One Teacher’s Vision from Classroom to Business

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Embarking on a career transition is never easy, especially when it involves leaving behind a profession as noble as teaching. Kirsty Gibbs, a former classroom teacher, shares her inspiring journey from the classroom to running an amazingly successful business. In this blog post, we delve into Kirsty’s backstory, her challenges, her steps to gain new skills, and the unexpected positive outcomes she encountered along the way. Kirsty has built a phenomenal business, having had great success in her tutoring businesses, she now coaches teachers to create their own super successful Tutoring businesses,”I coach and mentor teachers and tutors like you, to create and grow their dream businesses, allowing them to work less, whilst still making a massive impact!” Kirsty also has a phenomenal podcast, Classroom to Business, that offers excellent content for teachers wanting to start a tutoring business and for teachers who wish to create their own business.

Kirsty Gibbs: A Teacher with a Vision

Kirsty Gibbs, an educator passionate about teaching, was at a crossroads. While she loved being in the classroom, she yearned for something more – a career that would allow her to teach on her terms, provide flexibility, and generate additional income for her family. This desire led Kirsty to consider a significant career transition from the traditional teaching setting. “I really enjoyed working with kids and I LOVED teaching, but there was something about the classroom and all of the other ‘admin’ that just took the fun out of being in that school environment. So, in 2011, I took a massive leap of faith and leased premises on the Gold Coast and created my first ‘bricks and mortar’ business. It was the most exciting and terrifying thing I had ever done, and it completely changed the trajectory of my life! Not long after I had a second centre in Northern NSW and I also developed a brand new product-based business, that gave me an insight into the world of online marketing and business.”

Navigating Challenges

Transitioning out of teaching wasn’t without its hurdles. One significant challenge Kirsty faced was dealing with the opinions and expectations of others. Society often shapes our perception of what a successful career should look like, and diverging from that path can be met with scepticism. Kirsty described her biggest challenge: “Dealing with other people’s opinions of what I am doing and what they think I should be doing.” Kirsty, however, remained steadfast in her decision, fueled by her desire to grow her tutoring business and now her business helping other teachers to do the same.

Gaining Skills and Knowledge

As she embarked on this new chapter, Kirsty initially navigated the transition without a clear roadmap. However, recognising the need for guidance, she invested in business coaches to help hone her entrepreneurial skills. This strategic move proved crucial in shaping the success of her tutoring business. She described the importance of a business coach, “I was winging it for a long time, but then I invested in business coaches to help me grow my business.”

Entrepreneurship Unleashed

For Kirsty, transitioning into tutoring felt like a natural fit. Her love for working with children and the profound impact she could make inspired her to leap. Initially considering a franchise, Kirsty started her own tutoring business independently. Looking back, she expresses gratitude for choosing this path, which allowed her the freedom to shape her business on her terms, “It just made sense for me to transition into tutoring. I love working with children and seeing the impact that I could make. I initially nearly bought a franchise, but I backed out at the last minute and started my business completely on my own. I’m so glad I did it that way. I started going down the franchise path, as I felt I needed the support of ‘business people’ to help me with my business. It was only at the last minute I changed my mind and decided to do it myself. My dad, who was an electrician, managed to start his own business and grow it to have four branches in four different towns without a business degree or franchise support, so I figured I could do it too! And that’s what I did.” Kirsty is a teacher turned tutoring business owner, and now a coach for teachers starting and growing their tutoring businesses to create their desired lifestyle. “I have successfully created multiple educational businesses, and developed the ‘Tutoring Business Framework’ which allowed me to run a profitable business, whilst still having time to enjoy the other things I love.” Now, she shares that knowledge and framework, along with years of industry-specific experience, with her clients.

Networking for Success

Early in her entrepreneurial journey, Kirsty attended local networking events. These proved invaluable in building awareness for her tutoring business and often led to one-on-one conversations with individuals seeking her services. Networking expanded her business reach and provided a support system during the challenging initial phases.

