From Timetables to Freedom: Why Passion-Driven Careers Are the Next Chapter for Teachers - those who can From Timetables to Freedom: Why Passion-Driven Careers Are the Next Chapter for Teachers - those who can

From Timetables to Freedom: Why Passion-Driven Careers Are the Next Chapter for Teachers

Updated 1st August, 2025

At Those Who Can, we believe freedom isn’t just about escaping something; it’s about moving towards a life that fits who you are and what matters to you. That was the heartbeat of our recent webinar, “The Freedom Factor – How Franchising Can Give You Your Time Back” a packed and inspiring conversation with educators, musicians, business owners, and even a police officer, all using franchising to build flexible, purpose-led lives.

What We Heard Again and Again: Freedom Follows Passion

Every speaker shared something in common: they didn’t chase freedom by running away from work. Instead, they moved towards something they cared about: music, travel, early childhood education, and language learning. Passion created the path. Freedom followed.

For some, that looked like running a business on the side of a full-time job. For others, it meant completely reshaping their career around the lifestyle they actually wanted. The takeaway? There’s no one way to do this, just your way.

The Panel

Our guests included:

A current serving police officer running GoCruise & Travel franchise part-time

A former teacher now running Kidslingo franchise, combining education with language and fun

The Founder of Key Sounds Piano, using music to empower others

A former teacher turned Little Voices franchisee, bringing performing arts into the lives of children and adults

A Franchise Sales Manager, from Travel Counsellors, with a wealth of experience in onboarding travel franchisees

Their paths may have started in different places, but the shared themes were clear: Passion led businesses, Work/life balance and a deep connection to purpose.

The Big Lessons

Here are just a few things we explored:

1. Franchising Isn’t Just for Full-Time Entrepreneurs

Many of our panellists started while working. A franchise with flexible hours can be a fantastic way to test the waters and build something gradually, especially if you’re not ready to leave teaching just yet.

2. You Don’t Need to Be “Business-Minded” – You Need to Be People-Minded

So many teachers rule themselves out because they don’t see themselves as businesspeople. But successful franchises are built on communication, empathy, organisation and community-building, sound familiar?

3. Your Teacher Skills Are Transferable Gold

From managing a room full of students to planning engaging lessons and continuously adapting, these are precisely the kinds of strengths that make teachers thrive in their own ventures.

4. Time Freedom is About Choice, Not Doing Nothing

None of our speakers talked about doing less. Instead, they talked about doing what matters, when it matters, whether that’s being home for the school run, building a business that lights you up, or working on your own terms.

Thinking About What’s Next?

You don’t have to leap. But if you’ve been feeling a quiet nudge to explore life outside the classroom, or simply want to use your skills in a new way, now is a great time to get curious. Franchising offers structure and creativity. Support and independence. It’s not the only route to freedom, but for many teachers, it’s a surprisingly good fit.

Watch the webinar here:

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