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How is Prep Expert transforming the lives of college students?
Dr. Shaan Patel, MD, MBA
Nicole Jansen sits down with Dr. Shaan Patel, MD, MBA, entrepreneur success story and founder of Prep Expert. From personally raising his SAT score by 640 points to a perfect score to securing a $250,000 investment from Mark Cuban on Shark Tank, Dr. Patel’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. He turned initial rejections from book publishers into a thriving educational service that has helped over 100,000 students secure more than $100M in scholarships, and his mission is to increase scholarships to over $1 Billion.
Listen as Dr. Patel shares what he’s learned from business mogul Mark Cuban, strategic insights on time management, the pivotal role of standardized testing in college admissions and scholarships, and the core values that drive his entrepreneurial success. Learn how he leverages efficiency and prioritization, builds culture, counters misconceptions about leadership, and passionately champions higher education accessibility.
This is an enlightening conversation that explores Dr. Patel’s journey from a determined student to a visionary entrepreneur, offering invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, leaders and students alike.
What We Discuss in this Episode
- What inspired you to improve your SAT score and create a market-leading test prep company?
- How did you overcome initial rejections from literary agents and publishers?
- What strategies did you implement to secure a $250,000 investment from Mark Cuban on Shark Tank?
- Discuss the importance of standardized testing amidst the current educational landscape.
- What lessons have you learned from working with Mark Cuban and his team?
- How do you prioritize tasks and time management as an entrepreneur and doctor?
- Share your methods for leading a successful team and cultivating a positive company culture.
- What are the key changes in the SAT’s shift to a digital format, and how should students prepare?
- Discuss the financial challenges of college and the role of scholarships in mitigating costs.
- What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs to stay resilient and embrace failure?
Podcast Highlights
0:00 – Dr. Shaan Patel’s journey to achieving a perfect SAT score and founding Prep Expert.
4:03 – Turning rejections into opportunities: From book to course creation.
8:17 – Pitching Prep Expert on Shark Tank and securing Mark Cuban’s investment.
12:32 – Standardized testing’s significance in college admissions and scholarships.
18:44 – Entrepreneur lessons from working with Mark Cuban.
23:29 – Leadership beyond meetings: The importance of strategic work.
27:15 – Leading by example: Cultivating a productive company culture.
32:09 – Preparing for the digital SAT: Changes and implications for students.
36:54 – Financial costs of college and the impact of scholarships.
41:26 – Resilience and embracing failure as an entrepreneur. 
Favorite Quotes
Efficient Leadership: “Working with Mark Cuban taught me the importance of prioritizing high-value tasks and learning how to say no.”
Educational Passion: “I’m on a mission to help students secure scholarships and reduce college costs, aiming to 10X the $100M in scholarships already achieved.”
Embracing Failure: “As an entrepreneur, you must focus on execution, resilience, and being comfortable with failure to succeed.”
Episode Resources
- Prep Expert Digital SAT Playbook: Winning Strategies to Achieve Your Dream Score
- SAT Courses
- ACT Courses
- Private Tutoring
- Admissions Consulting
- Self-Made Success: 48 Secret Strategies to Live Happier, Healthier, and Wealthier
Connect with Dr. Shaan Patel, MD, MBA
- Website: prepexpert.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Prep_Expert
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prepexpert/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prep_expert
- Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@prep_expert
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