Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel.
Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
👨🏽🏫 About Dr. Shaan Patel
• Founder & CEO of Prep Expert
• Scored a perfect SAT after self-study
• Secured over $500,000 in scholarships
• Partnered with Mark Cuban after appearing on Shark Tank
• Author of a bestselling SAT prep book published by McGraw-Hill
💡 Key Themes & Takeaways
📚 From Side Hustle to Scalable Business
• Started Prep Expert in college dorm room
• First course led to 376-point average score improvement
• Grew from local classes to a national online platform
• Now serves over 100,000 students with $100M+ in scholarships earned
💻 Online Learning & Accessibility
• Offers live, online SAT/ACT prep, tutoring, and admissions consulting
• Courses taught by 99th percentile instructors
• Emphasizes interactive, classroom-like experience with office hours and support
• Adapted quickly to online learning post-COVID
🎯 Mission-Driven Education
• Brand motto: “Change your score, change your life”
• Teaches life skills like time management and goal setting
• Aims to eliminate student debt through scholarship access
• Long-term goal: Help students earn $1 billion in scholarships
📈 Entrepreneurial Lessons
• Faced early rejection from publishers before landing a book deal
• Used storytelling to stand out on Shark Tank
• Built brand through word-of-mouth and authenticity
• Now generates 2M+ annual website visits
🌟 Vision for the Future
• Expand impact through scholarships and mentorship
• Continue empowering students to achieve academic and financial freedom
• Promote meritocracy and the American dream through education.
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Overcoming the Odds: Oversees operations and financial strategy for Rolling Stone, Billboard, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Vibe, SXSW.
22:29

Real Estate: Shares his journey as a trailblazer in commercial real estate, overcoming industry challenges as a Black entrepreneur.
22:08

Motivation: From project failures to the death of his father, he shows how adversity can reshape purpose and leadership.
28:12