Today we’d like to introduce you to Tarek Fadel.
Tarek, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was studying for the bar exam after graduating from law school when I got the idea for AdaptiBar. Back then, you sat with thousands of students for lecture style learning. I thought there had to be something online that was an alternative to this traditional, cookie-cutter, method of studying. When I realized there was not, I knew it was an amazing opportunity. I withdrew from the bar exam and developed an entirely online program. A year later I went back to take the bar exam after using AdaptiBar to study for it and passed the bar exam!
The premise for AdaptiBar was to create powerful technology that would emphasize my weak areas without neglecting my strengths, while factoring in how often topics are actually tested on the exam. If I could combine that technology with past questions from older exams, I would have the most efficient diagnosis of what I know and don’t know. Effectively, the system would constantly tell me where I need to concentrate my time studying while also, subtly, emphasizing those weaknesses for me.
I think there are a number of things that contributed to me getting to this point in my entrepreneurial career. First, having an open mind and a curiosity of how things work is the framework for entrepreneurship. Second, a healthy amount of desperation or hunger is an essential ingredient. Third, common sense and a desire to constantly learn about who you are is essential. Many business owners or leaders believe that they have to be everything to the company they run. That only works for so long. A business leader must constantly attempt to discover who he is so that he can come to terms with who he isn’t. Then, get someone else to be who you can’t be and concentrate on doing the things that you are best at. Not only will you be happier, but you will definitely be more successful.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been about as smooth as it can be. The ascent through growth has been made smoother by making sure I don’t repeat the same mistake twice. Also, as I said above, constantly examine who you are, what your purpose is, and who you want to be a hero to. That helps to focus a leader’s concentration on what needs to be done to grow the company.
An early struggle was getting the program to reach a tipping point where it catches on through word of mouth. I drove across the county knocking on doors at law schools and putting flyers in student mailboxes. Back then, it was hard to get anyone to agree to meet with me. It is a significant difference from today, where we spend no money on print advertising and there is minimal travel involved. AdaptiBar’s growth has been primarily through word of mouth by students that have used the program. One student telling another student about their success and/or enjoyment using AdaptiBar is the kind of advertising that you cannot buy. AdaptiBar has never employed any sales people. I always believed that when students realize what it does, they will sell it for us; and they have.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about AdaptiBar – what should we know?
We are an online program that prepares students for the MBE portion of the bar exam.
AdaptiBar is known for having the best technology in bar prep and we are very proud of this. We have patents for our adaptive algorithms in the areas of timing and subject performance. Our technology enables our users to study smarter and it has made studying more convenient as they can study anytime, anywhere. In addition to our technology, we use licensed questions from the people that write the bar exam. The best technology combined with the best questions is what sets us apart from others. We are most proud of keeping our focus on delivering common sense solutions to examinees.
Every feature we launch is always a hit with our users and our reputation is the best in the industry, by far.
The proudest moment of my career was getting a patent…knowing that what I believed to be an innovative idea was actually an innovative idea.
Most recently, my proudest moment has been AdaptiBar’s inclusion in the 2017 Inc. 5000 list. We recently learned that we are the 2,444th fastest growing company in America! For a 14-year-old company, that is amazing growth.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
It was my good fortune to have Kingsley Martin, one of the most prominent legal technologists in the country, as a professor in law school. I shared my idea with him and he told me that he thought the idea was brilliant and that he would mentor me through it, if I was willing to do it. No one else could have said that to me and had the impact he did. It is amazing that he gave somebody like me with an idea his time and energy. He helped and encouraged me to develop the algorithm for the program. You don’t often find people doing selfless acts like that. My family and friends have also encouraged me, and continue to do so.
Contact Info:
- Address: 33 N Dearborn St., Ste 1415, Chicago, IL 60614
- Website: AdaptiBar.com
- Phone: 312-466-1250
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AdaptiBar
- Twitter: twitter.com/AdaptiBar
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