We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aubrey Bursch. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aubrey below.

Aubrey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Appreciate you joining us today. Risk-taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Let me tell you about the risks I’ve taken starting my own business. It’s been quite the journey. When I first decided to take the leap, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Starting a business is a whole different ball game, and you’re never truly prepared for the amount of work and twists and turns that come along with it.

I wanted the best of both worlds – the flexibility to reach beyond just one independent school all while being there for my children. I had so many doubts and fears. Would people even hire me? Would I be able to support my family? It was quite scary.

But you know what? I wouldn’t change a thing. Starting my own business has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Sure, it’s had its challenges, but the freedom and fulfillment it has brought me are worth every sleepless night and moment of uncertainty.

One risk I took was focusing my business on a unique and niche field – small independent schools. Some people thought I was crazy for narrowing down my audience so much. I worried that by niching myself, I wouldn’t be successful. But you know what I realized? When I speak to this group, they see that I truly understand them and their challenges. And the beauty of it is, I don’t need a massive client base. I thrive by serving this small, but passionate, audience.

Now, here’s an unintentional risk I took – launching my LLC right before the pandemic hit. Talk about timing, right? Surprisingly, it actually worked in my favor. Heads of Schools needed my expertise to navigate the ever-changing communications, protocols, and marketing during those COVID years. Zoom webinars, conferences, and virtual platforms opened up new avenues for me to share my message and connect with others in the industry.

But let me tell you, putting myself out there publicly on social media and through videos was a whole different kind of risk. I’m not exactly the biggest fan of being in the spotlight or being active on social platforms. But hey, my business is me, and I am my brand. So, I had to push through my discomfort, create videos, and put my face out there. It was nerve-wracking, to say the least. But you know what? It paid off. Just recently, at a conference, several people recognized me from my online content. It was a proud moment and proof that taking that risk was worth it.

So, there you have it. Starting a business is all about taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve learned and thrived because of those risks. And you know what? I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything else.

Aubrey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I come from a family of educators, so you could say education runs in my blood. I always knew I wanted to give back and work for a cause that I truly believed in. That’s why I started my career in schools, trying out different roles along the way. I’ve done it all – from events director to communications and admissions assistant. It was like a whirlwind of experiences, but you know what? It was totally worth it.

What I loved about working in schools was that I got a taste of everything. I wasn’t just stuck in one department. I got to see what the teachers, staff, and even the maintenance and kitchen crews were doing. It gave me a real appreciation for all the hard work that goes into making a school run smoothly.

But here’s the plot twist: I thought I was meant to be a Middle School librarian. I even pursued a Master’s in Library Science until life threw me a curveball – I had my first child. That’s when I realized that maybe being a librarian wasn’t my true calling. But you know what? It led me to discover something even more exciting – fundraising. I know, I never thought I’d be into it either. But there’s something incredibly fulfilling about helping organizations raise the funds they need to make a difference.

And then came marketing. Now, I used to think marketing was all about cheesy ads and sleazy tactics. Boy, was I wrong! It’s so much more than that. It’s this whole world of strategy and creativity that touches every aspect of a company or school. I couldn’t help but be fascinated by it, and I fell head over heels in love with it.

Now, with over 20 years of marketing and development experience under my belt, I’m all about supporting small and independent schools. I want to help them increase enrollment, retention, and revenue by designing and executing marketing strategies that work specifically for them. It’s a passion of mine, and being the daughter of lifelong educators and a mom to two independent school students, I have a deep understanding of the challenges these schools face.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Building relationships is absolutely crucial when it comes to running a successful business. It’s not just about putting a product or service out there and expecting people to flock to you. No way! You’ve got to take the time to get to know your audience, network with them, and really understand their needs and challenges. That’s the secret sauce to building a thriving business.

In my line of work, connecting with school leaders is everything. I make it my mission to really get to know them, to understand the unique struggles they face in their roles, and to offer my support and guidance, whether they end up becoming my clients or not. It’s about building genuine connections and letting people know that they are seen and heard.

One thing I make sure to do is personally respond to every single email I receive from my list. It’s a way for me to show that I value each individual and their questions or thoughts. It takes a bit of time, but it’s totally worth it.

I also love hosting free meet-ups for schools nationwide. It’s like a mastermind session where we can come together, share our experiences, and learn from one another. It’s my way of giving back to the school community while also expanding my network and getting to know more amazing people in the industry.

Conferences are another fantastic opportunity for me to connect with like-minded individuals. I attend these events, soak up all the knowledge and inspiration, and make genuine connections with fellow professionals. And you know what? I like to keep things personal. I send cards to schools, treating my clients and potential clients like friends. It’s all about nurturing those relationships and showing them that I genuinely care.

Maintaining a positive attitude throughout it all is key. It’s not always easy, but having that optimistic outlook helps me keep pushing forward and staying motivated.

At the end of the day, building a business is about building relationships. People want to connect, be seen, and be heard. So, let’s keep forging those connections, supporting one another, and making a positive impact in the school industry.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience is the name of the game when it comes to being a successful business owner. Challenges, obstacles, and setbacks are all part of the journey, but it’s how you navigate through them that truly matters. Imposter syndrome is no joke. It’s that feeling of self-doubt that creeps in when you see all these amazing and talented people in your industry, seemingly so successful. And then when you experience setbacks or failures, it’s easy to believe that you’re just not good enough. But let me tell you, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Resilience means understanding that failure doesn’t define your worth or abilities. We all have those moments where things don’t go as planned. Take my first workshop, for example. I had envisioned a big turnout, but only 13 people showed up. It wasn’t what I had hoped for, but you know what? I didn’t let that stop me. Fast forward to the recent conference I gave, and over 450 attendees were there. Now, that was a win! It’s all about bouncing back, learning from the setbacks, and keeping that resilience intact.

One thing I’ve learned along the way is to be patient with the journey. It’s so easy to compare yourself to others who have been in the game longer or seem to be achieving immediate success. But you know what? Stay in your own lane, be true to yourself, and remember that everyone’s journey is different. It’s all okay. We’re all colleagues in this vast world of business, not competitors. Let’s lift each other up, learn from one another, and celebrate each other’s successes.

My advice: keep that resilient spirit alive. Embrace the challenges, learn from the setbacks, and know that you are more than enough.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.easyschoolmarketing.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubrey_bursch/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/easyschoolmarketing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubreybursch/
• Other: [email protected] Small School Leaders Conference: https://www.easyschoolmarketing.com/conference SSL: https://www.easyschoolmarketing.com/leaders