Unleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset

Most educators think marketing means advertising, promoting, or "selling yourself." And if you've ever felt that resistance rise in your chest at the thought of doing marketing, you're not alone. In this episode, we break down our biggest takeaways from Seth Godin's bestselling book This Is Marketing and explore why educators are actually uniquely positioned to thrive in this new era of marketing. If marketing is the act of making change happen, then teachers and leaders have been marketers their entire careers. We unpack five powerful ideas from the book, including serving the smallest viable market, why authenticity isn't the goal, and how culture is strategy, and connect each one directly to the strengths educators already have. Along the way, we share the moment our own relationship with marketing shifted, and why building community changed everything for us. If you've ever thought, "I just don't want to do marketing," this conversation will reframe it entirely and leave you with practical action steps you can use right away in your consulting or leadership work. Join our email community for deeper reframes, practical tools, and behind-the-scenes thinking on building a values-aligned education business: 👉 Join the mailing list: https://www.unleashyes.org/email-list-opt-in And if you'd like to read This Is Marketing by Seth Godin for yourself, you can find it here:📖 Get the book: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/this-is-marketing-you-cant-be-seen-until-you-learn-to-see/9780525540830.html If this episode resonates, make sure you're following the podcast so you don't miss what's next. Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org

You finally receive the email you have been hoping for. The subject line says, "PD Request." For a moment you feel excited, and then you open it and see the question: "What are your rates?" Suddenly the confidence you had about your expertise disappears. Most educators were never taught how to talk about money. In schools, you show up, do meaningful work, and move up a salary grid. But consulting is different. The moment you name a price can feel uncomfortable, awkward, or even selfish. In this episode, Tom and Nat explain why pricing is not separate from your impact — it communicates your impact. They discuss why higher investment often leads to better implementation, why underpricing quietly undermines credibility, and how to interpret budget pushback without taking it personally. You will also hear Natalie's story of increasing her fee and realizing that pricing is less about money and more about leadership. By the end of this episode, you will understand how to respond to pricing questions clearly and calmly, without apologizing or guessing. If you have ever found yourself staring at a reply email wondering what number to type, we created a resource specifically for that moment. The free Educator PD Pricing Guide shares real pricing ranges educators are using right now, explains what actually changes the price, and helps you respond professionally with confidence. Download it at: unleashyes.org/pricing If the episode helps you feel more grounded in your work, please consider leaving a review. Send us a screenshot of your review at info@unleashyes.org and we will mail you a physical book as a thank-you. Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.   Show Notes:

👉 Feeling called to make a bigger impact in education? If you're curious about building aligned, paid work beyond your current role, you can book a clarity call with us here: [Book a Time] Some people talk about innovation in education. Rae Hughart lives it. In this episode of Unleash YES, we sit down with Rae Hughart—former middle school math teacher, education leader, and founder of Teachers Deserve It—to unpack what it really looks like to build a learning-based consulting business that respects teachers and creates systems-level change. Rae shares how her journey evolved from the classroom, through leadership at Teach Better, to launching a consulting model that challenges traditional PD as we know it. Rather than one-off workshops or surface-level inspiration, Teachers Deserve It is grounded in mastery-based learning, human-centered design, and deep co-creation with schools and districts. In this conversation, you'll hear: How Rae knew her impact was meant to extend beyond her own classroom What she learned about scaling a learning-based business inside an existing organization Why she launched Teachers Deserve It—and what problem she was determined to solve How co-creation, alignment, and integration shape her consulting model The identity shifts required to move from teacher → leader → founder How Rae now defines success—and what she actively protects If you've ever felt called to make a bigger impact in education without burnout or permission-seeking, this episode will meet you right where you are. 🎧 Listen, reflect, and keep your notebook close. Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.  

You're posting. You're speaking. People tell you your work matters. And yet… your business is still stuck. In this episode of Unleash YES, we name the real reason so many educators stay under $25K—not because they lack ideas or expertise, but because they're giving hobby-level consistency to something they want to be real. It took both of us far longer than we want to admit to cross our first $100K. Not because we didn't know what to do—but because we hadn't stopped doing the things that kept us playing small. In this conversation, we break down the five behaviors we had to stop before anything truly changed, including: ·       Waiting for validation instead of trusting our expertise ·       Overbuilding brands instead of selling real offers ·       Trying to help everyone instead of choosing focus ·       Doing everything alone instead of building in aligned community ·       Expecting full-time results from part-time commitment This episode is for educators who already have visibility—but are ready for traction. The kind that proves this isn't a hobby. It's real. If you're done circling ideas and ready to build a consulting business with clarity and momentum, your next step isn't another post—it's a conversation. 👉 Book your Clarity Call here: [Chat With Us] Your work already matters. Now it's time to build it like it's real.

