Meet a Mom Monday! Meet Jill Holton and Jacqui Alfriend, Founders of Bloomwell Tutoring. With more than two decades of experience between both moms, helping young learners find their footing, they have both spent their careers guiding children from hesitant readers into confident, capable ones. Working with students in Kindergarten through Sixth grade, they have witnessed those unforgettable moments when a tricky word finally clicks and a child beams with pride after reading independently – moments that continue to inspire them every day. At the heart of their work is a simple but powerful belief: every child can thrive with the right support, encouragement, and individualized instruction. Jill and Jacqui are passionate about creating a safe, nurturing environment where students feel seen, capable, and proud of their progress. For their tutoring business, Bloomwell Tutoring, it’s about more than building strong literacy skills – it’s about opening doors, sparking curiosity, and helping children develop the confidence, independence, and love of learning that will stay with them for life. Read more below about Jill and Jacqui, why they created this business, and their family life, raising their own kids here in the Lowcountry.
Where are you originally from and how long have you been in Charleston, SC?
Jill Holton: I grew up in Philadelphia and didn’t venture too far. After marrying my husband, we lived outside of the city in West Chester, PA. We were ready for a change of pace and some warmer weather, so we packed up our family and headed to Charleston 3 years ago.
Jacqui Alfriend: Three years ago our family relocated from Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan in Michigan, and I’m so happy to be back near the beach and the water.
Tell us about your family.
JH: Our family includes me, my husband Greg, our daughter Charlotte (10), our son Wyatt (7), and our cavapoo puppy, Violette.
JA: We’re a family of four with a lot of energy and personality. Avery (10) and James (7) keep things fun (and busy), and Ed works in tech sales. We’re excited to hopefully add a Golden Retriever to the family soon!
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
JH: One thing people may be surprised to know about me is that I’m a bit of a neat freak. I like things organized and in their place. Sorry to my hubby and kids. 😉
JA: Is it surprising that I have grown to be obsessed with mahjong? No, but really, I love to play and enjoy the time it provides to catch up with friends.
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Charleston?
JH: One of our favorite things about raising a family in Charleston is the ability to be outside year-round, whether it’s beach days, bike rides, or simply enjoying time together in such a beautiful, relaxed setting.
JA: We love where we live—it gives our kids a nostalgic, ‘90s-style childhood of bike rides and playing outside until sunset. We also enjoy being close to the beach and having the option to head downtown for the energy of Charleston, especially on Second Sundays.
Tell us about your new tutoring business, Bloomwell Tutoring, and when & why you decided to start this business!
Bloomwell is a virtual tutoring business that supports young learners in building strong reading skills and confidence. We focus on early literacy using a Science of Reading approach, with personalized instruction tailored to each child.
We started Bloomwell because we saw a real need for reading support that felt both effective and accessible for families. Many children were falling through the cracks or losing confidence early on, and we wanted to change that. Our goal is to make high-quality reading instruction available in a way that feels supportive, flexible, and encouraging for both kids and families.
Jacqui Alfriend
What is your favorite part about creating a space for virtual tutoring in our local area?
Our favorite part of creating a virtual tutoring space in our area is the balance of convenience and quality. Families don’t have to sacrifice strong, personalized reading instruction for flexibility. Students can learn from the comfort of home while still receiving intentional, research-based support. We love the flexibility this offers busy parents, while dinner is cooking or a younger sibling needs attention, children can still receive focused learning support from home.
Tell us about the different tutoring services you offer.
At Bloomwell we offer personalized, explicit, and engaging virtual lessons that can be accessed from anywhere. Each lesson is designed to meet the individual needs of the child, based on a comprehensive initial assessment we complete. We can help children in any of the following areas: foundational skills, phonics, spelling, comprehension, writing, organizational skills, homework, and book clubs. Everything we do is flexible, engaging, and tailored to help each learner grow with confidence.
As we grow, we hope to build a small team of educators who share our approach to early literacy. Our goal is to thoughtfully match each child with a tutor who fits their learning style and needs, so they feel supported, understood, and confident.
How does a new client start their assessment for their child with you?
New clients can get started by reaching out to us via email, sending a direct message via Instagram @bloomwelltutoring or booking a consultation through our website. From there, we’ll connect with the family to learn more about their child’s needs and schedule an initial assessment to understand their current reading skills and determine the best starting point.
Jill Holton
Tell us more about your background(s) in education?
JH: I have over 20 years of experience in education as an elementary teacher and reading specialist. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with young children as they learn to read, some just starting with letters and sounds, others building fluency and confidence. I’ve always loved being part of those early “lightbulb” moments when things start to click. My passion is helping children feel successful, supported, and confident in their learning.
JA: I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education, along with a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a Reading Specialist focus. My career spans a variety of instructional leadership roles, including Special Education, academic intervention, and literacy coaching. I have also led an early literacy intervention program for Fairfax County Public Schools and served as a division-level Title I Reading Coach.
Tell us more about your work/life balance within motherhood.
JH: In the past year, I’ve been working in virtual tutoring for students in grades K-4. With both of my kids now in school, I’m able to be home when they get off the school bus and for our after-school routines & activities. The flexibility of tutoring virtually is key.
JA: Work and motherhood is a constant balancing act, and I’ve learned to embrace the rhythm rather than chase perfection. Some days lean more toward work, others toward family, but I try to stay present wherever I am. Being organized, setting priorities, and giving myself grace has been key.
Who has most influenced you to be the mom that you are today?
JH: My children have had the greatest influence on me as a mom. Being with them day to day, helping with school, watching them navigate challenges, and celebrating small wins has shaped how I parent in so many ways. I also carry my mom with me, who has passed, and her influence is still very much a part of how I parent. She never took life too seriously. I wish I got that gene 😉
JA: My biggest influences have been my mother and my maternal grandmother, who was a significant presence throughout my life. They showed me the importance of love, consistency, and creating a supportive home which are values I strive to carry into my own parenting every day.
One thing you wish someone would have told you about motherhood?
JH: One thing I wish someone had told me about motherhood is how much it’s about learning as you go. There’s no real preparation for it, you grow right alongside your children. I’ve learned to let go of perfection and focus more on connection, patience, and being present.
JA: I wish someone had told me that it’s okay not to have it all figured out. Motherhood is constantly changing, and just when you feel confident, a new phase begins.
What advice would you share with a new mom or other moms?
JH: My advice to moms would be to give yourself grace. There’s no perfect way to do motherhood, and you don’t need to have everything figured out. Also, remember to get in the pictures!!
JA: Give yourself grace, trust your instincts, and don’t compare your journey to others.
We love supporting local businesses – favorite places in Charleston to…
Have Dinner with Family: JH: Home Team BBQ – it’s the one place we all agree on. JA: Have Dinner with Family: Home Team – especially sitting outside in the summer.
Grab a Drink with Friends: JH: The Citrus Club (best views of downtown Charleston). JA: The Bar at Zero George – best ambience
Have a Date Night: JH: Savi JA: Vern’s – hands down the best food in Charleston
Spend time together as a Family: JH: Mt. Pleasant Waterfront park (play & ice cream on the pier). JA: A day at Wild Dunes
Outside Activities: JH: Sullivan’s Island Beach, walks in our Carolina Park neighborhood. JA: Family golf cart rides through the neighborhood
Grab coffee: JH: There’s a new place downtown called Hidden House. The pistachio latte was amazing. JA: Vintage Coffee
