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PrepWell Academy is a college preparation service founded by Phil Black, a Yale and Harvard Business School graduate, and former Navy SEAL that appeared on Season 11 of Shark Tank.
The main goal of the PrepWell academy is to help high school students prepare for the college admissions process, from understanding the basics to completing applications, preparing for interviews, writing essays, and more.
PrepWell Academy offers structured plans for 9th through 12th graders, offering grade-specific advice suitable for each level of high school education.
Each week, students receive a new video that breaks down different parts of the college admissions process in a way that is easy to understand and digest.
The platform provides advice about the application process’s mechanics and guides students in thinking about their future, goals, and potential college experience.
This more holistic approach can be highly beneficial for students who are not only looking for technical advice but are also seeking guidance about what to expect from college life and how to prepare for it emotionally and intellectually.
Moreover, the scalability of PrepWell Academy’s online model allows it to reach students from different parts of the country or even the world, giving many more students access to this valuable guidance than possible through traditional in-person or localized services.
| Company Name | PrepWell Academy |
| Entrepreneur | Phil Black |
| Product | Mentoring service for college admissions based on video |
| Investment Asking For | $100,000 for 20% equity in PrepWell Academy |
| Final Deal | No Offers |
| Shark | No Shark |
| Episode | Season 11, Episode 18 |
| Business Status | In Business |
| Website | PrepWell Academy Website |
| Net Worth | $1 Million |
What Is PrepWell Academy?
PrepWell Academy is an online mentoring service designed to help high school students and their parents navigate the often-daunting college admissions process.
Created by Phil Black, a seasoned entrepreneur, PrepWell Academy aims to deliver more than just college admissions guidance.
PrepWell Academy offers a comprehensive program that prepares students for all aspects of the college application process, including test preparation, essay writing, extracurricular activity planning, and interview coaching.
Unlike other college counseling services, PrepWell Academy goes beyond the traditional approach of simply focusing on grades and test scores.
Through its online platform, PrepWell Academy provides personalized and interactive video lessons that cover a wide range of topics essential to a successful college application.
From choosing the right extracurricular activities to understanding the nuances of the Common Application, students gain invaluable insights from experienced mentors who have been through the process themselves.
PrepWell Academy focuses on mindset and personal development as one of its unique features. The program emphasizes character, resilience, and perseverance as tools for students to cultivate in their college admissions journeys.
PrepWell Academy seeks to alleviate the stress and uncertainty associated with the college admissions process.
PrepWell Academy equips students with the tools they need to navigate the college admissions journey confidently and succeed by providing a comprehensive program focusing on holistic development, personalized mentoring, and practical strategies.
Who Is The Founder Of PrepWell Academy?
The founder of PrepWell Academy is Phil Black, a distinguished graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School. His expansive career experiences are impressive and varied, with roles such as a Navy SEAL Officer, a firefighter, a Johnson & Johnson Performance Coach, an Investment Banker at Goldman Sachs, and a DI collegiate athlete.
Additionally, Black proved his entrepreneurial capabilities by starting and successfully selling his first business venture, FitDeck, to Implus.
The conception of PrepWell Academy can be traced back to Black’s experience as a parent. He had four teenage boys, and in preparing them for college, he identified a gap in their readiness.
While academically and technically prepared, Black noticed they lacked engaging personalities and stories, crucial components of college applications. This realization sparked the idea of PrepWell Academy.
Black saw the need for a resource that helped students prepare academically and personally, equipping them to present themselves as engaging, well-rounded individuals to colleges.
Initially, to supplement his understanding of his sons, Black also became a mentor for high school students and a college admissions counselor. These experiences gave him firsthand insights into students’ various challenges during the admissions process.
Consequently, he was inspired to establish PrepWell Academy as a holistic resource for college admissions preparation.
Before PrepWell Academy’s appearance on Shark Tank, the academy had already made significant strides as an online-based mentoring service for college admissions.
It was developed as an online resource that guided high school students on various aspects of college admissions. This included decisions about attending college immediately after high school, considering a gap year, or possibly preceding college to enter a trade.
Its distinctive approach aims to develop students’ personal and professional skills to prepare them for real-world challenges, providing weekly advice videos and various support services such as financial aid counseling, standardized test preparation, and essay review.
Despite Black’s outstanding background and the brilliance of the PrepWell Academy idea, he did not secure the $100,000 investment he pitched for on Shark Tank. Regardless, the academy continued its mission to help students and parents navigate the confusing college admissions process.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of PrepWell Academy?
The Shark Tank pitch for PrepWell Academy was led by its founder, Phil Black, who asked for an investment of $100,000 in exchange for 20% equity in his business, valuing it at $500,000.