What does it actually look like to go from classroom teacher to in-demand PD consultant—and hit the one-year tipping point in a learning-based business? In this episode of Unleash YES, we're joined by Kendra Jacobs (@mathematizing247), a mathematics thought leader who, in just one year, grew her audience from 2K to 11K, launched a thriving membership community, created an online membership, and saw her professional development requests from districts explode. Kendra shares the exact moments that changed everything: ·       The identity shift from teacher to thought leader ·       How she clarified her niche and stopped trying to serve everyone ·       What actually unlocked her audience growth and PD demand ·       Why she now chooses to teach part-time while growing a business she loves If you're an educator who feels the pull to build something beyond the classroom—and you're wondering if this path is really possible—Kendra's story is the proof. 👉 Ready to create your own one-year tipping point? Book a Clarity Call to explore joining the Educator Freedom Lab, our signature experience for educators ready to turn their expertise into an aligned, in-demand consulting business. Our next cohort begins Jan. 4th and only 20 spots are available. Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.

The Unleash YES Bootcamp is officially becoming the Educator Freedom Lab. In this short bonus episode, we share: Why "bootcamp" no longer fits the educators we serve What freedom actually looks like when you go independent Who the Educator Freedom Lab is for (and who it's not) If you love education but feel like your role can't hold you anymore… this episode will land. 👉 Curious if the Educator Freedom Lab is aligned for you? Book a clarity call with us and let's find out.  Let's go.

If you've ever wondered why the school system loved you… until it didn't, this episode will feel like someone finally turned the lights on. Natalie and Tom unpack the research-backed pattern behind why innovative educators go from "golden child" to "too much," and why the very qualities that once made you indispensable are the same ones pointing you toward your next chapter. You'll hear what 95 in-depth educator interviews revealed about the Innovator Backlash, and the deeper truth that you were never misaligned — you were miscast. And once you see what's actually happening? You'll understand why your biggest impact on education won't come from inside the system… but from finally stepping outside it. If this episode hits you in the chest, that's not a crisis — it's a calling. 👉 Book a free Clarity Call to map out whether the Educator Freedom Lab is your next step. 👉 Or, if you already know this is your moment, join the Lab directly using the link in the show notes.  

If you've ever dreamed of stepping onto a stage and delivering a keynote that actually moves people — this one's for you. Most educators approach keynotes like extended lessons… but an unforgettable keynote doesn't teach. It transforms. In this powerful episode, Tom and Nat break down the exact process they use to help educators design keynotes that spark paradigm shifts, generate speaking invitations, and open consulting doors. You'll learn how to: Plan content around a transformation (not a lecture) Engage audiences through story, visuals, and intentional moments of connection Deliver with presence, confidence, and authenticity — without slipping into "edutainer mode" Nat shares the story of her first keynote flop, how Tom helped her rebuild from the ground up, and the breakthrough moment that helped her own the stage at a provincial event. Whether you're a teacher, coach, or school leader, you'll walk away with a practical, inspiring roadmap to craft a keynote that shifts thinking, builds credibility, and stays with people long after the mic drops. 🎧 Let's get into it. Ready to Turn Your Expertise Into Paid Speaking & Consulting? If this episode sparked something in you — that feeling of I know I'm meant to be on more stages — then it's time. Our Unleash YES Bootcamp is the 6-month, done-with-you experience where educators learn how to: Define their transformative niche Build offers schools and districts actually buy Create thought-leadership content that builds demand Start landing paid consulting and speaking opportunities You don't need a big following. You don't need a website. You just need to start. 👉 Book a free call to see if the Bootcamp is your next step: [Book a Clarity Call] Your ideas deserve a stage. Let's build the business that gets you there.

If you're a teacher or school leader ready to start consulting but can't decide what to focus on, this episode is for you. Tom and Natalie reveal how to uncover the niche that's been right in front of you: your own transformation story. You'll learn how to trace your lived experience, tap into the emotions behind your expertise, and test what schools actually need so you stop chasing trends and start leading them. 🎧 Ready to turn your expertise into a consulting business that gives you freedom?👉 Book a call to explore how we can help you fully booked in 2026! Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.

