Leadership in early childhood has long been treated like an “extra,” a bonus you get after the fires are out and the classrooms are staffed.But here’s the truth:Leadership development isn’t a perk.It’s the job.Because calm doesn’t grow you, discomfort does.In this episode, Chanie names a trap many school owners fall into: waiting for life to “settle down” before investing in their own growth. But settled never comes. Systems will always need refining, enrollment will always ebb and flow, team members will always cycle — and your center needs a leader who is growing while leading, not after everything is perfect.Inside this conversation, Chanie breaks down:What You’ll LearnWhy comfort creates complacency, but discomfort builds capacityThe cycle school leaders get stuck in: conditional growth (“once things calm down…”)How one owner shifted from task-completion to capacity-building, transforming her entire leadership team’s cultureWhy professional development is oxygen, not dessertThe difference between intensity bursts and predictable development rhythmsHow your growth becomes the ceiling, or the expansion, of your teamWhy sustainable leadership is built on consistency, not perfectionChanie also shares real examples from the field, the predictable patterns that show up in every school’s culture, and the practical rhythm shifts that move leaders out of survival mode and into mastery.If you want to grow your school, you must grow you.Because your team will not outgrow you, they grow through you.Resources Mentioned✔️ Take the Money Leaks Diagnostic Identify where your school is unintentionally losing profit and begin building the rhythms that stabilize your financial health. 👉 schoolsofexcellence.com/moneyleaks
You can’t call in tired when you’re the leader.Even on the days when your body aches, your brain is foggy, and every text feels like one more demand — leadership still needs you. Parents still email. Licensing still calls. Staff still need direction.And in that fatigue, it’s easy to believe the lie: I just need a break. I just need a new system. I just need to get through this week.But energy isn’t something you find. It’s something you create.In this deeply personal episode, Chanie unpacks what it means to create energy on demand — not from caffeine or quiet, but from rhythm, breath, and emotional containment. She shares how leaders can shift from guarding what’s left to generating what’s needed, and how to stop being the emotional battery for everyone around you.If you’ve ever said “I’m just so tired,” this episode will help you see that your exhaustion isn’t from doing too much — it’s from holding too much.You’ll LearnWhy you’re not one vacation or system away from feeling aliveThe truth about emotional fatigue and over-holdingHow to reframe your story and create energy in the middle of chaosThe science of energy creation and how your body chemistry responds to posture and languageHow to install transition rhythms between work and homeWhy “protecting your energy” keeps you in survival mode — and how to shift to creation modeSimple morning, end-of-day, and transition rhythms that restore peace and focusKey Insights“You’re not exhausted because you’re doing too much. You’re exhausted because you’re holding too much.”“Energy isn’t found in quiet. It’s created through rhythm.”“You don’t need rest to be restored — you need rhythm to be renewed.”“You are not a battery pack to be drained. You are a lighthouse — a generator of light and calm.”Memorable Quotes“Waiting for energy is like waiting for clarity — it never comes until you take action.”“You don’t protect energy. You create it.”“You close your laptop not because the work is done — but because the day is.”“Leadership still needs you when you’re tired, but you’re not powerless. You can create energy, on demand.”Reflection PromptsWhere are you still acting as the emotional battery for others?What transition rhythm would help you leave work restored instead of depleted?How can you practice creating energy through breath, posture, or language this week?Episode ResourcesPre-order Chanie’s new book This Can’t Be Normal — coming soonTake the 5 Gear Diagnostic to identify which area of your leadership is most drained — Enrollment, Staff Culture, Parent Engagement, Financial Health, or Strategic Growth. schoolsofexcellence.com/diagnostic
If your brain feels like a filing cabinet that never closes, you’re not alone.For many school leaders, memory becomes the hidden system — the thing holding birthdays, licensing dates, parent notes, staff needs, and the million invisible details that make your school run. But here’s the truth: your brain was never meant to be the system.In this powerful, personal episode, Chanie shares how her once-reliable memory began to fail — and how that moment became the turning point for her leadership. Forgetting wasn’t a crisis; it was clarity. It revealed that her business had outgrown her brain and was ready for real systems and rhythms that could carry the weight sustainably.If you’ve ever said, “I just have to remember to…” — this episode will help you see why forgetting is not failure. It’s a signal that your leadership is evolving.You’ll LearnWhy memory-based leadership leads to burnout and anxietyHow your brain becomes a false “system” when trust in processes is lowWhy stress pokes holes in memory — and what to build insteadHow rhythms create psychological safety and operational stabilityHow to shift from mental management to systemized leadershipPractical examples of where you may be leading from memory (and how to stop)How to trust your systems and rhythms — even when it feels uncomfortableKey Insights“Your brain and your memory are not the system. Systems and rhythms hold excellence at scale.”“The brain is for having ideas, not holding them.”“Forgetting isn’t failure — it’s feedback that your leadership is ready to evolve.”“When you lead from rhythm instead of recall, you build peace into your operations.”Memorable Quotes“My memory made me feel safe. But safety doesn’t come from remembering — it comes from trusting the rhythm.”“Your leadership isn’t breaking down. It’s breaking open — to a simpler, more sustainable way to lead.”“Forgetting wasn’t the problem. It was the most generous wake-up call from God.”“The brain is for having ideas, not holding them. Systems are what keep those ideas alive.”Reflection PromptsWhere in your leadership are you still using your memory as a safety net?What’s one area where you could install a rhythm to replace recall?How does over-reliance on your brain create invisible weight in your day?What would it look like to trust your systems — even when your instinct is to double-check?Episode ResourcesLearn more about Chanie’s upcoming book This Can’t Be Normal, where she unpacks how rhythms replace over-functioning and burnout.Take the 5 Gear Diagnostic to identify which area of your leadership carries the most invisible weight — Enrollment, Staff Culture, Parent Engagement, Financial Health, or Strategic Growth. schoolsofexcellence.com/diagnostic
