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When Stacy Cook decided to leave a successful corporate career, it was not because she wanted to work less.
In fact, she laughs that she probably works more today than she ever did before.
The difference?
"I honestly probably work a little more now, but I don't notice it, because I love what I'm doing."
That passion is what drives Stacy every day as co-owner of Class 101 Norman and Class 101 Prosper-Frisco, where she has combined her engineering mindset with a desire to make a lasting difference in students' lives.
An Unexpected Leap into Business Ownership
Stacy never expected to become a franchise owner.
Her husband, Rennie, opened their first Class 101 location in Norman in 2018 while Stacy continued her corporate career. With a background in industrial engineering and years spent leading the IT department for a restaurant company with more than 80 locations, she brought extensive experience in operations, systems, and process management.
Then everything changed.
"He had a really big sales month, and was like, 'I can't do this without you,' so I decided to leap, and it was the best thing I've ever done. I wish I would have done it in 2018."
In 2021, Stacy officially joined the business full time. Together, they have grown from one Class 101 location to two, opening their second in Prosper-Frisco, Texas, in 2023.
Two Different Skill Sets with One Shared Mission
The Cooks' partnership works because each person focuses on what they do best.
While Rennie leads student instruction, ACT preparation, essay workshops, and family interactions, Stacy keeps the business running behind the scenes.
"Because of my engineering background, I do a lot of the operations, the back of the house, the bookkeeping, and all the processes, making sure we have all of those things set up."
She credits that balance as one of the reasons they have successfully grown into a multi-location business.
"I was fortunate enough; my husband is the one that has the education background. Then I came in with more of the business foundation, so I think that's really kind of what made our partnership special."
The Return You Cannot Measure
Like many entrepreneurs, Stacy expected financial rewards from business ownership.
What she did not expect was the emotional return.
"I think the emotional return on our investment. It's why I get up every day. It's why I put so much work into this business, because it's so rewarding getting to help these kids achieve their dreams."
Every student has a different goal. Some hope to attend a local state university. Others dream of attending an Ivy League institution. For Stacy, every journey matters because every student deserves someone who believes in them.
One student in particular continues to inspire her.
The young man came to Class 101 with an ACT score of 23. His family could not afford extensive college planning services, so Stacy and her team chose to work with him pro bono.
After months of preparation, his ACT score rose to an incredible 34.
"We did have a young man that we actually did work with him pro bono. He came to us with a 23 on his ACT, and he left with a 34. It totally changed. He got a ton of money to go to college. He just didn't think he could ever go to a four-year university. Getting the ACT score that he got really opened the doors where a four-year university was 100 percent affordable."
For Stacy, the impact extends far beyond one student's success.
"You know it's going to change his family tree. I'm just really excited for him and excited to see how all that plays out."
Those are the moments that remind her why she leaped into business ownership.
More Than College Planning
Ask Stacy what makes Class 101 different, and she will not start by talking about applications or scholarships.
She will talk about relationships.
"A big part of our business is mentoring these youth. We like to be that safe space that they can come in. We intentionally spend a lot of time encouraging them, really a lot of positivity, helping them see what they're capable of."
That culture has become one of the things she is most proud of.
"When you see a kid walk in and high-five his planner and is so excited to be there, that's really awesome."
The academic results matter. Helping students build confidence, believe in themselves, and discover what is possible is what makes the work meaningful.
Giving Parents Peace of Mind
College planning can be one of the most stressful seasons for families.
Class 101 helps change that.
"Parents love it. They love that they don't have to stress about knowing everything. They trust us. We know the opportunities out there, we know the deadlines, and we're not going to let their student miss those things."
Instead of constantly reminding students about deadlines or managing application checklists, parents get to enjoy the journey.
"We tell the parents, you get the opportunity to be mom and dad and celebrate the wins along the way, and then we get to be the people in the background. It really creates some peace at home in a normally stressful season."
Even Stacy and Rennie's own daughters participate in the program.
"Both of our girls have their own college planner that is not my husband and me. Our own teenage daughters listen to them more than they do us. That's how we want it."
The experience has reinforced what Stacy already believed. Every student benefits from having a trusted mentor who can guide them through one of the biggest milestones of their life.
Freedom for Family
Business ownership has also transformed Stacy's family life.
Rather than sacrificing family for career advancement, she has pursued entrepreneurship, allowing her to be more present.
"We get to make our schedule. We get to decide when we're going to take off and when we're going to work. My girls are really busy. I don't miss anything. I get to go to all of their activities because I have that option and that freedom to set my own schedule."
For Stacy, success is measured just as much by being present for her family as it is by growing her business.
Changing Lives Every Day
Today, the Norman location serves approximately 150 students, with enrollment regularly surpassing 200 before graduating seniors head off to college.
The outcomes speak for themselves.
Students from Stacy's centers have earned admission to the Air Force Academy, Yale, Columbia, UCLA, New York University, and countless outstanding state universities. Many have earned full-ride scholarships, making higher education possible for families who once thought it was out of reach.
"We've had lots of students get into state schools with full rides, which in itself is an amazing opportunity for them too."
For Stacy, however, the true measure of success is not found in acceptance letters.
It is found in the confidence students gain, the peace families experience, and the opportunities that are created for generations to come.
Looking back on her decision to join the business, Stacy has no regrets.
She found more than a business.
She found a purpose.