Ted and Kelly Alling, visionaries behind Chattanooga Preparatory School, discuss their impressive journey from childhood experiences abroad to establishing a transformative educational environment. They highlight the significance of nurturing workplace culture, prioritizing employee well-being, and fostering community impacts. Sharing insights from their entrepreneurial path, they emphasize the power of mentorship and cultural diversity while advocating for innovative approaches to education. Their adventures and reflections serve as inspiration for creating opportunities and connections in local communities.
Ted and Kelly Alling's diverse upbringing abroad shaped their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community through education.
Chattanooga Preparatory School emphasizes a people-centered approach, fostering academic excellence and community engagement to uplift disadvantaged youth.
Deep dives
Background and Early Experiences
Kelly and Ted Ailing share their diverse childhood experiences, which have shaped their perspectives and aspirations. Kelly traveled extensively as a child, living in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, where she learned to embrace diversity and navigate new environments. Ted also experienced living abroad in Germany during his early years, where he faced the challenge of adapting to a new language and culture. These formative experiences cultivated resilience and adaptability in both of them, which they credit for their entrepreneurial spirit and ability to connect with others.
Founding Access America
After their time at Samford University, the Ailings co-founded Access America, a freight brokerage company, which marked the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. Drawing on their sales experience, they identified the potential to improve logistics for businesses by offering better service and care for truck drivers, whom they viewed as essential to the industry. The couple's dedication to building a people-centered company led to rapid growth and a strong company culture, where employees felt valued and connected. Their approach, which combined hard work with genuine care for their team and clients, not only ensured Access America's success but also set the foundation for their future endeavors.
Establishing Chattanooga Preparatory School
Inspired by their experiences and a desire to give back to the community, the Ailings founded Chattanooga Preparatory School, an all-boys public charter school designed to uplift young boys from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Their vision was influenced by a visit to a successful girls' charter school, prompting them to create a similar environment focused on joy, courage, and service. With a commitment to providing a longer school day and year to enhance learning opportunities, they emphasize academic excellence through innovative teaching techniques and mentorship. The school has begun to make significant strides, with students excelling in various areas, including sports and academics, further demonstrating the positive impact of their work.
Commitment to Community and Future Goals
The Ailings emphasize the importance of community engagement and aim to extend their impact beyond Chattanooga Prep by launching a second school in Knoxville. They believe that investing in the education of young people creates lasting change, particularly for those from underprivileged backgrounds. Their vision includes fostering connections between their students and the broader community, encouraging internships and mentoring opportunities that equip students for future success. By remaining active in various initiatives, they seek to inspire others to elevate their community, demonstrating that collective efforts can transform lives and create a brighter future for generations to come.
Ted and Kelly Alling join the podcast for a double-guest episode to share about the work they’ve been doing at Chattanooga Preparatory School, an all-boys public charter school.
In this episode, they reflect on the steps they’ve taken that got them to this point, including how they both grew up abroad, the success and sale of Access America, and a year-long sabbatical in London. We also discuss the importance of being “all in,” caring for your employees, and having fun at work.