Interview with Dr. Deborah Hardy: GuidED Consulting, LLC

Education is everything to this entrepreneur. Learn how her passion for learning and teaching helped her create a successful consulting business.

Dr. Deborah Hardy, president of GuidED Consulting, LLC, is no stranger to the classroom. Fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish, Hardy also holds master’s degrees in school counseling and educational administration, as well as a doctorate in instructional leadership.

Over the course of Hardy’s decades-long career as a school counselor, director of school counseling and adjunct professor, she recognized two distinct needs in her field. School counselors required support and continuing education so they could guide students to the best of the counselors’ abilities. And, young adults headed to college needed student-driven counseling to thrive.

In 2016, she came up with a solution: GuidED Consulting.

She explains the mission of her company, saying, “GuidED provides professional development for school counselors on topics such as technology, lesson planning, data analysis, developing personalized learning plans and writing a comprehensive school counseling plan.” She goes on to discuss the other side of her company, adding, “GuidED also works with families and students on the college process, career assessments and academic planning through a unique portfolio method where students reflect on the abilities and interests that guide them through school and beyond.”

After just over two years, Hardy has already achieved amazing results, including a 50% increase in clients during 2017. She ties the surge in business to learning the latest technology and implementing it in her business model, explaining, “The biggest challenge has been being on the road as the mobile school counselor servicing everyone. I have overcome this challenge by providing Skype and Google video conferencing options, allowing me to extend my services to other states.”

What prompted this lifelong educator and counselor to leave the safety net of her career as one of the most respected school counseling experts in New York? She says, “Passion. Simple as that. As a former school counselor, I always saw the best in everyone. I wanted my staff to know their expertise and be able to take the lead on different ideas to help students.”

Although Hardy’s focus is on guiding counselors and college-bound students, she also firmly believes that maintaining a student’s mindset is the key to success in business. She elaborates, “I believe that creating a business is an ongoing learning experience. To have a business and not keep learning keeps the environment stagnant.”

And as an educator, Hardy is happy to pass on what she’s learned over the years to other entrepreneurs, and that’s be patient, be positive and listen. “Take each day as it comes and when there are obstacles, use them as teachable moments. By being patient and mindful, I am positive and know that things will work. Listen to comments people give you related to starting a business. Then, nurture that idea and create a plan,” she advises.

You can find out more information on GuidED Consulting at www.guidedconsult.com and via their Facebook page. If you’d like to discuss Hardy’s services with her, you can reach her at guidedbyhardy@gmail.com or call her at 1-914-721-3591.

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