Episode Overview

In this episode of the Education Business Podcast, Claire Riley speaks with education founder Kate Wadsworth about her journey from classroom teacher to launching What If Education.

Kate shares the moment she realised the education system was pulling her away from the values that first inspired her to teach, and why she made the bold decision to leave the classroom without a backup plan. She talks openly about the realities of building an education business — from finding your audience and growing a network, to dealing with uncertainty, trial and error, and the emotional ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

The conversation explores the power of connection, the importance of reflection, and why progress in business is rarely linear. Later in the episode, Claire and Kate discuss the unexpected lessons of entrepreneurship, including why your greatest strengths can also be your biggest challenges — an idea explored in the High Performance Podcast featuring psychologist Damien Hughes, author of Liquid Thinking.

This episode is packed with honest insights for anyone thinking about starting an education business, already running one, or simply curious about what it really takes to turn an idea into impact.

 

00:00 – Introduction to the Education Business Podcast
00:45 – Meet Kate Wadsworth and her journey into teaching
02:30 – Two very different school experiences that shaped her values
03:10 – Why Kate decided to leave the classroom
04:00 – Founding What If Education
04:40 – Starting a business without a backup plan
06:00 – Inspiration from Steven Bartlett’s business ideas
07:00 – Building an education business while teaching vs leaving
08:00 – Growing an audience through connection and networking
09:30 – Using LinkedIn and virtual coffees to build a network
10:20 – How podcast appearances created unexpected opportunities
11:20 – Saying yes before you feel ready
12:10 – How to decide what opportunities to accept
13:00 – Trial and error in building a business
14:30 – Learning to recognise when you’re at capacity
16:00 – The hardest lesson: progress isn’t linear
17:20 – Avoiding the solo founder echo chamber
18:20 – Messaging challenges and business evolution
19:20 – Moving through uncertainty and finding clarity
20:10 – Advice education business owners need to hear
20:40 – When your biggest strength is also your weakness
21:30 – Freedom vs structure in entrepreneurship
22:20 – The importance of reflection and “pinch-me” moments
23:30 – Looking back to appreciate progress
24:40 – Final reflections and closing thoughts

 

All About Kate:

Kate is a teacher, educational consultant, coach and author and she founded What If Education?®️ to bring change into education and more curiosity and creativity into learning. 

Working with educator’s in all their forms… leaders, teachers and parents, her philosophy is that learning is far too special a thing to be endured. It should be fun in the moment, meaningful for the future and enjoyed by all. 

Recognising that we can’t wait for systemic change to make education happier, less stressful and more relevant, she works in the uk and all over the world with people and teams helping them make change happen on the ground. 

Her book Awedinary, The Wonder of Everyday Things underpins her most recent venture. Written to help teachers and parents bring awe and wonder into learning, but it doesn’t stop there… it has been designed to be enjoyed by all from 2 to 122, because curiosity, creativity, awe and wonder hold the keys to a life-long love of learning, for everyone.