Thinking about joining a consulting firm in education to get your start as a consultant? Before you commit, this episode breaks down what it's really like to work with these organizations, and what every teacher entrepreneur should know first. In this episode of Unleash YES, Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso unpack the truth about consulting firms in education: how they actually work, the perks that seem appealing, and the trade-offs no one talks about. You'll learn: How consulting firms really "hire" educators (and what that means for your income and autonomy) Why being on a firm's roster doesn't guarantee consistent work or recognition The hidden costs and tactical perks of credibility by association How to tell if joining a firm is a helpful stepping stone or a long-term distraction from building your own education consulting business If you've ever wondered whether partnering with a big name like Solution Tree or another professional-learning company will launch your career, or just keep you thinking like an employee, this episode will give you the clarity you need. 🎧 Listen now to make an informed decision about whether to be a "borrowed brand" or to start building your own.   💼 Ready to build your own consulting business? If you're tired of waiting for someone else's brand to validate you, it's time to create one of your own. Inside the Unleash YES Bootcamp, Tom and Nat walk educators step-by-step through launching a profitable K–12 consulting business without a website, a big following, or waiting to be "picked." 👉 Book a free call to see if the Bootcamp is the right fit and start building a business where you call the shots.   Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.

If you've been hustling hard, overthinking every post, and gripping your business so tightly that you've stopped feeling inspired—this episode is your reset. In Flow vs. Force, Natalie and Tom unpack what really happens when strategy alone stops working and your energy turns from expansion to exhaustion. You'll hear: How both of them fell into the trap of forcing their business—and what finally helped them let go. Wayne Dyer's timeless wisdom on why you don't attract what you want, you attract what you are. Four simple, practical ways to shift from control to creation so you can build your business (and life) from a place of calm, confidence, and alignment. This isn't just mindset theory—it's a full-body reset designed to help you stop gripping and start flowing. Because when you shift your energy, everything shifts with it: clients, clarity, and creativity start showing up with ease. 👉 If you're ready to trade the hustle for harmony, tune in now. And if this episode hits home, book a call to join the Unleash YES Bootcamp—where educators and entrepreneurs learn to grow with flow, not force. Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.  

You don't need an MBA or a huge following to land your first paying clients — you need a clear plan. In this final From Crickets to Clients episode, Tom and Nat walk you through their proven five-step Freedom Formula (Define, Empathize, Prototype, Test, Accelerate). You'll leave with a crystal-clear 90-day roadmap to go from "I'm not a business person" to "I'm fully booked." Grab the free roadmap at unleashyes.org/90day and follow along as you build a business that sets you free. And if you're ready to skip the trial-and-error and have us guide you through every step, book a free call for the Unleash YES Bootcamp, our 6-month, done-with-you experience where we implement the entire Freedom Formula together so you can launch with clarity, confidence, and get back to doing what you do best faster: educating others. Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.  

If no one knows you exist, they can't hire you. In the 4th episode of our From Crickets to Clients series, we're pulling back the curtain on our simple, repeatable visibility system — the one that's turned our social profiles into a sales machine. You'll learn how to: ·       Build your creative muscle so showing up online becomes second nature. ·       Write scroll-stopping posts that actually get engagement. ·       Use the Pizza Party Principle to balance inspiring, educational, and sales content that keeps clients coming back for more. We'll also share real client stories and give you a shortcut: our most revenue generating social media posts, yours to plug-and-play for just $7. Tune in to discover how to turn casual scrollers into dream clients, without spending all day online. Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.  

This is Episode 3 of our From Crickets to Clients series, a five-part roadmap to help educators launch and grow consulting businesses that actually bring in paying clients. In this episode, Tom and Nat unpack the Offer System, the piece that keeps you from rebuilding the exact job you just left. Because saying yes to every random request might feel like progress, but it only leads to burnout and busywork. You'll discover how to: ·       Define what an offer really is (hint: it's about transformation, not tasks) ·       Play with different delivery formats so that you can scale sustainably. ·       Diversify to balance freedom and predictability. By the end, you'll know exactly how to design your core offer that attracts the right work, protects your time, and grows with you. 🎁 Plus, grab your free copy of The Irresistible Offer Playbook at unleashyes.org/offer—the shortcut to designing an offer that practically sells itself. Want help turning your offer into a sustainable business? Book a call to explore if you're a fit for the Unleash YES Bootcamp, our live coaching community, which is now accepting new clients. Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.  

If you've been hustling on Instagram or LinkedIn hoping dream clients magically slide into your DMs, you're not alone. But here's the truth: posting once a week or chasing the algorithm isn't a system. In this episode of From Crickets to Clients, Nat & Tom break down their $100K Webinar Framework — the exact 5-part system they've used to consistently turn one presentation into six figures of consulting work. You'll learn: ·       Why a single webinar can outperform months of social posting ·       The 5 key elements every high-converting webinar must include ·       How to structure your story, teaching, and pitch so dream clients book calls with you ·       Real examples from their own consulting business and client wins 🎁 Plus, don't just listen — steal the exact framework. Download your free $100K Webinar Template at unleashyes.org/100kwebinar. If you're ready to stop throwing spaghetti at the wall and finally have a system that converts attention into clients, this is the episode that changes everything. Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.  

