Ann Nyakinyua Gathura is the founder and director of Ann’s Math Club, a personalized learning resource offering practical and innovative mathematics solutions for all ages, both online and offline.
I launched this venture after rediscovering my love for mathematics during the 2020 pandemic. With the support of my parents, I began tutoring four learners in our home garage. The positive feedback from the students and their parents inspired me to transform this into a business-oriented mathematics club.
Initially, the club started with just four students, but it has now grown into a thriving community of over 10,000 math enthusiasts. The club focuses on the individual learner, providing a platform for members to connect, learn, and develop their passion for mathematics.
In 2020, during the pandemic, I found myself reflecting on some important questions: “What is my passion?” “How can I leave an impact?” “How can I make the most of this time?” The first question was easy for me to answer—I have a passion for mathematics. This led me to the idea of starting a math club.
When I first started the club, I had no revenue model in mind. My initial focus was on building a community, and I planned to think about monetization later. The initial investment included purchasing a whiteboard, lapel microphone, tripod, and stationery, totaling approximately Sh. 25,000. I ran the club for free during the first six months of the pandemic and introduced a payment model in the seventh month. Within the first two months of implementing this model, we broke even and exceeded our revenue target by over 200%.
As the pandemic put my regular work, which involved physical training, on hold, I had more time to devote to the math club. By the time my regular work resumed, the club had become my primary focus. Due to the flexible nature of my job, I was able to manage both the club and my work initially, but eventually, the club became my full-time endeavor.
The most rewarding aspect of running the club has been the positive feedback from parents about their children’s transformation in attitude and impressive academic results. This feedback confirms that we have achieved our mission to provide high-quality math tutoring services and positively influence learners’ attitudes towards mathematics.
One of the highlights for the club and me was winning the Zuri Awards STEM category in 2022. This recognition affirmed our hard work, commitment, and dedication to providing quality math tutoring services that inspire students to excel in STEM fields.
Reflecting on our journey, I realize there were missed opportunities to track students’ progress from the beginning. I would have set up a tracking system to record each student’s initial assessment results, attendance, and progress in each topic. Learning from this, we have now implemented such a system, allowing learners and their parents to see clear evidence of progress and value.
One financial mistake I made was not distinguishing between personal and business expenses, making it difficult to account for business expenditures. I have since rectified this by paying myself a salary from the business and treating it as a recurring expense for the club.
Inspired by my father’s advice on investing money, I began saving a portion of the club’s revenue in a money market account, and later, I opened a SACCO account, saving 10% of my salary from the club. This practice has helped ensure the financial stability and growth of the club.
I have learned that success is not just about achieving personal goals but also about helping others achieve theirs. By sharing our knowledge, skills, and resources, we can positively impact the world and leave a lasting legacy.
A version of this profile feature on Ann Nyakinyua of Ann’s Math Club was also published in the Saturday Magazine, a publication of the Nation Media Group.
