00:08:46.246 Priya: Yeah, I think the idea of doing your best is something that 00:08:46.246 --> 00:08:48.416 I will always take away from Japan. 00:08:48.416 --> 00:08:52.386 Like they really have that ethos of trying to do your best. 00:08:52.416 --> 00:08:54.196 It doesn't mean everywhere. 00:08:54.246 --> 00:09:00.566 It means in your specific lane, and I think the teachers seeing that in 00:09:00.566 --> 00:09:06.641 the kids and really trying to pull that And, you know, the quality 00:09:06.671 --> 00:09:09.231 out is kind of different from here. 00:09:09.841 --> 00:09:10.151 Yeah. 00:09:10.831 --> 00:09:15.421 And then also I feel like they work a lot and so that's really hard. 00:09:15.921 --> 00:09:22.411 So I wanted to use that as a warning to, to myself okay there's a limit. 00:09:22.541 --> 00:09:29.551 It's, There's nobody, no culture is perfect, but I think based on 00:09:29.551 --> 00:09:35.531 what I saw in the education system there, they had few resources. 00:09:35.571 --> 00:09:38.511 They had very little resources in comparison. 00:09:38.561 --> 00:09:40.672 I think it's very interesting to what I see here. 00:09:41.062 --> 00:09:43.422 They have more students in a classroom. 00:09:43.822 --> 00:09:45.912 They have less support. 00:09:45.912 --> 00:09:47.232 They don't have EA's. 00:09:47.312 --> 00:09:50.792 They have teachers who are working way too late into the night. 00:09:51.312 --> 00:09:55.502 And I just think we have something special here too. 00:09:55.552 --> 00:09:56.472 I had to see. 00:09:56.542 --> 00:10:01.402 There's, you know, Canada has a great, It has great resources, even though it 00:10:01.402 --> 00:10:06.782 doesn't feel like it, but in comparison to a country like Japan that does, still 00:10:06.782 --> 00:10:13.422 does really well with math and science and has fewer resources I think we can pick 00:10:14.052 --> 00:10:15.832 good things from each of these systems. 00:10:16.747 --> 00:10:22.217 And make a little, you know, wonderful product for families 00:10:22.557 --> 00:10:23.497 to get the best of the best. 00:10:24.297 --> 00:10:24.857 Raphael: Amazing. 00:10:24.867 --> 00:10:25.147 Yeah. 00:10:25.157 --> 00:10:27.787 So maybe let's dig into Edify a little bit. 00:10:27.787 --> 00:10:31.847 Like how what are these things that you've brought together and that you're sort 00:10:31.847 --> 00:10:33.647 of infusing into this platform, Edify? 00:10:34.697 --> 00:10:37.677 Priya: Yeah one of the things that's really interesting about Japan is that 00:10:37.677 --> 00:10:42.737 they have a separate school called Juku that's after school, and the kids usually 00:10:42.887 --> 00:10:46.727 study, From late to late, so like 3. 00:10:46.727 --> 00:10:50.857 30 till 8 o'clock, but it's not even related to their school. 00:10:51.117 --> 00:10:51.907 Raphael: Oh, interesting. 00:10:52.137 --> 00:10:55.937 Priya: Yeah, it's related to it could be their university entrance 00:10:55.937 --> 00:10:58.957 exam, or it could be other exams that they're preparing for. 00:10:59.237 --> 00:11:04.167 So that is one idea that I think Edify uses so what we study after 00:11:04.167 --> 00:11:08.317 school one on one, or it doesn't even have to be during school. 00:11:08.317 --> 00:11:11.697 So we have all modalities that use Edify. 00:11:12.237 --> 00:11:18.277 So we even had a family that wanted their child to know how to read mortgage 00:11:18.937 --> 00:11:20.557 rates and interest rates, right? 00:11:20.767 --> 00:11:23.967 Rather than doing certain types of math, 00:11:24.037 --> 00:11:24.537 Raphael: Yeah. 00:11:25.107 --> 00:11:26.687 Priya: so the family had their own goal. 00:11:26.717 --> 00:11:32.477 And I think That piece of juku is okay, this is a big goal that your 00:11:32.607 --> 00:11:36.647 family wants, which is different from your daytime education. 