To celebrate the 2021 Women in Entrepreneurship Week, Oct. 18-22, The Skandalaris Center is highlighting five female-founded ventures and sharing their startup stories.
Today’s Featured Entrepreneur is Angelica Harris (EN ’22) of Test Prep Toolbox.
Angelica Harris started Test Prep Toolbox in January 2020 and now employs 3 people. Test Prep Toolbox is an algorithm that personalizes ACT and SAT training for high school students. Harris is currently a graduate student at Washington University and plans to complete her Master’s in Computer Science from the McKlevey School of Engineering in 2022. Test Prep Toolbox (previously known as Jellie Rhodes Group) won $2,500 in the Skandalaris Venture Competition in spring 2021.
Tell us your startup story – how did you get to where you are now?
I am from New Orleans, and both of my parents are entrepreneurs, so operating my own business was not foreign to me. I began my first business when I was 10 years old called Slip n’ Fashion, where I decorated flip flops and sold them in my neighborhood. My current business, Test Prep Toolbox, was not initiated intentionally; it came about when I was in high school and increased my ACT score by over 12 points. Family and friends advised me to commercialize my test prep program.
As a female-identifying entrepreneur, what challenges did you face? What tactics did you use to overcome those challenges?
As a female entrepreneur, especially a person of color, many times I get asked about my educational credentials, regardless if potential customers have seen the results of my program. I haven’t found successful tactics to really overcome it. Regularly watching positive self-talk videos really boosts my esteem.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned as an entrepreneur is to be confident about your price. Your price is your valuation of your time and service/product. If a customer thinks your price is too expensive, just know that there will be others who think contrary.
What advice would you give to women considering creating a startup or entering a career in entrepreneurship?
My favorite quote is “Your net worth is your network.” Continue to build connections and stay in touch with people you meet at networking events. You never know who could help you bring your startup to the next level.
If applicable, what activities, groups, etc. were you involved with at WashU? What student groups, professors, classes had the biggest impact on you during your time at WashU?
When I was an undergrad, I was a John B. Ervin Scholar, competed freshman and sophomore year on the Varsity Women’s Golf Team, and was a member of the Women in Computer Science group. My favorite class was Negotiation taught through the business school by Professor Cummiskey. That class taught me practical skills such as how to know when to walk away from an offer, the anchoring effect, and so many more money saving tips.
Find out more about Test Prep Toolbox on their website.
Follow Test Prep Toolbox on Instagram and on LinkedIn.