Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Van Loon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Empowerment Education was born from a simple idea: students thrive when learning is exciting, personal, and deeply supported. While studying Biomedical Science at Oakland University, I discovered my passion for teaching as I helped classmates master math, physics, chemistry, and physiology—often after long overnight shifts at McLaren Macomb. To earn extra income, I began tutoring independently, then honed my skills working at Huntington Learning Center and later as a Biochemist I at Absolute Laboratories.
When the pandemic hit, I saw the urgent need for accessible, high-quality virtual tutoring. I invested my savings into a workstation, launched online, and built a strong client base through word of mouth. Soon, I transitioned full-time into education.
As demand grew, I noticed a gap: after-school enrichment programs often lacked energy, structure, and experienced educators. I partnered with lifelong friend Nolan Munce, now pursuing his PhD in Education at DePaul, and we created hands-on, engaging curriculum designed to inspire kids and support schools. The result? Empowerment Education—an organization built on quality, safety, and joy in learning.
In our first year, three schools fully adopted our year-round enrichment programs. We are on track to double that number in 2026. We’re growing fast, but staying true to our roots: great teaching, purposeful play, and a commitment to student joy, voice, and choice.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have definitely been challenges. We’ve had clients leave significant invoices unpaid, spent money on advertising that didn’t move the needle, and even been stood up at meetings we catered ourselves. Moments like those sting—but they also sharpen your instincts and deepen your resilience. Despite the setbacks, we’re proud to keep showing up every day for the work we believe in: helping people learn how to learn.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Empowerment Education?
At Empowerment Education, we believe learning should be fun, fulfilling, and unforgettable. Our mission is to inspire people young and old to grow into joyful and engaged lifelong learners.
We partner with private, public, and Montessori schools to create vibrant, hands-on enrichment programs that bring classrooms to life. From young scientists to aspiring artists, our camps and clubs spark curiosity across disciplines:
EUREKA! Science Explorers
Inventioneers / TinkerKidz (Engineering)
Earth ROCKS! (Geology)
EcoExplorers: Save the Planet! (Ecology)
Kitchen Kidz (Culinary Science)
From Slime to Enzymes (Bio/Chem)
Camp Crescendo (Music & Physics of Sound)
Dirty Work Pottery Workshop
To Dye For Fashion Lab
Crochet Creatures
Beyond LEGO
YouTuber Academy
Movie Magic Filmmakers Club
The Wonderful World of Cardboard
Video Games Are LIT! (Gaming & Literacy)
…and more are launching every season. Some of our partners include The Roeper Lower School, Plymouth-Canton Montessori, Lake Orion Community Education, and The Daycroft School.
We’re also proud of our high-impact tutoring services, trusted by students aiming for top universities like Yale, Michigan, and Dartmouth. Our expert instructors cover K–12 STEM, ELA, Humanities, SAT/ACT prep, and specialized subjects like LSAT prep, Spanish, Chinese, Pre-Medical counseling, and Microsoft Office.
What sets us apart? Authenticity, adaptability, and results. We offer rich, thoughtfully designed learning experiences—and we never let cost be a barrier. Our standard tutoring rate is $65/hr, but we gladly work with families to make support accessible.
Above all, we’re proud that our students don’t just succeed—they love learning. That’s the Empowerment difference.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Tenacity. Tenacity to keep striving towards the best version of oneself. Tenacity in continuous improvement of teaching methods. Tenacity is required to inspire, because giving up on other people is not an option.
Pricing:
- ACT / SAT – $75/hr starting
- K-12 Subject – $65/hr starting
- Homeschool – $50/hr
- Enrichments – Inquire by E-mail
- Summer Camps – Inquire by E-mail
Contact Info:
- Website: https://empowerment-tutoring-llc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowermenttutors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empowermenttutors/
