Teacher, Let Your Light Shine! Start a Micro-School, Homeschool Hybrid or Tutoring Business! From Teacher or Homeschool Mom to Teacher Entrepreneur and Education Advocate

Can you really start a microschool in a rural town, homeschool your own kids, and grow an online business—all at the same time?

Let me introduce you to Becky McNichols, a former public school teacher from a small town in rural Kansas. After stepping away from the traditional classroom to homeschool her two children, Becky didn’t stop there. She transformed her basement into a learning hub—what would become the start of her thriving...

If you’ve ever thought: “I know I’m called to this work… but why aren’t families enrolling?”—you are not alone.

In today’s powerful episode, I’m introducing you to Lori Rubel, a former teacher and now the successful founder of Bloom Beautiful Academy, a growing microschool and homeschool hybrid in Florida.

Lori didn’t start with a marketing degree. She started with a calling—and her living room. Like so many of us, Lori left the tr...

Are you holding back on growing your microschool because you don’t have all the answers yet? In this episode of Teacher Let Your Light Shine, I’m diving into the reality every founder faces—uncertainty. If you’re stuck waiting for a “perfect time” to market, this episode will give you the clarity and push you need to take the next bold step.

I’m sharing how I built Lighthouse Learning Microschool from a living room with only 5 stud...

Are you a teacher or parent building a microschool or homeschool hybrid? Overwhelmed by all the tasks, struggling to stay organized, and unsure how to market your school effectively? You're not alone — and this episode is for you. 🎯

In this powerful episode of the Summer of Clarity series, I’m opening up about the real marketing mistakes I made in my first three years as a microschool founder — and how poor time management, la...

Are you a teacher, homeschool hybrid leader, or microschool founder who feels overwhelmed by marketing your school? You’re not alone—and you don’t need to become a full-time marketer to attract the right families.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the real, raw struggles of building a microschool from the ground up—juggling curriculum, enrollment, communication, and finances—while trying to find students who actually belo...

Let’s talk about money—but not in a scary or overwhelming way.

In this episode of the Teacher Let Your Light Shine podcast, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how I went from financially winging it (and praying the numbers would work) to building a microschool with clear, sustainable financial systems. If you’re a microschool founder, homeschool hybrid leader, or teacher dreaming of starting your own school—this episode is your fi...

Starting a microschool—or even thinking about it—can feel like walking into the unknown. And in May, when reflection, burnout, transition, and anticipation collide, those feelings get amplified.

In this episode, I’m sharing the raw, behind-the-scenes truth about what it’s like to start something from scratch as a teacher-turned-entrepreneur. If you’re in a season of doubt, fear, or exhaustion, this conversation is for you.

You’ll h...

May has always felt sacred to me. It's the bridge between everything I’ve poured into this school year and the dream that’s still unfolding for the next. And if you’re listening today feeling like you’re doubting, dreaming, or barely holding on… I see you. I’ve been you. And this episode is for you.

When I started my microschool, I didn’t have a blueprint—just a calling, a lot of questions, and a deep desire to give students someth...

May is more than a season of endings—it’s the foundation for your next beginning. If you're a microschool founder, homeschool hybrid leader, or education entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed about next year, this episode will change the way you approach your summer.

In today's conversation, Makenzie Oliver shares why May is the most strategic month to start planning for your school’s future, how early preparation saved her school from ...

May brings a perfect storm of reflection, burnout, transition—and for many microschool founders, serious financial pressure. If you're staring at your re-enrollment numbers, worrying about tuition gaps, or scrambling to figure out summer revenue strategies, this episode is for you.

In this practical and encouraging conversation, Makenzie Oliver shares real stories from Lighthouse Learning Microschool, including the year she faced a...

Are you exhausted from trying to do it all in your microschool or homeschool hybrid? You love what you’ve built—but you’re realizing that your dream is starting to feel like a burden.

This episode is for the teacher-turned-founder who’s drowning in leadership, overwhelmed by logistics, and ready to build a microschool that runs with systems—not stress.

In this practical and honest conversation, Makenzie Oliver shares her own turnin...

May is a whirlwind — filled with reflection, burnout, celebration, transitions, and anticipation. And if you’re feeling a wave of doubt about your school, your vision, or your leadership right now — you’re not alone.

In today’s episode, I’m opening up about one of the hardest Mays in my journey building Lighthouse Learning Microschool. Sitting in my car, exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering if I had made a mistake — questionin...

May is emotional — filled with reflection, burnout, celebration, transitions, and anticipation. And if you’re a teacher, school leader, or microschool founder, chances are you’re feeling all of that at once right now. Today, we’re diving into how to finish your year with purpose — without losing your peace.

Have you ever looked up in May and thought… How am I still standing? The emails, the field trips, the assessments, the questio...

Are you still teaching every subject, every grade, every day in your microschool?

Whether you're just starting out and feel overwhelmed, ready to bring in an assistant, or completely done with teaching and ready to build a team—this episode is your roadmap.

If you’ve ever thought: 👉 “How do I hand off teaching to someone else?” 👉 “What if my new hire doesn’t know what to do?” 👉 “How can I make this school run without me leading ...

Have you changed your curriculum more times than you can count?

Do you find yourself saying:

“This just isn’t working...” “Maybe I need something different...” “What if this new one is the right fit?”

If that’s you, this episode is going to give you clarity and peace of mind. You’re not flaky. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just trying to make it work without the systems and support you really need.

In this episode, we’re divi...

Are you a teacher thinking about starting your own microschool or homeschool hybrid—but stuck in a swirl of fear and curriculum overwhelm?

You're not alone. One of the biggest questions teachers ask when leaving public or private education is:

“How do I know what curriculum to use in a microschool?” “What if I mess it up?” “I’ve only taught one grade… how am I supposed to teach K–8?”

In today’s episode, I’m walking you through ev...

How to Build Trust and Connection with Parents and Students

Are you welcoming new families into your microschool… but not sure what to say after they enroll? 🎉

In this heartfelt and strategic episode, Makenzie Oliver shares what most founders overlook: The time between enrollment and Day 1 of school is where trust is either built—or broken.

Discover how to build strong relationships with parents and students through intentiona...

💡 Want to launch or grow your microschool without going broke? In this value-packed episode of the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast, Makenzie Oliver reveals 7 smart and budget-friendly strategies to help you save money while building a powerful and purpose-filled learning environment for kids.

Whether you're a former teacher starting a microschool, a homeschool parent expanding a learning pod, or a passionate educator step...

🎉 It's Makenzie's Birthday! And what better way to celebrate than by giving back to YOU—our amazing community of teacherpreneurs, homeschool moms, and microschool founders!

In this special birthday episode of the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast, Makenzie Oliver shares the Top 5 Most Valuable Lessons she’s learned from building and running a successful microschool over the past 5 years—lessons that every teacher dreaming of ed...