VCWoman Achieve 2025 Mentee Spotlight – Brittney Mills

Posted on January 29, 2025
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Name: Brittney Mills | Business/Profession: Executive Director & Founder, Reading Services of Arkansas

Please share a little about your background, personally and/or professionally.

I have always been passionate about supporting children and families in challenging circumstances and helping communities thrive. My journey in service began in high school, where I worked at a local migrant center supporting Latino families and learning Spanish. These early experiences shaped my deep commitment to education and community service.

Growing up, I was inspired by my mother, a highly respected high school teacher, who instilled a profound appreciation for education. While I often played “school” at my grandparents’ house as a child, I was convinced I wouldn’t follow in her footsteps. Life, however, had other plans. After getting married, I became a foster and adoptive mom—an experience that profoundly influenced my perspective on trauma, race, and the unique needs of children. These transformative moments led me back to school at age 30 to earn my Master’s in Education, fully embracing my calling as an educator.

For 11 years, I had the privilege of teaching and tutoring first through fifth graders in Little Rock public schools. I focused on literacy, advocating for early identification, comprehensive assessments, and tailored support to address each child’s unique needs. In June 2024, I transitioned to running Reading Services of Arkansas full-time, a business born out of my love for teaching children how to read and my desire to provide flexible, personalized instruction beyond the confines of traditional school systems.

As an introvert, I find joy in connecting and collaborating in smaller, more personal spaces. On the home front, I’ve been happily married for 20 years and am the proud mother of an 18-year-old high school senior.

Please share about your business, where it’s located, and what led you to starting it.

My business, Reading Services of Arkansas, provides comprehensive reading and dyslexia intervention and reading diagnostic testing to struggling readers including children with dyslexia. In addition, I provide reading consultations and training for families, schools, and businesses across Central Arkansas. After earning advanced certifications in reading and dyslexia intervention, I recognized the need to both improve existing systems and create new ones to ensure equitable access to reading support for all children.

What goals do you hope to achieve for your business during your time in VCWoman Achieve?

1. Deepen Business Knowledge Enhance my understanding of the operational aspects of running a small business, including networking, budgeting, prioritizing tasks, strategic planning, growth strategies, hiring, and management practices.

2. Build a Supportive Community Transitioning from 11 years within the collaborative environment of a school community to working independently has been an isolating experience. While I cherish my friendships with those still in education, I am eager to connect with a community of women entrepreneurs who share similar challenges and can offer mutual support, encouragement, and insights.

What drew you to being part of a mentorship group specifically curated for non-men? How has being a woman or non-binary individual impacted your journey as an entrepreneur?

One of the most appealing aspects of this mentorship group is the opportunity to continue the professional growth and camaraderie I’ve been fortunate to experience throughout my career working with inspiring women. As a teacher, I had the privilege of collaborating with mothers, women principals, and many dedicated women educators who bring strength, insight, and commitment to their work.

This mentorship offers a chance to deepen that sense of connection while gaining valuable insights into the intricacies of running a small business alongside other passionate women entrepreneurs.

As a woman entrepreneur, I embrace the harmony of being both nurturing and outspoken in my business. My empathy and patience allow me to listen deeply to others, enabling me to craft actionable next steps that address their unique needs. These traits align with traditional societal expectations of women, but I also take pride in embodying qualities that push beyond those norms.

I am an advocate—courageous, resilient, and unafraid to speak up when necessary. This blend of compassion and strength fuels my ability to create meaningful change. I believe that embracing both facets of my identity is not only authentic to who I am but also an essential part of making a lasting impact through my work.

What are three things you enjoy doing outside of work?

1. Learning all about the Enneagram 2. Introverting 🙂 3. Staying at home. Refer to #2.

What is your favorite part about being an entrepreneur?

My favorite part of being an entrepreneur is the freedom it provides. I deeply value the ability to take what I know about struggling readers and evidence-based reading instructional practices to help families get the support their children need.

This freedom also allows me to collaborate with people, schools, and organizations that are equally passionate about and committed to #LiteracyEquity. Being able to tailor my work to meet the unique needs of children and families while partnering with like-minded advocates is incredibly fulfilling.