00:11:36.957 --> 00:11:41.197 So I think that's one of the things that we take. 00:11:41.277 --> 00:11:43.967 And then the other is to stretch capabilities. 00:11:44.557 --> 00:11:48.647 So a lot of times kids who are neurodivergent, who have ADHD, who 00:11:48.647 --> 00:11:55.667 are autistic, feel like they are bored at school or that it's not important. 00:11:55.747 --> 00:12:00.612 And then Coming from that, if you're not interested, you're not going to 00:12:00.612 --> 00:12:05.682 do your best, and all of these things kind of cascade in a way that we think 00:12:05.742 --> 00:12:11.442 doesn't have to be the only way, and so stretching the capability based on the 00:12:11.442 --> 00:12:16.412 child's interest, so that, based on the child's interest, that's separate, but 00:12:16.602 --> 00:12:20.022 stretching the capability, it is possible, especially if they're interested, let's 00:12:20.022 --> 00:12:23.862 say they like Minecraft so then we can do math through Minecraft, and it's, 00:12:24.342 --> 00:12:31.062 Or there's kids who have a, so in Canada we say ODD officially, but parents around 00:12:31.062 --> 00:12:36.592 the world have been using PDA, which is a pathological demand avoidance. 00:12:36.722 --> 00:12:42.462 But a lot of parents are saying a pervasive look for autonomy and 00:12:42.462 --> 00:12:44.072 like looking for that autonomy. 00:12:44.427 --> 00:12:48.357 And that the kids bodies are, and minds are wired that way. 00:12:48.387 --> 00:12:53.287 So it's really important to kind of see, a lot of kids don't want to go to school. 00:12:53.317 --> 00:12:59.507 If they have that profile of PDA, a pathological demand avoidance, that 00:12:59.507 --> 00:13:03.057 means they're going to school, able to do all of those things, but once they 00:13:03.057 --> 00:13:04.867 get a demand, their mind says, no. 00:13:05.572 --> 00:13:06.342 Raphael: Interesting. 00:13:06.767 --> 00:13:08.527 Priya: So what happens to those kids? 00:13:09.047 --> 00:13:13.457 A lot of them can't do well in the school system because they're not given that. 00:13:14.207 --> 00:13:17.997 You know, autonomy to explore for themselves, and they're wired that way, 00:13:18.097 --> 00:13:23.297 and, you know, to get penalized for your life because you can't do a couple of 00:13:23.297 --> 00:13:26.157 years of school seems a bit harsh to me. 00:13:26.537 --> 00:13:29.757 So I know, and these kids are amazing. 00:13:29.787 --> 00:13:35.737 So we have some kids that teach our teach our tutors of how to get into their games. 00:13:36.232 --> 00:13:37.122 Raphael: I love that. 00:13:37.467 --> 00:13:38.337 Priya: Yeah, so 00:13:38.337 --> 00:13:40.607 the tutors jump into their world. 00:13:41.122 --> 00:13:41.522 Raphael: Huh. 00:13:41.957 --> 00:13:44.887 Priya: A lot of these kids are didactic, autodidactic. 00:13:44.917 --> 00:13:46.717 They learn best by themselves. 00:13:47.032 --> 00:13:47.592 Raphael: Yeah. 00:13:47.997 --> 00:13:49.387 Priya: So how do we stretch that? 00:13:49.417 --> 00:13:50.737 We jump into their world. 00:13:51.172 --> 00:13:51.592 Raphael: Huh. 00:13:52.527 --> 00:13:55.747 Priya: And you know, it's kind of interesting because that 00:13:55.757 --> 00:13:57.667 piece, that face to face piece. 00:13:57.967 --> 00:14:02.417 Of course, kids could learn a lot of things through the Khan Academy or other, 00:14:02.457 --> 00:14:05.557 you know, math videos online or AI. 00:14:06.097 --> 00:14:11.667 But the reality is that there's some sort, there's still some sort of connection. 