Meet Kelly Smith | CEO and Founder of Prenda

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

Hi Kelly, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
My grandparents were teachers. At my grandpa’s 90th birthday party, I sat next to a man in his 60’s who had been a student in the first class my grandpa taught. Education is one of those things that goes beyond “doing good work” or “having an impact.” It’s a sacred opportunity to be part of the story for another human being, to connect in transformative and lasting ways. I have had people play important roles at critical points in my life, and if I could have my wish, I’d be able to do that for others. I hope they find me interesting and helpful. But more than anything, I hope they know I see them as humans, that I care about them, and that I believe in them.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am the founder and CEO of Prenda, a company that helps people run microschools for grades K-8. I started a microschool around my kitchen table in 2018, with my son and six of my friends’ kids. From that very first semester, I got to see firsthand what happens when kids make a conscious choice to learn, surrounded by peers and supported by a caring adult. Since then, Prenda has helped more than 1,000 people open a microschool.

Entrepreneurship is never easy, but I wake up every day excited to do the work because I see the impact – kids who were disengaged and full of limiting beliefs entering a microschool and becoming empowered learners. It’s so exciting!

Along the way, I’ve learned a lot about business and leadership. But maybe the most valuable lessons are about myself and my own learning journey. I’ve learned how powerful a purpose can be. I’ve learned that I can figure it out through persistence and scrappiness. I’ve learned that all the important things are a team sport, and valuing people and relationships is the secret to meaning and achievement.

Perhaps the most exciting lesson is what people are capable of. I’ve seen homeschool moms, retired teachers, dance instructors, and all kinds of people create beautiful learning experiences by starting their own microschool. Yes, they get personal satisfaction and earn income, but their real motivation is the impact they can have on young people in their neighborhood. It’s truly inspiring to see!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I did not appreciate the desert as a kid growing up here, but as an adult, I am all in on the Phoenix area. I live in Mesa, home of some pretty astonishing playground structures and an up-and-coming restaurant scene. Try Worth Takeaway, Myke’s Pizza, and Que Chevere in the downtown area, or drive down Dobson and experience some awesome Asian food. On Saturday mornings, you can find me hiking in the Superstitions or paddleboarding on the Salt River.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been lucky to associate with the Startup AZ collective, a group of local entrepreneurs who hustle and grind and innovate on their way to building lasting institutions here in Arizona. I’ve met peers and mentors who turned into business partners and friends, all sharing a penchant for generosity and mutual support. I have to specifically shout out Gregg Scoresby, one of the best angel investors on the planet and always one of my first calls when the entrepreneurial road is rough.

Website: www.prenda.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prendalearn/

Linkedin: https://www.instagram.com/prendalearn/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/prendalearn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prendalearn

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/prendalearn

Other: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prenda/mycompany/verification/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@prendalearn

Image Credits
Adriane Thompson