Scholarships Simplified: Building Success through Support

For many small business owners, success doesn’t begin with a lifelong dream. It begins with an unexpected pivot. For Alissa Davies, founder of Scholarships Simplified, that pivot transformed uncertainty into a thriving, purpose-driven business built on community, collaboration, and a willingness to ask for help.

Alissa never planned to become an entrepreneur. For nearly two decades, she worked as an educator, supporting her students in and out of the classroom. But in May 2023, when the private school where she taught closed unexpectedly, she found herself at a crossroads.

What started as a practical decision—continuing her tutoring work—quickly evolved into something larger. Encouraged by her sister, Alissa recognized an opportunity to expand a skill she had already been using informally: helping students navigate the complex world of scholarships. In January 2024, Scholarships Simplified was born. The business offers support for college application, essay writing, scholarship application, and resume building as well as tutoring services, supporting many home school families and offering subject-area assistance to students from kindergarten through the collegiate level.

Alissa describes her passion for helping others and meeting student needs in Wisconsin

Alissa’s greatest challenge early on in her journey was learning how to run a business. “The teacher became the student,” she said. Like many first-time entrepreneurs, she had to build her knowledge from the ground up—developing a mission, defining core values, and learning the mechanics of operating a business.

Her mantra became simple but powerful: progress over perfection. Instead of waiting for every decision to be flawless, she focused on moving forward, knowing she could adjust in the future. Her willingness to embrace imperfection and seek guidance made a big difference on her road to success.

While grit and determination were essential, Alissa credits much of her success to the support she received from others. Early on, the Langlade County Economic Development Corporation’s Innovate & Elevate Entrepreneurship Summit connected her with valuable knowledge and resources.

That single opportunity opened doors to new partnerships, including connections to the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Alissa worked closely with Andi Gretzinger, an SBDC consultant at UW-Stevens Point, who helped her refine her business foundation, analyze industry data, and navigate growth decisions. Beyond technical advice, this mentorship also provided much-appreciated support and encouragement.

Hear Alissa describe the impressive support from Andi at the SBDC.

Through programs like the SBDC’s Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP), Alissa gained access to expert guidance, practical tools, and—equally important—a network of fellow entrepreneurs. The course offers group instruction and professional speakers each week on different topics like contracting, taxes, and legal issues. “The ETP course was a spectacular experience… I was in the virtual program, so I was working with people from around the state and it was really cool to see the different businesses… We all were encouraging and supportive of each other, and I think that is key.” Alissa shared.

Listen to Alissa describe the benefits of the ETP course.

As her business expanded, Alissa began to lean into collaboration as a growth strategy. She brought on her first team member, Katrina Erdman, to support younger learners with reading and school readiness skills. She’s now preparing to add additional staff, including an experienced teacher to expand services like ACT preparation.

Within her first year, Alissa saw a 125% increase in profit, a milestone that validated both her business model and her persistence. But for her, success isn’t just financial. It’s deeply personal.

Having earned a value of over $200,000 in scholarships herself, Alissa understands the life-changing impact those opportunities can have. Scholarships allowed her to graduate debt-free, start saving early, purchase a home at a young age, and build the strong financial foundation needed to start her own business. Now, she’s driven to help others achieve the same outcomes in a time when student loan debt continues to rise.

Alissa offered practical advice grounded in her experience:

• Take action, even imperfectly. Progress matters more than perfection.
• Seek help early and often. Free resources like SBDC programs, economic development organizations, and local networks can provide invaluable guidance.
• Build a support system. Surround yourself with people who understand the entrepreneurial journey and can offer encouragement.
• Be patient with growth. Alissa shared some important words of wisdom that were given to her early on her path to small business ownership: “The first year sleeps, the second year creeps, and the third year leaps.”

A Shared Path to Success

Alissa’s story is ultimately about more than one business: it’s about the collective effort behind small business success. From family encouragement to professional mentorship, from community partnerships to peer networks, each connection contributed to her growth. Her journey serves as a reminder that while entrepreneurship requires courage and independence, it thrives on collaboration.