Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Tran
Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For much of my childhood, I lived and breathed skating, performing gravity-defying spins and chasing big dreams on the ice. But when a career-ending injury at 16 brought that chapter to a sudden close, I found myself facing an uncertain future, grappling with identity, and learning to find new purpose.
As a young girl, I grew up as an at-risk, ESL, and gifted and talented student. Those experiences shaped me in ways I couldn’t fully understand at the time, but they planted the seeds for a lifelong passion for education and equity. In 2014, I joined Teach For America to help close the achievement gap. While earning my master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University, I had the profound privilege of teaching at the same Title I elementary school I attended as a child. Standing in front of those classrooms reminded me how transformative education can be, not just for students but for entire communities.
In 2019, I took the leap to launch Tutor Route, a company that provides accessible, high-quality tutoring with certified teachers for students at home and in school districts. Yet I knew there was more work to do. Tutoring often remains out of reach for many at-risk scholars, and I wanted to change that. In 2023, I founded Uplift Learners, Inc., a nonprofit focused on making educational services and resources more equitable for at-risk schools, their students, and their teachers.
My journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. From growing a tutoring business with over 30 tutors and counselors to transforming my teaching expertise as a solopreneur into scalable partnerships with school districts, I’ve faced challenges, stumbled through moments of self-doubt, and fought to find my footing after life’s unexpected twists.
But I’ve also discovered that there’s so much beauty in reinvention. Today, I get to share my story with others, not just to celebrate the successes but to embrace the lessons from every fall.
For me, life is a little like skating—it’s not about staying perfectly upright; it’s about getting back up every time you fall and finding the strength to try again. And if you’re lucky, you can do it with a bit of flair, a lot of heart, and a community that lifts you along the way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As an Asian-American female founder, my journey has been shaped by challenges, reinvention, and resilience. Learning to rebuild and pivot successfully after life-altering setbacks is something I’ve struggled with deeply. Even in my early days as during my first career as a champion figure skater came to an abrupt end, I found myself grappling with imposter syndrome and a sense of loss. Yet, those moments of uncertainty taught me invaluable lessons that have helped me forge the path I walk today. Three key principles have guided me to where I am now—as a successful business owner, teacher, mentor, and thought leader: daily disciplined habits, personal branding, and pivoting with purpose.
I absolutely love my sleep and when you are a business owner, you virtually have no days off. Sometimes there are days where you feel like it’s tough to wake up and do the work. This is where daily disciplined habits come in handy. Because I have a good routine engrained in my repertoire, I feel like even on those days that are harder to get out of bed, I can run on semi-autopilot without feeling like it’s such a strain against my natural tendency to hibernate for the day.
Personal branding has really saved me from the early struggles of my business when I was new to the game and had just started marketing myself to the world that my company offer tutorial services. Being in a super saturated market, I knew that I had a long shot of building my client list quickly. Another issue I faced was that it was a super awkward feeling trying to put myself out there on social media. I decided that the only way I could get over my imposter syndrome was to rip the bandaid off and just be authentic by telling people why I decided to open my business and how my business can help students learn. Once I started sharing my journey and showing my results, the client list started filling up and it encouraged me to keep going.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Tutor Route is an exceptional tutoring company dedicated to empowering students academically and mentally. Our team comprises certified educators and counselors with decades of experience, ensuring high-quality educational support. We’re a team of certified educators and counselors with decades of experience dedicated to serving students by empowering them academically and mentally.
Tutoring is typically considered a luxury expense for many parents, but it shouldn’t be. So far, roughly only 1 in 10 students gets high-dosage tutoring, according to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics’ School Pulse Survey.
Just imagine…
What if every student:
Has a tutor who builds confidence and grows love of learning?
Feels capable and worthy?
Looks forward to learning and is motivated to do better?
As educators and counselors, we see the stark advantage, positive results, and lasting impact when students receive tutoring versus when they don’t. This is why Tutor Route was born. We advocate for students’ rights to receive support whenever they need it beyond the classroom.
Every student is worthy and deserves equitable access and opportunities to receive quality tutoring. Our team is especially dedicated to provide equitable access and opportunities for students labeled as at-risk, underserved, English as a Second Language (ESL), English Language Learner (ELL), Special Needs, and 504.
We partner with school districts to provide tutoring with our certified experts at no-cost for disadvantaged students.
We close the achievement gap through data-driven tutoring and mental health services. We create tailored lessons and academic management plans in order to help our students succeed.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
At six years old, my parents wanted me to learn how to figure skate because it is common for Canadians to go skating. The moment I stepped on the ice, it just felt like home. The cold bite of the ice greeted me each morning before the sun had the chance to rise. My breath would curl in soft clouds around me as I laced up my skates, fingers numb but heart racing with anticipation. The rink was a frozen canvas, waiting for the delicate brushstrokes of blades slicing through its pristine surface. Each glide, each spin, was a silent conversation between me and the ice—a dance of discipline and dreams.
I spent years chasing the perfect routine, the flawless jump, the seamless spin. Under the bright lights of competition, sequins glittered like distant stars, and the music swelled in my ears, guiding every movement. The discipline of figure skating shaped me, teaching me the quiet strength in persistence and the beauty of resilience. Though my competitive days have passed, the rink still calls to me, and now I guide young skaters through their first tentative steps, watching as their eyes light up with the same fire that once burned in mine.
Yet, beyond the ice, another passion simmered—the love of food. The scent of warm pastries and the sizzle of savory dishes were as familiar to me as the sound of blades on ice. In my kitchen, flour dusted the countertops like freshly fallen snow, and sugar crystals shimmered under the light. I found joy in cooking dishes that my mom taught me how to make, transforming them into playful fusion dishes—a whimsical nod to the comfort foods I adored. Each creation was a spicy echo of my personality, blending artistry and flavor in every bite.
From the disciplined world of figure skating to the creative sanctuary of my kitchen, my journey has been a dance of passion and perseverance. Both the ice and the oven have taught me that perfection is not the goal—it’s the joy in every glide and every taste that truly matters. Now, I weave these lessons into every aspect of my life, guiding others on the ice and delighting in the magic of food, always chasing the next beautiful moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.localtutorroute.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tutorroute
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tutorroute
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tutorroute5227
