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Join us as we sit down with our Founder and CEO, Debbie Wooldridge, to explore the early days of ttcInnovations, the challenges of adapting to industry changes, and the crucial lessons learned on her journey to building a 6-figure learning and development business in year one! Tune in to Debbie’s inspiring journey as she transitions from accidental instructional designer to highly successful corporate trainer, and later to freelance instructional designer. We’ll also provide practical tips for taking that leap yourself and navigating your career growth through hard work, networking, and a bit of luck. This episode isn’t just for aspiring L&D consultants; it’s also perfect for those leading instructional design teams. Debbie shares how she created a culture of innovation and maximized the potential of a small but mighty team. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and propel your team towards success!

Establishing Kansas’s First Childcare Provider Training

Debbie started her career by founding and managing a nonprofit childcare organization in Kansas City. Recognizing the pressing need for support among childcare providers, she seized the opportunity to apply for a federal grant and introduced a groundbreaking video training and certification program for childcare workers statewide. This initiative marked the beginning of her journey into adult learning and instructional design. Collaborating with a local community college, she developed an eight-module course that significantly impacted the industry. Through all this, Debbie discovered her passion for empowering adults through education. Even though she was new to instructional design, her dedication and drive led her into corporate training and development. Talk about turning challenges into opportunities!

Transition to Corporate Training

Undertaking a significant initiative, Wooldridge partnered with a local community college’s early childhood education department to develop a program. Over several months, she coordinated the creation of eight video modules and accompanying materials, conducting in-person training sessions across Kansas. This endeavor not only showcased her ability to collaborate and innovate but also ignited her passion for adult education, sparking her interest in transitioning to corporate training and development despite her initial unfamiliarity with instructional design.

Embracing an Instructional Design Consulting Role

In 1997, Debbie transitioned to the corporate sector and began by crafting training programs for a childcare company. It was during this time that she discovered the transformative power of training in enhancing job proficiency and facilitating positive change. Navigating the corporate world was not without its challenges. As she assumed leadership of the training department at La Petite Academy, Wooldridge encountered hurdles that tested her resilience. However, she showcased her resourcefulness and took initiative, effecting tangible improvements that elevated the training experience for employees.

Launching a Freelance Instructional Design Business

In 2001, she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, establishing DW Training and Development, Inc. as a sole proprietorship with a focus on L&D. Notably, in 2003, she acquired Technically Training Consulting, propelling her business to new heights with an existing client base and team. Renaming the company to Technically Training, Debbie repositioned its focus from mostly technical writing to align with her passion for corporate instructional design and training and development. Under her leadership, the company rapidly expanded.

Customer-Focused Approach

Debbie Wooldridge’s unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has been pivotal in the rapid growth of DW Training & Development, Inc. Stemming from her experience with federal childcare grants, where meeting client needs was paramount, she seamlessly transferred this ethos to her own company. By prioritizing understanding clients’ goals and training requirements, she delivered bespoke solutions that nurtured enduring relationships and encouraged repeat business. This dedication to customer success propelled Technically Training’s expansion and solidified its reputation for excellence, aligning their achievements with those of their clients. Supported by her dedicated team, Technically Training has thrived. Through seamless collaboration, adaptability, and an unyielding focus on customer satisfaction, they have carved a path to unparalleled excellence.

Leveraging a Small, Dedicated Training Team

During the growth years, Debbie focused on building a dedicated team that shared the company’s core values of understanding customers and offering targeted training solutions. Utilizing the team’s diverse skills to meet objectives while keeping operations lean for flexibility and efficiency. This close-knit team, united by a common goal, showed unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch learning experiences. Wooldridge’s skill in fostering this cohesive team dynamic was crucial to the newly rebranded, ttcInnovations success, proving that a unified, purposeful team could accomplish amazing results.

Ready to build a powerhouse learning team? Listen and watch Episode 01 of the Learning Matters podcast – available everywhere you listen to podcasts!

Additional Resources

• Tune into Part 2 of Debbie’s story: Secrets to Securing Repeat Business with Customer Loyalty
• Sharpen your instructional design skills with IDOL Academy, the ultimate career accelerator for designers and developers! Use code “ttc” for 10% off.*
• How to Launch Your Career as an L&D Consultant
• 6 Practical Ways to Grow Your ID Business Tips for Beginners
• The Art of Launching L&D Projects: 10 Key Components for a Successful Project Kick-Off Meeting
• How to Find and Refine Your Instructional Design Niche