Podcast Summary: "Stop Trading Time for Money" – The CEO Teacher Podcast

Episode Details:

• Title: Stop Trading Time for Money
• Release Date: April 9, 2025
• Host: Kayse Morris (@kaysemorris)
• Podcast: The CEO Teacher Podcast

1. Introduction and Personal Reflections

In the opening moments of the episode, Kayse Morris reflects nostalgically on the inception of The CEO Teacher Podcast in 2018. She shares her initial passion for having authentic, heartfelt conversations that went beyond mere marketing strategies. Kayse expresses a sense of burnout from the repetitive nature of marketing discussions, yearning instead for genuine, human connections.

Kayse Morris [00:01]: "I was getting a little burnout on all things marketing because sometimes I feel like it's just the same old same instead of just being human and being authentic."

2. Anecdote from Hobby Lobby: A Catalyst for Change

Kayse recounts a recent experience at Hobby Lobby, where a delightful conversation with a cashier about fairy gardens serves as a pivotal moment. This interaction highlights the theme of trading time for money, as Kayse observes the cashier's role and contemplates alternative paths that honor one's passions without being confined to hourly wages.

Kayse Morris [00:50]: "She could have been working part time. ... she was trading her time for her money at this point."

3. The Burden of Traditional Employment

Drawing from her own past experiences in a 9-to-5 job, Kayse discusses the stress and rigidity of salaried positions. She contrasts this with the newfound appreciation for time she now enjoys, emphasizing how traditional employment often leaves little room for personal fulfillment and spontaneous family activities.

Kayse Morris [01:45]: "When I used to work a 9 to 5 job... I was checking my bank account every day just to make sure that all the things had gone through the budget."

4. Embracing the Value of Time Over Money

Kayse introduces a powerful quote by Jim Rohn to underscore the episode's central theme: time holds greater value than money. She elaborates on her personal journey towards seeking abundance, creativity, and spiritual fulfillment by reimagining how she monetizes her teaching expertise.

Kayse Morris [03:47]: "Jim Rohn once said, time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time."

5. Introducing Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)

Central to the episode is the concept of Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), which Kayse champions as a sustainable alternative to trading time for money. She explains MRR as predictable, ongoing income generated through subscriptions, memberships, or continuous offerings, allowing educators to stabilize their earnings without the constant pressure of one-time sales.

Kayse Morris [07:10]: "Monthly recurring revenue, or MRR is the predictable income that you earn every single month."

6. Steps to Build MRR: A Three-Step Plan

Kayse outlines a practical three-step plan for teachers to establish their own MRR streams:

1. Audit Existing Resources

   • Action: Catalog existing teaching materials, such as lesson plans, blog posts, and video trainings.
   • Objective: Identify interconnected themes to form the foundation of a membership offering.

   Kayse Morris [09:30]: "Step one: go ahead and audit what you've already created."

2. Package the Transformation, Not Just Content

   • Action: Focus on the transformative experience members will gain, rather than merely bundling resources.
   • Objective: Convey the promise of growth and improvement to potential subscribers.

   Kayse Morris [09:55]: "Your membership is not just a bundle of lessons, it's a promise for a better tomorrow."

3. Start Small and Scale Gradually

   • Action: Launch with simple initiatives like offering beta pricing and leveraging an existing email list.
   • Objective: Allow the membership to grow organically without overwhelming the creator.

   Kayse Morris [10:20]: "You don't have to have a big launch. All you need to do is think about an email list, offer beta pricing, keep it simple."

7. Four Membership Subscription Ideas for Educators

Kayse provides four tailored membership ideas catering to different segments within the teaching community:

1. Monthly Play and Learn Club

   • Target Audience: Pre-K to second-grade teachers.
   • Offering: Ready-to-use thematic centers, morning tubs, and printables delivered monthly.

2. Teach Smarter Toolkit

   • Target Audience: Middle school or high school teachers.
   • Offering: Rigorous, engaging lessons across subjects like ELA, science, or history, alleviating planning burdens.

3. Nurture Learning Collective

   • Target Audience: Homeschool parents.
   • Offering: Simple, open-and-go activities with a gentle learning twist.

4. Educator Impact Lab

   • Target Audience: Non-traditional education roles such as admins, SLPs, coaches, and specialists.
   • Offering: Fresh tools to enhance implementation, collaboration, and impact without reinventing the wheel.

Kayse Morris [11:50]: "If you're a primary teacher, you could do something like the monthly Play and Learn club... For secondary teachers, you could do something like the Teach Smarter Toolkit."

8. Addressing Common Concerns: Sustainability of Memberships

Kayse anticipates and addresses potential worries educators might have about the ongoing nature of memberships. She reassures listeners that memberships are designed to be sustainable and scalable, allowing creators to build a continually growing income stream without the need for constant product launches.

Kayse Morris [11:15]: "If you want monthly recurring revenue, you want something that you can see further down the line, you're never, ever stuck doing something forever."

9. Emphasizing the Sacredness of Time

Reiterating the episode's core message, Kayse underscores the sanctity of time. She shares personal moments of enjoying her free time, such as decorating her porch, to illustrate the benefits of not being tethered to hourly work. This serves as a motivational reminder for educators to prioritize their time and pursue endeavors that grant them more freedom and fulfillment.

Kayse Morris [11:50]: "Your teaching salary doesn't define your value, but your time. That is sacred."

10. Invitation to Join the CEO Teachers Lounge

Concluding the episode, Kayse extends an invitation to educators seeking support and community. She promotes the CEO Teachers Lounge, a space designed for educators to build their online businesses collaboratively, share experiences, and access valuable resources without facing the journey alone.

Kayse Morris [13:17]: "It's a safe place to talk about all the things you're stressed out about or just to get some advice on how to get through each and every day in a better, more positive way."

Key Takeaways

• Value of Time: Prioritizing time over money leads to greater personal fulfillment and creativity.
• Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR): Establishing MRR through memberships or subscriptions provides predictable income and reduces financial stress.
• Leverage Existing Resources: Utilize already created teaching materials to build sustainable income streams.
• Start Small: Begin with simple steps to create and grow a membership program without being overwhelmed.
• Community Support: Joining supportive communities like the CEO Teachers Lounge can enhance the entrepreneurial journey and provide necessary encouragement.

Notable Quotes

• Jim Rohn on Time:

  "Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time." – [03:47]

• Transformative Promise:

  "Your membership is not just a bundle of lessons, it's a promise for a better tomorrow." – [09:55]

• Sacredness of Time:

  "Your teaching salary doesn't define your value, but your time. That is sacred." – [11:50]

Conclusion:

In "Stop Trading Time for Money," Kayse Morris offers a compelling narrative that challenges traditional employment paradigms, especially within the teaching profession. By advocating for Monthly Recurring Revenue models, she provides educators with actionable strategies to achieve financial stability and personal freedom. The episode serves as both inspiration and a practical guide for teachers aspiring to transform their professional lives without sacrificing the most valuable currency: their time.