Today we’d like to introduce you to Jolyn Brand.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jolyn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started working with low-income high school students in Pasadena ISD in 2003. Many of my students didn’t expect to go to college, so I started with encouragement, advice, and guidance. I began to guide classes through college essays and applications, and then through the financial aid process. A majority of my students turned into first-generation college students! I continued with this process throughout my teaching career: helping any students from the area schools, my neighbor’s children, anyone who needed assistance. In 2010, I got the opportunity to pursue this passion full time, and started my own business, and have loved every minute of it!
I was also a college instructor at an area community college and for an online national university. Through this work, I was able to assist college students through their first year of college, and I saw their struggles adjusting, especially without someone to mentor or guide them. Many college students change their major, change schools, or simply drop out because they didn’t get the guidance to help them succeed. I’m happy to be able to provide that support and guidance through my work as owner of Brand College Consulting.
I have four children and reside in Friendswood, Texas, just outside of Houston. Our oldest son just graduated from Texas A&M and is pursuing his Master’s at The Citadel. Our youngest son is currently attending Purdue University, so I have also been through the college process personally and know how it can create tension and additional stress in families. Sometimes, a third-party can help relieve that stress by offering much-needed guidance and perspective.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Thankfully, the college consulting field is a much-needed service for families and students seeking help with college. So many families are stressed about meeting all requirements and deadlines and doing what’s best for their children and their budget. The business has grown every year, to include private tutoring for SAT and ACT prep, and we recently combined forces with a consultant in Florida to assist even more families.
Of course, there were bumps along the way, deciding on software programs and keeping up-to-date on all of the changing college requirements, such as FAFSA timeline and SAT revisions.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Brand College Consulting – what should we know?
As the Founder and President of Brand College Consulting, my passion is helping students find, apply and get accepted to colleges that are a good fit for their interests and abilities. As an Independent Educational Consultant, I use an individualized approach to helping students navigate every aspect of the college search and selection process.
My goal for each student is to help him or her find schools where he/she can be happy and thrive academically, socially and emotionally. The college search and application process can be both time-consuming and overwhelming unless you have a plan and resources. I reduce the anxiety involved in this process by walking students step-by-step along their path to college.
I keep up to date on new college programs, requirements, and admissions trends by visiting more than 20 colleges a year, by attending professional conferences and workshops, and by maintaining professional memberships with associations for college counselors. I work with students in the Houston, Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix areas and across the country. Tara Boddie works with families in Georgia and Florida. Thanks to technological advances, we can utilize Skype and College Planner Pro to communicate with parents and students. Our software even connects to student’s phone for easy and efficient communication through texting!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe hard work and dedication are crucial to success in entrepreneurship.
Pricing:
- College Consulting Package for high school students- $3600
- Hourly College Consultations- $150/hour
- College Essays and Application Workshops- $200/day
- SAT or ACT Private Tutoring- $60/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: http://brandcollegeconsulting.com/
- Phone: 800-940-6491
- Email: Jolyn@BrandCollegeConsulting.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandCollegeConsulting
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/brand-college-consulting-friendswood
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