Unleashing the Power of Online Education: A Conversation with Chris Haroun
Passion-Driven Entrepreneur Chris Haroun Disrupts Education Sector with Online Teaching Platform
Chris Haroun, CEO and founder of Haroun Education Ventures, has revolutionized the education sector with his passion-driven approach to teaching. In a recent conversation, Haroun shared his journey from working in top financial firms like Goldman Sachs and Citadel to finding his true calling in education.
Haroun’s story is one of transformation and purpose. After years of feeling unfulfilled in his corporate roles, he discovered his passion for teaching while working in venture capital. This realization led him to start teaching evening classes in East Palo Alto, where he found immense joy in helping students succeed.
His breakthrough came when he created a course titled “MBA in a Day” and uploaded it to the online learning platform Udemy. The course quickly gained popularity, selling close to 500,000 times and generating a seven-figure passive income stream. Haroun now has 72 courses on Udemy and nearly two million students worldwide.
But for Haroun, the goal isn’t just about making money. He is dedicated to using his profits to build schools in underprivileged communities. Through projects like Project Magu in Rwanda and a new school for girls in Kenya, Haroun is making a tangible impact on education access.
Haroun’s vision for the future of education has been accelerated by the pandemic, which he believes will lead to a shift towards online learning. He criticizes traditional MBA programs for failing to teach practical skills like sales, networking, and financial management, and sees platforms like Udemy as the catalyst for industry disruption.
In Haroun’s view, everyone has something valuable to teach, as exemplified by teachers like Teresa Greenway, who found empowerment and success through sharing her passion for baking bread on Udemy. Haroun’s story is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and using it to make a positive impact on others.
As the education sector continues to evolve, Haroun’s story serves as a reminder that true success comes from finding and sharing your passion with the world.