Ready to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build a thriving business as a husband-and-wife team? This episode of Behind the Frame goes beyond the highlight reels to sit down with Cory and Stefanie Skidmore, co-owners of a Celebree School franchise, as they discuss the messy, yet rewarding, middle of scaling a business centered on family and community.

Jay Duffy and Annette Quigley talk with the Skidmores, who transitioned from careers in assisted living and ambulance transportation, to becoming entrepreneurs who are shaping the next generation through their core mantra: "protect and educate" . They share their journey, from their children attending the school to becoming first-time franchisees, and how they manage the delicate balance of partnership, parenting, and business growth .

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The Origin Story: How the Skidmores' personal experience as parents led them to become Celebree School franchisees .

• Dividing Roles as Spouses and Partners: How Corey and Stefanie initially managed an "all hands on deck" approach and are now establishing specific roles, emphasizing that in the startup phase, "there's no set duties".

• The Entrepreneurial Shift: What surprised them most about going from a W-2 job to entrepreneurship, and how they focus on defining their own future and building a family legacy.

• Recruiting and Culture: The Celebree School's competency-based approach to sourcing staff, including the "recruit hard staff" core, the "Employee Investment Cycle," and their focus on the Parent Child Teacher Experience (PCTE).

• The Work-Life Balance Myth: Their realistic view on balancing a growing business—including plans for a second location—with family, and why showing up for their kids' practices and games is their personal measure of work-life balance.

• Handling Disagreements as a Married Couple: How they use "radical transparency" and "openly debate" issues at work, and the importance of having a "short term memory" when things get heated.

• "Hot or Not": Industry Takes: Their opinions on parent apps for updates, themed spirit weeks (lukewarm!), and the use of Conscious Discipline instead of traditional "time out" to help children manage emotions.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a business owner working with your spouse, or simply looking for inspiration in managing the demands of life and career, Corey and Stefanie share invaluable, candid advice that will resonate deeply.