A Letter to Beginning Contractors: The Confidence I Didn't Have (But Showed Up With Anyway)

When I first considered contracting directly with schools, I had the degrees. I had the license. I had the experience. What I didn’t have was confidence. Years of being deeply embedded in the investor-run agency space left me exhausted and full of self-doubt.  Was I anything without a large agency behind me? 

To be clear,  I'm talking about real "business owner" confidence—the kind that steadies your voice when a district asks your rate. The kind that makes you feel like you belong at the table. The kind that makes you unapologetic in your professional boundaries. I had ZERO of it and honestly, it's something I still struggle with today.

But I have always wanted it. I have wanted autonomy and financial freedom. And that was enough to get me going as a contractor. 

Here's a few key moments I remember: 
The First Time I Said My Rate Out Loud

I remember practicing it over and over: "My rate is [insert rate here]". I said it to myself while driving. I rehearsed it into the notes app on my phone. I even typed it into an email once and then backspaced the whole thing because it felt like too much. I had it on a post-in on my desk (I may actually have it still somewhere around here...my desk needs cleaned.)

Eventually, I had to say it out loud to someone at a district. So I took a breath and said the number. No disclaimers. No apologies. I had experience in school sales and I had presented that number before...I knew any wavering would cause doubt...but the mental struggle I was going through presenting MY RATE was brutal.

Do you want to know what happened? They said, “Ok, that works. Will you send us a contract?”

Just like that. I know I missed sleep anticipating this conversation that lasted literally a few minutes. But the confidence in my presentation paid off and I'm here to encourage you to at least have  the ability to fake confidence until it naturally builds.

Real Talk...Confidence Doesn’t Mean You Don’t Feel Nervous

It just means you act anyway. You don't have to feel 100 percent ready to begin. You just need to take the next honest step.  Confidence, in this work, doesn't come from never doubting yourself.  It comes from showing up prepared, acting with integrity, and learning as you go.

That’s the thing no one tells you: Confidence doesn’t live in your mindset alone.

It also lives in your systems, your structure, your templates, and your boundaries. It lives in HOW YOU see and treat your business.

Here’s What Helped Me Feel More Legit

I didn’t try to wing it. I created a proposal I felt proud of.I had a clean rate sheet.
I had scripts ready for those rate conversations so I wasn’t relying on adrenaline alone.
I had a contract that would help me set my boundaries.

And that made me show up differently. You have the skills to build something beautiful. 

 If you’re ready to take that next step, but want a little structure to stand on...I’d love to share the tools that helped me get here. My School Contracting Packet & Training was created for clinicians like you: providers who want to step into this work with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. It includes the exact templates, scripts, and proposals I use, so you’re not left second-guessing your next move. You already have the heart and the skills. Let’s make sure you have the business tools too.

Go get 'em.-Elise