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Hello, Exit Stage Teach community! This is the story of Julie Cavaney, the founder of Wabi Sabi Marshmallows. Like many of you, Julie spent a significant part of her life in teaching, but today, she is living a different life one could only dream of, full of sugary, fluffy dreams. She hopes to inspire those considering leaving the classroom for new adventures. If you’re hesitant or uncertain, her journey might provide some valuable insights and encouragement.
Julie’s Diverse Background
Before becoming a teacher, Julie held a variety of jobs. She sold vacuum cleaners, worked in sales, served in pubs, and took on administrative roles. She even dabbled in psychology, pearl farming, prawn trawling, and the mining industry. Her career path was far from linear, and each experience contributed to the tapestry of skills she possesses today.
Julie’s first teaching experience was in Japan, where she taught English at the turn of the century. It was an incredibly fulfilling job with minimal behaviour management issues and ready-made lessons. When she returned to Australia, she decided to pursue a career in teaching, completing a Graduate Diploma in Education. However, her initial stint at a tough country school was overwhelming, leading her to declare, “You can’t pay me enough to do this.”
Returning to Teaching
Despite her initial resolution, Julie found her way back to teaching after a few years working for a charity. The lure of better pay and holidays was too strong to resist. Over the next twenty years, she taught in various schools and witnessed significant changes in the profession, especially in mainstream education, where the workload became immense.”I have now been teaching for twenty years in many schools. A lot has changed, and the workload is immense, especially in mainstream where I was.”
The Entrepreneurial Bug
During her maternity leave, Julie felt the itch to try something different. She ventured into several multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses, but none resonated with her. Then, she started a business called Mumpreneurs WA, which provided networking opportunities for mums in business. This endeavour was successful, but she eventually sold it to focus on raising her children and seeking the security that teaching provided.
Julie returned to university to earn a diploma in Japanese, which allowed her to transition into a specialist teaching role. Although she enjoyed this new role, the burnout from teaching persisted. The desire to start her own business reignited within her.
Challenges in Transitioning
One of Julie’s biggest challenges was finding the right business or career choice. She experimented with various ventures, from selling skincare and nutritional shakes to writing a book she published on Amazon. While these projects brought in some income, they didn’t ignite her passion. “I have tried it all, selling skin care, nutritional shakes, started my own business, and writing a book and put that on Amazon. This still pays me money now and then.“
Last year, Julie decided to invest serious time into transitioning out of teaching, even if it took five years. She started a Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) business and joined an academy that taught her how to create resources teachers wanted, market her business, and improve her social media presence. Though the small sales were exciting, her heart wasn’t in it. The last thing she wanted after a day of teaching was to make more teaching resources. ” I made resources and my phone started to ching, ching with small sales. It was exciting! But my heart wasn’t in it. I was good at making resources. I knew what teachers wanted and my social media was getting so good. I had a reach of 20K sometimes but it was still teaching! The last thing I wanted to do after teaching was make more teaching resources. I needed something else. I needed pivot.”
Discovering Her Passion
The journey to find a business Julie loved was filled with trial and error. She considered making bowls out of bread tags and mastering the art of Kintsugi, but these ideas didn’t sustain her interest. As a child, she had dreamed of becoming a pastry chef, a dream she never pursued.
Last year, Julie decided to make a batch of marshmallows, a treat she loved making as a child. It was a game-changer. She found herself making batches of marshmallows, giving them away, and immersing herself in online videos and tutorials. The idea of turning this hobby into a business excited her, and Wabi Sabi Marshmallows was born.
Transferable Skills from Teaching
The skills Julie developed as a teacher have been invaluable in her new venture. Teachers are incredibly organised, capable of working under high pressure, and adept at juggling numerous responsibilities. They excel in planning, programming, scheduling, presenting, and communicating. These skills are essential for running a business or succeeding in any non-teaching role. Creating educational programs with limited resources is particularly useful in business, fostering creativity and resourcefulness.
Acquiring New Skills
When Julie started her TPT business, she joined an online academy in the USA, which provided step-by-step modules on search engine ranking, resource creation, marketing, goal setting, and more. She also took advantage of free and low-cost courses through the Small Business Commission and other community organisations. These resources equipped her with the knowledge needed to run a business successfully. “I have done free and small-fee courses through the Small Business Commission and other community organisations to help run a business. I did a free course through my local Council for Food Safety and Handling. There are loads of places that can help you make the transition.”
