Meet Meagan. A Concord resident and lifelong educator with a passion for helping struggling readers. Meagan never imagined she would one day run her own business. But after 16 years of teaching, a spark of innovation led her to create a hands-on learning tool\u2014one that would not only transform the way students grasp literacy, but also launch her entrepreneurial journey with Otter Reading.<\/p>\n
Meagan\u2019s background in special education fueled her drive to support students with dyslexia and other reading challenges. \u201cAbout five years into teaching, I wanted to learn more about how to help students who were struggling,\u201d she recalls. After undergoing specialized training, she continued teaching, but in 2019, she hit a roadblock while trying to teach the y to i<\/em> spelling rule. \u201cThe kids just weren\u2019t getting it,\u201d she said. \u201cI knew they needed something they could manipulate, something tactile.\u201d<\/p>\n Determined to find a solution, Meagan made a trip to Lowe\u2019s, grabbed a handful of PVC pipe couplings, and started experimenting. Writing letters on them with a Sharpie, she saw immediate engagement from her students. Over time, she refined the design\u2014switching to vinyl lettering, then investing in an injection mold to create a durable, scalable version of her tool. \u201cWhen I realized I might be onto something, I started talking with the SBTDC, and that\u2019s when I heard about the Retail Lab program,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The Retail Lab six-week boot camp located at the Cabarrus Center, a partnership between the Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center and the Flywheel Foundation, provided Meagan with the guidance and resources she needed to take Otter Reading to the next level. The program helped her build confidence as an entrepreneur, refine her business strategy, and connect with a network of mentors.<\/p>\n \u201cThat opportunity really catapulted my business,\u201d Meagan said. \u201cBecause of the Retail Lab, and then moving into the VMS mentorship program, I am where I am today.\u201d At the end of the Retail Lab, she pitched her business and won a micro-grant,<\/p>\n Through these connections, she secured partnerships that allowed her to distribute her tool to trainers across the country. When her largest order came in, the Cabarrus Center, Cabarrus Chamber, Cabarrus Economic Development, Rowan-Cabarrus SBC and many others pitched in for a day to help her get the sets put together and sent out.<\/p>\n Meagan\u2019s business has seen remarkable growth. In 2023, Otter Reading generated $20,000 in revenue. But in 2024, that number more than tripled. With the ongoing support of mentors, she has made critical business decisions that have allowed her to scale efficiently.<\/p>\n For Meagan, the Cabarrus Center has been more than just a workspace\u2014it\u2019s been a support system. \u201cThere\u2019s always someone to share life and business with,\u201d she said. \u201cHaving that community to celebrate with has been amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n As Otter Reading continues to grow, Meagan has been gradually stepping back from her day job to focus more on fulfilling orders and expanding her reach. \u201cThe goal is to go full-time by the end of the year,\u201d she shared. \u201cIt\u2019s scary, but I know I have the right people around me to make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Through it all, Meagan remains passionate about her mission. With her business name inspired by the way otters store their favorite tool in a small pocket, she sees Otter Reading as a way to give young learners the tools they need to unlock the world of reading. \u201cOptimizing Tactile Teaching to Engage Readers\u2014that\u2019s what Otter stands for,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n To follow Meagan\u2019s journey and learn more about Otter Reading, visit @otterreading on Instagram and Otter Reading with a Multi-Sensory Approach on Facebook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Meet Meagan. A Concord resident and lifelong educator with a passion for helping struggling readers. Meagan never imagined she would one day run her own business. 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