PrepWell Academy, an online college admissions and preparation tutoring service, aimed to guide students from as early as 9th grade through the college admissions process.
Despite Black’s impressive background, which included experiences at Yale, Harvard, and Goldman Sachs, and a previous stint on Shark Tank with FitDeck exercise cards, the Sharks did not share his enthusiasm for PrepWell Academy.
The business had generated $150,000 in revenue over two years with a subscriber count of 220 at the time of the pitch. However, these numbers didn’t appeal to the Sharks and showed concerns about the business model and scalability.
Shark Lori Greiner disapproved of the subscription model, preferring a crash course or a one-time one. She believed the subscription model wouldn’t retain subscribers for long periods and decided to pass on the opportunity.
Robert Herjavec, while commending Black’s dedication and mission, expressed doubts about the viability of the business, leading him to drop out.
Daymond John questioned whether the targeted customer base, high school students, would be interested in the educational offering of PrepWell Academy. He cited the low subscription numbers as a possible indicator that the market might not be receptive.
Mark Cuban expressed concern about the product’s scalability and considered the low subscription cost a lot of work for a potentially small return.
Kevin O’Leary, the last Shark remaining, critiqued the idea and the low subscriber numbers, but he encouraged Black to come back with a better idea next time.
Ultimately, Phil Black left the Shark Tank without securing a deal for PrepWell Academy. However, post-Shark Tank, the company seemed to be faring well, still producing content like podcasts, weekly emails, and more.
Although no specific subscriber count was mentioned, the company reportedly made around $900,000 annually across all avenues of its business.
What Happened To PrepWell Academy After Shark Tank?
Despite not securing a deal on Shark Tank, PrepWell Academy continued to strive in its mission to guide students through the college admissions process. Phil Black, the founder, remained undeterred and pursued his goal of providing comprehensive college preparation for high school students.
Although exact subscriber numbers aren’t specified in the provided text, it indicates that the business has generated approximately $900,000 per year from various avenues.
Phil Black continues to engage with his subscribers through various channels, including a podcast and weekly emails, showing that the business is still operational and expanding its outreach.
While the Shark Tank pitch may not have resulted in the desired investment, it likely increased awareness of PrepWell Academy, providing exposure that could have attracted more students and parents to the service.
Therefore, despite the initial setback on Shark Tank, PrepWell Academy appears to have maintained its growth and continued its operations successfully after the show.
PrepWell Academy Shark Tank Update
After appearing on Shark Tank in Season 11, PrepWell Academy, an online college admissions and preparations tutoring business, did not secure a deal with the Sharks.
The sharks declined the offer due to concerns about the scalability of the subscription model. However, founder Phil Black persevered and continued to run PrepWell Academy.
Currently, PrepWell Academy offers a podcast, weekly emails, and other content for its subscribers. The number of subscribers is undisclosed, but research suggests that the company earns approximately $900,000 annually through various business avenues.
The academy provides resources and guidance to students in their college admissions journey, including financial aid counseling, standardized test preparation, essay review services, and personalized career plans.
They offer different tracks, such as Ivy Plan, Pathway Plan, Athlete Plan, and Military Plans, catering to students’ interests and goals. PrepWell Academy aims to equip students with the skills necessary for a successful and fulfilling future beyond college admissions.
PrepWell Academy focuses on early preparation and paced guidance, targeting students as early as 9th grade. The program aims to help students make informed decisions about their futures, emphasizing gainful employment, a bright future, minimal financial burden, and work enjoyment.
The learning materials are available online, and Phil Black’s experience at Yale and Harvard Business School informs the approach. PrepWell Academy offers a range of courses and resources, and users can track their progress through a dashboard.
The service also prioritizes user safety and provides options for parents to review their children’s assignments and receive notifications related to college admissions tests.
Despite not securing a deal on Shark Tank, PrepWell Academy continues to thrive and operate successfully, with annual revenue surpassing $900,000. The company faces competition from other platforms in the education sphere.
PrepWell Academy offers a free membership option and various payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and Stripe. The website is accessible on different devices, providing convenience and accessibility to its users.
PrepWell Academy is still in business. Despite not securing a deal on Shark Tank, PrepWell Academy has continued its operations and provides it’s online mentoring and college admissions preparation services to high school students and parents.
PrepWell Academy is still in business and actively providing its online mentoring and college admissions preparation services to high school students and parents.
The academy focuses on early engagement, comprehensive career counseling, and personalized paths for high-potential students aiming for selective colleges and universities.
What Is the Net Worth Of PrepWell Academy?
According to our research, the net worth of PrepWell Academy is estimated to be $1 million. The valuation of PrepWell Academy was $500,000 when it appeared on Shark Tank.
