The Kate Languages Podcast - S7 Ep5 - Running an Education Business

For episode 5 of season 7 of the Kate Languages Podcast, I gave my top tips for running an education business. Here is a summary of the episode - to listen to it in full, click "play" above.

Running an Education Business - My Top Tips for Success

As someone who left teaching in 2017, I wanted to share my honest insights about what it's really like to work for yourself in education.

Know Yourself and Your Working Style

I've learned that it's crucial to understand how you want to work. Being very introverted myself, I actually love working alone in my home office, with just enough human interaction through Zoom calls, workshops and school visits. I've found I can structure my work around term times, which suits me brilliantly. But I'm candid about this - if you thrive on being surrounded by people all day, working solo might not be your cup of tea.

Finding Your Niche and Understanding Your Audience

When I started, I was tutoring anyone who wanted to learn a language. Now, I've narrowed my focus to creating teaching resources and working with MFL teachers specifically. I've discovered that watching what people ask about in Facebook groups is brilliant for understanding what teachers actually need. For instance, I noticed countless questions about running school trips post-pandemic, which led to a dedicated episode on that topic.

The Reality of Time and Money

I'll be completely honest - it took me seven years to build up to a teacher's salary. When you leave teaching to start your own business, you need to be prepared for what might feel like a step backwards initially. Everything takes time and patience, from building your client base to developing new skills like website design, social media marketing, and working with accountants. I've grown to love these business aspects, but it's been a gradual journey.

Investing in Yourself is Essential

One of my biggest regrets is not investing in myself sooner. I've only recently started working with an accountant (found through the brilliant Female Entrepreneur Content Club), and I'm now taking various online courses to develop my business skills. Looking back, I believe if I'd invested more in myself at the start, I might have progressed faster. Don't be afraid to spend money on your development - whether that's through courses, coaching, or hiring help like a virtual assistant.

Personal Growth and Inner Work

Running your own business isn't just about the practical stuff - it's forced me to do quite a bit of inner work too. I've had to confront my mindset about money, develop confidence in pricing my services, and learn to value my time differently than when I was teaching. I've found tremendous value in business podcasts (like Chill and Prosper with Denise Duffield Thomas and Goaldigger with Jenna Kutcher), self-help books, and sometimes even counselling.

While I absolutely love working for myself, I'm always honest about the fact that it's not for everyone. It's been a proper adventure, with plenty of challenges along the way. But if you're considering making the leap, I hope these insights help you make an informed decision about whether running an education business might be right for you.