From freelance writer to edtech entrepreneur
When you ask around, many women have the dream of building a business around their skills and passion. Thanks to the rise of the entrepreneurial spirit, many freelancers have managed to do that. One of them, Sarah Thomson, an established freelance academic writer, has launched an EdTech venture around essay and paper grading. The essay grader is an innovative tool that offers detailed, automated feedback on writing.
Her journey, from humble beginnings to global recognition, resonates with the spirit of the Talented Ladies Club’s mission, since it is all about empowering ambitious women to pursue their passion.
Spotting a gap in the education market
As a mother of school-going children and a freelancer, writing was her life. She was having a difficult time managing deadlines for her assignments. At the same time, she was noticing that the teachers of her kids struggled with grading their essays and providing valuable and quick feedback. Since the gap was too clear and the rise of the EdTech space was too obvious, she decided to take a gamble.
Little did she know it would pay off, big time. The idea of support both students and teachers with an automated tool that provides personalized feedback on all aspects of writing, from essay structure, syntax, clarity of thought, and more. In the end, she has a business that easily aligns with her personal and professional values.
Turning dreams into reality
We all know there is a clear skill gap between being a freelance academic writer and a coder. Sarah knew that very well, on top of her commitment to her family. But she has the willingness and determination to realize her dreams. She started learning some AI and coding while connecting with developers through online communities. In only a year, she has a team of trusted partners and a beta version, a testament to her resilience and unending resolve.
The journey from an idea to a marketable essay grader was not easy. With late-night work sessions after bedtime stories and other unforeseen issues, she learned that having a disciplined schedule beats the chaos of motherhood and entrepreneurship.
Overcoming hurdles and moving forward
Of course, building an automated essay grader was not without challenges. Early versions of the tool were too buggy and unreliable. Here is a snapshot of what Sarah endured and came out on the other side, stronger and better:
- In the early days, schools were too skeptical about the efficacy of the tool. They did not want AI “messing” with the writing of their students.
- Even teachers had reservations about delegating their tasks to a “faceless, soulless” AI.
She tackled those hurdles with the prowess of a professional. Her experience as a writer came in handy.
- To ease the doubts of schools, she wrote extensive blogs, guides, and tutorials to show how the tool works and provides complete control to the users.
- Being a mother, she knew the pain points that both parents and teachers needed to be addressed. She fine-tuned the tool around that, and it was a home run!
It’s all about inspiring and empowering other women
Her story shows us that the sky is the limit if we are willing to turn our talents into a business that fits around our lives. In her words, “I always believe that you should start with what you know and then build on it. Once you gain momentum, never lose it. My writing allows me to identify the gap and solve the problem”.
Today, she’s aggressively scaling the essay grader with features, making the tool an important part of both students’ and teachers’ lives. She is the proof that determination and a clear vision go a long way – paving the way for other women to make an impact.
