What to focus on in 2026 to grow your education biz with Maddi Cook

What educators need to focus on in 2026 to grow

In this episode of the Sought After Educator podcast, Jodie sits down with Maddi Cook, founder of Boss Your Salon, for a grounded conversation about what actually helps educators grow in 2026.

This isn’t a step-by-step launch episode.

It’s a real discussion about repetition, responsibility, experimentation, and staying close to your people long enough to build trust, authority, and sustainable growth.

Maddie brings her experience helping beauty professionals create and launch their first online courses. Jodie brings the brand, marketing, and positioning lens—breaking down why education businesses don’t grow through information alone, but through perspective, clarity, and consistency.

Together, they unpack what’s changed, what hasn’t, and where educators need to focus now if they want to build something that lasts.

In this episode, we cover:

1. Why growth often stalls because of hesitation, not lack of strategy
2. The difference between thinking about growth and actually creating it
3. Why teaching live (or staying close to your audience) strengthens both your offer and your marketing
4. How repetition builds trust and authority even when it feels uncomfortable
5. Why testing ideas beats waiting for confidence or clarity
6. Fault vs responsibility and how this mindset shift changes outcomes
7. Why people don’t pay for information anymore, but for perspective and pathway
8. How a clear, measurable program promise makes marketing and selling easier
9. What educators need to release in order to grow in today’s landscape

Links mentioned:

🎟️ Get your free ticket to Beyond the Chair Fest

https://maddicook.com/beyond-the-chair-fest

📲 Follow Maddi on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/maddiecookcoaching

📲 Follow Jodie on Instagram

@itsjodiebrown

If this episode resonated:

Notice which part of this conversation challenged you the most.

That’s usually where growth is asking for more repetition, responsibility, or action.