Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich

Episode 279

Christine Sugrue spent 25 years in education as a Brooklyn middle school teacher—but a simple scooter ride changed everything. In this episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Christine to talk about the leap from classroom to founder, the mindset shift from “just a teacher” to entrepreneur, and why you don’t need to wait for permission to start.

Christine shares how her small business idea, sparked by a friend’s family trip, evolved into Scoot, a micro scooter rental service helping kids explore NYC like locals. From burnout to bold moves, Christine reveals the power of trusting yourself even when it feels scary—and how AI gave her the early momentum to launch.

About Christine Sugrue:
Christine is the founder of Scoot, a micro scooter rental company for kids visiting New York City. With a background in education and a deep understanding of what brings kids joy, she combined her experience and entrepreneurial spirit to help families have more fun, less fatigue, and truly memorable NYC adventures. Christine is also a passionate advocate for late bloomers, reinvention, and saying yes before you’re ready.

In this episode, Thomas and Christine discuss:

• Leaving the classroom:
  Burnout from 25 years in education led Christine to reimagine her purpose—for herself and her family.
• The accidental business idea:
  A casual favor for a friend’s kid sparked Scoot, a unique scooter rental concept with real market demand.
• How AI helped her start:
  Tools like ChatGPT and Canva gave her the momentum to move from “what if” to “why not.”
• The identity crisis of reinvention:
  Letting go of being “just a teacher” took emotional work—but unlocked personal and professional growth.
• Why starting scrappy works:
  Christine didn’t wait for perfection—she took action, pitched boldly, and built as she went.

Key Takeaways:

• Your identity isn’t your job title
  You’re not limited to what’s printed on a contract. Reinvention starts when you give yourself permission.
• Sometimes a great idea just needs space to breathe
  A moment of inspiration—paired with action—can turn into something far bigger than you imagined.
• You don’t need permission to try something new
  Waiting for the “right” moment is just fear in disguise. Start before you feel ready.
• Burnout is often a signal—not a failure
  When you feel drained, it’s time to realign—not double down.
• Validation often comes from strangers, not friends
  The proof that your idea is real often shows up in the people who don’t know you—but still say yes.
• Starting ugly is better than never starting
  You can refine it later. Take the first step now.
  

Connect with Christine Sugrue:
🛴 Website: https://www.skootbk.com/

📸 Instagram: @skootbk
💼 LinkedIn: Christine Sugrue

Connect with Thomas Helfrich:

🐦 Twitter: @thelfrich

📘 Facebook: Cut The Tie Group

💼 LinkedIn: Thomas Helfrich

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