00:14:11.748 --> 00:14:13.397 Through face to face 00:14:13.872 --> 00:14:14.432 Raphael: Yeah. 00:14:14.777 --> 00:14:17.087 Priya: and voice to voice, that's a real person 00:14:17.627 --> 00:14:19.657 and there's still that connection. 00:14:19.987 --> 00:14:24.537 So I think that's where we stretch capabilities when the child is 00:14:24.537 --> 00:14:28.377 ready and they feel safe and they can show us what they're doing 00:14:28.377 --> 00:14:30.147 and we can help them stretch that. 00:14:30.417 --> 00:14:36.238 I think That's a bit of how we get our children to thrive and give them the 00:14:36.238 --> 00:14:38.308 opportunities to be leaders in this world. 00:14:38.758 --> 00:14:40.288 Raphael: yeah, that's amazing. 00:14:40.668 --> 00:14:45.548 I'm curious, like, how, okay you have all of these ways of structuring your 00:14:45.558 --> 00:14:50.508 teaching, and you're building a platform, like, how do those two things come 00:14:50.508 --> 00:14:55.348 together the education side of it, and the technology side of it how do those merge? 00:14:55.918 --> 00:14:59.698 Priya: I feel like I'm still figuring out exactly how they merge, but 00:14:59.698 --> 00:15:06.318 what I do know is that my experience working, training And supporting 00:15:06.378 --> 00:15:11.474 and providing resources for staff is part of what makes Edify different. 00:15:11.534 --> 00:15:16.958 So we hire people who know how to work with kids like mine and ours. 00:15:17.468 --> 00:15:22.973 And Then, so the hiring process has to be vetted very carefully, right? 00:15:22.973 --> 00:15:25.263 These aren't average teachers, nor should they be. 00:15:25.583 --> 00:15:26.583 This is specialized. 00:15:26.633 --> 00:15:27.463 This is niche. 00:15:27.863 --> 00:15:31.573 You know, this could be considered even coaching, right? 00:15:31.943 --> 00:15:36.183 So it's really going with strengths and where children show their own strength. 00:15:36.443 --> 00:15:41.603 So it's really important that we hire the type of person that really 00:15:41.623 --> 00:15:46.013 understands who these kids are and what these families are trying to do. 00:15:46.053 --> 00:15:46.413 So that's. 00:15:46.813 --> 00:15:52.733 The main thing, and then we're still coming up with training opportunities. 00:15:52.763 --> 00:15:58.363 But at the moment I am looking to grow the teaching aspect of that. 00:15:58.483 --> 00:15:59.633 So it's more automated. 00:16:00.028 --> 00:16:00.508 Raphael: Awesome. 00:16:01.273 --> 00:16:01.493 Priya: Yeah. 00:16:01.773 --> 00:16:03.193 And there's different segments, right? 00:16:03.223 --> 00:16:07.253 So ADHD, and sometimes it's ADHD with dyslexia. 00:16:07.273 --> 00:16:09.273 Sometimes it's autism with dyslexia. 00:16:09.273 --> 00:16:10.413 And sometimes it's PDA. 00:16:10.473 --> 00:16:12.153 Like it's a, it's all mixed. 00:16:12.773 --> 00:16:14.533 It's never usually just one. 00:16:14.948 --> 00:16:19.908 Raphael: Yeah and so you have this platform and you have these educators 00:16:19.908 --> 00:16:23.238 that you're sourcing and you're making sure that you've got the right people. 00:16:23.368 --> 00:16:24.838 How do you bring them together? 00:16:24.838 --> 00:16:28.608 How do you find, like, how do you match children to the right educators? 00:16:28.878 --> 00:16:30.358 What does that process look like? 00:16:30.613 --> 00:16:32.013 Is it a tech process or is it a 00:16:32.158 --> 00:16:37.168 Priya: It's a tech, it's a semi tech process, I think there's the 00:16:37.168 --> 00:16:42.938 opportunity as a non tech founder and a business minded person to 00:16:43.278 --> 00:16:45.638 create the technology ourselves. 