34: Leaving Teaching for an Online Business
Have you ever felt trapped within the walls of your classroom, wondering if there’s another way to use your teaching skills? If so, you’re not alone! Join Heather as she shares her journey from a challenging teaching environment to becoming an online business owner.
Like many teachers, Heather invested years in education only to find herself in difficult teaching situations with lack of support, limited resources, and even received physical attacks from students.
Learn how she was able to push past the frustration and eventually find fulfillment, financial stability, and make a greater impact beyond the limitations of the traditional classroom. If you’ve ever dreamed of leveraging your teaching skills for a different career path, click play now!
LEARN HOW TO START AND GROW YOUR OWN TEACHER BIZ!
Key Takeaways:
- (05:50) Reflection on the challenges and investment required to become a teacher
- (07:15) Heather’s journey from wanting to be a lawyer to becoming a teacher
- (10:40) Difficulties faced during the first year of teaching
- (12:45) Lack of support and incidents of violence in the classroom
- (16:40) Quitting teaching and starting a blog
- (21:25) Determination to make money online and starting Kindergarten Ready
- (23:40) Replacing teacher salary with online business income
- (25:45) Teacher Biz Blueprint and the impact of being an online teacher
- (29:50) It’s never a straight line to success, embrace the unexpected
- (31:05) Utilizing teacher skills in running an online business
Links:
Episode 28 – Lessons Learned From a Failed Business
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Teacher Biz Challenge: Turn Your Teaching Skills into a Profitable Online Business
In the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape of education, many teachers are seeking alternative career paths that offer flexibility, autonomy, and potentially higher income.
Heather understands the challenges and financial difficulties of being a teacher. In this episode, she shares her personal journey of leaving the classroom and building a successful online business.
The Challenges of Teaching
Heather discusses the arduous journey of becoming a certified teacher, which includes interning, student teaching, and passing rigorous tests.
Despite the immense effort and investment required, many teachers face low pay and limited resources. Heather’s own experiences in an inner-city school shed light on the harsh realities of the profession, including lack of support, disruptive student behavior, and a heartbreaking lack of resources. Her dedication to her students led her to invest her own paycheck into classroom supplies, only to see them destroyed without consequences.
This challenging environment took a toll on her, an experience that is not unique. Many teachers face immense emotional and financial strain.
The Turning Point
With a heavy heart, Heather faced an unbearable situation when school administration enforced a rule that 4-year-old students had to throw away their breakfast to move on with instruction.
Despite being moved to a different grade against her will and facing ongoing challenges, she eventually made the courageous decision to walk away from her teaching position.
Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Heather emphasizes the immense relief and empowerment that came with leaving an unsustainable situation.
The Journey to Entrepreneurship
Following her departure from teaching, Heather embarked on a journey of exploration and resilience.
Initially unemployed, she channeled her energy into painting her kitchen and starting a blog, which ultimately led her to delve into the world of online business.
Her determination to make her blog a success, despite generating little income initially, is a testament to her unwavering commitment to creating a sustainable career outside of traditional teaching.
You can read all about Heather’s first business here: Lessons Learned from a Failed Business
Building a Successful Online Business
Through dedication and perseverance, Heather’s blog, “Kindergarten Ready,” evolved into a thriving online business that not only replaced her teacher’s salary but significantly increased her family’s income. Her success story serves as an inspiring example for teachers who are contemplating alternative career paths.
The skills and experiences acquired in the classroom are transferable to entrepreneurship, and Heather’s journey is a testament to the potential for success in the online business world.
Supporting Teachers in Transition
Recognizing the growing interest among teachers to explore entrepreneurship, Heather has established the “Plan Your Teacher Biz Challenge” to guide individuals through the process of starting a teacher business.
By providing valuable insights on making money, planning for success, identifying business topics and customers, and choosing a business name, this challenge offers educators a comprehensive roadmap for transitioning from the classroom to the online business realm.
Additionally, Heather offers a signature course, the “Teacher Biz Blueprint,” designed to equip teachers with the knowledge and tools to establish their online businesses successfully.
Empowering Educators for Success
Heather has dedicated herself to supporting teachers seeking alternative career paths by providing resources, podcast episodes, and a vibrant online community for aspiring teacher entrepreneurs.
Her encouragement for teachers to harness their educational background and skills in the online business sphere reinforces the notion that a successful transition is achievable.
As the landscape of education continues to evolve, the opportunities for teachers to thrive as online business owners are ripe with potential, and Heather’s story is a beacon of inspiration for those seeking a new, fulfilling career path.