To ensure compliance with local laws, Julie contacted her local council for support and guidance, completed the necessary paperwork, and received approval for her kitchen. These steps were crucial in setting up Wabi Sabi Marshmallows. “Starting was easy. You get yourself an ABN and off you go. Break down the steps and start picking them off. I contacted my local council for support and guidance of what I needed to do to be compliant with local laws. Did the paperwork and got approval for my kitchen.”
Networking and Community
Networking has been a significant part of Julie’s entrepreneurial journey. She joined a marshmallow Facebook group and started connecting with local businesses and attending events. Sharing her story and meeting people has been invaluable for marketing and building connections. Networking provides support and opens doors to new opportunities and collaborations. ” I have loved going to talks on business. Sharing and connecting is an important part of marketing to get into the market.”
Resources and Inspirations
Julie has relied on various resources to aid her career transition. Government websites, local council resources, and the Small Business Development Corporation have been instrumental in providing guidance and support. Additionally, niche podcasts and online communities offer a wealth of information and inspiration for anyone looking to explore new career paths.
Staying Motivated
The excitement of making marshmallows and building her business keeps Julie motivated. Knowing she is on the path to financial independence from teaching while maintaining the flexibility to work when she wants is a powerful motivator. Balancing work and family life can be challenging, but setting aside time for herself and her business is crucial. “I am working part-time, so I am not trying to do this full-time, but I have a couple of children, so I am pretty busy. Having downtime is important, and I try to do this, but it is hard when you get so tired from teaching and family life. Give yourself time to learn, time to create the business you want. It’s not a race, and try to slice out time to make the road, even if it’s only a few hours a week.”
Unexpected Benefits
One of the most unexpected benefits of leaving teaching has been Julie’s increased energy levels. After a day of making and selling marshmallows, she finds she is not nearly as exhausted as she was after a day in the classroom. She has more energy to spend with her family and enjoy her personal life. Interacting with customers is enjoyable without the pressure of assessments and behaviour management. “I have energy to do my life and children. I love the people interaction but I don’t have to access them on whether they liked it and report back to the parents on their ability to eat marshmallow. The other day when it was super hot in the kitchen, I thought this is easier than a super hot classroom packed with students.”
Advice for Aspiring Career Changers
If you’re considering a career change, Julie encourages you to go for it. You have nothing to lose. Even dedicating just 1% of your time each day to your new venture can lead to significant progress over time. Embrace the journey, make connections, and be open to pivoting when necessary. “Go for it. What do you have to lose? Even if you only do 1% on your business daily, that 1% will add up. In 5 years’ time, your 1% each day might take you to places you never knew existed. The connections you can make will be great, and if you change direction or lose interest, keep searching. I have tried so many things and would have never ever thought I would be making marshmallow. My goal is to do 1% each day towards my business, some days it’s more, some days it’s less. I have spoken to friends who have left to be educational programmers at councils or presenters for incursions, and love it. Give it a crack and if it fails you can go back to teaching. As you know their will always be jobs for us.”
Many teachers have successfully transitioned into new careers and are thriving you only have to check out some of our other stories on our blog to learn about teachers who have done it!
How to move from Teacher to working with Home School Families – Michelle Sheridan’s the founder of Inquire Education, Michelle shares her transformative journey from a system-bound teacher to a thriving entrepreneur as she offers a range of exciting workshops for Home School families from her teaching space in Redlands, Brisbane.
The Exit Stage Teach Journey with Triple Thread Learning – The story of Claire and Sonja from Triple Thread Learning (TTL) and their remarkable journey, exploring the challenges and the transferable skills gained from teaching to create a thriving Tutoring Business that specialises in supporting students with language difficulties.
Australian High School Technologies and HPE Teacher to AI Pioneer – Meet Jake Chamberlain, an educator with 15 years of experience from Tasmania, Australia, specialising in High school Technologies and Health and Physical Education. Jake’s story is not about leaving the classroom, as he’s still teaching and running his side hustle simultaneously. Jake’s story is about transforming his insights and experiences into a revolutionary new venture— The Teachers’ Assistant AI.
