Episode Overview

In this episode of the Education Business Podcast, Claire Riley speaks with education founder Kate Wadsworth about her journey from classroom teacher to launching What If Education.

Kate shares the moment she realised the education system was pulling her away from the values that first inspired her to teach, and why she made the bold decision to leave the classroom without a backup plan. She talks openly about the realities of building an education business — from finding your audience and growing a network, to dealing with uncertainty, trial and error, and the emotional ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

The conversation explores the power of connection, the importance of reflection, and why progress in business is rarely linear. Later in the episode, Claire and Kate discuss the unexpected lessons of entrepreneurship, including why your greatest strengths can also be your biggest challenges — an idea explored in the High Performance Podcast featuring psychologist Damien Hughes, author of Liquid Thinking.

This episode is packed with honest insights for anyone thinking about starting an education business, already running one, or simply curious about what it really takes to turn an idea into impact.

 

00:00 – Introduction to the Education Business Podcast
00:45 – Meet Kate Wadsworth and her journey into teaching
02:30 – Two very different school experiences that shaped her values
03:10 – Why Kate decided to leave the classroom
04:00 – Founding What If Education
04:40 – Starting a business without a backup plan
06:00 – Inspiration from Steven Bartlett’s business ideas
07:00 – Building an education business while teaching vs leaving
08:00 – Growing an audience through connection and networking
09:30 – Using LinkedIn and virtual coffees to build a network
10:20 – How podcast appearances created unexpected opportunities
11:20 – Saying yes before you feel ready
12:10 – How to decide what opportunities to accept
13:00 – Trial and error in building a business
14:30 – Learning to recognise when you’re at capacity
16:00 – The hardest lesson: progress isn’t linear
17:20 – Avoiding the solo founder echo chamber
18:20 – Messaging challenges and business evolution
19:20 – Moving through uncertainty and finding clarity
20:10 – Advice education business owners need to hear
20:40 – When your biggest strength is also your weakness
21:30 – Freedom vs structure in entrepreneurship
22:20 – The importance of reflection and “pinch-me” moments
23:30 – Looking back to appreciate progress
24:40 – Final reflections and closing thoughts

 

All About Kate:

Kate is a teacher, educational consultant, coach and author and she founded What If Education?®️ to bring change into education and more curiosity and creativity into learning.

Working with educator’s in all their forms… leaders, teachers and parents, her philosophy is that learning is far too special a thing to be endured. It should be fun in the moment, meaningful for the future and enjoyed by all.

Recognising that we can’t wait for systemic change to make education happier, less stressful and more relevant, she works in the uk and all over the world with people and teams helping them make change happen on the ground.

Her book Awedinary, The Wonder of Everyday Things underpins her most recent venture. Written to help teachers and parents bring awe and wonder into learning, but it doesn’t stop there… it has been designed to be enjoyed by all from 2 to 122, because curiosity, creativity, awe and wonder hold the keys to a life-long love of learning, for everyone.

Website: www.whatifeducation.com

Instagram:
www.instagram.com/what.if.education

Linked In:
www.LinkedIn.com/in/kate-what-if-education

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