Interview with Anne Raphael
Founder and chief creative officer of My Kind Of College LLC
About My Kind of College LLC:
Last fall, Anne Raphael launched My Kind Of College, which offers free information about college ranging from dorm life to financial aid. The Encinitas-based company uses cartoons to help explain to students the various trials and tribulations of college life, including how to do laundry, survive midterms and make meals in a microwave.
Why did you start My Kind Of College?
When I was a senior in high school, I thought I would achieve instant maturity the moment my feet hit the college campus. Unfortunately, that was not the case. In college, you're on your own for the first time and things you never thought about back in high school, like paper towels and toothpaste, all of a sudden become an issue. There was a definite learning curve that I had to go though in my transition from adolescent to adult. I think it's unnecessary for other students to have to make the same mistakes that my peers and I made, which is why My Kind Of College exists. We're here to make the seemingly complex simple, and we use cartoons to make it a fun and enjoyable journey.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The ability to be creative and learn new things. I'm constantly challenging myself to be a better business woman and a role model. While I was a student at USC, I spent about three years volunteering at an inner-city afterschool program helping at-risk elementary school students succeed in their school work. As a volunteer, I felt helpless because there weren't very many high-quality and free resources these students had access to. In developing My Kind Of College, I thought of these students, and all students in general, and what I could do to help them learn more about college in a fun and easy way. I feel really lucky that I have the ability to help students and their families across the nation overcome their fears of college.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
The path to becoming an entrepreneur is a lonely one. Most people prefer to be told what to do and how to do it, so when they encounter someone pursuing the path least taken, they shy away. It's hard and it can be demoralizing, but in the words of my hero Eleanor Roosevelt, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” I remind myself of that everyday.
How many employees do you have?
Right now it's just me and my family. We work together as a cohesive unit.
What business principles do you follow?
I utilize KISS, or as Judge Judy famously put it: “Keep it simple, stupid!” I remind myself of this everyday. After all, what is the point of having a company when no one really understands what you're trying to accomplish? Having a product that lets your audience know immediately what they're getting into and how it can help them in a simplistic manner, in my opinion, is the key to success.
What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?
As Polonius famously said to his son, Laertes, in the play “Hamlet:” “To thine own self be true.” Never let anyone steer you from pursuing your dreams and remember, “If it's meant to be, it's up to me.”
What is the best thing about owning your own business?
The freedom. I can brainstorm and execute ideas and I don't have to wait for approval. I don't have to put up with unproductive workmates or compete for the attention of a boss.
What is the most difficult aspect of owning your own business?
The freedom. My entire life I've had structure and loved it. When I was in school, I used to plan my life years in advance, and relished figuring out what classes to take and which clubs to join. I'm used to being told by professors what assignments to complete and when to turn them in. Yes, freedom is wonderful, but it has its ups and its downs.
What are your future business goals?
To offer even more high-quality articles that allow for the transition into college to be an easy one. I definitely have plans to offer more avenues by which visitors can interact with one another, share their experiences and offer advice.
How do you plan to grow your business?
Through word of mouth and media attention. Since My Kind Of College launched, we've been featured in Young Money Magazine, San Diego Family Magazine, The North County Times, Today’s Local News, “Mom Talk Radio” and other media outlets. My goal is to one day be a guest on the “Today Show.”
My Kind of College:
(760) 918-5600
www.mykindofcollege.com
Founder and chief creative officer of My Kind Of College LLC
About My Kind of College LLC:
Last fall, Anne Raphael launched My Kind Of College, which offers free information about college ranging from dorm life to financial aid. The Encinitas-based company uses cartoons to help explain to students the various trials and tribulations of college life, including how to do laundry, survive midterms and make meals in a microwave.
Why did you start My Kind Of College?
When I was a senior in high school, I thought I would achieve instant maturity the moment my feet hit the college campus. Unfortunately, that was not the case. In college, you're on your own for the first time and things you never thought about back in high school, like paper towels and toothpaste, all of a sudden become an issue. There was a definite learning curve that I had to go though in my transition from adolescent to adult. I think it's unnecessary for other students to have to make the same mistakes that my peers and I made, which is why My Kind Of College exists. We're here to make the seemingly complex simple, and we use cartoons to make it a fun and enjoyable journey.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The ability to be creative and learn new things. I'm constantly challenging myself to be a better business woman and a role model. While I was a student at USC, I spent about three years volunteering at an inner-city afterschool program helping at-risk elementary school students succeed in their school work. As a volunteer, I felt helpless because there weren't very many high-quality and free resources these students had access to. In developing My Kind Of College, I thought of these students, and all students in general, and what I could do to help them learn more about college in a fun and easy way. I feel really lucky that I have the ability to help students and their families across the nation overcome their fears of college.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
The path to becoming an entrepreneur is a lonely one. Most people prefer to be told what to do and how to do it, so when they encounter someone pursuing the path least taken, they shy away. It's hard and it can be demoralizing, but in the words of my hero Eleanor Roosevelt, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” I remind myself of that everyday.
How many employees do you have?
Right now it's just me and my family. We work together as a cohesive unit.
What business principles do you follow?
I utilize KISS, or as Judge Judy famously put it: “Keep it simple, stupid!” I remind myself of this everyday. After all, what is the point of having a company when no one really understands what you're trying to accomplish? Having a product that lets your audience know immediately what they're getting into and how it can help them in a simplistic manner, in my opinion, is the key to success.
What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?
As Polonius famously said to his son, Laertes, in the play “Hamlet:” “To thine own self be true.” Never let anyone steer you from pursuing your dreams and remember, “If it's meant to be, it's up to me.”
What is the best thing about owning your own business?
The freedom. I can brainstorm and execute ideas and I don't have to wait for approval. I don't have to put up with unproductive workmates or compete for the attention of a boss.
What is the most difficult aspect of owning your own business?
The freedom. My entire life I've had structure and loved it. When I was in school, I used to plan my life years in advance, and relished figuring out what classes to take and which clubs to join. I'm used to being told by professors what assignments to complete and when to turn them in. Yes, freedom is wonderful, but it has its ups and its downs.
What are your future business goals?
To offer even more high-quality articles that allow for the transition into college to be an easy one. I definitely have plans to offer more avenues by which visitors can interact with one another, share their experiences and offer advice.
How do you plan to grow your business?
Through word of mouth and media attention. Since My Kind Of College launched, we've been featured in Young Money Magazine, San Diego Family Magazine, The North County Times, Today’s Local News, “Mom Talk Radio” and other media outlets. My goal is to one day be a guest on the “Today Show.”
My Kind of College:
(760) 918-5600
www.mykindofcollege.com