One Teacher’s Vision from Classroom to Business – A story about Kirsty Gibbs who left teaching to start a successful tutoring business and now coaches other teachers to do the same.
Work-Life Balance
Maintaining a work-life balance during the transition can be challenging. Julie prioritises not working weekends and holidays, allowing time to unwind and be present for her family. While she does work some weekends for markets and marshmallow production, it doesn’t feel like work because she enjoys it. Finding joy in what you do is key to achieving a balance. “I need that time to wind down and be there for my family. They are first and if I keep dropping the balls I am not helping anyone. I work to live not live to work. I am currently working some weekends doing markets and making marshmallow but it doesn’t feel like work. I come home from teaching and happy to make or cut up my marshmallow. I make my Tiktoks and do my social media posts, it’s fun.”
Long-Term Goals
Julie’s long-term goal is to run a small factory. Making marshmallows brings her immense joy, and she wants to share that joy with others while creating meaningful employment opportunities. She envisions working flexible hours and enjoying ample holidays while running a successful business. “I have big goals. I would love to run a little factory that employs people with disabilities or more than able-employees. I am sure they would love to make marshmallow as it brings me such great joy and it’s so creative each time you make it. I want to work the hours of 7am to 2.30pm Monday to Thursday plus have loads of holidays. I truly believe I can make the life, income and have the hours I want with this. I am still working towards achieving these goals. I will use my 1% theory and continue to use Small Business Development to help me, business courses and networking with other businesses.” Julie’s positivity and passion for her business are contagious and inspiring for those teachers who are interested in starting their own entrepreneurial journey.
Overcoming Obstacles
Challenges and setbacks are inevitable in any career transition. Self-doubt and troubleshooting issues can be daunting, but persistence and a willingness to learn are essential. Each business venture Julie has tried has taught her valuable skills that contribute to the success of Wabi Sabi Marshmallows. Teaching skills can be utilised in so many areas of a business and skills teachers can use if they, too, decide to embark on an entrepreneurial journey. “I still have a big mountain to climb, but I want to keep making steps towards the big goal. I am persistent and fearless, as I will try anything and am willing to give it a go. If you try to stop, you are not failing; you are growing. Always allow yourself to pivot when something doesn’t feel right anymore.”
Financial Transition
While Julie hasn’t yet replaced her teaching income, she is optimistic about the future. Building a successful business takes time, and she is committed to the process. The key is to stay focused on your goals and keep moving forward, even if progress seems slow at times.
Improved Well-Being
Leaving teaching and pursuing her passion has significantly improved Julie’s happiness and well-being. The freedom to create something on her terms and the excitement of building a business is incredibly fulfilling. She no longer feels trapped in a cycle of behaviour management, marking, and assessments. “I don’t feel like I am stuck in teaching anymore. I do have opportunities to travel a different road, just like before I was teaching.”
Last words of advice
For those considering leaving teaching for a new career, Julie encourages you to take the leap! The skills teachers possess are highly transferable and valuable in many other fields. Pursue your passion, stay motivated, and remember that every small step counts. Julie’s journey from the classroom to running Wabi Sabi Marshmallow has been challenging yet immensely rewarding. She is excited about the future and hopes her story inspires others to embark on their own career transition out of teaching.
For those interested in connecting or learning more about Julie and Wabi Sabi Marshmallow, you can find her on social media:
Julie is based in Perth, WA, and provides marshmallow for corporate events, birthdays, weddings, and more. You can also find her at the City of Stirling Farmers Markets about once a month. Pop down, say hello, and try some delightful marshmallow. She would love to connect with you and share the mallow life!
Looking for support to start your own Teacher business, get in touch with our amazing Exit Stage Teach partners, check out out resources page for more information.
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The Exit Stage Teach Journey with Triple Thread Learning
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Australian High School Technologies and HPE Teacher to AI Pioneer
Australian Teacher to Mindset Coach: The Exciting Career Transition
Breaking Free from Teaching with Niche Tutoring Business
From the Classroom to Creativity: Three Dog Design
How to Create a Business for Home School Communities: 15 Steps
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