Living Visionary: Catching up with the incredible members of the Visionary Community!
In this series, I’ll be catching up with the incredible member of our Visionary Community from past and present.
This is a project that I started while I was on Maternity Leave (#VisionaryMama) with my first baby as a way to stay plugged in, inspired and rooted among the community of clients and students that I’ve supported over the last (almost) 8 years.
Enjoy, and if it feels appropriate please support their amazing businesses!
xx. Kels
Meet Julie Diamond.
Founder of Diamond Teachers Group
3 Words She Would Use To Describe Herself…
Determined
Optimistic
Self-Improver
Bio…
Meet Julie Diamond, a certified teacher striving to make a difference in education across British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan (and beyond!). With a focus on helping struggling students, Julie noticed many teachers were looking for work and students in need of support outside of class.
In 2011, she founded a tutoring company with dedicated teachers, going beyond traditional homework help. Julie's approach centres on finding learning gaps, setting goals, tracking progress, and, as a result, boosting students' confidence.
Her simple and effective learning plan template, known as a Success Strategy, along with her skill in matching students with the right tutor, has positively impacted thousands of elementary and high school students. Julie's passion is reigniting students' love for learning.
Based in Ontario, Canada, Julie shares her home with her lovable wiener dog, Frankie. Fluent in Spanish, Julie is a travel enthusiast, and always planning her next trip to Colombia. She also enjoys exploring global cuisines and bringing diverse flavours into her kitchen.
Name
Julie Diamond
Profession
Teacher & Matchmaker
Business Name
Diamond Teachers Group
Founded In
2011
Current Location
In my new home office with my wiener dog, Frankie, on my lap!
Always…
Believe that everything happens for a reason, whether it is a gift or a lesson to be learned.
Never…
Let negativity rule your day. Try to find the positive in everything, despite how minuscule the positive may seem.
Advice for other entrepreneurs, who are slightly less far along…
Be your biggest fan because there will be days that will be hard and you are going to need to motivate yourself to tackle tomorrow.
Also, be gentle with yourself - entrepreneurship is HARD. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.
Tool, resource, podcast, book or person you’ve invested in that’s added value to your entrepreneurial journey
Terry O’Reilly ‘Marketing Lessons from Under the Influence’
Tell us more about your business (what do you do, who do you help, what does your workday look like, how do people find out about you).
Diamond Teachers Group, is an online tutoring company that provides educational support to elementary and high school students throughout Canada.
Our range of services encompasses:
Tutoring services covering all grades and subjects from grades 1 to 12.
Specialized support for students with Special Needs.
Strategies designed to enhance test preparation and refine study skills.
Language skills tutoring, including French, English/ESL, and Spanish.
A structured mindfulness course tailored for children.
My workday consists of updating our social media pages, writing blog posts, connecting with my assistant Jenna, and speaking with parents, tutors, and principals.
I also connect with other professionals in education or similar fields to collaborate or partner on exciting things together.
Recent milestone you’ve celebrated in your business?
A complete rebranding in August 2023 from Teachers to Go to Diamond Teachers Group. It was super scary to start almost from scratch again with a new name and logo, but it’s been a wild ride of lesson learning that I am now appreciative of.
Favourite way to wind down after a long workweek.
Making dinner at home with some records playing. 😀
Before starting my workday, I make sure to…
Meditate, go to Crossfit and set 3-5 goals I want to accomplish for the day.
Best part of my work is…
I enjoy speaking with parents when they are inquiring about tutoring because I get to hear their concerns and more about their child to better understand the situation and connect them with the best tutor.
Then I love following up with them, a month or so after they’ve started, to hear about their progress.
Tips for someone who is hesitant to follow their heart and start their own business?
1. Your business idea really should be something you LOVE because you will need to live it and breathe it day in and day out.
2. You will experience some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. Befriend other entrepreneurs who can offer support and advice.
3. If you’re hesitant, think about what’s holding you back and ask yourself why. Entrepreneurship is a wild ride, and you’re going to have to be flexible, adaptable, and confident in yourself and your idea.
Last vacation you took (and where did you go)…
My best friend (of 30 years!) and I went to Sardinia, Italy and Corsica for our 40th birthday. We hopped on a sailboat and I learned the basics of how to sail!
Bucket list vacation that you hope to embark on in the next 5 years (where to and why?)
African safari to see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo) because why the heck not?!