00:16:45.778 --> 00:16:52.498 But currently we are pre matching using simple aspects such as Google Form right? 00:16:52.678 --> 00:16:55.228 And so I think the pre matching component. 00:16:55.623 --> 00:17:01.033 It's here at the moment until we reach the tipping point of not being able to 00:17:01.463 --> 00:17:07.873 manage it and then build out the matching technology, which we're not there yet. 00:17:08.563 --> 00:17:10.293 So we are on our way. 00:17:11.523 --> 00:17:16.943 Currently, I have not automated The lead generation. 00:17:16.963 --> 00:17:21.193 And once that happens, I think it's an opportunity to build 00:17:21.193 --> 00:17:27.723 out because I always grew up in that way of not not having debt. 00:17:28.193 --> 00:17:31.943 Because I'm an old school, old, I grew up in the old school way 00:17:31.953 --> 00:17:34.393 where you make the money first, 00:17:34.883 --> 00:17:35.213 Raphael: Yeah. 00:17:35.723 --> 00:17:35.983 Priya: right? 00:17:36.403 --> 00:17:38.913 So I guess now we could say product market fit. 00:17:39.103 --> 00:17:44.893 So I wanted to prove the product market fit, know my customers, know my families, 00:17:44.913 --> 00:17:49.773 and know what works best for them before I invest in a standalone product. 00:17:49.803 --> 00:17:53.003 But until then, I've been using products that exist. 00:17:53.203 --> 00:17:55.233 And that's been really lovely. 00:17:55.538 --> 00:17:59.478 And it has allowed me to grow and still be here. 00:18:00.108 --> 00:18:02.388 Most businesses fail in the first five years, 00:18:03.123 --> 00:18:03.503 Raphael: Yeah. 00:18:03.613 --> 00:18:03.753 And 00:18:03.753 --> 00:18:07.153 you're on your six and a half or something like that now? 00:18:07.158 --> 00:18:11.388 Priya: But so Edify, this iteration started in August, 2020. 00:18:11.683 --> 00:18:12.193 Raphael: Okay. 00:18:12.508 --> 00:18:12.918 Priya: Yeah. 00:18:12.948 --> 00:18:14.098 So it's been four years. 00:18:14.533 --> 00:18:15.003 Raphael: All right. 00:18:15.588 --> 00:18:16.038 Priya: Yeah. 00:18:16.058 --> 00:18:21.638 And you couldn't you couldn't put me out of business unless I. 00:18:22.398 --> 00:18:26.398 I got into building a brand new product or just paid somebody 00:18:26.398 --> 00:18:29.238 a bunch of money because on its own, it's running on its own. 00:18:30.038 --> 00:18:36.098 And I think that's a fantastic place to be because it's just running on its own. 00:18:36.158 --> 00:18:41.598 Any new onboarding that happens is without any paid advertising. 00:18:42.158 --> 00:18:46.888 But I know that there's other people all around the world that would benefit from 00:18:46.888 --> 00:18:50.388 this and are completely underserved. 00:18:50.908 --> 00:18:55.921 We grow, the tech component will need to be more standalone it won't 00:18:55.931 --> 00:18:58.041 be wrapped up by somebody else. 00:18:58.131 --> 00:18:59.201 I'm going to have to do that. 00:18:59.736 --> 00:19:04.986 I need a lot of advisors to help me make the right decision because I'm a 00:19:04.986 --> 00:19:08.206 non technical founder, but even then, even if you are a technical founder, 00:19:08.206 --> 00:19:12.616 I think you kind of know what you know, and things are changing daily, 00:19:12.806 --> 00:19:13.306 Raphael: Yeah. 00:19:13.576 --> 00:19:13.946 Priya: right? 00:19:13.946 --> 00:19:16.986 Even with AI and how that's integrated, 00:19:16.986 --> 00:19:19.046 Raphael: All of this stuff moves so fast. 00:19:19.076 --> 00:19:23.003 And I feel like it's, I feel like if you're going to be in tech, like 00:19:23.003 --> 00:19:26.023 one of the things that you need to embrace is just that you're going to 00:19:26.033 --> 00:19:28.023 have to constantly learn about stuff. 