Why SchneiderB Unschooled? Why Now?

During my 28 years working at private schools, my first interview question to prospective employees was always, "Why [School Name]? Why now?" It seems fitting to begin this Substack by answering that same question about my new venture.

Why SchneiderB Unschooled?

The idea for Unschooled has been brewing in my mind since July 2022, when I left schools to run SchneiderB Media full-time. In the nearly three years since that transition, I've had countless conversations with educators and administrators contemplating a similar path. They reach out seeking advice, reassurance, and honest insights about what it's really like to leave the security of school employment for entrepreneurship.

I've realized there's a growing community of people in situations similar to mine—talented education professionals considering the leap to becoming independent consultants or business owners who serve the very institutions they once called home. While resources abound for traditional entrepreneurs, there's a notable gap for those navigating this specific transition from education to education-adjacent entrepreneurship.

If sharing my experiences—both the triumphs and the struggles—can provide value to even one person making this decision, then Unschooled will have served its purpose.

Why Now?

The timing of this Substack was catalyzed by a recent LinkedIn post I wrote (see above) about the increasing number of K-12 private school administrators leaving their positions to start businesses serving schools. The post generated unexpected engagement, but I realized afterward that I had omitted two crucial points:

1. I'm deeply concerned about the exodus of experienced educators from private schools. This brain drain represents a significant loss of institutional knowledge and leadership at a time when schools face unprecedented challenges.
   

2. The entrepreneurial journey isn't all unicorns and rainbows. While my post highlighted the benefits of being your own boss, I failed to mention—and rarely see others discuss—that starting your own business is tremendously difficult, often frightening, and filled with challenges I never anticipated despite my preparation.
   

These two points might seem contradictory. On one hand, I'm troubled by educators leaving schools; on the other, I'm creating a resource that might help more people do exactly that. But there's no contradiction in wanting people to make informed decisions.

My goal isn't to persuade educators to leave their schools or to discourage them from entrepreneurship. Rather, I want to illuminate the path for those who are already considering this transition, ensuring they understand both the potential rewards and the very real challenges ahead.

Does This Resonate?

Have you been contemplating your own "unschooled" journey? Are you an educator or administrator weighing the pros and cons of entrepreneurship? Or perhaps you've already made the leap and have wisdom to share?

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. This Substack is as much about building a community of education entrepreneurs as it is about sharing my personal experiences.

Respectfully Unschooled,
Brendan