Elias Neibart is the founder of Elias Neibart Tutoring, an exclusive private LSAT tutoring service. Neibart graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Emory University and was a Pat H. Odom Dean’s Achievement Scholar.
Neibart interned with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
During college, Elias Neibart also conducted research focusing on the founding of the United States of America and the United States Constitution. Neibart participated on the Emory University Mock Trial Team, where he was a nationally recognized mock trial competitor.
Neibart currently works in New York City, and he will soon attend Harvard Law School.
How did you get started in this business?
After self-studying for the LSAT for 6 months, I decided that I wanted to share my knowledge, strategies, and test-taking skills with other prospective law students. During the summer of 2019, I decided to start Elias Neibart Tutoring. As the founder, owner, and sole employee, I am able to exercise creative control over the lesson plans and academic development of my students.
How do you make money?
I charge hourly for LSAT tutoring services. After each lesson, students can use Zelle, Venmo, a check, or cash to pay for their session. If a student is looking for more than fifteen hours of private tutoring assistance, bulk discount rates are available.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
Elias Neibart Tutoring has very low overhead costs and only a single tutor on staff. Start-up costs only included buying some books, study materials, and advertising, and the tutoring company became profitable after only three sessions.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
When I first started, the idea of competing against major, national brands was daunting. I very much doubted that I would be able to win clients in such a competitive industry. However, over time, I realized that there was a real demand for lower-cost and flexible LSAT tutoring. Students appreciate their tutor working with their schedules and adjusting lesson plans when necessary, and by making Elias Neibart Tutoring student-focused, I was able to compete with the national brands in a crowded marketplace.
How did you get your first customer?
My first client reached out to me by word of mouth. At the time, I was a senior at Emory University who had just been accepted into Harvard Law School, so some students approached me and asked me to assist them with their LSAT preparations.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
I use the popular tutoring program Wyzant to meet new clients. Wyzant is essentially a social media platform for students looking for tutors and vice versa, and other than having current customers refer their friends and family members, I use this platform to reach out to prospective clients and market our tutoring services to a larger audience.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
The toughest decision I had to make in the last few months was marginally increasing my hourly rate. Given the popularity of the LSAT Flex—LSAT’s new online version of the test—demand for my services greatly increased, and as such, I had to increase my prices slightly. While my prices are still well below the average market rate, it was a difficult decision because I did not want certain students who are financially challenged to be barred from enrolling. I am happy to say that enrollment numbers remained constant, even after the increase in price and I work hard to make sure we consistently deliver exceptional value for those who put their trust in our LSAT tutoring services.
In response to the global pandemic, we recently launched a range of virtual options for prospective law school students seeking online learning and tutoring in advance of their admissions exams.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
Success in the LSAT tutoring industry revolves around two important elements of teaching: 1) articulating difficult concepts in digestible ways and 2) identifying areas of the test where students are struggling. Elias Neibart Tutoring is successful in that I first determine what students need help with and then I map out a carefully constructed plan of action aimed at synthesizing difficult LSAT concepts into easy-to-understand lessons.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
It is always a privilege to see my students increase their original LSAT scores by over ten points and, consequently, receive both acceptances to elite law schools and generous scholarship packages. In particular, when I can help a student receive a full-merit scholarship to an elite law school, I know I made a very tangible impact on the trajectory of their life.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
Elias Neibart Tutoring continues to add on new clients and deliver high-quality instruction. Yet, I have begun discussions with another private tutor to join forces and offer a law school admissions consulting service, alongside traditional LSAT tutoring. This service would entail reading over personal statements and essays and providing students with expert feedback on their admissions materials.
What business books have inspired you?
Although it has nothing to do with LSAT tutoring, I always recommend people read The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera. The book is a work of fiction, but it provides valuable insight into relationships and success in business, as in life, is all about building and maintaining relationships.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to have confidence and trust my initial instincts, as well as seek out the counsel of others who are older and more experienced than myself.