00:19:28.133 --> 00:19:29.583 It's, yeah, it's 00:19:30.023 --> 00:19:30.883 Priya: yeah I 00:19:30.923 --> 00:19:31.193 Raphael: there. 00:19:31.193 --> 00:19:32.113 Yeah. 00:19:32.388 --> 00:19:33.958 Priya: Yes, completely agree. 00:19:34.278 --> 00:19:37.788 And I think one of the things that helps me sleep at night as a 00:19:37.788 --> 00:19:42.748 non technical founder is knowing that I have a community of people. 00:19:42.798 --> 00:19:43.748 That's my moat. 00:19:44.113 --> 00:19:44.653 Raphael: Yeah. 00:19:44.938 --> 00:19:47.448 Priya: My moat is the community, right? 00:19:47.658 --> 00:19:52.278 The community of advisors, the community of experts, and they're 00:19:52.278 --> 00:19:58.158 all I'm going to be supportive and they're all data points in how I make 00:19:58.158 --> 00:19:59.988 the best decision for my company. 00:20:00.258 --> 00:20:05.618 And I think that's how I sleep at night because if I didn't have that, 00:20:06.238 --> 00:20:11.033 I would constantly be trying to fill in the gaps and I'm only, one person 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:16.099 and even with a team of a hundred people, I think you still don't know, 00:20:16.159 --> 00:20:19.829 based on what technology is coming ahead and you just still don't know. 00:20:20.169 --> 00:20:26.479 But I think with that community piece, you have a better sense on how to proceed 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:29.809 to your vision in the, in a better way. 00:20:30.454 --> 00:20:30.864 Raphael: Yeah. 00:20:31.404 --> 00:20:35.484 I feel like particularly in tech and I think particularly for technical people 00:20:35.484 --> 00:20:40.414 in tech, we tend to undervalue the strength and just sort of power that 00:20:40.414 --> 00:20:45.004 comes from the human connections and the value that you provide to an actual human 00:20:45.004 --> 00:20:48.034 being within the context of a business. 00:20:48.074 --> 00:20:49.264 So yeah, I think 00:20:49.394 --> 00:20:49.884 Priya: Yeah. 00:20:49.984 --> 00:20:53.114 I think and I agree that it's the real person. 00:20:53.114 --> 00:20:54.524 And a lot of times, you know. 00:20:55.014 --> 00:20:58.864 I got lost in the like reading what was the best and who put out this 00:20:58.864 --> 00:21:03.474 information and they're a leader, a thought leader, but the best information 00:21:03.494 --> 00:21:06.114 always came out from my circle. 00:21:07.134 --> 00:21:10.918 And yeah, I think as a non technical founder that is one of the most 00:21:10.948 --> 00:21:12.811 important things that I have. 00:21:13.161 --> 00:21:13.481 Yeah. 00:21:13.771 --> 00:21:22.411 And so going from, you know, non technical founder in kind of the old world not 00:21:22.411 --> 00:21:28.401 using technology and trying to move that into a tech enabled world has been a 00:21:28.401 --> 00:21:31.281 lot smoother because of the community. 00:21:31.691 --> 00:21:36.861 I've also been really fortunate to be part of an incubator and accelerator program. 00:21:37.141 --> 00:21:40.851 And I think anybody who's a non technical founder, if there is an 00:21:40.851 --> 00:21:45.816 accelerator program or incubator program, Where there's some sort 00:21:45.816 --> 00:21:50.356 of structure and community built in that is going to increase your 00:21:50.356 --> 00:21:52.616 chances of success even more. 00:21:52.976 --> 00:21:56.006 So I've been really fortunate to, to be part of that. 00:21:56.006 --> 00:21:56.736 Raphael: That's awesome. 00:21:56.896 --> 00:21:58.876 And with that in mind what's next? 00:21:58.876 --> 00:22:00.356 Like how are things moving forward? 00:22:00.356 --> 00:22:01.846 What's, what are you excited about? 