In early childhood education, it’s easy to feel like marketing changes faster than you can keep up. But the truth is, while tactics evolve, the fundamentals of trust, rhythm, and authenticity never go out of style.In this episode, Chanie sits down with longtime friend and industry leader Nick Williams, CEO of Childcare Business Growth, to discuss the timeless marketing strategies that stand the test of time.They explore how to create authentic content, follow up with confidence, and use AI and systems to reclaim your time — all while staying true to your school’s values and mission.If you’ve ever felt like your marketing is a moving target, this episode will help you return to the anchors that actually drive enrollment.You’ll LearnWhy authenticity always outperforms the latest trendHow to position yourself as the local expert families trustThe power of consistent follow-up rhythms in enrollmentHow to centralize communication without losing personal connectionThe role of AI in buying back time and simplifying marketing systemsHow to track baselines and lead sources to make smarter decisionsWhy clarity on your values attracts your ideal familiesHow to stay ahead of change without losing your focusKey Insights“Sales is service. You’re not pushing — you’re inviting families into something that matters.”“If you want consistent enrollment, follow up on the platforms your parents actually use.”“There’s no money in being neutral. Your values are your magnet.”“AI should help you work smarter, not harder. Use it to reclaim time for leadership.”Memorable Quotes“Marketing doesn’t need to be frantic — it needs to be rhythmic.” — Chanie Wilschanski“Be authentic. Be visible. Be the local expert. That’s timeless marketing.” — Nick Williams“The best marketing strategy isn’t about chasing trends — it’s about building systems that keep working while you lead.” — Chanie WilschanskiReflection PromptsWhich part of your marketing is built on rhythm — and which still feels reactive?Are your systems making your brand more human or more complicated?What would it look like to be known as the trusted local expert in your community?Episode ResourcesExplore Nick’s work at childcarebusinessgrowthlive.comTake the Schools of Excellence 5 Gear Diagnostic to identify your biggest growth opportunity in:Enrollment, Staff Culture, Parent Engagement, Financial Health, or Strategic Growth 👉 schoolsofexcellence.com/diagnostic
Leadership is heavy in ways no one talks about.We expect long hours, enrollment pressure, staff turnover, and parent demands — but the invisible weight of leadership isn’t in the spreadsheets. It’s in the emotions, expectations, and energy you absorb every day.In this powerful conversation, Chanie redefines burnout and exposes why the “fix-it-fast” advice doesn’t work. Because burnout doesn’t come from working too hard, it comes from becoming the system.If you’ve been the leader who holds everyone else’s fear, absorbs everyone’s disappointment, and smiles while suffocating inside, this episode is your permission to stop.Learn how to trade survival for sustainability by building rhythms that distribute the weight, not systems that keep you holding it all.Join the live workshop, Delegation Isn’t the Finish Line: Ownership Is to learn how to build rhythms that hold you steady.Register at: schoolsofexcellence.com/delegationWhat You’ll LearnWhy traditional definitions of burnout miss the real causeThe difference between working hard and becoming the systemWhy “fix-it-fast” solutions (like pizza parties) don’t actually workHow to identify invisible labor, and stop carrying what’s not yoursThe power of rhythms to distribute emotional and operational weightWhat it means to be an “all-seasons leader” — not just calm-weather leadershipKey InsightsBurnout doesn’t chase weakness — it preys on competence.The body keeps score when you carry what’s not yours to hold.You don’t need to get stronger — you need to be held.Systems alone can’t save you; rhythms sustain you.Calm isn’t forever. Leadership is who you are under pressure.Memorable Quotes“Burnout isn’t working too hard, it’s becoming the system.”“If burnout can find you because you’re extraordinary, then rhythms can hold you because you’re extraordinary.”“You don’t need to get stronger. You need to be held.”“Leadership isn’t what happens in the calm. It’s who you are when the pressure knocks.”Reflection PromptsWhere are you holding what isn’t yours to hold?What invisible weight are you carrying for your team or school?What would change if your leadership wasn’t a solo sport?Next StepTake the Schools of Excellence 5 Gear Diagnostic to identify your biggest growth opportunity in: Enrollment, Staff Culture, Parent Engagement, Financial Health, or Strategic Growth 👉 schoolsofexcellence.com/diagnostic
When Irene Gomez stepped into her role as director at the J Center for Early Learning in El Paso, Texas, she carried what so many new leaders do: hyper-responsibility, people-pleasing, and the pressure to be the “hero” in every situation.In this episode, Irene shares her journey inside the Schools of Excellence coaching program and the transformation that followed—from chasing fires and working late nights, to leading with clarity, boundaries, and trust.You’ll hear how a calendar became her leadership lifeline, how gratitude reshaped her staff culture, and how self-trust shifted her from over-functioning into a confident leader who now builds sustainable rhythms for her team and balance for her family.This isn’t just a story of better systems. It’s a story of reclaiming identity, building trust, and choosing to lead without sacrificing health or home.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why boundaries start with the leader, not with the staffHow shifting from “hero” to CEO changes your school cultureThe role of one-on-one meetings in building trust and career growth for teachersWhy specific gratitude builds safety and resilience in teamsHow leadership growth impacts marriage, parenting, and personal lifeWhy coaching is never “one more thing”—it’s the foundation of sustainable leadershipKey InsightsBoundaries are for you first. Without them, you’ll always default to rescuing instead of leading.Culture starts with trust. One-on-ones and specific gratitude create safety for real conversations.You can’t hustle your way to sustainability. Systems and rhythms—not over-functioning—are what hold schools together.Personal growth multiplies. When leaders evolve, staff mirror that same growth in respect, empowerment, and culture.Memorable Quotes“The boundaries weren’t just for others—they were for me.” – Irene Gomez“True success is having a strong team that wants to stay forever.” – Irene Gomez“Enough isn’t about getting ahead. It’s about trusting that what you did today was enough.” – Chanie WilschanskiWhy This Matters for School LeadersEnds the cycle of firefighting and hyper-responsibilityBuilds cultures of trust where staff thrive and turnover decreasesProtects leaders’ health, marriage, and family timeShows how leadership coaching transforms not just schools, but livesResources & Next StepsReflect: Where in your leadership are you holding on to hyper-responsibility?Audit your staff culture: Are you building trust, or chasing harmony?Share this episode with a fellow leader who feels stuck in people-pleasingReady to stop holding everything together alone? Book your Leadership Reset Consultation—a 90-minute strategy session that gives you a 30-day roadmap to build rhythms your team will actually own. Learn more here.
