Do You Have What It Takes to Start a Hybrid School? (Spoiler: You Probably Do)
Hello friends, and welcome! If you’re dreaming about starting a hybrid school—or maybe you’ve already taken those first few brave steps—you are absolutely in the right place.
As a fellow grassroots founder, I know how big this dream can feel. Building a hybrid school isn’t just about creating a business or a job. It’s about reshaping the landscape of education, one community and one program at a time.
And that’s what I want to talk about today—you as the founder. Because if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re really cut out to do this, you’re not alone.
It’s Not About Having the “Right” Skills—It’s About Grit
So many people stop before they start because they think they don’t have what it takes. But the truth is, you don’t need a specific degree or skill set to launch a successful hybrid school.
What you need is grit—the determination to keep learning, to work hard, and to stick with it even when it gets messy.
Yes, some people will find certain parts of the process easier. Others will have to stretch and grow in new ways. But if you have that deep sense of purpose and the willingness to keep showing up, you can make this happen.
Know Yourself, Fill Your Gaps
I’ve talked before about tools like the Working Genius model (by Patrick Lencioni) and Myers-Briggs, and how helpful they can be for understanding yourself as a founder.
When you know your strengths—and your growth areas—you can anticipate the moments that might feel hard. That self-awareness helps you prepare for the tough days instead of being blindsided by them.
Maybe you’re great at big-picture vision but struggle with details. Or maybe you’re a planner who finds risk-taking uncomfortable. Either way, you can fill your gaps—with tools, systems, or people who complement you.
Preparation: The Secret to Avoiding Burnout
A lot of programs fail not because the idea was bad, but because the founder burns out. That’s why preparation matters so much.
Before you dive in, make sure there’s real demand for what you’re offering. Do some market validation—understand your community, your competition, and what families are looking for.
Then build a realistic budget. Expect your first year to be lean, but plan for sustainability. It’s okay to start small and grow as you gain momentum.
Those two things—knowing your market and counting your costs—can make all the difference between burnout and long-term success.
The Entrepreneurial Mindset
So what kind of person can start a hybrid school?
Someone with a spark of vision—the ability to see what could be, even when the path isn’t clear yet.
Entrepreneurs are people who walk into a dingy room and imagine how good it could look after a little work. They see possibility. That’s what keeps them moving forward when the obstacles show up.
But it’s not all vision. You also need the people who see details, who think through logistics, who keep things grounded. Both skill sets are vital. You’ll eventually want a team that balances vision and execution—but in the beginning, you can lean on friends, mentors, or family to fill those gaps.
Vision + Grit + Preparation = Success
If I had to boil it all down, I’d say there are three things you need to get your hybrid school off the ground:
Vision — Know what you’re trying to build and why it matters.
Grit — Stay determined when things get hard.
Preparation — Plan well enough to avoid unnecessary burnout.
If you’ve got those three, you can absolutely build a thriving hybrid school.
Remember—this work matters. Once your program is running, families are being served, and teachers are thriving, it’s worth every ounce of effort.
Thanks for reading (and for listening, if you caught the podcast episode this came from!).
If you’re ready to take the next step, check out the resources at StartAHybridSchool.com
