School of Rock COO Stacey Ryan on Navigating Crises, Change, Leadership, and Empowerment

Navigating Leadership and Innovation at School of Rock with Stacey Ryan

In this episode of Between Two COOs, host Michael Koenig interviews Stacey Ryan, the COO of School of Rock - a global music school franchise. Stacey debunks a common misconception about the business's origin, noting it predated and inspired the 2003 film. She discusses the operational challenges of managing a global franchise, particularly through the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlights the innovative pivot to remote lessons and live-streamed shows. Stacey also delves into her role in founding Frontwoman.org, aimed at empowering women in leadership roles across various industries. The discussion covers her career trajectory, the importance of mentorship, operational strategies for scaling, and the significant impact of maintaining a supportive and innovative culture for both students and franchisees.

00:00 Welcome to Between Two COOs: Meet Stacey Ryan

00:28 The Real School of Rock: Beyond the Movie

00:52 Empowering Women Leaders: The Mission of Frontwoman.org

02:10 Navigating Challenges: Pandemic Response and Innovation at School of Rock

12:49 Operational Insights: Building a Global Music Education Empire

25:21 Empowering the Next Generation: Talent Assessment and Retention

31:25 Frontwoman.org: Championing Women's Leadership and Empowerment

40:40 Closing Thoughts and Resources