The Beginning: A Bold Vision
In 2018, I co-founded Fiveable alongside Amanda DoAmaral and Tán Ho with a shared mission: to create educational equity through social learning. What started as a bold vision quickly became a reality as we built a platform that empowered high school students to take control of their learning and futures. As a co-founder, I was deeply involved in shaping the company’s culture, strategy, and creative direction from the ground up.
The Early Days: Living and Breathing Fiveable
In the early days, Fiveable was more than just a startup—it was a way of life. Amanda, Tán, and I lived and worked together in a three-bedroom apartment near Downer Avenue in Milwaukee. Our living room doubled as our office, and our kitchen table became a brainstorming hub. This unique setup fostered a close-knit, collaborative environment where we could ideate, create, and execute our vision seamlessly.
My Role: Building the Foundation
As a co-founder, I played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for Fiveable’s growth. I led creative and operational efforts, from developing marketing strategies to establishing processes that allowed us to scale effectively. I also managed a team of high school apprentices, mentoring them and empowering them to contribute meaningfully to Fiveable’s mission.
One of my proudest achievements was helping to grow Fiveable’s social media following to over 10,000 engaged followers. From crafting viral memes to developing a comprehensive social strategy, I ensured that Fiveable’s voice resonated with students and stakeholders alike. My work helped position Fiveable as a trusted and innovative platform in the edtech space.
The Growth: Scaling Impact
During my time at Fiveable, we focused on making Advanced Placement (AP) test prep accessible to the 3 million students taking AP exams annually. The platform quickly became a global hub for AP students, offering 38 subjects and maintaining a 92% pass rate. By the time I moved on, Fiveable had supported over 7 million high school students and was well on its way to becoming a leader in social learning.
The Funding: A Testament to Our Foundation
After I left, Fiveable continued to thrive, and in September 2021, the company closed a 10 million Series A funding round led by Union Square Ventures, with participation from OwlVentures and Progression Fund.This brought Fiveable’s total funding to 14.2 million, with previous investments from Serena Ventures, Metrodora Ventures, and gener8tor, among others.
While a majority of the funding came after my departure, it was a testament to the strong foundation we built during the early years. The strategies, processes, and creative initiatives I helped implement played a critical role in positioning Fiveable for this milestone.
The Mission: Empowering Students Through Community
At the heart of Fiveable’s success was our student-first approach. We built more than just a platform—we created a community where students could find support, motivation, and resources to succeed. Through interactive study rooms, community-powered content libraries, and peer support, Fiveable helped students take ownership of their learning and futures.
For more information about Fiveable, visit fiveable.me or follow them on Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok @thinkfiveable.
Creative Direction & Branding 🎨
Developed Fiveable’s visual identity and creative strategy.
Crafted engaging content, including viral memes and social media campaigns.
Marketing Strategy 📈
Built and executed social media strategies that grew Fiveable’s following to 10k+ engaged users.
Designed campaigns to promote the platform and connect with students.
Team Leadership & Mentorship 👥
Managed a team of 30+ high school apprentices, providing guidance and fostering growth.
Created a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Operational Strategy ⚙️
Established processes and systems to streamline project delivery and scale operations.
Implemented tools to improve efficiency and productivity.
Stakeholder Collaboration 🤝
Worked closely with internal and external stakeholders to align on goals and drive results.
Proactively identified and addressed challenges to ensure smooth operations.
Content Creation ✍️
Produced a wide range of content, from push notifications to social media posts.
Developed resources that resonated with students and supported their learning journeys.
Community Building 🌐
Helped create a vibrant online community where students could connect and support each other.
Fostered engagement through interactive experiences and peer-driven content.
Strategic Planning 🗺️
Played a key role in shaping Fiveable’s long-term vision and growth strategy.
Contributed to pitches and presentations that secured funding and partnerships.
Problem-Solving 🧩
Tackled challenges creatively, from resource constraints to scaling the platform.
Found innovative solutions to support Fiveable’s mission and goals.
Diversity & Inclusion Advocacy 🌈
Helped build a team that was 50% women, 38% non-white, and 24% LGBTQ+.
Ensured Fiveable’s culture and platform reflected its commitment to equity.