If you’ve ever thought, “It’s just easier if I do it myself,” or found yourself ready to “burn it all down” after one too many hand-holding moments—this episode is for you.In this solo episode, Chanie Wilschanski exposes the false binary so many school leaders get trapped in: over-functioning or giving up entirely. Through real client stories, she unpacks how these extremes are both driven by the same craving for instant relief—and how true leadership means learning to live in the messy middle.You’ll hear how one owner, “Sarah,” learned to hold her team accountable without lowering standards, what happens when you trade to-do lists for calendars, and why grace never means abandoning expectations.This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for leaders who are tired of doing it all, frustrated that delegation still feels heavy, and ready to build rhythms of ownership instead of cycles of exhaustion.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The real reason leaders oscillate between over-functioning and firing everyoneWhy to-do lists create comfort but calendars create clarity and accountabilityHow to show grace without lowering your standardsThe difference between outsourcing and ownershipWhy “getting ahead” is often avoidance disguised as productivityHow to right-size the load while keeping standards visibleKey InsightsComfort isn’t clarity. A private to-do list may feel safe—but a calendar makes priorities visible, reviewable, and real.Grace ≠ lowered standards. True grace adjusts the load, not the expectation.Instant relief leads to instability. Sustainable leadership requires tolerating discomfort while building systems and rhythms.Outsourcing is temporary relief; ownership is transformation.Memorable Quotes“Comfort over clarity is not leadership—it’s avoidance.” – Chanie Wilschanski“Grace never means lowering the standard. You right-size the load while keeping the standard visible.” – Chanie Wilschanski“Outsourcing brings relief. Ownership builds leadership.” – Chanie Wilschanski“When you complain about doing something, it just means you need more reps.” – Chanie WilschanskiWhy This Matters for School LeadersHelps leaders recognize and break the over-functioning vs. burnout cycleTeaches practical ways to build accountability without micromanagingReinforces the connection between standards, systems, and sustainable leadershipEmpowers leaders to replace chaos with structure—and delegation with ownershipResources & Next StepsAudit your leadership rhythms: Where are you over-functioning or lowering standards?Define your school’s standards—what’s visible, measurable, and consistent?Replace your team’s to-do lists with a shared calendar rhythm this week.Ready to delegate without burning out? Join Chanie’s Delegation Workshop to learn the exact scripts, standards, and systems that make it work:👉 schools of excellence.com/delegation
Scaling is glorified in our culture. In early childhood education, that often means opening more schools, adding more classrooms, and constantly chasing “what’s next.” But is that the only way to define success?In this episode of the Schools of Excellence Podcast, Chanie Wilschanski sits down with Latrice Galloway, known as The Child Care Chick, to talk about the overlooked power of scaling with one location. Latrice shares how she built Kidsville Learning Academy into a multimillion-dollar school that has sustained for 18 years without expanding into multiple sites.This conversation dives into the foundation of sustainable leadership: mindset, systems, culture, and defining what’s truly “enough.” You’ll hear Latrice’s powerful story of burnout and breakthrough, how she shifted from operator to CEO, and why her definition of success is rooted in peace, values, and sustainability.If you’ve ever felt the pressure to open “just one more” location, or you’re struggling to sustain the school you already have, this episode will show you another path to growth—one rooted in clarity, culture, and deep alignment.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why scaling doesn’t have to mean opening more schoolsThe foundation school leaders often skip—and why it leads to burnoutThe mindset shift from operator to CEOHow to invest in your team so they sustain without you holding everythingWhy defining “enough” is critical to long-term successHow to filter opportunities through your values and visionKey InsightsSustainability is scale. Long-term thriving in one school can build wealth, culture, and community impact.Foundations matter. Hustle and charisma cannot replace systems, rhythms, and leadership infrastructure.Enough is a filter. Defining what is “enough” keeps you aligned when opportunities (and distractions) come knocking.Your health and peace are part of the equation. Burnout is not the price of success.Memorable Quotes“Scaling isn’t about adding more schools—it’s about sustaining the one you already have.” – Latrice Galloway“Enough is not a finish line. It’s a feeling of integrity.” – Chanie Wilschanski“Don’t fear if your staff leave after you invest in them. Fear what happens if they stay and you never do.” – Latrice GallowayWhy This Matters for School LeadersHelps leaders redefine success beyond growth at all costsProtects culture, peace, and sustainability by focusing on depth, not constant expansionEmpowers leaders to filter opportunities through values instead of external pressureProvides a model for scaling to millions with one schoolResources & Next StepsDefine your personal and leadership definition of “enough”Audit your school’s foundations: Are you building on systems, or on hustle?Share this episode with a fellow school leader wrestling with pressure to expandReady to stop holding everything together alone? Book your Leadership Reset Consultation—a 90-minute strategy session that gives you a 30-day roadmap to build rhythms your team will actually own. Learn more here.
