We are incredibly proud of all of our LOOM Coworking members and love seeing all of their growth, personally and professionally. Learn more about Charlotte Klaar who owns Klaar College Consulting and see how she can help you and your family!
For several years, Charlotte has held individual college counseling, full day workshops, entrance essay camps and lunch and learns here at LOOM. We love being part of her work!
What’s your bio?
I spent the first 40 years of my life in New York. After that, I moved to New Jersey and then Maryland where I taught in public schools. I then moved to Massachusetts where my first company was born. I sold that company and became Klaar College Consulting LLC when I moved back to Maryland in 2004. I came to South Carolina 4 years ago and love it here. All-in-all, I have been an Independent Educational Consultant since 1995 and have loved every minute of working with teenagers and their parents in this exciting phase of their lives. In addition to my work as an IEC, I have been an instructor in the College Counseling program with UCLA for many years and I treasure the experience of helping newer consultants learn to do this work ethically and competently.
What is your company and who are your customers?
My clients are the students with whom I work. My customer is the parent who understands that the education of their child is a significant investment and requires expertise to make informed decisions about the Fit and Match of a college to a student. This makes it more likely that the student will graduate on time and not lose both time and money in transferring because s/he is not in the right place. When the student is happy at the college, it is more likely that s/he will be successful there as well.
How did your company, organization, or venture start?
When I moved to Massachusetts in 1993, I found that the state did not understand what reciprocity really meant regarding my teaching licenses from both New Jersey and Maryland. I did not choose to recertify. My daughters were beginning their college search and application processes. I discovered the industry and spent a year visiting colleges and learning all I could about college planning. I was hooked! On January 1, 1995, College Consulting Services began.
What do you do on a daily basis and why?
One of the things I love about my work is that each day is different. I spend time helping students find their voice in an essay or discovering sides of themselves that they did not believe were important. I hear parents express their concerns for the future of their child and I help them see that this is no longer their responsibility. In addition, I take time each day to visit with my three wonderful grandchildren (ages 6, 9, and 11), to read for pleasure, to crochet when I can and to interact with friends.
What’s your past life? How did skills and background that got you here to where you are?
My first career was as a first-line manager in a Fortune 500 company. That was unusual for a woman in 1970. I then married and stayed home with my daughters for a few years. During that time, I had part-time work, volunteered in PTA, Girl Scouts, and Church. Along the way, I completed my Bachelor’s degree, added a teaching certificate and a Masters, and eventually earned my PhD.
What are some new customers you are targeting and new services being offered?
I have recently been trained as a facilitator for the parenting program of the Love and Logic Institute and I am hoping to begin offering parenting classes for families from toddlers to young adults. This fits nicely with my Doctoral studies in General Psychology with a focus on family systems. I have found over the years that parenting issues often come into play in the college process particularly when the parents have difficulty separating themselves from the student.
What are your personal and professional goals?
My goal is to help young people find their way to a life in which they are fulfilled and happy. I want my students to feel the satisfaction of a successful college process as free from angst as possible. Along the way, I hope that they realize just how unique they are.
Other than your work, what are you most passionate about?
I am passionate about my family. I love watching my grandchildren grow and learn and become the people they are meant to be.
Why did you initially come to LOOM?
My industry is lonely. I wanted to work where I could find like-minded people and to interact with other entrepreneurs. I also needed to find somewhere to think quietly away from my home office particularly for those large projects that required deep thought. LOOM is where I go when I am designing curriculum for UCLA or developing new ways to approach my business.
How do you feel you have benefitted or grown at LOOM?
I have found that the people at LOOM have been accepting and nurturing to both my business and me. Jen has helped me out many times with my attempts to learn the ins-and-outs of the business in South Carolina.
Where can we find out more about you on social media and online?
Website: www.cklaar.com,
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/klaarcollegeconsultingLLC/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-klaar-7198b87/
Twitter https://twitter.com/CharlotteKlaar
Blog https://www.cklaar.com/blog/
What is the best way to contact you?
Call 803-487-9777, Text 240-344-6884, or Email charlotte@cklaar.com