If the word “marketing” makes you cringe, you’re normal. Most great microschools start because someone cares, not because they love selling. Here’s what actually works: 1. Be clear, not convincing. Say who your pod is for and who it’s not. The right families lean in when they recognize themselves. 2. Share the why, not the pitch. Talk about what you noticed in kids, what wasn’t working in classrooms, and what you’re building instead. Story builds trust. 3. Start local and relational. Facebook groups, friends of friends, former families, park conversations. One yes often leads to three more. 4. Price simply. Monthly tuition, clear schedule, no complicated packages. Parents want transparency more than “deals.” 5. Invite, don’t chase. End posts with “Happy to answer questions” or “Message me if you want details.” Calm confidence converts. You don’t need a full school to start. You need 3–5 aligned families. Drop your program idea below and I’ll help you soften and clarify it

If marketing makes you uncomfortable, you’re in the right place. You don’t need ads, funnels, or a big following to fill a learning pod or microschool. Most founders enroll their first families through clarity, relationships, and showing up locally. Inside this space you’ll find simple ways to: • explain what you offer in plain language • price in a way parents understand and trust • share your program without feeling salesy • fill 3–8 seats sustainably • use Step Up thoughtfully (without headaches) Start small. One clear post. One conversation. One family at a time. This is about steady enrollment, not hustle. Drop questions anytime. Founder coffee is tomorrow at 10am and we do live Q&A every Wednesday 7–8pm 💛

Most people think opting out requires a dramatic leap. It usually doesn’t. It requires rearranging, not abandoning. Before quitting your job, try one (or two) of these: 1. Reduce time before changing roles Ask for: • one remote day • adjusted hours • compressed weeks • a temporary reduction Even a small shift can open breathing room. 2. Start with partial education changes You don’t need full-time homeschool. Try: • 1–2 microschool or pod days • mornings only • core academics outside of school This tests the waters without blowing up your life. 3. Add one flexible income stream Not a business empire. Just one thing. Examples: • tutoring or childcare swaps • pet sitting, nannying, respite care • digital tools, consulting, services • weekend or seasonal work The goal is optional income, not perfection. 4. Reclaim time you’re already paying for Look at: • aftercare costs • tutoring caused by school stress • therapy needed because school is dysregulating Redirecting money often creates more flexibility than earning more. 5. Build confidence before making big moves Most people don’t leap. They: • experiment • stabilize • then decide That’s not fear. That’s strategy. You don’t need to quit your job to start opting out. You need one small crack in the system where your life can start to bend. That’s how most real transitions begin.

One of the biggest myths I see is that microschools are only for wealthy families. Most families I work with are not rich. They’re resourceful, strategic, and tired of paying the emotional cost of “free” school. Here’s what it actually looks like in real life: 1. Blended funding Families rarely pay 100% out of pocket. They combine things like: • ESAs, vouchers, or scholarships (state-dependent) • part-time enrollment instead of full-time • tutoring or pod days instead of “school replacement” 2. Paying for fewer hours Microschools aren’t 8–3, five days a week. Families often pay for: • 2–3 days a week • mornings only • core academics + community Less time = lower cost. 3. Reallocating money, not adding more Many families stop paying for: • aftercare • tutoring • therapy needed because school was dysregulating • constant curriculum and intervention chasing They redirect that money into something more humane. 4. Flexible work, not no work Parents don’t stop earning. They shift: • remote or hybrid work • multiple income streams • staggered schedules • job sharing or part-time roles This is about work bending, not disappearing. 5. Slow transitions Almost no one jumps overnight. Most families: • start one semester • try one day a week • test a pod before committing • build confidence over time That’s not failure. That’s wisdom. Microschooling isn’t about being rich. It’s about stepping out of the lie that there’s only one way to educate kids and survive financially. If you’re navigating this right now, you’re not behind. You’re early. Drop your state or situation below if you want help thinking through options where you live.

Across the U.S., more states are offering Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) or similar programs that allow public education funds to follow the child, not the system. While the details vary by state, ESAs generally allow families to use funds for: • homeschool and microschool tuition • learning pods and part-time programs • tutors and academic support • curriculum, materials, and technology • some therapies and enrichment Why this matters for founders and parents: • families have more flexibility without paying everything out of pocket • programs don’t need to look like traditional schools to be sustainable • smaller, relationship-based learning models become financially possible This isn’t just a Florida thing. Arizona, Utah, West Virginia, Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, and others are expanding or rolling out versions of ESAs, vouchers, or universal choice programs. The big shift: Funding is slowly moving away from institutions and toward families. It’s one of the quiet mechanisms behind microschools, pods, and alternative learning models growing nationwide. If you’re navigating ESAs in your state (as a parent or founder), drop your state below and I’ll help point you in the right direction or break down what to look for.