Recently recognised as the ‘best tutoring service on the Sunshine Coast’, and a finalist in two prestigious Sunshine Coast Business Awards, what is the secret behind the success of Numberworks’nWords?
The Sunshine Coast is brimming with small businesses and women passionate about making a difference in the community. For one incredible businesswoman, 2023 has been a year like no other, with numerous award nominations, impressive business growth and even featuring in an inspirational coffee table book! We were excited to sit down with Rochelle Callard, owner of Numberworks’nWords Sippy Downs, to find out about her latest award nominations and how she turned her passion for helping children flourish into such a successful Sunshine Coast enterprise.
Rochelle Callard, Numberworks’nWords Sippy Downs
What is your background?
I have a background in education and was a school principal for several years in the Granite Belt west of Brisbane, and I have also run my own business before. But by 2018, I was looking for a new challenge. My passion for teaching hadn’t waned, but I felt I needed a fresh way to bring learning to life for kids who may be getting lost in the system, and the entrepreneur in me missed the small business world.
I came across the NumberWorks’nWords program through a family member, which perfectly combines my business skills, education, and teaching. So, after doing the due diligence, I signed the franchise agreement for Sunshine Coast. I spent the rest of 2018 setting up, ready to open NumberWorks’nWords Sippy Downs in 2019.
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And in just four years, you already have several achievement awards!
It’s been incredible! From first opening the doors in 2019 and navigating a new business through the pandemic, we now run more than 300 personalised tutoring sessions each week from our centre in Sippy Downs.
This year [2023], we won the award for best tutoring service on the Sunshine Coast in the Quality Business Awards. This award was not something we applied for or was told about; it was based on customer ratings, meaning we had a 95% positive rating on three platforms. So that meant a lot to us.
I was also a finalist in the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Awards earlier this year. The Awards are held annually to recognise the women behind the business on the Sunshine Coast. The event was on August 10th. I didn’t win but I was honoured and proud to be a finalist. And, very excitingly, I’m a finalist in the Sunshine Coast Business Awards 2023.
The application process has been incredibly rigorous. We had to tell our business story, show our passion and how we make a difference to the Sunshine Coast community via a 5,000-word application. Then, from the 137 finalists, we had to do a panel interview, and I had to do a seven-minute presentation. From that, the four finalists for my category of ‘Education & Training’ were determined.
There are approximately 43,000 businesses on the Sunshine Coast, so to be a finalist in these prestigious awards is incredible.
Though it’s been intense, it’s been an excellent opportunity to reflect on how we’re doing, what we’re doing, and what changes we can make to improve. I’m very excited to see how we go.
Rochelle Callard at the Business Woman of the Year awards
And tell us about the book you are feature in!
Yes, it’s been quite a year! The book Women Inspired on the Sunshine Coast was published in October 2023. It features 43 inspiring women from the Sunshine Coast to showcase the culture, diversity and achievements of exceptional feminine leaders and trailblazers within our community. I’m honoured to be selected to appear in the book alongside many inspiring women.
Women Inspired on the Sunshine Coast book 2023
So, what is your secret?
Having that passion is critical. You have to really want to make a difference and push through no matter what. But also there’s the importance of having a great team. My managers, Anne, Daniel and the tutoring staff make it possible. It’s as a team that we deliver change for people.
Why is the Numberworks’nWords program so successful?
NumbersWorks’nWords is a unique style of tutoring that engages children of all levels and abilities and can bring back that enthusiasm for learning. Our personalised approach at NumberWorks’nWords can make a difference in a child’s progress. The NumberWorks‘nWords program is designed to be engaging and structured so that students make far more progress here than with many other methods.
All our new students are given a free assessment and introductory lesson, where we identify their specific areas of need. We then tailor a tuition program for each individual, set goals in consultation with parents, and provide regular progress feedback. This personalised and targeted approach bridges the gaps and builds up student confidence and self-belief.
I believe the key to a child’s success is building their learning confidence. Many children lack confidence in themselves and their answers, which can really hinder them in the classroom. By building up their confidence and supporting the student to feel safe enough to ask questions, take risks and make mistakes, they will soon begin to flourish.
Confidence makes them happier and more engaged, and academic success quickly follows.
Helping students turn their learning experiences around is extremely rewarding. There are so many of those ‘light bulb’ moments when students realise they can do it. It’s incredible to be part of that!
CONTACT
Phone: (07) 5445 4412
Email:
123 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast
Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents with kids events, attractions & things to do with kids, schools and education, school holiday guides, health & wellbeing for families, parenting and lifestyle news located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.