00:22:01.889 --> 00:22:05.519 Priya: Yeah, so I just left the Mosaic Accelerator yesterday. 00:22:05.569 --> 00:22:07.379 That was the end of the eight weeks. 00:22:07.729 --> 00:22:13.079 And so what's next is we loved it so much that our cohort has decided to stay in 00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:14.839 touch and have a standing meeting time. 00:22:15.289 --> 00:22:18.739 So that is a continuation. 00:22:19.049 --> 00:22:22.059 Everything that I had learned from the incubator is basically 00:22:22.089 --> 00:22:24.549 being implemented as we speak. 00:22:24.609 --> 00:22:30.999 So I am obviously changing my landing page and making sure that 00:22:30.999 --> 00:22:36.359 is optimized to mobile phones that are being used now and operating 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:38.109 systems, making sure that it shows up. 00:22:38.159 --> 00:22:38.979 It's clear. 00:22:39.249 --> 00:22:41.459 I'm speaking to my audience and all of that. 00:22:41.829 --> 00:22:44.129 Needs to be updated quite often. 00:22:44.449 --> 00:22:47.539 So that's what's next is my UX UI piece. 00:22:48.109 --> 00:22:52.409 I will be going to the Collision Conference in Toronto June 15th. 00:22:52.499 --> 00:22:57.979 So in a couple of weeks from now, I will continue to grow my community and 00:22:57.979 --> 00:23:00.139 look for partnership opportunities. 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:07.389 I'm always looking for, More tutors who want to help the outcomes of 00:23:07.869 --> 00:23:12.419 the lives of these kids that can do so well if they're supported. 00:23:13.069 --> 00:23:17.929 And just a continuation and growth and scalability for Edify. 00:23:17.939 --> 00:23:21.069 Those are Really, I'm going for the moonshot. 00:23:21.409 --> 00:23:27.389 I really think that and believe that once people see that in three to 00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:33.009 six months, their kids have changed how they approach learning, and 00:23:33.009 --> 00:23:36.864 they have that inner confidence, and they have that inner confidence. 00:23:37.064 --> 00:23:42.294 Increased their grades by one year or two years within three to six months, 00:23:42.784 --> 00:23:47.344 or they're going back to school, or they're standing up to their bully, or 00:23:47.384 --> 00:23:52.174 they're passing grade 12, or they're entering the program that they want. 00:23:52.184 --> 00:23:58.044 Once they see that, then I know that other families will be positively 00:23:58.264 --> 00:24:03.284 affected and just want to join in to that opportunity for their families. 00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:04.499 Raphael: I love it. 00:24:04.569 --> 00:24:05.479 That's awesome. 00:24:05.509 --> 00:24:09.559 I'm, yeah, I'm super excited to see what comes next, and I love 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:12.649 the way you talk about your vision and your mission and where things 00:24:12.649 --> 00:24:14.229 are going, yeah, thank you so much 00:24:14.269 --> 00:24:14.859 Priya: I believe in it. 00:24:14.989 --> 00:24:15.459 Thank you. 00:24:15.459 --> 00:24:15.979 It's so easy. 00:24:16.449 --> 00:24:21.329 It's so easy when your kids are showing you how good things can be, 00:24:21.689 --> 00:24:22.179 Raphael: Yeah. 00:24:23.089 --> 00:24:23.499 Priya: right? 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:29.479 You know, before we end, I want to say that I found out that you 00:24:29.479 --> 00:24:32.819 know, my daughter was autistic when she was two and a half. 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:34.239 And they gave me this report. 