For many educators, teaching is more than a job, it’s a calling. But in today’s climate, too many are answering the call at the expense of their own health, relationships, and dreams. The endless demands, long hours, and shifting expectations can leave even the most dedicated teachers feeling worn down and wondering, “Is there something more?”
Kim Boike and Kelly Kronbauer, both asked themselves that question. Their answer wasn’t to give up on making a difference, it was to find a way to do it on their own terms. Today, they enjoy careers that give them flexibility, purpose, and the ability to design their days around what matters most.
The Crossroads Moment
Kim spent decades shaping young minds, pouring herself into her students and her work. But when her husband’s job took them from Michigan to Arizona, she began to reconsider her future in the classroom. “Being in a different state meant that I wasn’t working toward the same pension,” she recalls. “I took a huge pay cut, and it just didn’t make sense for our family anymore. I thought, I’m young enough, if there’s ever anything else I want to do, now is the time.”
Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, Kim had always thought about running her own business but had “played it safe” because teaching was stable and fit well with raising a family. Once her kids got older, she knew it was time to do something for herself.
Kelly’s decision to invest in himself came after decades in education, from teaching high school then years in leadership as a principal, district administrator, and assistant superintendent. The higher he climbed, the more politics wore him down. COVID only magnified the pressure.
“It was very, very hard,” he says. “The politics were exhausting; you must make decisions where you know 50% of the people are going to hate it. I really missed working directly with students, helping them learn and grow.”
Both realized they didn’t want the system to dictate their lives any longer.
Overcoming the Fear of Leaving Stability
Walking away from the classroom isn’t easy. The steady paycheck, the retirement plan, the identity tied to “being an educator” are all powerful anchors.
“Of course I had fears,” Kim admits. “But I’ve always believed you need to take risks. I have a shirt that says, ‘No risk, no reward.’ In my family, we live by that.”
Kelly wrestled with similar doubts. “There’s a point where you just have to say, I’m either going to believe in myself and bet on myself, or I’m not. Even if I failed, I knew I’d regret not trying. That first year of coaching had a learning curve, but having the backing of a proven system helped to shorten that. I love that I’m still teaching, just with a different audience.”
Finding The Entrepreneurs’ Source®- and a Career That Fits
Neither Kim nor Kelly set out looking for The Entrepreneurs’ Source® (TES). Kim was job hunting for corporate roles when a coach, who had first reached out to her husband, suggested she listen in on a call. Kelly had updated his LinkedIn profile when a TES coach reached out.
Both had clear non-negotiables. For Kim, it was flexibility and remote work. “My husband’s job could move us again, and my parents live in Michigan and as they get older, they will need me. TES gave me both, plus an educational approach that fit my background.”
For Kelly, it was meaningful work with personal freedom. “I looked at nine brands before going back to my coach and saying, ‘I want you to show me TES.’ The deeper we went, the more I knew it was what I’d been looking for.”
Why TES Works for Former Educators
Both found the transition easier thanks to TES’s proven systems, mentorship, and built-in supportive community.
“Franchising is like a business in a box,” Kim explains, “I’d thought about starting something brand new, but it was overwhelming. TES supports you every step of the way.”
Kelly agrees: “You’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself. You get to bring the human element back to people’s career decisions. In today’s world, where so much is automated, that’s powerful.
The role also taps directly into their teaching skills.
“You have to meet clients where they’re at,” Kim says. “It’s not cookie-cutter, just like every student was different, every client is different.”
Kelly adds, “People won’t always remember your lesson plans, but they’ll remember how much you cared. It’s the same here. You’re not just delivering material; you’re guiding people toward what’s right for them.”
Freedom, Flexibility, and Fulfillment
For Kim, the shift has transformed her personal life. “We can travel whenever we want, no more school calendar. When a family member experienced an unexpected health issue, I could be there for every appointment and keep my business going. I don’t have to ask permission for time off.”
Kelly relishes the ability to work anywhere. “I have complete freedom in my location. I can choose who I work with and when. I want to spend three months a year living in different places, coaching in the mornings, exploring in the afternoons.” That flexibility even allowed him to move across the country to be closer to his daughters.
Both emphasize that the work still fuels their passion for helping others. “I’m still learning every day” Kim says. “Every conversation is different. I’m a lifelong learner.”
Investing in Yourself
For educators feeling stuck, exhausted, or unsure what’s next, Kim and Kelly’s stories are a reminder that change is possible. The first step is investing in yourself by exploring options beyond the classroom.
“You’ve spent your career pouring into others,” Kim says, “You deserve to pour into yourself, too.” Adding. “If you’ve got that gut feeling, it’s telling you something. Listen to it.”
At The Entrepreneurs’ Source®, we help educators discover new possibilities, align their work with their values, and reclaim their time. Whether your dream is more flexibility, more financial control, or simply more joy in your day, your skills and experience can take you there.
You’ve already changed countless lives. Maybe now, it’s time to change your own. Take the first step and explore what a future as a Career Ownership Coach® could look like for you.
