THEY have, since day one, been clear on their objective: employ new and interesting methodologies to enhance learning outcomes in mathematics.

“I’ve been teaching mathematics since the age of 17, and have always had a passion for the subject. I decided to start the company as a way to demystify mathematics as a subject and the fear that most students have in regards to the subject,” said Rayan ‘Rocky’ Russell, president and chief executive officer of the year-old Math Junkies Limited.

“Math Junkies is my opportunity to teach mathematics in a new, hip and interactive way through the length of technology,” added the 30-year-old, who received the financial backing of his family to start the business.

According to Russell, who said that his passion for the subject and his vision to see higher mathematics pass rates in Jamaica and across the Caribbean are what drive him, he never wanted to run a traditional company. And the name had to reflect that.

“I wanted to choose a name that was a bit more radical. I want my students to become as addicted to the subject of mathematics as I am, hence the name ‘Math Junkies’. The logo is currently a green math monster made out of various numbers. We want to establish mathematics as being a cool subject,” said Russell, who holds a first degree in applied mathematics with a minor in computer science programming from the University of Miami.

Included in the services offered by the young entrepreneur and his five-member team are tutoring services in mathematics for the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) “using varying technologies”.

“We will also be launching our Math Junkies website — www.mathjunkies.com — which will consist of our Math Junkies videos that will breakdown mathematics topics, pass papers for GSAT, CSEC and CAPE,” said Russell, who is currently completing a master’s degree in math education from Florida International University.

As to the cost of accessing their services, he said: “The cost for tutoring classes are based on the needs of the students, however, classes range from $1,500 upwards.”

Meanwhile, money continues to be the challenge faced by the fledgling company.

“Funding is still our challenge (as well as) getting companies in Jamaica to believe and to see the vision of the brand. However, for our current four-week summer programme, the NCB Foundation, Wisynco, Jamaica Producers, Burger King, Popeyes, and MegaMart have come on board to support this initiative that allows 16 inner-city students to learn mathematics and language arts during the (holidays) at no expense to the students,” Russell, the father of one daughter, said.

The input of those companies for the summer aside, the Math Junkies boss, who is fluent in Dutch, said he was working to put his company in a strong financial position, certainly over the long term.

“Any revenues made are being reinvested in the business and they are also used to create new, innovative products that can further enhance the company’s current offerings,” he told Career & Education.

“Currently, our marketing strategy has mainly consisted of positive word of mouth. However, we plan to begin our marketing campaign at the launch of our website,” added Russell, whose company’s motto is ‘to develop an understanding of mathematics among students by tapping into their creative side and unleashing the talents embedded in their minds’.