Meet Manu Shahi: Business Owner and Education Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Manu Shahi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Manu, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I accept change and as a person I am open to learning to make any improvements to myself. I like to move forward, but at times I do not take enough time to do introspections. For me, yesterday ended last night and I like to get over it as fast as I can. I do feel I am hard on myself and that causes some form of stress, but this part of my personality of risking things in life. I thrive under pressure and feel some form of stress gives us that energy to move forward. The problem is that people are afraid of taking a risk because they are afraid of rejection, failure, or change. We think of risk, and our brain will go into fight or flight mode. Fear of risk is not that bad; it makes you feel alive. If you have that in you to live your dream and make it a reality, then get up and take the risk. Think in your head on what is the worst that can happen, and then go for it.  A calculated risk that will benefit you regardless of the outcome is worth it when you take it.  You build up your confidence and open endless possibilities to live a life of no regrets; you have clarity on exactly what you want in life by taking risks.

What should our readers know about your business?
Homework in a Cafe is an after-school program that was started in 2017. It would be safe to say that a lot has changed in our world over the last few years, especially in the past several months, and school is no exception. With working parents, the academic stress was high and under the pandemic with more students attending classes online and educators teaching lessons in a virtual format, it is no wonder that stress is at an all-time high for students, teachers, and parents. Homework in a Cafe is a bridge that helps parents, students, and teachers to reduce that stress. Homework in a Cafe is an independently owned company based in Denton County that offers students online tutoring and study skills coaching. This paid service provides more in-depth homework help to youth and teens while providing extra support to teachers and parents, which is needed more than ever before. What makes us different is that we connect and understand the pressure the students feel, the stress the parents feel, and the frustration the teachers face. We understand the problem and the cause and we offer solutions. Our coaches help students plan their academic calendar, help with homework, class projects, papers, and even test prep. In addition to this, students learn study strategies and tools. Homework in a Cafe helps students by: providing personalized student support by extending the learning day and engaging the student 1:1 or 2:1, and impacting student achievement by building confident learners. It gives me immense satisfaction to see how we can guide and navigate a student to reduce the number of missing assignments and improve their academic confidence. I took the risk by starting this business by selling a successful franchise because I believed that the students need more help in their preteen years than any other age. With courage and little support, and with confidence and a good network, I was able to take baby steps to grow my business. Before you have anybody else believe in you, the question you have to ask is do you believe in your product? Ask yourself which problem are you trying to solve? There were many challenges that I faced – but the idea is not to lose focus on the goal. Keep modifying the little stuff so you can reach your end goal.

The lessons I have learned from my journey are: Never let the cloud of self-doubt make you feel down. Have a good mentor or a coach in life. Try to find the center connection point between your passion, your capabilities, your past experiences, and the financial feasibility. Money is not God, but it is not less than oxygen either. If you can make money, it is your moral responsibility to make and help those who cannot!!! I want the world to know – It is important to know where you came from, but it is more important to believe in where you can go. Remind yourself every day. What others think of you is their problem; yours is to think about your purpose.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you would want to take them around to?
I would love to take them on a hike near Lake Grapevine, followed by breakfast at Lakeside in Flower Mound. In the afternoon, we could visit Klyde Warren Park and then, late in the evening, take her to Frisco- Legacy West.  

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
LeanIn.org

Website: www.homeworkinacafe.com
Instagram: manunshahi
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/manu-shahi-61090314
Twitter: @homeworkinacafe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManuNShahi
Youtube: Study Smart