Most K–12 consultants are hustling hard — posting, networking, trying every tactic they see online — and still hearing crickets. The truth? Hustle and heart aren't a business strategy. In this kickoff episode of From Crickets to Clients, Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso reveal the 3 simple systems that took them from side hustling to nearly 7-figure consulting businesses. You'll discover: ·       Why consistency is a muscle, not a personality trait ·       The difference between getting noticed and getting hired ·       How to sell with confidence (without ever feeling pushy) ·       The overlooked system that gives you both client results and your time back If you've been throwing spaghetti at the wall and waiting to see what sticks, this episode will give you the clarity you need to finally grow your consulting business on purpose. 👉 Hit play now and learn how to stop guessing — and start scaling.   Resources: >> Grab the Educators' Business Blueprint on pre-summer sale for just $47!   Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.

Are you a K–12 consultant tired of hustling, posting, and hearing nothing but crickets?   In this limited series, From Crickets to Clients, Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso pull back the curtain on the exact systems that took them from side hustling to a combined yearly revenue of nearly 7-figures in their education consulting businesses.   Across 5 progressive episodes, you'll learn: The 3 systems that help you scale 10x faster The $100K webinar framework (and how to steal it) The social posts that consistently landed clients How to run sales calls that convert without feeling pushy Your 90-day roadmap to go from crickets… to clients   No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just the step-by-step strategies to finally turn your expertise into a thriving business.   👉 Follow now and get ready to build your consulting business on purpose.

Back-to-school energy hits different when you know you've outgrown your role. But what if this was the year you finally started your consulting business — for real? In this episode, we're sharing the five things we'd do if we were starting from scratch this fall:✅ The mindset shift that changes everything✅ The habit that builds unstoppable momentum✅ The system we wish we built sooner✅ The easiest offer to launch before the holidays✅ The biggest mistake that keeps educators stuck If you're ready to stop swirling and start moving, this episode is your game plan. 🎧 And don't miss our upcoming From Crickets to Clients series — dropping next week! Resources: >> Grab the Educators' Business Blueprint on summer sale for just $47! >> FREE Starter Guide: The First 6 Steps to Launch Your Learning-Based Business Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.  

Think you need a fancy title, a website, or another degree to get hired as a consultant or speaker? Think again. In this episode, we're breaking down what actually builds credibility, and spoiler alert: it's not your credentials. It's your receipts. You'll learn:🎯 What receipts are (and why they matter more than your résumé)🧠 The 4 types of receipts that get you booked as a consultant or speaker🙌 How to uncover and leverage your real-world impact to become in-demand Whether you're already sharing your work or still sitting on your genius, this episode will help you claim your credibility and start getting paid for the transformation you've already led. 💥 Ready to go from invisible impact to booked-out consultant? Book a free clarity call for the Unleash YES Bootcamp → [SNAG A TIME]   Resources: >> Grab the Educators' Business Blueprint on pre-summer sale for just $47! >> Learn More About the Unleash YES Bootcamp! >> Quiz: Which Learning-Based Business Model is Right for Me? >> Starter Guide: The First 6 Steps to Launch Your Learning-Based Business Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.

They were terrified to be seen online. Now they're building a brand that's impossible to ignore. In this episode, we sit down with Kristy Cognata and Lauren Staats, two instructional coaches who turned their fear of visibility into a thriving business. When we first met them, even the thought of sharing their names online made them panic. Today? They're confidently posting on LinkedIn, building an engaged community, and launching their first group offer for instructional coaches under their new brand, Lime Lotus. We talk about: ·       What pushed them to leave the system and start something of their own. ·       How they crafted a shared niche that reflects both of their stories. ·       The mindset shifts that helped them move through fear and into bold action. ·       Why LinkedIn became their platform of choice—and what's working. ·       What they wish every educator knew about stepping into entrepreneurship. If you've been hiding behind the scenes, unsure if your voice matters—this one will light a fire in you. 🚨 Want to work directly with Tom & Nat? There's one week left to join the summer cohort of the Unleash YES Bootcamp. Book a call with them to see if it's a fit for you → [Snag My Spot!] Resources: >> Grab the Educators' Business Blueprint on pre-summer sale for just $47! >> Learn More About the Unleash YES Bootcamp! >> Quiz: Which Learning-Based Business Model is Right for Me? Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on Instagram >> email info@unleashyes.org >> Book a call.