Leadership doesn’t pause for grief, betrayal, or personal storms. In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Chanie sits down with Beth Cannon to talk about what it means to lead when life unravels. From walking through the terminal illness of a loved one, to staff exits and leadership mistakes, Beth shares her “discomfort zone” season and the messy middle of showing up for her people while falling apart inside.This episode is not about perfection, it’s about presence. It’s about choosing honesty over image, showing up when you don’t have it all together, and finding systems and rhythms that carry your school (and your soul) through seasons of chaos.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why “waiting until everything is perfect” is leadership avoidanceHow to keep showing up when grief and business crises collideThe difference between accountability and ownership in staff leadershipWhy leaders must choose honesty over image if they want trust and culture to holdHow to find outer-circle people who can lead you through your own foKey InsightsCulture isn’t built on polish. It’s built on consistency, clarity, and shared standards.Grief and leadership can coexist. You can hold heartbreak in one hand and still lead with purpose in the other.Leadership is a mirror. Staff accountability gaps often expose where owners haven’t built the right rhythms.You don’t wait for perfect conditions. Growth happens in the middle of the storm, not after it passes.Memorable Quotes“I wasn’t replacing a role. I was reacting to a wound.” – Beth Cannon“You have to choose honesty over image, because the day when everything is perfect doesn’t exist.” – Beth Cannon“Schools don’t need leaders who wait for the fog to clear. They need leaders who keep walking.” – Chanie WilschanskiWhy This Matters for School LeadersStops the cycle of waiting for perfect conditions before leadingModels vulnerability without abdicating responsibilityBuilds staff trust through honesty and accountability, not polishAnchors leaders in rhythms that hold during grief, betrayal, or transitionResources & Next StepsReflect: Where are you waiting for things to “settle” before you lead?Revisit your staff accountability systems: Are they true ownership, or excuses and follow-up cycles?Connect with Beth Cannon: bethcannonspeaks.com | Instagram & Facebook: @bethcannonspeaks
Admin & Tech isn’t flashy like enrollment or emotional like staff culture—but it’s one of the biggest hidden profit drains in schools. In this finale of the Money Leaks series, Chanie breaks down how underutilized software, paper-based SOPs, missing automations, and messy file systems quietly torch your time capacity and cash. You’ll get a simple, CEO-level playbook to audit your tech stack, automate the right tasks, assign platform “champions,” and build rhythms that stop dependency and start true scalability.👉 Take the free diagnostic mentioned in this episode: schoolsofexcellence.com/moneyleaksWhat You’ll LearnThe 5 Admin & Tech pillars that protect profit (workflows, utilization, automation, data & file systems, review rhythms)How to audit your tech stack and cut redundancies without chaosWhy automation doesn’t replace people—it gives them back time for what only humans can doThe “internal platform champion” model that prevents bottlenecks and builds team capacityA simple naming convention + 10-second file-finding standard that ends “final-final-FINAL-v6” madnessHow to move from dependency (it only works when Sarah’s here) to system (it works when anyone follows the rhythm)SOE Playbook: 5 Concrete MovesRun a Software Audit (30–45 min): List every tool, owner, cost, and actual use. Cancel redundancies, downgrade unused premium plans, and standardize what stays.Assign Platform Champions: One trained “owner” per platform. Share quick wins, create 1-page SOPs, and stop knowledge hoarding.Automate Repetitive Admin: Scheduling, reminders, links, confirmations, form routing, basic onboarding steps. Free people for gratitude, 1:1s, observations, feedback—the work only humans can do.Lock File Hygiene: Cloud-first, consistent naming, and a structure anyone can understand. Measure success by: “Can someone find any file in ≤10 seconds?”Quarterly Rhythm Block: Every 90 days: review tools, subscriptions, automations, and workflows. One block. Same calendar slot. Always.Case Studies & WinsSonia’s Tech Tangle → $4,000 Saved: She listed 19 tools; canceled 5–7 redundant platforms, downgraded others, and named champions for the rest—saving nearly $4K/year and loads of time capacity.The $9,000 Surprise: A leader who “couldn’t afford it” did a money leaks audit, canceled 3 subscriptions, and freed up $9,000—just by telling the truth in the tech stack.Memorable Lines“If it takes more than 10 seconds to find a file, you have a leak—not a library.”“Dependency isn’t a system. It’s a risk.”“Automation isn’t about replacing people—it’s about returning time to the work only humans can do.”“When someone leaves, the brain of your business shouldn’t walk out with them.”ResourcesFree diagnostic: schoolsofexcellence.com/moneyleaks
Your Amazon bill isn’t proof of overspending, it’s proof of a missing rhythm.In this fifth episode of the Six Money Leaks series, Chanie uncovers why supply management is one of the most overlooked operational leaks in schools. From the toner that’s reordered twice in a week to the “just in case” stockpiles that clutter closets, poor systems quietly drain thousands of dollars and create chaos for your team.You’ll hear how one school leader cut supply costs by 50%, not by cutting corners, but by building rhythms of accountability, teacher ownership, and smarter purchasing strategies. Chanie explains how strong leaders use systems to bring predictability to supplies, just as they do in staff culture, enrollment, and every other gear of sustainable growth.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy supply challenges aren’t spending issues, they’re system issuesThe five pillars of supply management: inventory, seasonal planning, equipment lifecycle, vendor strategy, and storage organizationHow to create baselines that give you real data on usage and costsThe role of leadership rhythms in preventing waste and burnoutPractical steps to cut costs without sacrificing quality or cultureKey InsightsLeadership is stewardship. Systems, not sticky notes, are what protect your budget and your team’s time.Culture is built in the details. When supplies are predictable, teachers feel supported and operations run smoothly.Growth requires optimization. Scaling isn’t about more—it’s about refining what you already have.Why This Matters for School LeadersWhen supply management runs on chaos, leaders end up overspending, overfunctioning, and burning out. When it runs on systems, leaders free capacity for strategy, teams feel supported, and operations hold under pressure.Resources & Next StepsDownload the free Money Leaks Diagnostic and assess your school’s supply systems: schoolsofexcellence.com/moneyleaks
