This year, Lisa Johnson, owner and founder of Mathtopian Preparation, Inc., was selected along with 44 others for the 2021 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses national program. Launched in 2009, the program provides business education, support services and pathways to capital for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.
A teacher by trade, Lisa taught at several independent schools in Los Angeles before transitioning to being an entrepreneur as the owner of a private tutoring, test prep and consulting company. She opened Mathtopian Preparation in Los Angeles in 2005 and would go on to expand her business adding an office in Atlanta. Mathtopian Preparation now serves students all over the world in person and virtually. Students work with Lisa and her team from middle school through college – acquiring the courage and confidence to take on any academic challenge.
“Many people believe math is simply too hard for them to grasp,” said Johnson. “My mission is to demystify what challenges students and provide them with the support they need to think critically, to ask questions, and to develop the skills that will help them throughout their educational careers and in life.”
“We recently saw an increase in the need for the 1-1 nature of our service during the pandemic as many students were learning remotely. This opportunity with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program will help me position Mathtopian Preparation to better serve our students, particularly those of color, as we prepare them for the new educational model.”
The twelve-week course allows participants to gain practical skills to take their business to the next level, with topics like financial statements, negotiations, and marketing. Participants develop an actionable growth plan for their business with the help of advisors and a network of like-minded entrepreneurs. The program is free for participants and delivered in partnership with academic institutions across the country. To date Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses has served over 10,000 businesses in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
About Mathtopian Preparation:
Mathtopian Preparation provides one to one tutoring and test preparation as well as small group instruction for students who need additional academic support in math and science. The organization’s focus is helping students to develop fundamental academic and organizational skills as well as the self-discipline needed to be high achievers. Learn more at MathtopianPreparation.com
About Lisa Johnson:
Lisa is the Founder and Director of Mathtopian Preparation, Inc. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with honors from Spelman College. She went on to receive a Rackham Merit Fellowship from the University of Michigan where she earned a Master’s Degree in Education as well as teaching credentials in both mathematics and economics. She worked as a teacher in several Los Angeles schools and served in a variety of academic enrichment programs including the SHARP program at NASA, Princeton Summer Research Experience and the Summer Engineering Program at the University of Michigan.
Actively engaged in her community, Lisa served on the Advisory Board of The University of California College Prep Online and 2nd District Poverty Representative of the Community Action Board of Los Angeles County. Additionally, she has served as President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College, an officer on the Board of Directors of the Holman Community Development Corporation, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Out of Hand Theater. She was a selected fellow of the Educational Leadership Institute and served as an ITEST panelist for the National Science Foundation.