BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
Charlotte O’Connell’s journey to entrepreneurship has been fueled by inspiration, compassion, and determination.
Question 1
Tell us a little bit about you. Where are you from?
I grew up outside of Washington, DC in Virginia. I am the youngest of six and having those leaders to follow was a big part of my journey. I changed high school's every year which was pretty seminal! I went to a women's college and majored in English. When I went to the military, it was an all-male environment! I had grown up with a lot of brothers, so the transition wasn't too hard – but they were not proactive in accepting me. The military was where I learned how to fly planes! I flew refueling for two years, instructed for five years, and then went on to fly for American Airlines for thirty years!
Tell us a little bit about you. Where are you from?
I grew up outside of Washington, DC in Virginia. I am the youngest of six and having those leaders to follow was a big part of my journey. I changed high school's every year which was pretty seminal! I went to a women's college and majored in English. When I went to the military, it was an all-male environment! I had grown up with a lot of brothers, so the transition wasn't too hard – but they were not proactive in accepting me. The military was where I learned how to fly planes! I flew refueling for two years, instructed for five years, and then went on to fly for American Airlines for thirty years!
Question 2
Why do you do what you do? What motivates you? Where did your passion come from?
Some days you just don't want to do it. I've probably said, "I'm quitting. This is just not working. I'm telling the same story again and again," at least four times during this journey. But I really believe in this. I know that it'll help people, I just need to get it to the position where they can see. I just can't stop!
Why do you do what you do? What motivates you? Where did your passion come from?
Some days you just don't want to do it. I've probably said, "I'm quitting. This is just not working. I'm telling the same story again and again," at least four times during this journey. But I really believe in this. I know that it'll help people, I just need to get it to the position where they can see. I just can't stop!
Question 3
What did you build in Soul Seed Academy?
We got organized on OneNote, set up Metricool, and other automations. It was great to work with the different vibrant personalities throughout this process. My project supervisor, Shay, sees the younger side of things and was organized in places where I was disorganized. I'm envious that these women have each other to work with and off of!
What did you build in Soul Seed Academy?
We got organized on OneNote, set up Metricool, and other automations. It was great to work with the different vibrant personalities throughout this process. My project supervisor, Shay, sees the younger side of things and was organized in places where I was disorganized. I'm envious that these women have each other to work with and off of!
Question 4
Tell us about your business. How does it work?
I always thought my most important role in this process was building the words in the app. Now, I know that it's pitching RootWords to the right audiences. The more I'm in it, the more I realize I am leading the pack and trying to discover how this app can best help others. So, here goes:
• Teachers would certainly want to have RootWords! As the app breaks down words – students will begin to pick up on how the parts work together. If the students are older, teachers can move onto five syllable words that are discipline specific. A word like 'polynomial' will be easier to tackle.
• Administrators and districts will appreciate how RootWords moves their students to the next level. Parents will love the freedom that linguistic prowess gives their children! It's one more great thing to add to everyone's toolbelt.
• Teachers would certainly want to have RootWords! As the app breaks down words – students will begin to pick up on how the parts work together. If the students are older, teachers can move onto five syllable words that are discipline specific. A word like 'polynomial' will be easier to tackle.
• Administrators and districts will appreciate how RootWords moves their students to the next level. Parents will love the freedom that linguistic prowess gives their children! It's one more great thing to add to everyone's toolbelt.
Tell us about your business. How does it work?
I always thought my most important role in this process was building the words in the app. Now, I know that it's pitching RootWords to the right audiences. The more I'm in it, the more I realize I am leading the pack and trying to discover how this app can best help others. So, here goes:
• Teachers would certainly want to have RootWords! As the app breaks down words – students will begin to pick up on how the parts work together. If the students are older, teachers can move onto five syllable words that are discipline specific. A word like 'polynomial' will be easier to tackle.
• Administrators and districts will appreciate how RootWords moves their students to the next level. Parents will love the freedom that linguistic prowess gives their children! It's one more great thing to add to everyone's toolbelt.
• Teachers would certainly want to have RootWords! As the app breaks down words – students will begin to pick up on how the parts work together. If the students are older, teachers can move onto five syllable words that are discipline specific. A word like 'polynomial' will be easier to tackle.
• Administrators and districts will appreciate how RootWords moves their students to the next level. Parents will love the freedom that linguistic prowess gives their children! It's one more great thing to add to everyone's toolbelt.
Question 5
What has been the hardest part of your journey so far?
Keeping the tech people going in the direction I want them to go. Getting people to understand morphemes and how the parts fit together. The cross-communication between what we have to set up, which is very structured, for the developer to be able to use it has been a real journey. We're making YouTube videos now – laying a strong foundation so developers can understand why certain operations have to be done a certain way.
What has been the hardest part of your journey so far?
Keeping the tech people going in the direction I want them to go. Getting people to understand morphemes and how the parts fit together. The cross-communication between what we have to set up, which is very structured, for the developer to be able to use it has been a real journey. We're making YouTube videos now – laying a strong foundation so developers can understand why certain operations have to be done a certain way.
Question 6
What does healing the world look like to you?
Part of it, of course, is we would like other people to be generous and considerate. I always thought my life was really hard when I was working. I had a long commute and I'd come home crabby – people didn't always like me because I was a woman in a "man's job." When I retired I realized I had it easy! I didn't see how hard it was for entrepreneurs to keep things running from day-to-day. I have so much more compassion now, and I think healing the world would be to have more compassion. I'd like to help people have the tools they need to communicate effectively.
What does healing the world look like to you?
Part of it, of course, is we would like other people to be generous and considerate. I always thought my life was really hard when I was working. I had a long commute and I'd come home crabby – people didn't always like me because I was a woman in a "man's job." When I retired I realized I had it easy! I didn't see how hard it was for entrepreneurs to keep things running from day-to-day. I have so much more compassion now, and I think healing the world would be to have more compassion. I'd like to help people have the tools they need to communicate effectively.
Question 7
Any last-minute thoughts?
I'm so much older than the women that are working now – and I love having the women support that Soul Seed Academy offers. Reach out to your tribe! There are so many women supported groups. While you'll still have to work with men, it's really good to have women to lean on and hear their problems. Link up, ask a question, and don't be afraid to call! We're all happy to talk to each other.
Any last-minute thoughts?
I'm so much older than the women that are working now – and I love having the women support that Soul Seed Academy offers. Reach out to your tribe! There are so many women supported groups. While you'll still have to work with men, it's really good to have women to lean on and hear their problems. Link up, ask a question, and don't be afraid to call! We're all happy to talk to each other.