Pizza at staff meetings. Coffee for PD days. Uber Eats orders that feel small at the moment. These choices come from generosity, but without systems, they quickly become one of the biggest hidden drains on your budget.In this fourth episode of the Six Money Leaks series, Chanie Wilschanski explains why leaders don’t have food budget problems, they have food system problems. You’ll learn how to build baselines, create seasonal rhythms, and plan for the actual people you serve, so generosity strengthens culture without draining profit.Through real stories from school leaders, Chanie shows how small adjustments in food management save thousands, reduce waste, and create sustainable rhythms of appreciation.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy “spend as little as you can” is not a budgetHow to calculate your baseline with receipts and real dataWhy food budgets must shift seasonally with enrollment, staffing, and culture rhythmsHow to prevent waste by planning for allergies, sensitivities, and actual headcountThe difference between indulgent overspending and intentional generosityKey InsightsGenerosity needs guardrails. Without systems, your kindness works against you.Data builds confidence. Leaders negotiate budgets best when they bring baselines, not guesses.Culture thrives on intention. Food can build connection and trust when it’s planned with clarity.Why This Matters for School LeadersYour staff and students deserve abundance. But abundance without systems creates chaos, waste, and guilt around spending. Food control isn’t about being stingy—it’s about building rhythms that protect your financial health and your culture.Resources & Next StepsDownload the free Money Leaks Diagnostic and assess your school’s food systems: schoolsofexcellence.com/moneyleaks
Payment problems aren’t about “bad parents.” They’re about broken systems.In this episode of the Schools of Excellence podcast, Chanie exposes the hidden money leak that’s quietly draining schools: payment systems. From failed cards and ignored invoices to outdated agreements and manual chasing, every gap in your tuition process pulls focus and drains energy.You’ll hear real client stories, from a $15,000 recovery in failed payments to a 90% drop in late tuition within one billing cycle and walk away with practical steps to finally stop chasing money and start leading with clarity.If you’re tired of payroll Fridays filled with stress and spreadsheets, this conversation will help you install systems that protect your cash flow, your culture, and your peace of mind.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy most tuition issues are about systems, not parentsThe #1 step to immediately reduce late paymentsHow to install a proactive collection process (not a “hope and faith” system)The role of late fees in protecting your standards and cash flowWhy payment agreements must be reviewed and stored digitallyKey InsightsBroken payment systems = hidden money leaks.Hope is not a collection system. Predictability is.Enforcing policies isn’t mean, it protects your staff and your culture.Outdated agreements open the door for confusion and chaos.Memorable Quotes“If you’re still chasing tuition, you don’t have a payment system, you have a hope and faith system.”“Late fees aren’t punishment. They’re protection for your cash flow and your peace of mind.”“Your agreements aren’t set-and-forget. They’re living guardrails that protect your school.”Why This Matters for School LeadersStops financial chaos from undermining your leadershipCreates consistent, predictable revenueProtects your time, energy, and staff trustMoves you from reaction to rhythmResources & Next StepsRequire auto-pay at enrollment (make one-time payment the default)Create a 24-hour failed payment follow-up system with backup cards on fileAutomate late fees to protect cash flow without awkward conversationsReview and digitize all payment agreements this quarter👉 Ready to stop patchwork fixes and build leadership systems that hold up under pressure? Book your Leadership Reset Consultation here: [Leadership Reset]And if you want to see where payment systems and other money leaks may be draining your school, take the Money Leaks Diagnostic.
.This is the second episode in Chanie Wilschanski’s Six Money Leaks series, and it’s all about a leak that quietly drains thousands from your school each year, schedule efficiency.Your payroll is your biggest expense, which means inefficiencies in your staffing schedule are some of the most expensive mistakes you can make. From unnecessary shift overlaps to inconsistent break coverage and directors constantly stepping into classrooms, the lack of a strategic coverage system can cost you tens of thousands annually, without you even realizing it.In this episode, Chanie shares real-world examples, including how closing a 20-minute daily overlap across 20 teachers saved one school nearly $28,000 a year. She also breaks down the systems and rhythms that create consistent coverage, protect teacher energy, and ensure directors can focus on leadership, not constant classroom coverage.If you’re ready to end reactionary scheduling and install a predictable rhythm that protects both profitability and staff culture, this conversation is your blueprint.What You’ll LearnWhy “coverage for the sake of coverage” is a profit leakHow to design schedules that serve your school’s needs, not just individual preferencesThe impact of shift overlaps and how to eliminate them without hurting cultureHow schedule predictability reduces chaos and burnoutWhy break coverage is a culture issue, not just an operations taskThe high cost of directors covering classrooms, and how to stop itKey InsightsCoverage Must Be StrategicMore staff doesn’t always mean better coverage. Without role clarity, ratio management, and coverage protocols, you’re paying for bodies, not results.Small Overlaps Add Up to Big LeaksA 20-minute overlap between shifts across 20 staff members can cost nearly $30,000 a year, money that could be reinvested into your team and programs.Predictable Schedules Protect CultureWhen staff know their schedules weeks in advance, it reduces stress, improves retention, and prevents constant shift reshuffling.Break Coverage Is About TrustWhen teachers consistently return late from breaks, it erodes trust and damages classroom culture. Strict break coverage protocols protect relationships and morale.Directors Covering Classrooms Costs More Than You ThinkEvery hour a director spends in the classroom is an hour of leadership work undone, directly impacting profitability and long-term growth.Try This Instead: Schedule Efficiency SystemsAudit Shift Overlaps: Eliminate unnecessary double-pay time blocks.Standardize Break Coverage: Assign coverage roles and protect break start/end times.Create Predictable Schedules: Require advance time-off requests and manage peak request seasons.Build an Emergency Coverage Plan: Stop relying on directors as the default coverage solution.Memorable Quotes“Coverage for the sake of coverage is not strategic—it’s expensive.”“If you’re regularly stepping into classrooms, you’re stealing from the school’s profitability.”“A 20-minute overlap may feel small, but across your team, it’s an entire salary lost.”Why It Matters for School LeadersStops payroll waste caused by poor schedulingReduces burnout and turnover with predictable rhythmsProtects your role as a leader by keeping you out of constant coverageStrengthens staff trust and school culture through consistencyImproves profitability without cutting quality or programmingResources & Next StepsAudit your schedule overlaps and calculate the annual costReview and update your break coverage...
