In January, a fire burned a lot of Los Angeles. One of our students—and five of her closest friends—lost their homes. First COVID. Now this.
I thought about donating, volunteering, or offering services. But what I saw out there made me sick. Adults with sad puppy eyes and try-hard energy, handing out wordy brochures with words like “nurturing” and “overwhelmed,” talking at students and families. Denying their strength through unrealized condescension. It wasn’t value—it was virtue signaling. Even if the intent was good, the adults-can-fix-you energy wasn’t vibing.
So I tried something different.
I booked the nicest conference room at NeueHouse Venice—and gave the six girls the keys so they could do online school at Pali together. No other programming. No fucking fluorescent lighting. Not even me. Just croissants, sparkling water, exposed brick, north-facing light—and trust. Trust that the environment was aspirational and beautiful enough to do the babysitting, and that students would rise to the level of autonomy they were given. I only communicated with them through their Venmo requests for parking.
From January through April 2025, they made it theirs, on their own cadence, once or twice a week. They booked time with staff. Took ownership. Integrated into a space normally reserved for entrepreneurs closing seven-figure deals. Had near-perfect attendance weekly. And made it feel like it was built for them. Note: these were second semester seniors.
The room reminded me what education should actually feel like: Not programming. Not metrics. Just space. Autonomy. Community. Breathing room.
That moment reset Ashland.
We still tutor online, one-on-one. That’s not going anywhere. But this summer, we’re doing something that reflects what The Room did. My interactions with the group may have been limited to Venmos, but they inspired me, and inspired what we’ve become.
1. Sunset Sessions
Test prep with a pulse.
• Six students per cohort, recommended but not required for students to be aiming for a 30+. Starting scores don’t indicate grit. The last week before the test is for fine tuning, not for starting from scratch, although the right students can certainly use this program to start their prep on a collaborative, challenging note.
• Five-day ACT/SAT intensives, during the week prior to the official test dates. The curriculum here reflects everything I’ve learned about teaching socratically over the last 14 years, condensed in a compressed intensive.
• Rooftop sessions in Venice, steps from the sand
• 5–8pm to catch the sunset. If there’s demand, we’ll add sunrise sessions to mimic the actual tests: 8-11 am.
• Mechanics > busywork
• Experienced instructors who know how to vibe. One of them flirted professional poker and works as an award-winning producer of short films (Georgetown). The other day traded her way into an OC property, dances on longboards, sells glass on Etsy (Hopkins). Both have helped students achieve perfect scores. T
$2,500 per 15 hours of intensive prep over five days. Signup launches soon.
2. The Room
A self-governed incubator.
• Six students at a time in the space
• One space: full-time barista, bay windows, fiber internet, a fully-stocked kitchen, and Venice Live/Work vibes.
• 12-month access: July 5, 2025 – July 5, 2026 (monthly renewal option after that)
• 8am–6pm access, M–F
• No parents. No hovering adults. Fully insured and permitted. Keycode access. Every adult vetted and background-checked.
• The founding group is critical, in my opinion. No cost.
• Snacks, deep cleans, and unlimited access (with parental consent) to mentorship and guidance directly from me, but only if asked.
In the room, you can build a brand. Partner with vintage clothing shops on the Boardwalk (Route 66 around the corner is fire). Film podcasts. Or waste it on Tik Tok. Adults will be around, but not judging. The creative process works differently for everybody.
Optional: Education Bros Network
Only for students in The Room who want to take on real responsibility, but aren't quite ready for the structure free vibe of the room. Named in honor of my sister, Sabrina, aka my true bro.
• Test Prep Bros – manage college students, teach, talk to parents
• College App Bros – run partnerships with counselors
• FAFSA Bros – coordinate with our India financial team, deal with anxious parents. Help the website buildout.
• Interview required. Competitive Salary + uncapped commission for certain roles.
Downside: You’re an employee—not building something for yourself. My boss at Compass Education Group — the last time I had a full-time job— asked me before I got hired: it sounds like you want to do your own thing, but are you an intrapreneur or an entrepreneur? At the time, I didn’t know. After working there, I knew I was the latter.
Why both Sunset Sessions and The Room?
Because not every student needs the same thing. And needs evolve. I thought I was a writer in college. Then I realized I hated deadlines. What I actually loved was building a team, teaching them how to write, and finding a way to combine everything.
You’re probably here because you know someone who knows me. There’s no application. The length and tone of this post will filter the right people. I built this for the kid I was—Disillusioned by school. Desperate for autonomy. Unclear why AP Bio was supposed to matter.
And I built it for my daughter—and the kind of education I want her to have.
If you want to learn more before signups officially begin, shoot us a text at (310) 795-8786.
-Ravi
Also — Stay tuned for announcements re: rooftop open houses for parents and educational professionals.