In this episode of the Teacher to Entrepreneur podcast, Rachel Cicioni shares her personal approach to business practices that feel good to her and her business. She emphasizes authenticity, transparency, and alignment with values. She discusses why she avoids common tactics like DM outreach, hiding prices, and high-pressure sales, advocating for a more genuine and respectful client relationship. Listen in to this episode to hear how this advice could work for your business.

Chapters
00:00 Rejecting Conventional Business Practices
03:51 The Importance of Transparency in Pricing
08:24 Avoiding Manipulative Sales Tactics
12:52 Building a Business Aligned with Values

In this episode, Rachel shares a conversation that sparked a deeper reflection about what it actually means to show up online as a female solopreneur.

From inappropriate DMs to the pressure to appear more "marketable," visibility online can come with challenges that people don’t talk about very often. Rachel talks openly about those realities and shares the boundaries she has put in place to protect her time, energy, and well‐being.

The goal is that you show up so authentically as yourself that the right people recognize you right away when they see you.

Connect with Rachel
Learn more about Rachel’s work helping teachers build sustainable private teaching businesses: The Private Practice Teacher®

Chapters
00:00 The Unique Challenges of Female Solopreneurs
02:20 Navigating Inappropriate Interactions Online
04:06 The Shift Towards Authenticity in Content Creation
05:20 Building Relatability with Your Audience
08:15 The Importance of Personal Connection in Business
10:12 Establishing Trust and Authenticity
14:03 Attracting Your Ideal Clients
18:01 Common Mistakes in Branding and Visibility

In this heartfelt conversation, Rachel and Steph discuss the journey of rebuilding careers in education after experiencing burnout. Recorded in a casual setting, they share their personal stories of transitioning from traditional teaching roles to creating their own businesses, emphasizing the importance of support, mindset, and the impact of COVID-19 on their teaching experiences. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by educators and the potential for a fulfilling career outside the conventional classroom environment.

Resources Mentioned:

Learn and Roam

The PPT Teacher Directory

The Mindset Reset (formerly The Mindset Bootcamp)

Chapters
00:00 Introduction: A Unique Conversation on Teaching and Burnout
03:08 Steph's Journey: From Burnout to Business Owner
05:48 The Impact of COVID on Teaching
08:58 Creating a New Teaching Model
12:01 The Program Experience: Mindset and Support
14:57 Transitioning from Classroom to Private Practice
17:59 Finding Freedom in Teaching
21:03 Closing Thoughts and Future Opportunities

In this episode, Rachel Cicioni shares her journey of self-discovery and the lessons learned from her experiences with burnout as an entrepreneur. She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, prioritizing well-being, and redefining business practices to create a fulfilling and balanced life. Rachel discusses the significance of embracing imperfection, working smarter, and utilizing support systems to enhance productivity and maintain clarity in her business. Ultimately, she encourages listeners to lead with intention and avoid recreating the systems that led to burnout in the first place.

Chapters
00:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery
04:58 Shifting Mindsets: From Panic to Purpose
09:52 Creating a Sustainable Business Model
14:13 Engaging Authentically in the Digital Space

In this conversation, Rachel Cicioni shares her transformative journey of leaving the classroom and the profound impact it had on her life, family, and career. She discusses the emotional struggles leading up to her resignation, the decision-making process involving her family, and the subsequent changes in her daily routine and self-care practices.

Rachel emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being, both for herself and her children, and reflects on how her new path in entrepreneurship has allowed her to thrive personally and professionally.

Chapters
00:00 The Non-Linear Journey Begins
01:15 The Decision to Leave Teaching
04:42 Finding New Opportunities
12:10 Embracing Self-Employment
14:39 The Importance of Self-Care
17:56 Transforming Family Dynamics
22:13 The Ripple Effect of Change
24:16 Looking Ahead: Business and Healing

Blog post referenced: The Unexpected Impact Leaving the Classroom Had on my Family

In this episode, Rachel Cicioni explores how self-doubt can follow teachers out of the classroom and into entrepreneurship. After years of burnout, she found that a lack of self-trust showed up in her branding, pricing, boundaries, and client selection.

Rachel shares the lessons she learned from underpricing, overdelivering, and making fear-based decisions as well as what changed when she began trusting her instincts instead of outsourcing her authority. This conversation highlights why building a sustainable teacher business requires confidence, clear boundaries, and self-trust.

Listen in to hear how Rachel's approaches and real life experience helped shaped her business and hear examples of tips and ways you can use them for yourself!

Chapters
00:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery in Business
02:33 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Building Confidence
05:11 The Impact of Pricing on Business Success
07:13 Learning from Mistakes: The Importance of Boundaries
09:39 Trusting Your Instincts and Making Empowered Decisions
14:39 Transformations Beyond Business: Personal Growth and Relationships

In this episode, Rachel shares her journey from burnout to empowerment as an entrepreneur. She explores the emotional, physical, and logistical challenges of life after teaching, and the coping mechanisms to handle the habits that many educators develop in the classroom that don’t automatically disappear when they transition into entrepreneurship.

Rachel breaks down the subconscious patterns teaching often rewards and how these habits can quietly impact emotional health, wellness, and sustainability in business and life. This episode reframes self-care and invites listeners to shift their mindset in a way that honors their energy.

Articles Mentioned During The Episode:

Mindset Reset Enter code PODCAST at checkout
The Subconscious Patterns of Teacher Life
Recovering from the Classroom
The Unexpected Impact Leaving the Classroom Had on My Family

Chapters
00:00 From Burnout to Empowerment
02:26 Coping Mechanisms in Teaching
04:46 Patterns of Over-Functioning and Isolation
07:14 Urgency and Self-Sacrifice in Education
09:49 Redefining Wellness and Self-Care

In this powerful conversation, Rachel chats with fellow coach and client Denise Honaker, founder of Better and Brighter, whose mission is to help women—especially teachers—launch meaningful, heart-centered businesses teaching life skills to kids.

They dive into the moment that sparked Denise’s journey, how she turned a single after-school class into a national movement, and why teaching outside traditional systems can be one of the most liberating and impactful choices you’ll ever make.

If you’ve ever felt called to keep teaching, but on your own terms, this episode will remind you that your skills, your compassion, and your courage can light up an entire generation.

You can learn more about Denise and the work that she does on her website https://www.betterandbrighter.net/ and her Instagram @betterandbrighter4u.

Sign up to receive Denise's a free PDF of positive affirmations for kids.