For pupils hoping to increase their exam results, Lion Tutoring International’s founder and CEO Thobo Khathola has emerged as a ray of hope. Khathola has created a successful tutoring system that goes above and beyond conventional teaching strategies since he has a thorough awareness of the difficulties that pupils confront. His goal is to motivate students, boost their self-esteem, and give them the tools and techniques they need to perform well on tests.
Here is what Thobo had to say during an interview with Transform SA:
- How did you come up with the idea for your company?
I graduated from the University of Pretoria. My desire to improve education began while I was still a student at UP in 2015. Following my experience as a university student tutor, I was eager to improve student pass rates. So, I began offering tutoring services to youth from the trunk of my car in my parents’ home. Lion Tutoring International has been in business for eight years. The impact has been enormous over the years. Over 300 young specialists and educators who are enrolled as Tutors have found work through the Tutoring firm. Every year, Lion Tutoring engages and positively changes over 1000 students, who have witnessed a major shift in their lives.
- How would you describe your usual day?
My day begins at four o’clock a.m. This is when I pray and meditate. I make every effort to avoid emails and anything else that might interfere with my connection to God during this time.
I then go to the gym from 5:45 to 6:45 a.m.
My day at the office begins at 7 a.m. Because my team begins at 8 p.m., I get an early start to the day. I utilize this time to catch up on what I did the day before and plan what I need to do today.
I have meetings with external individuals at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m., which may be bankers or any other service provider that we utilize.
My lunch break begins at 14:00. I usually attempt to return home for lunch so that I may spend that one hour with my family. If that is not possible, I eat for one hour while working in the office. I then work until 7 p.m., when I simply shut off and spend time with my family. I enjoy some quality family time by watching television shows with my wife.
After the rest of the family has gone to bed. When I return to work, I plan for the next day and send the last batch of emails for the day.
- How do you come up with new business ideas?
Developing innovative business concepts is critical to our growth and success. When it comes to developing new ideas, we use a variety of tactics to assure creativity and relevance in the ever-changing education industry. We actively endeavor to understand the difficulties and pain spots experienced by students, parents, and tutors. We acquire significant insights by listening to their wants and concerns, which can inspire new ideas for services, additions, or upgrades to our existing platform. Finally, we want to build a platform that satisfies the changing demands of kids, parents, and tutors while also embracing the most recent technology advances.
- What marketing strategies do you think are most effective for attracting new customers?
We use a number of marketing strategies to efficiently reach and engage our target audience. Aside from our own in-house sales and advertising staff. We collaborate with the best agencies to aid us with brand awareness. This helps us reach new consumers as well as new teachers who can get work through our Lion Tutoring App.
- Who is your greatest entrepreneurial inspiration?
Lord Alan Sugar, who you may recognize from The Apprentice Show in the United Kingdom, is arguably my greatest entrepreneurial inspiration. He may not be among the wealthiest, but his effect and the way he conducts himself and his business is something I like.Dr. Myles Munroe was also present. These are two business owners who inspire me. They have some principles to which I attempt to follow. I admire how well-rounded they are as entrepreneurs. With others, I mostly read their books and pick their brains. I’m now reading Elon Musk’s Risk It All. But Lord Sugar and Dr Myles are at the top of my list.
- How did you get money for your business?
I saved money to get started and get things moving. With whatever profits we made after that. We just reinvested them in the company to guarantee that we had resources to propel us forward.
- What drives you?
Looking back on my experience with Lion Tutoring International inspires me much. Operating from my car to having offices and seeing expansion throughout the South African Region gives me hope that there is more to come. Seeing students succeed motivates and inspires me. I want to help as many students as possible. I’ve seen pupils who were written off by the education system and, in some cases, their own families. When we arrive, we give the pupils a little push and assistance to flourish in ways that may surprise themselves and everyone else academically. Also, the impact we have on creating youth employment motivates me because I see the limitless possibilities for combating youth unemployment. That motivates me to keep working for greater influence.
- Who do you seek advice from?
ask everyone’s opinion. I like to read books, watch YouTube videos, and listen to podcasts that relate to the knowledge I’m looking for. It might have to do with marketing, consumer acquisition, or brand awareness. So, I wouldn’t say that I have a particular role model who I seek counsel from. On the other hand, I have a youth pastor who helps me on my spiritual path. To gain as many insights as I can, I also frequently attend business seminars.
- As an entrepreneur, how do you define success?
Success as a business for me is determined by how many lives you can positively influence. The company must be able to provide something of value to people.
- What is your most notable accomplishment?
The impact has been enormous over the years. Over 300 young professionals and educators who have signed up to be tutors now have jobs thanks to the tutoring company. The Best Youth owned business in Botswana in 2017 and 2018 as well as the Forbes 30 under 30 List class of 2020 Cover Page are just a few of the accolades Lion Tutoring has received in that country and throughout the continent of Africa.
The Best Youth owned business 2017 and 2018 in Botswana; and The Forbes 30
under 30 List class of 2020 Cover Page. Lion Tutoring was recently invited to the World.
Government Summit in Dubai by the World Trade Center Director General Dr Ngozi, to
represent African Youth in a panel plenary session. Also, every year Lion Tutoring has
managed to engage and positively change with over 1000 students who have seen a
significant change in their school marks. Reviews and recommendations can be seen on our
website www.liontutoringinternational.com.
- What objectives do you still wish to achieve?
The big dream is to travel far and wide. Lion Tutoring International must expand outside the Southern African market in which it currently works. Most importantly, Lion Tutoring International must continue to make an influence in the education sector by pushing for access to the best kind of education and ensuring that every kid in Africa, regardless of location, has an equal opportunity to enhance their lives via adequate education.