Meet Yazmine Verdieu of Verdieu Learning Center

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yazmine Verdieu.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Verdieu Learning Center was established as a business in November 2021. On November 12, 2021, I quit my job as a bank teller. I remember the faith engulfed my fear as I walked into the branch with my teller keys. I was (and still am) definite about the decision I made.

Before that, I was a student at California State University Dominguez Hills. I graduated in May 2021 with my bachelor’s in Sociology and Criminal Justice, destined for law school. As I went into my senior year in August 2020, I was in a state of renewing myself and preparing to become the woman I envisioned myself as. I was also looking for another source of income that I wanted to enjoy! So besides researching for the second stream of income, I practiced mindfulness meditation every day, wrote in my journal, and spent a lot of time by myself. I highly recommend these steps to anyone reading this. You have to be by yourself! I have to introduce the state of mind I was in because that is why and how my tutoring business came to mind.

As I finished reading a chapter in “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, I sat on my bed, and something popped in my mind. It was graceful; it felt like my calling. The word “tutoring.” Yes, tutoring! I then thought, “no way, tutoring? I don’t know anything about owning a business, I don’t even know if I can work with kids!” The doubts and fears were rushing in, so I called my best friend, who encouraged me to write my ideas down. I only talked to her about it because I felt that my tutoring business would make a massive difference in my life in Los Angeles. The next day, I posted my services on my personal Instagram.

In August 2020, I started with two students. Currently, I have twenty-three students and three employees. All glory to God.

Alright, 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?
Considering being a first-generation business owner, I felt I lacked the skillset and knowledge to start and run a business. This has led to many phases of trial and error, however, I am grateful for the lessons that I have learned. Sometimes I have moments where I feel a bit insecure because I compare my business to other franchise businesses. I then realize that my journey is different, and God’s timing is not mine. Sometimes, I have even thought about quitting because of how uncomfortable I felt on the path of entrepreneurship. Then I also realized, every day feels risky, and every day feels uncomfortable being an entrepreneur. It is unbelievably dangerous owning a business during a pandemic, and knowing this is what keeps me going because there is nowhere else I should be besides where I am currently. As my business grows I am still learning and will continue to use my investments to see it blossom into the vision I was given for it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Verdieu Learning Center?
Parents have said: “One of the best tutors I’ve come across in a long time!”

Verdieu Learning Center is a black-owned tutoring business serving the city of Los Angeles, providing a better onlook about education to the next generation. Verdieu Learning Center offers tutoring sessions in-person, virtual, and by travel. The pandemic exposed many students who suffered learning loss, and unfortunately, when in-person classes resumed, the curriculum continued. The curriculum was not created for students who experienced a deficiency in areas required to understand the new curriculum taught the following grade.

Verdieu Learning Center tutors understand that students are also different learners and think differently compared to previous generations, Verdieu Learning Center tutors help students achieve higher confidence in their independent thinking and previous subjects they struggled in. Verdieu Learning Center tutors create a customized learning plan for each student, that starts at their current skill level and pace. Verdieu Learning Center tutors assist students to develop better study and work habits. We follow up and ensure our student’s progress!

I am proud to say that Verdieu Learning Center tutors have refined students’ GPAs by half a point each semester. Students feel confident reading on their own after sessions, earn higher test scores and there is less stress at the homework table. It warms my heart hearing my company’s students talk about how confident and “smarter” they feel after their sessions. I love the relationship students develop with their VLC tutors as well!

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
My Dad always told me, “One day you’ll get paid for being a nerd.”

I always loved school growing up. I felt that education was a gateway from what I was growing through. I was bullied at school for how I looked and for being that “annoying kid” that always knew the answer to many questions in class. However, I did not care! I was always drawn to a classroom and still am. I always wanted to know the “how” and “why” of things in education and life! I was aware of a system that was in place in educational curriculum.

Growing up, I had my eyes set on becoming a lawyer practicing family law. I always knew that I would have a family-oriented career which is why I’m happy to have fallen in love with tutoring. I never thought that I would be taking on such a responsibility and course, but I am grateful for it and giving all glory to God.

Outside of education, I remember being heavily invested in the arts and sports. My twin sister and I played basketball, softball, and volleyball, We were also in many plays shown across West Los Angeles and Long Beach from the age of 5 through 18, and we studied ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, and modern dance from the age of 5 through 21. We were always rewarded with these activities because of the excellence we showed in the classroom.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/verdieulearningcenter?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU=
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Verdieu-Learning-Center/100076012883966/

Image Credits
Chelsea Ritchie- LiveRitchly Krystal Wilkes- Plush Beauty Service