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:40.054 And in the report, it said that she was more likely to have autism. 00:24:42.719 --> 00:24:42.869 Raphael: Oof. 00:24:44.694 --> 00:24:49.944 Priya: And here's this girl who's two and a half and I knew that 00:24:49.944 --> 00:24:54.024 there was a better way they did not talk about the good case scenarios. 00:24:54.429 --> 00:24:55.079 Raphael: Yeah. 00:24:55.954 --> 00:24:57.834 Priya: It all came from a deficit model. 00:24:58.274 --> 00:25:04.784 I really want to change that because I know that if it wasn't for my, I 00:25:04.784 --> 00:25:11.864 guess, optimism, that I could have fallen into this downward spiral. 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.769 Raphael: Yeah. 00:25:12.924 --> 00:25:18.234 Priya: And I think it's very important for families to know that there are Fantastic 00:25:18.244 --> 00:25:22.664 outcomes, there's great outcomes, and there is a pathway to success. 00:25:23.684 --> 00:25:26.884 And I want to highlight that to all these families so that they 00:25:26.884 --> 00:25:29.344 don't have to see what I saw. 00:25:29.739 --> 00:25:30.449 Raphael: Yeah. 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:33.199 I, that's, you're amazing. 00:25:33.239 --> 00:25:33.789 I love it. 00:25:34.204 --> 00:25:34.674 Priya: Oh, thank you. 00:25:34.704 --> 00:25:38.544 I really, I'm really hopeful, and I know that we can help families. 00:25:38.544 --> 00:25:41.854 And when I see families after a couple years and they start crying 00:25:41.854 --> 00:25:45.674 when they see me, and they're crying happy tears, I didn't know at first. 00:25:46.209 --> 00:25:47.179 Raphael: that's so lovely. 00:25:47.199 --> 00:25:48.519 Priya: Oh, no, they're crying. 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.509 What did I do? 00:25:49.509 --> 00:25:52.209 We changed the trajectory of our lives. 00:25:52.479 --> 00:25:55.319 So I think it's really easy to keep going with Edify. 00:25:55.369 --> 00:25:59.149 It's already built in terms of helping families. 00:25:59.189 --> 00:26:02.139 It doesn't need any additional money. 00:26:02.469 --> 00:26:04.079 Until we get to a certain point. 00:26:04.499 --> 00:26:06.119 So it's really easy to do this. 00:26:06.129 --> 00:26:07.789 I'm fueled on good vibes. 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.529 Raphael: That's awesome. 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:12.249 Priya: yeah thank you for this opportunity to share. 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:16.919 And, you know, for all of the impact support that you have for small 00:26:16.959 --> 00:26:23.719 entrepreneurs and for small businesses, it's really hard to, that support, but to 00:26:23.739 --> 00:26:29.469 have you, you know, shout out an impact company like we are trying to solve United 00:26:29.469 --> 00:26:34.719 Nations Sustainable Goal Number 4 for inclusive education, and to get that shout 00:26:34.719 --> 00:26:40.229 out from your podcast is such a gift, and I really appreciate you for that. 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:43.009 Raphael: No, it's, I'm, I appreciate you. 00:26:43.009 --> 00:26:43.789 This was amazing. 00:26:43.789 --> 00:26:44.869 I love talking to you. 00:26:44.869 --> 00:26:49.139 It's always just lovely to hear what you're building and it was, 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:51.589 Wonderful to have you on the podcast. 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:55.229 Um, with that this is the small tech podcast. 00:26:55.229 --> 00:26:58.779 So if you want to talk about a small tech product , that has 00:26:58.779 --> 00:27:00.909 a positive impact on your life. 