Turn Underused Classrooms, Time Blocks, and Facilities Into Predictable Profit With Systems That LastThis episode kicks off Chanie Wilschanski’s Six Money Leaks series, diving deep into the first profit drain most school leaders overlook: space optimization.Your school building’s square footage is either making money or silently draining it. If your classrooms feel full but your budget is still tight, you may be missing out on hundreds, sometimes thousands, in unrealized revenue.Chanie shares real client stories where underutilized classrooms, missed extended care opportunities, and unused rooms were costing schools between $96,000 and $130,000 a year. More importantly, she breaks down the systems and rhythms that turn those gaps into sustainable income, without overloading teachers or sacrificing your school culture.Whether you lead an early childhood center or a private school, this conversation will help you stop making emotional space decisions and start using operational systems to create predictable, sustainable growth.What You’ll LearnWhat space optimization really is, and what it’s notHow to uncover hidden enrollment gaps that quietly drain revenueExtended care strategies that boost profit without exhausting your teamHow room licensing and usage flexibility can add thousands in monthly revenueUsing external rentals strategically without adding operational chaosThe systems and rhythms that keep your space working for you year after yearKey InsightsFeeling Full Isn’t the Same as Being FullA school reporting 85% capacity was actually at 72%, a $96,000 annual revenue leak. Real data, not perception, should drive your enrollment strategy.Protecting Staff by Avoiding Enrollment Hurts EveryoneLimiting enrollment to “make it easier” on teachers reduces resources, which ultimately impacts their long-term stability.Extended Care and Tiered Pricing Unlock Prime Revenue BlocksCharging for early or late care, with systems to test and staff them, can turn unused time into high-value revenue.Room Licensing Flexibility Creates OpportunitiesRe-zoning or re-licensing underused rooms can meet demand and significantly increase monthly income.External Rentals Work When StructuredRenting space for community events or seasonal programs can be profitable if built into your operational rhythm, not as a one-off scramble.Try This Instead: The Space Optimization SystemsRoom-by-Room Enrollment Audit: Track licensed capacity vs. actual enrollment by room.Extended Care Revenue System: Run quarterly audits of arrival/departure patterns and pilot premium care offerings.Licensing Flexibility Process: Regularly review demand vs. licensing and pursue rezoning where profitable.External Rental Structure: Decide if rentals should be seasonal or ongoing, and set clear policies for use.Memorable Quotes“Every square foot in your building is either generating profit or stealing profit from you.”“Protecting staff by avoiding full enrollment is not protection—it’s a slow drain on your entire school.”“Feeling full is not the same as being full. Data, not perception, should drive your space strategy.”Why It Matters for School LeadersStops revenue leaks caused by underutilized spaceBuilds operational systems that increase profit without overburdening staffProtects your school culture by aligning resources with sustainable growthCreates capacity to invest in your team, programming, and long-term stabilityResources & Next StepsRun a room-by-room enrollment audit to see where you’re losing...
In this solo episode, Chanie Wilschanski unpacks Three Money Truths every school leader must face in 2025.If your classrooms are full, your team is in place, and your calendar is set but you’re still feeling financial, mental, and emotional pressure you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re likely experiencing what Chanie calls survival success: a quiet, creeping strain that comes from hitting the ceiling of patchwork fixes and short-term wins.This conversation is about moving beyond band-aid growth and into strategic, sustainable school leadership, where predictable rhythms, financial clarity, and strong operational systems replace last-minute scrambles and constant firefighting.Whether you lead an early childhood center or a private school, these truths will challenge you to shift from short-term relief to long-term stability, without burning out yourself or your team.What You’ll LearnThe difference between band-aid growth and strategic growth in school operationsWhy 2024 bought you time, but not long-term stabilityHow fear-based pricing undermines your school’s financial healthWhy delayed investments act as invisible debt on your school leadershipHow predictable rhythms replace burnout-driven decision-makingThe mindset shift needed to lead with clarity instead of constant reactionKey Insights2024 Bought You Time, Not StabilityLast year’s cost cuts, tuition increases, and hiring sprints were survival moves—not long-term solutions. Without predictable systems for tuition planning, role clarity, and expense strategy, the same cracks will reappear.Fear Isn’t Frugal, It’s ExpensiveAvoiding tuition increases because of last year’s pushback keeps you stuck in fear-based pricing. Strategic pricing includes clear messaging, timing, and parent education—so your value drives your rates, not anxiety.Delayed Investments Create Invisible DebtPostponing hires, system upgrades, or automation drains time, energy, and capacity—even if your QuickBooks doesn’t show it. Relief doesn’t come from cutting support; it comes from building a team and systems you can trust.Try This Instead: From Band-Aid Growth to Strategic GrowthTuition Strategy: Build a review schedule for market positioning and messaging so increases are planned, not reactive.Hiring Pipeline: Create clear role definitions and accountability systems for every hire.Expense Efficiency: Review financials on a set schedule to guide decisions based on data, not panic.Operational Rhythms: Design rhythms you can return to when circumstances shift, because they always will.Memorable Quotes:“Survival success doesn’t announce itself—it’s a slow suffocation.”“You’re not failing. You’re outgrowing patchwork.”“Fear-based pricing will cost you far more than a rate increase ever will.”“Cash hoarding isn’t leadership—delayed investments are invisible debt.”Why This Matters for School LeadersEnds the cycle of scrambling and short-term fixesBuilds school operations that support long-term sustainable growthReduces burnout and decision fatigue for leaders and teamsProtects your school culture from instability and fear-driven choicesPositions your school to adapt confidently in changing marketsResources & Next StepsWant to identify the hidden drains on your school’s profit? Join Chanie next week for a new series on The Six Money Leaks, where she’ll walk you through the most common areas schools lose revenue and exactly what to do about them.a...
