How I Left My 15-Year Career to Start a Business — And What I Learned About Strategic Planning for Growth
I took a huge leap.
One of the scariest things I’ve ever done was leave a stable, rewarding career in teaching after 15 years to step into something completely unfamiliar — running my own business.
It wasn’t an easy decision. I had the security of a steady paycheck, benefits, and the satisfaction of teaching kids. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that my true passion was helping people grow and thrive in business. So, I did what many would call “crazy” — I walked away from the only career I’d ever known and put my family’s future on the line.
I won’t lie — there were moments of panic. The fear of failure was real. But one thing kept me going: I knew that without a clear plan, I’d be stuck. I wasn’t about to leave my career only to end up in another cycle of uncertainty and stress.
What I learned in the process of transitioning careers was invaluable — and it all comes down to one thing: strategic planning.
In this post, I’m going to share what my leap taught me about growth and strategy — and why you need to think beyond the “hustle” if you want your business to thrive.
Why Strategic Planning Is the Key to Business Growth
When I decided to leave teaching and start a business, I could’ve easily just “figured it out” as I went along. It’s tempting to think that hustle is enough to drive success. But that approach would’ve set me up for failure. Without a solid plan, I would have been running in circles, exhausted and overwhelmed, never getting anywhere.
Strategic planning doesn’t just mean writing out a business plan. It’s about creating a roadmap for where you want to go and identifying the steps to get there. It’s about recognizing what’s working and what isn’t — and making the changes necessary to move forward.
Here's why planning is so important:
It Helps You Prioritize
When you have a clear strategy, you can prioritize the right tasks. You stop wasting time on activities that don’t align with your goals, and instead, you focus on what actually moves the needle. For me, that meant learning how to structure my days around the activities that would build my business, not just keep me busy.It Keeps You From Getting Stuck
There will always be challenges in business. But when you have a plan, you're less likely to stay stuck in those moments of uncertainty. A solid plan gives you direction and confidence, knowing that every decision you make is part of a bigger strategy.It Drives Growth
A business that’s built on a foundation of strong strategy grows sustainably. I’ve learned the hard way that it’s not enough to simply work harder — you need to work smarter. My business growth wasn’t just about taking on more clients or increasing my hours. It was about optimizing processes, automating tasks, and bringing the right systems into place to scale effectively.
What I Learned About Strategic Planning:
Leaving teaching wasn’t just about changing careers; it was about changing my mindset. Here’s what I learned about strategic planning that helped me navigate that massive shift:
Planning Requires Bold Decisions
It wasn’t easy to walk away from a secure job, but I knew that the growth I wanted for myself and my family required a bold move. In business, this is the same. Sometimes, you have to take a risk and trust that your plan will carry you through.You Don’t Have to Have All the Answers — But You Need a Roadmap
I didn’t know exactly how I was going to build a successful business when I made the leap. But I had a roadmap: a clear idea of where I wanted to go and the steps I needed to take. You don’t need to have everything figured out, but having a plan in place helps you make better decisions and stay focused.Stay Flexible
No plan is perfect, and sometimes things won’t go according to the strategy you laid out. The key is flexibility. As I grew my business, I had to adjust and adapt my plan based on what was working and what wasn’t. The best strategic plans are flexible, allowing for change when necessary.
What’s Next for Your Business?
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from my story, it’s this: If you don’t have a plan for growth, you’re putting yourself at risk. No one becomes successful by accident. It’s through intentional planning and actions that you create a path forward.
On today’s blog post, I’m diving even deeper into the importance of strategic planning — and how you can apply it to your business. If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck or unsure of how to grow your business, you won’t want to miss it.
Click here to read the full post. This is a practical kind of post where I’m breaking down how to:
Develop a growth strategy that aligns with your goals
Prioritize tasks and systems to move your business forward
Navigate big decisions with confidence and clarity
It’s time to stop spinning your wheels and start driving your business in the direction you’ve always wanted.
Final Thoughts
Taking the leap and leaving my teaching career was terrifying. But it also taught me that growth doesn’t happen by accident — it happens with purpose, strategy, and a willingness to adapt. If I hadn’t put a solid plan in place, I wouldn’t have the business I have today.
If you’re ready to create a plan for your business’s growth, I’m here to help. Reach out and let’s make it happen.
Talk soon,