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.529 Yeah. 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.579 What do you got for us? 00:27:02.774 --> 00:27:06.524 Priya: This is a Canadian company called Virtual Gurus. 00:27:06.524 --> 00:27:12.184 It's based out of Alberta and basically they help entrepreneurs like me. 00:27:12.534 --> 00:27:16.994 They have all types of support, not just administration, but lead 00:27:16.994 --> 00:27:20.054 generation, automation, sales. 00:27:20.064 --> 00:27:26.154 The owner, Bobby Reset, who's Indigenous and is amazing, an amazing 00:27:26.194 --> 00:27:33.124 CEO, has found women who are needing to work more and needing to share 00:27:33.524 --> 00:27:35.754 their knowledge and she's amazing. 00:27:35.909 --> 00:27:37.709 Giving them their value back. 00:27:38.239 --> 00:27:45.329 So she's hiring women and people who can help others and have these 00:27:45.459 --> 00:27:48.549 specializations based right out of Canada. 00:27:48.649 --> 00:27:51.059 And they're so good at what they do. 00:27:51.169 --> 00:27:55.559 And I really feel like the CEO is so very helpful. 00:27:56.089 --> 00:27:58.529 It's just the vibe of the company. 00:27:58.549 --> 00:28:01.559 Everybody that has been there, who's helped edify. 00:28:02.064 --> 00:28:06.804 They've been so amazing, and it makes me feel so happy that we have 00:28:06.854 --> 00:28:08.624 people like this in leadership. 00:28:08.724 --> 00:28:13.964 I know Bobby Reset also was a judge on Bear's Lair, which is the 00:28:13.994 --> 00:28:16.984 Indigenous version of Dragon's Den. 00:28:17.104 --> 00:28:24.304 And I just think it's so wonderful to see Indigenous people get that power back but 00:28:24.404 --> 00:28:27.571 still continue to spread that generosity. 00:28:27.674 --> 00:28:28.604 Raphael: That's amazing. 00:28:28.664 --> 00:28:29.484 Priya: Virtual gurus. 00:28:29.534 --> 00:28:30.504 Yeah, amazing. 00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.999 Raphael: That was a great one. 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.899 I'm going to check it out. 00:28:32.999 --> 00:28:34.089 Thank you so much, Priya. 00:28:34.724 --> 00:28:35.284 Priya: Thank you. 00:28:35.294 --> 00:28:36.604 Thanks for the opportunity. 00:28:36.604 --> 00:28:41.084 Raphael: Folks that is it for my interview with the awesome Priya 00:28:41.204 --> 00:28:44.014 Tronsgard of Edify Learning Spaces. 00:28:44.344 --> 00:28:45.814 I loved this chat. 00:28:45.814 --> 00:28:46.924 I hope you did too. 00:28:47.024 --> 00:28:51.894 You can find her and edify at edifylearningspaces.com. 00:28:51.914 --> 00:28:56.474 You can subscribe to the podcast at smalltechpodcast.com and if you need help 00:28:56.504 --> 00:29:01.544 building a digital product, or you want some advice, you can find us at goec.io. 00:29:01.594 --> 00:29:04.804 We are a small team and we will take all the help we can get. 00:29:04.804 --> 00:29:08.134 So if you can like, and subscribe, that would really help us out. 00:29:08.404 --> 00:29:13.084 If you give us five stars on your podcast, app of choice, that would also be amazing. 00:29:13.084 --> 00:29:15.334 Also make sure to share the podcast with your friends. 00:29:15.334 --> 00:29:18.184 If you know anyone who would really enjoy this content, share it with them. 00:29:18.214 --> 00:29:19.594 We'd really appreciate it. 00:29:19.594 --> 00:29:20.404 In the meantime. 00:29:20.824 --> 00:29:22.414 We all want to do something good in the world. 00:29:22.444 --> 00:29:24.844 So go out there and build something good folks. 00:29:24.844 --> 00:29:26.764 I will see you in the next one. 00:29:26.944 --> 00:29:27.334 See ya.