We had the good fortune of connecting with William Kelly and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi William, how does your business help the community?
King of the Curve addresses two major challenges students face when preparing for high-stakes exams. First, the costs can be ridiculous, often ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 or more, preventing many students from accessing the resources they need. We’ve removed that barrier by offering high-quality, affordable materials accessible to everyone, no matter their background.
The second challenge is how isolating the whole process can feel. Even if you can afford the high costs, you’re often left feeling alone and overwhelmed. To change that, we gamified the study process and focused on building a community-driven experience, so instead of feeling isolated, students become a supportive part of each other’s journey.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
King of the Curve doesn’t just make studying more fun and accessible; what truly sets us apart in the industry is our adaptive learning model. We optimize content delivery and can even predict a student’s score before they take their exam. While we’re currently focused on medically related exams like the MCAT, NCLEX, DAT, and PA-CAT, we’re excited about expanding this framework to other exams, such as the LSAT, SAT/ACT, CPA, and GRE, and continuing to deepen our impact on the education industry as a whole in the future.
One of our most impactful achievements comes from a discovery we made in a survey conducted among our students where we asked them what other resources they would have pursued if not ours and 43% of them reported they wouldn’t have pursued anything. Whether these students would have worked for a year or two to save up so they could afford the necessary resources or just choose an entirely different career path altogether is unclear. What is clear is that we were able to provide the opportunity for these students to study effectively and take their exams with confidence when their alternative paths were uncertain, and that’s something very special to us.
The journey to founding King of the Curve began as a way to solve a problem that we, ourselves, as students, were facing: expensive materials and a dull studying process. By fixing a problem we had, in turn, we ended up helping a lot of other students along the way. I wouldn’t say it was “easy” getting to where we are today. We faced many challenges and many moments when things didn’t go according to plan, but we ultimately overcame them by embracing flexibility. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is just how essential that flexibility is.
Things won’t always go according to plan, and you’ll often find yourself in uncomfortable situations, but by staying flexible and ready to adapt to whatever is thrown at you and learning how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, you can turn setbacks into opportunities for growth rather than reasons to be discouraged. Above all, passion is a powerful driver of success. When you’re passionate about what you do, staying motivated becomes effortless. Seeing the impact we’ve had and are continuing to have on students is incredibly rewarding, and that passion fuels everything I do.
What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that King of the Curve is more than just a typical test prep company. Our mission is to support students at every stage of their education by providing accessible, high-quality materials, tools, and resources while simultaneously building an ambitious community of passionate, motivated learners and beyond!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A week might seem like plenty of time in Florida, but in the Sunshine State, it quickly feels like there’s too much to see and do in too little time. Especially here in Venice, Florida, the options are endless. Our community is full of history, diverse arts & culture, and, of course, beautiful beaches, so if my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d want to pack in as much of the local magic as possible.
Our first destination would be Siesta Key, but since it’s conveniently on the way, our first stop would be The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. John Ringling is most famous for founding the Ringling Brothers Circus, which became more popularly known as the world-renowned “Greatest Show on Earth.” At the museum, you can explore the fascinating history of how this circus came to be and immerse yourself in a 3,800-square-foot replica that captures the magic from every angle and showcases the magnitude of “The Greatest Show on Earth” at its peak in the 1920s and 1930s.
After exploring the museum, we’d make our way over to Siesta Key Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The water there is crystal clear and warm, and the sand is made almost entirely of pure quartz, making it powdery soft, and cool to the touch despite the Florida heat. There’s truly no place like it, and it’s no wonder why it’s consistently ranked among the top 5 beaches in the U.S. and top 10 in the world. We’d spend the day lounging in the sun, cooling off in the turquoise waters, and maybe even join in on a game of beach volleyball or head over to one of the beachside courts for a bit of tennis. After a full day of fun, we’d head to The Old Salty Dog, a local gem on Siesta Key known for its laid-back vibe and fresh-caught Grouper sandwich, perfect after a day at the beach. I’d order my childhood favorites, their famous “Dog Bites,” which are mini beer-battered hot dogs, along with a side of crispy fried macaroni and cheese, both still my go-to choices to this day.