Website: www.whatifeducation.com

Instagram:
www.instagram.com/what.if.education

Linked In: 
www.LinkedIn.com/in/kate-what-if-education

Episode Overview In this episode of the Education Business Podcast,&nbsp;Claire Riley speaks with education founder Kate Wadsworth about her journey from classroom teacher to launching What If Education.
Kate shares the moment she realised the education system was pulling her away from the values that first inspired her to teach, and why she made the bold decision to leave the classroom without a backup plan. She talks openly about the realities of building an education business &mdash; from finding your audience and growing a network, to dealing with uncertainty, trial and error, and the emotional ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
The conversation explores the power of connection, the importance of reflection, and why progress in business is rarely linear. Later in the episode, Claire and Kate discuss the unexpected lessons of entrepreneurship, including why your greatest strengths can also be your biggest challenges &mdash; an idea explored in the High Performance Podcast featuring psychologist Damien Hughes, author of Liquid Thinking.
This episode is packed with honest insights for anyone thinking about starting an education business, already running one, or simply curious about what it really takes to turn an idea into impact.
&nbsp;
00:00 &ndash; Introduction to the Education Business Podcast 00:45 &ndash; Meet Kate Wadsworth and her journey into teaching 02:30 &ndash; Two very different school experiences that shaped her values 03:10 &ndash; Why Kate decided to leave the classroom 04:00 &ndash; Founding What If Education 04:40 &ndash; Starting a business without a backup plan 06:00 &ndash; Inspiration from Steven Bartlett&rsquo;s business ideas 07:00 &ndash; Building an education business while teaching vs leaving 08:00 &ndash; Growing an audience through connection and networking 09:30 &ndash; Using LinkedIn and virtual coffees to build a network 10:20 &ndash; How podcast appearances created unexpected opportunities 11:20 &ndash; Saying yes before you feel ready 12:10 &ndash; How to decide what opportunities to accept 13:00 &ndash; Trial and error in building a business 14:30 &ndash; Learning to recognise when you&rsquo;re at capacity 16:00 &ndash; The hardest lesson: progress isn&rsquo;t linear 17:20 &ndash; Avoiding the solo founder echo chamber 18:20 &ndash; Messaging challenges and business evolution 19:20 &ndash; Moving through uncertainty and finding clarity 20:10 &ndash; Advice education business owners need to hear 20:40 &ndash; When your biggest strength is also your weakness 21:30 &ndash; Freedom vs structure in entrepreneurship 22:20 &ndash; The importance of reflection and &ldquo;pinch-me&rdquo; moments 23:30 &ndash; Looking back to appreciate progress 24:40 &ndash; Final reflections and closing thoughts
&nbsp;
All About Kate:
Kate is a teacher, educational consultant, coach and author and she founded What If Education?&reg;️ to bring change into education and more curiosity and creativity into learning. Working with educator&rsquo;s in all their forms&hellip; leaders, teachers and parents, her philosophy is that learning is far too special a thing to be endured. It should be fun in the moment, meaningful for the future and enjoyed by all. Recognising that we can&rsquo;t wait for systemic change to make education happier, less stressful and more relevant, she works in the uk and all over the world with people and teams helping them make change happen on the ground. Her book Awedinary, The Wonder of Everyday Things underpins her most recent venture. Written to help teachers and parents bring awe and wonder into learning, but it doesn&rsquo;t stop there&hellip; it has been designed to be enjoyed by all from 2 to 122, because curiosity, creativity, awe and wonder hold the keys to a life-long love of learning, for everyone. Website: <a href="http://www.whatifeducation.com/">www.whatifeducation.com</a> Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/what.if.education">www.instagram.com/what.if.education</a> Linked In: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-what-if-education">www.LinkedIn.com/in/kate-what-if-education</a>

The Education Business Podcast is for educational consultants, small education-based business owners, Edtech providers and workshop leaders focused on providing education services to schools, as well as for teachers transitioning to freelancing with an entrepreneurial business idea. Growing and scaling a business that provides a service to schools and education requires a different skillset and inside knowledge to many other entrepreneurial ventures. In this podcast Claire Riley, CEO of Classroom Secrets and host of The Teachers' Podcast, shares what it takes to market and pitch your services to this sector. Find out exactly what headteachers and teachers are looking for, and why building a personal brand matters in your marketing and how you can grow your education business.

The Education Business Podcast is for educational consultants, small education-based business owners, Edtech providers and workshop leaders focused on providing education services to schools, as well as for teachers transitioning to freelancing with an entrepreneurial business idea. Growing and scaling a business that provides a service to schools and education requires a different skillset and inside knowledge to many other entrepreneurial ventures. In this podcast Claire Riley, CEO of Classroom Secrets and host of The Teachers' Podcast, shares what it takes to market and pitch your services to this sector. Find out exactly what headteachers and teachers are looking for, and why building a personal brand matters in your marketing and how you can grow your education business.

The Education Business Podcast

Building a business in education can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone.

Hosted by Claire Riley, founder of Classroom Secrets and passionate advocate for helping educators turn their expertise into thriving businesses, this podcast brings you honest conversations, practical strategies, and the behind-the-scenes lessons from those already making an impact in the education space.

Each episode dives into the realities of running and growing an education business—from building sustainable income streams and navigating challenges, to embracing innovation and scaling with purpose. You’ll hear inspiring stories from fellow entrepreneurs, expert insights, and Claire’s own experiences of successes and setbacks along the way.

Whether you’re an aspiring edupreneur just starting out or a seasoned business owner looking for fresh perspective, this podcast will give you the tools, clarity, and encouragement you need to grow with confidence.

Tune in weekly to discover how to make your education business thrive while staying true to your mission of making a difference.

Building a business in education can feel overwhelming&mdash;but you don&rsquo;t have to do it alone.
Hosted by Claire Riley, founder of Classroom Secrets and passionate advocate for helping educators turn their expertise into thriving businesses, this podcast brings you honest conversations, practical strategies, and the behind-the-scenes lessons from those already making an impact in the education space.
Each episode dives into the realities of running and growing an education business&mdash;from building sustainable income streams and navigating challenges, to embracing innovation and scaling with purpose. You&rsquo;ll hear inspiring stories from fellow entrepreneurs, expert insights, and Claire&rsquo;s own experiences of successes and setbacks along the way.
Whether you&rsquo;re an aspiring edupreneur just starting out or a seasoned business owner looking for fresh perspective, this podcast will give you the tools, clarity, and encouragement you need to grow with confidence.
Tune in weekly to discover how to make your education business thrive while staying true to your mission of making a difference.