Dr. Jacqueline Frierson had been a teacher for more than 50 years—28 of those years in Baltimore City—when she conceived of a business idea that proves that it’s never too late for your next chapter. Jacqueline found herself at the intersection of experience, opportunity, and epiphany. She knew the school system inside and out, she had ideas about how to address some of the challenges the district was facing, and she had the connections and know-how to get started down the path to becoming an outside consultant. That knowledge, however, didn’t mean that the road ahead was easy.
“An effective teacher doesn’t work without a plan,” said Jacqueline. “So, I knew that’s where I needed to start.”
To create a business plan, however, Jacqueline knew she needed help. Recalling a community event where she heard a “wonderful speaker” named Robin, Jacqueline sought her out. In turn, Robin, an Operation HOPE Small Business Coach at the time, encouraged Jacqueline to join the organization’s Small Business Development Program.
And that is how, after 50 years, the teacher became the student. Despite the large class size, Robin took an active interest in helping Jacqueline and her classmates refine their pitches and business plans through the lens of her extensive financial background. Robin invited successful entrepreneurs to join the sessions and share their stories, hoping to inspire the participants to keep going. The workshop culminated in Jacqueline developing a strong business plan and pitch to present to fellow participants.
“This wasn’t fun and games. The workshops were held in the evenings, after work. There was homework, and Robin set the bar high,” said Jacqueline. “But I appreciated that she had high expectations for her students, and I was serious and determined to succeed.”
After graduating from the program, Jacqueline executed on her plan, which involved providing consulting services on classroom management and student attendance. Reaching out to her vast network of fellow educators and administrators—who were now deemed prospects in her business plan—Jacqueline secured her first client in short order. A middle school principal, who had actually been one of Jacqueline’s students decades earlier, engaged her to consult on staff professional development and additional teaching strategies to foster student engagement.
With Robin’s ongoing encouragement and advice, Jacqueline has expanded her business and now provides consulting services to for-profit entities in addition to the education sector.
Not every teacher can be taught, concedes Jacqueline, but she’s happy to say that she’s not one of them. She encourages people with an idea for a business to seek help from a local Operation HOPE small business coach. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at no cost to you.”
For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.