In this strategic episode of the Schools of Excellence podcast, Chanie Wilschanski sits down with longtime industry expert Kathy Ligon, founder of Hinge Advisors and the BOOST nonprofit initiative, to unpack what it truly takes to lead a financially sustainable school—without compromising your mission.Together, they explore how school leaders can align mission, metrics, and money, and why profit isn’t the opposite of purpose—it’s what makes your vision possible. If you’ve ever felt the pressure of payroll, struggled with discounting, or wondered how to strengthen your school operations for long-term sustainability, this conversation offers clarity, structure, and relief.What You'll LearnWhy profit fuels purpose—and how financial clarity protects your missionThe five profit pillars: occupancy, tuition pricing, discount strategy, staffing efficiency, and facilities costHow to identify and eliminate hidden financial leaksStrategies to improve staffing efficiency while increasing staff retentionWhat sustainable leadership looks like across economic cyclesKey Insights and Takeaways1. Purpose Without Profit Is Unsustainable You can’t serve your students, support your staff, or lead with confidence if you’re losing sleep over cash flow. Financial health gives school leaders the peace of mind and capacity to lead with intention.2. Know Your Five Financial Pillars Occupancy, tuition rates, and discounting drive your revenue. Staffing and facility costs are your biggest expenses. These five pillars account for 95% of your financial outcomes. Some need daily attention—others should be reviewed quarterly.3. The Hidden Cost of Discounting Discounts often erode margins silently. Track full tuition versus actual collected revenue to see what you’re really “giving away.” Strategically revisit all discounts—except staff discounts—to reclaim margin and reinforce your school's value.4. Smarter Staffing, Not Cheaper Staffing Reducing staffing costs doesn’t mean reducing quality. Build a school culture where staff finish strong—even when ratios drop. Instead of cutting pay, optimize hours and clarify expectations. Retention is more cost-effective than constant turnover.5. Resilience Comes from Readiness After four decades in the industry, Kathy emphasizes that school leaders who adapt quickly—and build financial buffers—are the ones who sustain growth through any season.From public pre-K expansion to economic downturns, having systems that can pivot is non-negotiable.Tools and Action StepsBenchmark Your Financials Use Hinge’s free Benchmarking Tool to evaluate tuition, occupancy, and staffing costs frameworkbyhinge.comAudit Your Discount Strategy Update billing systems to track full tuition vs. discounted tuition separately Evaluate where your pricing may be undermining your perceived valueCheck Your Staffing Rhythms Explore opportunities to close early or adjust shifts based on ratios Ensure your team is equipped to support those decisionsQuarterly Financial Review Schedule time each quarter to evaluate the five pillars Use data to guide decisions, not gut reactionsQuote to Remember “There is no possible way for you to provide the purpose or mission… without the money or the profit— they are absolutely necessary for each other.” — Kathy...
Most school leaders have said: “We just need to get on the same page.”But what if that phrase is actually sabotaging your culture, creating false harmony, and leaving you exhausted from holding standards alone?In this episode, Chanie dismantles the “same page” myth and explains why schools thrive on shared standards, not passive agreements. You’ll learn how to create clarity, build ownership, and design guardrails and rhythms that keep standards alive even when things get messy.If you’ve ever felt like you’re repeating the same expectations week after week—and still doing all the follow-up yourself—this episode will show you how to stop appeasing and start building a culture of accountability that truly lasts.What You’ll LearnWhy “getting on the same page” is a delay tactic, not a leadership strategyThe difference between appeasement, agreement, and real accountabilityHow shared standards create clarity and predictability in your schoolWhy guardrails and rhythms matter more than words or meetingsPractical steps to turn repeated expectations into lasting follow-throughKey InsightsCulture isn’t built on harmony. It’s built on clear standards and shared ownership.Follow-through beats words. Agreements in a meeting mean nothing without consistent action.Guardrails protect standards. Without systems and rhythms, your standards crumble under pressure.Safety comes from predictability. When everyone owns the standard, trust and culture grow.Memorable Quotes“Being on the same page doesn’t build culture, shared standards do.”“Schools don’t run on harmony. They run on structure, rhythms, and accountability.”“If your standards only hold when everything is perfect, you don’t have standards, you have nothing.”Why This Matters for School LeadersStops the cycle of repeated conversations and broken promisesProtects leaders from carrying all the follow-up aloneBuilds staff trust and culture through consistencyCreates operational clarity that holds up under stress and changeResources & Next StepsIdentify one standard in your school that keeps “ping-ponging” back to you and design guardrails to uphold itShare this episode with your leadership team and debrief: Where are we chasing harmony instead of standards?Ready to Fix the Real Problem Behind Burnout and Broken Systems?If delegation isn’t working, you don’t have a people problem, you have a rhythm problem.In a 90-minute Leadership Reset Consultation, you’ll get a personalized 30-day Roadmap that shows you how to:Shift from chasing and following up to leading a team that truly owns their workInstall the rhythms that keep your school accountable, even in chaosFree yourself from being the emotional and operational center of your schoolIf you’re tired of patchwork fixes and want a leadership system that holds up under pressure, this session is for you.[Book your Leadership Reset Consultation here]