Staying Resilient

One of the aspects Kirsty candidly addresses is the loneliness that can accompany entrepreneurship. Despite the ups and downs, she emphasised that the freedom and flexibility of her new career outweighed the challenges. “Business can get lonely, and it has its ups and downs, but the biggest thing for me is the freedom and flexibility it allows me.” Maintaining resilience in the face of uncertainty is crucial.

Unexpected Benefits

For Kirsty, every aspect of her current life is a positive outcome of leaving teaching. Waking up each day excited about her work, Kirsty is living her passion for business and making a meaningful impact on others. Her success story motivates those contemplating a similar leap into the unknown. Kirsty expressed her daily gratitude for the life she’s built, “Everything that I do now is a positive outcome as a result of leaving teaching. I wake up every day and love what I do. My passion is business, supporting other people, empowering other people, and I get to do that each and every day.”

Advice for Fellow Teachers

To fellow teachers considering a career change, Kirsty offers reassurance that there is no right or wrong way to transition. Whether taking a leap of faith or transitioning slowly while still in the classroom, individuals should choose what aligns with their vision and family needs. Kirsty advises fellow teachers, “There is no right or wrong way to do it. If you want to do what I did and take a leap of faith and go all in, then do it. If you want to transition slowly and stay at school, a couple of days a week, then do that. You have to do what works for you And your family.”

Balancing Act

Maintaining work-life balance during a career transition is vital, and Kirsty emphasises the importance of routine, structure, and flexibility. “Blocking out time for oneself, even if it’s just five minutes a day, can make a significant difference. I find that having a routine, and some structure really helps. But also know that you have to be flexible to allow for changes. You need to block out time for yourself when you can. Even if it is just five minutes a day.”

Financial Success

One of the burning questions for educators contemplating a career change is whether they can replace their teaching income. Kirsty proudly shares that she not only replaced her income within two years but also surpassed it. Her story is a testament to the financial viability of pursuing a passion-driven entrepreneurial path. “Running a 6-figure tutoring business is a possible reality, not just a pipedream.”

Happiness and Well-being

Leaving teaching has brought about a transformational shift in Kirsty’s overall happiness and well-being. Working smarter, having control over her projects, and making a tangible difference in people’s lives have contributed to a fulfilling professional life. “I am working smarter, not harder. I have more control and say over the things that I work on. I genuinely feel that what I do is making a difference to the people I work with. I am a big believer that you need to create a business (and not just another ‘job’ for yourself), so over the years I developed the Tutoring Business Framework, which allowed me to step back from my business, but continue to make an income while my business continued to do its thing. Yes, I still had to work, but it was on my terms and I was able to spend that quality time with my young family, that I so eagerly treasured.” Kirsty now uses her framework and knowledge to help other teachers and tutors, who are also wanting to turn their passion and skillset into a profitable and flexible business. Whether it’s as a tutoring business or as an online course or membership, she helps to create and grow scalable businesses.

Kirsty’s Inspiring Journey

Kirsty Gibbs’ journey from teaching to entrepreneurship is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and carving a unique path. Her story serves as a beacon of inspiration for teachers contemplating a similar transition. By embracing change, seeking guidance, and staying resilient, Kirsty has not only replaced her teacher income but also found profound happiness in her entrepreneurial pursuits. As we celebrate her success, let Kirsty’s journey remind us that it’s never too late to embark on a new and fulfilling career path outside of the classroom.

Connect with Kirsty Gibbs

For those inspired by Kirsty’s journey, she offers a self-paced online course for individuals wanting to start their tutoring business. Additionally, Kirsty provides in-person intensive sessions, one-on-one coaching, and a membership for those looking to scale their tutoring businesses. Connect with Kirsty on her website https://www.kirstygibbs.com/ or you can follow her on Instagram @kirstygibbs.coaching

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