So this is a true behind-the-scenes look at where we are, what we’re learning, and why telling the story behind your mission matters more than ever.

But this conference wasn’t just a few breakout sessions and some free snacks.

It was a gathering of over 100 school founders from around the world! From Guatemala to Pakistan to the Caribbean—who have sacrificed deeply to launch small but mighty schools that are changing lives.

And what I walked away with?

It’s hard to put into words, but I’m going to try! 

1. When You Share Your Story, Everything Changes

We’ve only recorded a handful of podcast episodes about our journey starting Acton. But even so, people came up to us at the conference to say those few episodes changed everything for them.

One owner told me, “I’ve listened to those episodes four times. No one else in the network is talking like that.”

And it struck me! 

We didn’t share those stories because we wanted to be seen as leaders.

We shared because we believe in telling the truth about the hard, messy, beautiful parts of building something that matters.

And that’s a principle I’ve lived by for 16+ years running my photography business.

Generosity and vulnerability open doors.

I didn’t blog for photographers for eight years because I thought it would pay off one day. I just believed in giving. 

 

2. Every Tribe Needs Three Things

One of the frameworks I shared at the conference comes from the book Tribes by Seth Godin (and if you’ve ever heard me teach, you’ve probably heard me talk about it!).

A real tribe isn’t just a group of people who like the same thing.

A real tribe has three connections:

• You’re connected to each other.
• You’re connected to a leader.
• You’re connected to a shared idea.

And that’s what this Acton community is!!

It’s a room full of families who’ve said “yes” to a completely different way of educating their kids and helping others do the same. 

And the bond that forms when you’re united around that kind of purpose? It’s so powerful.

 

3. The Sacrifice Behind the Mission

Starting an Acton isn’t for the faint of heart or those who aren’t willing to sacrifice something – it’s a HUGE deal to dive into this world. Some of the most moving moments of the weekend were just sitting and listening to other founders’ stories.

• One couple sold their home and moved into a tiny rental to fund their school.
• Another gave up a stable job and income for something they felt called to create, not knowing if anyone would enroll.
• Some families live in countries where homeschooling is illegal, but a micro-school model like Acton is allowed and starting an Acton was the only way they could give their kids the freedom they craved.

These are not just business owners.

These are visionaries who’ve said yes to sacrifice because they believe their kids and their communities deserve something different.

 

4. What I See (That Others Don’t Always Feel Confident In)

A big realization for me this year?

There are a lot of people in this world who aren’t natural entrepreneurs, and that’s OK.

Just like in photography, you’ve got creatives who are amazing artists, but they struggle with the business side. It’s no different here.

Many Acton owners are passionate educators, former teachers, or parents with a deep conviction but the branding, marketing, and storytelling side feels intimidating.

And that’s where I realized:

These things that are so hard for others are what come naturally to me… maybe my purpose in this community is to help!

5. From Scrapbooking to Storytelling: My Breakout Session

At the conference, I spoke on how Acton owners can shift their mindset around social media and storytelling. 

Because after lots of digging into other Acton’s social accounts, here’s the pattern I kept seeing:

So many school accounts were stuck in what I call a scrapbooking mindset.

“Here’s what happened today.
Look at the kids on the playground.
Here’s a picture of art class.”

Sweet? Yes.

Compelling marketing? Not quite.

So I showed them what I see instead.

For example:

“This kid doesn’t wear shoes on the playground. Or inside. And maybe that sounds crazy to a regular school… but to him? It’s freedom!

And we’ve seen what happens when a kid feels free in their learning environment. They grow, they take ownership and they thrive!”

It’s just a small shift in how to look at something, but it makes all the difference!!

And once they saw it, it was like something clicked.

You could feel it in the room.

“Maybe I already have what I need. I just need to reframe it.”

 

6. Doing This Together: A New Season for Michael and Me

One of the sweetest parts of this trip was realizing just how much Michael and I are in this together.

When we went to photography conferences, he was my support system.

Cheering me on, helping behind the scenes but it was my world.

But now?

This school, this community, this mission? We’re both in it!!

We both care.

We both speak.

We both carry the vision.

He may be the day-to-day, “boots-on-the-ground” team member but we’re building this side-by-side, and it feels like a brand-new season of partnership that we’ve never had before.

 

7. Your Face Is Your Brand. Don’t Forget It.

As we looked at Instagram accounts from campuses around the world, one thing stood out immediately:

The most engaging posts weren’t photos of kids or programs.

They were when the owners got on camera and told their story.

• Why they started the school.
• What moment shifted everything.
• What they believe about learning.
• What led them to take a risk.

And it reminded me:

There is no industry, no mission, no calling where your personal story doesn’t matter.

You are the brand.

And the more you show up not just to promote, but to connect the more people will trust what you’re building.

 

Why Am I Telling You This?

Because whether you’re in education, photography, business, or something else entirely.

Your story still matters.

Also, opportunities don’t just come from strategy.

They come from serving! 

Opportunities come when you show up even in the messy middle before you know how it ends. 

I left that conference full of gratitude for the 16+ years I’ve spent learning how to build something from scratch and now getting to use those skills to help others do the same.

So if you’re building something…

If you feel unsure how to talk about it…

If you wonder if your story is “too much” or “not enough…”

Let me remind you.

It’s exactly what someone else needs to hear.

This is where I am this week, and I hope it encourages you to keep showing up, too!