Growing up in Florida, I developed a deep love for the outdoors, so the next day, we’d take to the water for some deep-sea fishing. We’d start the day early at Marina Jack, board a charter, and head out into the Gulf to catch some grouper, snapper, or even something bigger. After a day of excitement on the water, we’d bring everything we caught back to the marina, where the captain and crew would send us off with a fresh bag of grill-ready filets. From there, we would take a short walk over to O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill at Bayfront Park, where they would prepare our fresh catch for us while we relax and watch the sunset over the Gulf.
If the seas are too rough for fishing, we’d head over to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens instead. Selby Gardens is a tropical oasis known for its world-renowned collection of orchids and epiphytes, which are plants that grow on other plants by taking in moisture and nutrients from the air, like orchids, tree moss, and ferns. A fun fact about Selby Gardens is that it’s the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to studying these unique plants, making a walk through their gardens an unparalleled and world-class experience. After exploring the gardens, we’d make our way to St. Armands Circle, a lively spot largely designed by circus pioneer John Ringling, filled with boutique shops, art galleries, and a vibrant, beachy atmosphere. We’d spend the day picking up some local treasures and soaking in the history of the area. For dinner, we’d head over to Tommy Bahama to enjoy the relaxed island vibe and delicious tropical cuisine while taking in another sunset over Lido Beach.
For a bit more adventure, we’d spend another day exploring the water, this time getting closer to nature. Venice, Florida, is famously known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World,” so we’d definitely spend some time searching the beaches for these prehistoric treasures. Then, we’d either go kayaking or, my personal favorite, stand-up paddleboarding through the mangroves in the Intracoastal, spotting manatees, dolphins, and other wildlife along the way. Afterward, we’d grab lunch at The Soda Fountain on Venice Island, a nostalgic spot known for its classic American feel and famous milkshakes. Later, we’d head to Nokomis Beach for some jet skiing and maybe a bit of fishing off the jetties. We’d wrap up the day with dinner at Sharky’s on the Pier, a spot famous for its fresh seafood and unbeatable views, enjoying our meal with the waves rolling in just a few feet away. In the case that we’re in the mood for a finer dining experience, we might head upstairs to Fins, located just above Sharky’s, where we can enjoy a more sophisticated menu while still taking in the ocean breeze, gorgeous waterfront views, and, of course, another beautiful sunset.
Venice, Florida, truly is a hidden gem and a place where I’ve created countless memories. A week here barely scratches the surface of all there is to do, but this itinerary is a good mix of everything that makes this area so special. From its unrivaled beaches and diverse wildlife to its rich history and welcoming community, Venice has a unique charm that keeps you coming back for more, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to start by giving a huge shoutout to our early users. When we started, the test prep market was—and still is—dominated by just a handful of big companies. The fact that these individuals took a chance on a new company like ours means the world to us. They trusted us to help them prepare for some of the most important and career-defining exams of their lives, and that’s something we’ve never taken lightly. It’s been incredibly motivating and rewarding to see that many of these early users have been with us for years now. It’s surreal to think about how we’ve grown from those early days to now having over a quarter of a million people on our platform.
I want to dedicate a special shoutout to two people who supported me long before even our earliest users, my parents. Growing up, I watched my father build his own business, which taught me the value of hard work, integrity, and leadership. Seeing him be an entrepreneur and carve his own path was incredibly inspiring and planted the seed in my mind from an early age that I wanted to follow a similar path. On the other hand, my mother is the most supportive person I know. She has always believed in me, no matter the circumstances, and has been there to encourage and guide me through the toughest moments.
My parents have been my biggest supporters from the very beginning, and I’m deeply grateful for their unconditional love and support. Their belief in me gave me the confidence to take risks, like going full-time to my business, King of the Curve, and they are the foundation of my success. I owe all my achievements to them. The values they’ve instilled and the love they’ve shown are what make me the man I am today, and I am incredibly thankful to have had their guidance and support throughout my journey.
Website: https://kingofthecurve.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcatkingofthecurve/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-kelly-
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kingofthecurve
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kingofthecurve
Image Credits
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