Meet Stacey Roselli | CEO and Founder of The Reading Village

I am the proud owner and CEO of The Reading Village, a business idea that came out of need. We are an educational organization focused on bringing together students, families, teachers, and other professionals. Our mission is simple: We want all students to feel confident in their ability to learn; we support the mission by providing them with the resources they need for success in school and beyond. Our primary focus is working with students with language-based learning disabilities, specifically dyslexia.

What’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?

Someone once told me that business should be business, and one’s personal life should be kept separate. I am learning that personal connections are what make my business successful. Families often acknowledge and comment on our sincere concern, which stems from developing personal relationships.

When parents are beginning a new educational path for their children, my team members often share stories about their children and how hard it was when they first learned about their child’s dyslexia or ADHD. We build rapport and engage with our students in ways that help them develop trust in us and confidence in themselves.

The old saying is true: It is more satisfying helping others than helping yourself. My daughter knows I chose this career path, because it makes me happy. I am starting to see that my 5-year-old is internalizing this; she is beginning to tell me stories about what she is doing in school, like sharing strawberries with a friend who didn’t have a snack.

I think about balance often. I just read a quote my husband had written down: You don’t find balance, you create it. This has helped me realize that I need to create my balance and that it may come with a feeling that I may disappoint people.

From when I first started the business to where I am today, my balance has shifted greatly. I typically feel that there is always someone waiting for me to respond to a mentoring question, a scheduling dilemma, or a more pressing question, ‘Can you help my child learn to read?’

I make sure I am still working out, going to acupuncture regularly, and spending time with my daughter and husband. I feel much more balanced when I am fully present with my family.