Shakira Rouse
Founder of Special Compass
Shakira Rouse is an educator, advocate and entrepreneur. As an adult with a learning disability, she believes in the power of “training your mind to excel”. Previously struggling with her learning disability, Shakira regularly experienced emotional frustration and stress but, at twenty-five, this ambitious young woman has a vision to help make a difference in the education of those with learning challenges; to help ensure that no student has to relive the frustrations that she faced.
Fly Girl Since
November 2014
The Winning Team
- Pauleanna Reid, Career Strategist
- Safia Bartholomew, Creative Wordsmith + Publicist
- Ashlei Iris, Photographer
- Toussaint H. E. Brown, Web Designer
- Ken Thomas, Financial Advisor
- Aaron Charles, Realtor + Founder of REAP
- Nicole Marshall, Business Plan writer
The Challenge
Shakira joined New Girl On The Block with one goal in mind; to help students transition successfully into different educational milestones and to provide a safe and inspiring learning environment that motivates, encourages, and inspires students with learning challenges to find the joy in learning. Pursuing her passion with a heart of pure gold, Shakira knew she had to assemble a team to help exceed her business objectives.
The Objectives
- Ongoing mentorship: career strategies, life planning, business etiquette skills
- Financial management + Home Ownership
- Business plan creation
- Photo shoot + Creative Direction
- Biography Construction + Website Branded Content
- Platform Development: Website & Social Media
- Build community partnerships
- Product Development
The Results
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Increased time management and decision-making skills
- Solidified a business plan
- Created a financial plan to decrease debt and increase income streams
- Purchased first investment property in 2015
- Successfully launched Special-Compass.com
- Social Media development (ongoing)
- Customer service training & Business etiquette skills (ongoing)
The Bottom Line
Special Compass is an educational service centred for students with Learning Disabilities and special needs; it is a business tailored to specific audiences, which will provide highly interactive learning experiences.
Meet Our Fly Girls