In this client spotlight episode, Chanie Wilschanski sits down with longtime coaching client Niki Van Cleave, owner of Butterfly Bunch in Metro Detroit, to explore what it means to lead a school with sustainable systems, real accountability, and operational clarity—especially during seasons of personal and professional upheaval.Niki’s leadership journey spans two centers, a season of grief, increased operational pressure, and the bold decision to consolidate into one location with strategy and purpose. The turning point? She stopped defaulting to survival mode and started anchoring into intentional leadership. With the support of the Five Gears Diagnostic and the Money Leaks Assessment, Niki clarified her school operations, strengthened her team culture, and created rhythms that hold—even in chaotic seasons.What You’ll LearnWhat aligned school leadership looks like when the pressure is highHow to identify stuck gears that are slowing down your school’s growthWhy a no-spend freeze revealed unsustainable patterns and opened up team ownershipHow operational clarity and team systems reduce burnout and second-guessingWhat it means to move from micromanaging to leading with confidenceKey InsightsSurvival Mode Isn’t a Long-Term Strategy Niki’s story reminds us that running a school in constant reaction mode isn’t failure—it’s a signal. And it doesn’t have to be permanent.The Five Gears Diagnostic Pinpoints System Gaps Niki identified Financial Health and Strategic Growth as her stuck gears. That clarity helped her stop putting out fires and focus her energy where it mattered most.Tightening Systems Reclaims Profit and Ownership A no-spend freeze and new ordering protocols cut supply waste by over 50% and empowered her assistant director to take ownership of key systems.You Don’t Need More Staff—You Need a Team You Can Trust By equipping one team member to manage supplies with clear accountability, Niki eliminated micromanaging and babysitting staff while building sustainable team trust.Anchored Rhythms Lead to Sustainable Leadership Even during high-demand seasons like back-to-school, Niki prioritized personal anchors—prayer, movement, reflection—to stay grounded in intentional leadership, not reactive chaos.Try This Instead: 3 Tools to Regain Operational ControlRun the Five Gears Diagnostic Discover which area of your school is stuck—enrollment, staffing, parent communication, finances, or strategy—and stop scrambling by focusing on what’s slowing your momentum. 🔗 Take the DiagnosticAudit Your Money Leaks Use this tool to expose where your school is hemorrhaging resources—supplies, staffing, or food—and implement systems that protect your budget. 🔗 Download the Money Leaks AssessmentCommit to One Leadership Anchor Pick one rhythm—a daily walk, a reflective pause, a team huddle—that gives you peace of mind and builds real leadership capacity when the pressure is on.Memorable Quotes “Different is scary—but different is good.” – Niki Van Cleave “You don’t need another tactic—you need a system that aligns with your values.” – Chanie Wilschanski “Anchored leaders build cultures that hold—even when they don’t.” – Chanie WilschanskiWhy This Matters for School LeadersHelps overwhelmed school...
As the school year gains momentum, it's easy for school leaders to fall into survival mode—abandoning the very rhythms that anchor sustainable growth, effective school operations, and confident leadership. In this episode of the Schools of Excellence Podcast, Chanie Wilschanski breaks down the essential distinction between anchors and enhancers, and why understanding this difference is critical for school directors managing high-pressure seasons.If you're facing a surge in enrollment, onboarding new staff, or navigating leadership fatigue, this episode will help you identify the systems, habits, and non-negotiables that protect your energy and peace of mind. Because running a private school, preschool, or early childhood center shouldn’t mean always putting out fires—it means leading with intentionality, clarity, and control.What You’ll LearnThe difference between anchors and enhancers—and why both matter for sustainable school leadershipHow to identify the leadership habits that protect you from burnout, second-guessing, and resentmentThe hidden cost of abandoning your routines during busy seasonsWhy survival mode becomes the default when systems are missingA simple way to assess where your school needs operational focusKey Insights1. Anchors create stability during chaos Anchors are the daily habits that ground you emotionally and mentally. For overwhelmed directors, these aren’t luxuries—they’re leadership tools. Anchors may look like prayer, walking, journaling, or quiet reflection. When the pressure is high, these are the habits that keep you rooted and resilient.2. Enhancers elevate—but they don’t stabilize Massages, time with friends, or a night out can be wonderful enhancers, but they can’t replace the foundational habits that regulate your mindset and sustain your ability to lead. Enhancers help you feel good, but they don’t create consistency.3. Abandoning anchors leads to burnout When school leaders drop their anchors in exchange for hustle, the cost is high. Leadership becomes reactive. Decision fatigue sets in. You feel stuck, anxious, and resentful. Rebuilding your rhythms later will require far more energy than simply preserving them now.4. Your anchors are unique to you Chanie shares her personal anchors—prayer, walking, and meditation—and encourages leaders to identify their own. The true test? If you still do it when you're sick, traveling, or exhausted, it’s likely an anchor.5. Systems—not hustle—drive confident leadership Real school leadership isn't about working harder. It's about installing rhythms and school systems that do the heavy lifting. When you lead from systems, not from stress, you create time freedom, better team accountability, and long-term sustainability.Memorable Quotes"When you stop doing your anchors, survival becomes a habit—and it’s harder to come back from." – Chanie Wilschanski "Anchors aren’t nice-to-haves. They’re lifelines." "Leadership is about alignment, not exhaustion."Try This: 3 Steps to Identify Your AnchorsStep 1: Look at your stress habits What do you continue doing when you’re sick, overextended, or traveling? That’s likely an anchor.Step 2: List your daily wellness practices Then separate anchors from enhancers. Anchors are essential and stabilizing. Enhancers are supportive, but optional.Step 3: Choose one anchor to protect this season Commit to it fully. That single action can create the clarity and consistency you need to lead well this fall.Why It Matters for School LeadersReduces burnout, resentment, and emotional exhaustion in high-pressure seasonsHelps you