Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Ogden. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rachel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?

Thank you for having me. Before opening my own Acton Academy I worked at another Acton Academy in California called Acton Academy Placer. In the past, I had always worked with people who had similar backgrounds and life experience. While working at Acton Placer the other guides were from different states, had different religious views, political views etc. Since we all had a passion for helping children grow and develop their own passions we became a tight knit group. One of Acton’s core values is asking thoughtful questions. I was able to listen to their life experience and understand why they believed what they did. I grew so much as a person during this season. My eyes and mind became more open and I grew in compassion and understanding.

Opening a new business in a new state where people didn’t know us was definitely a challenge. We started our first year with 13 learners, the second year we had 11. At the end of the second year we had the opportunity to move into a better space that we didn’t have to share. Even though we had only 7 learners enrolled for the third year and now double the rent I pushed on knowing this new space was a lot more appealing to parents and so much better for the program. Now in year 4 we have 8 learners. I find it difficult to keep my stress level down with a lack of a growing business but I also know that helping 8 learners find their passions, calling and loving school is worth it.

During that same time after deciding in May to accept the new location and doubling our rent we had only 3 learners enrolled. I spent that summer incredibly stressed as I was purchasing a lot of furniture, decor and learning materials for our new space. I remember thinking I better save every box and receipt in case this whole program folds. I have learned that being an entrepreneur especially in a field that goes against the norm of the school system takes bravery. The power of the mind can either make or break a person. How can I model resilience, growth, problem solving and grit to these children and their families if I throw in the towel. That is my motivation every day.

Rachel, 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 remember standing in the kitchen one day watching our daughter cry while trying to do her homework. Seeing her upset reminded me of myself as a child trying to get good grades and feeling like I wasn’t smart.

I recall feeling “not smart” starting in second grade and continuing through college. While my daughter was upset I had the thought, you only are a child once and why should they spend their only childhood not enjoying it!

After that moment I decided to pursue other education options to see if a better way of learning existed. When I heard about Acton Academy I knew to my core this was the perfect fit for my daughter.

My daughter’s journey through Acton birthed talents, gifts and creativity that we didn’t know she had. Her journey wasn’t always easy as she was the only person now responsible for the pressure she put on herself.

She grew mentally, academically, socially and had a new sense of identity. After seeing her blossom I knew I wanted to work in this kind of educational program.

I loved being a guide and felt that season was also transformational for my own journey. Acton Academy’s profound transformative impact on our family compelled me to open my own campus, with the desire to extend the invaluable benefits to other families as well.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

We decided to move to a new state because we asked ourselves if we wanted to try something new. We had lived within 30 miles of where we were born for over 45 years. I thought at first I would homestead on property but decided I would get bored after a year. I didn’t feel like I was done helping children and their families.
Opening a new business in a new state where people didn’t know us was definitely a challenge. We started our first year with 13 learners, the second year we had 11. At the end of the second year we had the opportunity to move into a better space that we didn’t have to share. Even though we had only 7 learners enrolled for the third year and now double the rent I pushed on knowing this new space was a lot more appealing to parents and so much better for the program. Now in year 4 we have 8 learners. I find it difficult to keep my stress level down with a lack of a growing business but I also know that helping 7 learners find their passions, calling and loving school is worth it.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

During that same time after deciding in May to accept the new location and doubling our rent I had only 3 learners enrolled. I spent that summer incredibly stressed as I was purchasing a lot of furniture, decor and learning materials for our new space. I remember thinking I better save every box and receipt in case this whole program folds.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.actontristar.com/
• Instagram: acton_tristar_academy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActonTriStarAcademy
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ rachel-ogden-34a19024a
• Other: Alignable: https://www.alignable.com/spring-hill-tn/acton-tristar-academy?user=12974980

Image Credits

Janet Rayne
Aly Bazan