If you started your tutoring business for freedom, flexibility and more control over your time, yet somehow find yourself busier than you were in the classroom, this episode is for you. I am sharing what I have been working on with tutors inside The Profit Pathway that has completely shifted the way they work, giving them more time, more profits and more energy for the things that matter most. We are talking about moving from “employee mode” to “CEO mode”, building systems that actually work for...
Aug 13, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 63
This is a real, honest chat with Ali from Head Start Club on the Sunshine Coast, about what it takes to start strong, stay focused, and build a business that works for your life (not just your students). We chat about: ✔ What helped her back herself in the early stages ✔ Why she didn’t wait to “have it all together” before getting support ✔ How she knew it was time to hire help, and what that looked like ✔ What shifted in her mindset as she went from teacher to business owner ✔ Letting go of dis...
Jul 31, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 62
If you’ve ever felt stuck in your head, unsure if you’re doing the right thing, or quietly wondering, “Am I actually cut out for business?”, this episode is for you. I sat down with the lovely Hayley Grant, a teacher and tutoring business owner, to talk through what was really going on behind the scenes before things started to shift. We kept it real, talking through the mindset traps, the emotional side of business, and what helped Hayley stop overthinking and finally start moving forward with ...
Jul 16, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Feeling buried in admin? I share 5 simple time-saving strategies to help you reclaim your time without sacrificing the growth of your tutoring business. You'll learn how to: Stop the back-and-forth with new inquiries Time-block like a boss (without burning out) Reuse and repurpose content like a pro Automate your invoicing and payment reminders Pre-schedule your nurture emails and lead magnet follow-ups Perfect for: Tutoring business owners ready to simplify, scale and stop doing everything manu...
Jul 02, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 60
If you’ve ever found yourself fully booked but still broke, constantly second-guessing your business decisions, or feeling like you’ve created another full-time job for yourself… This chat is for you. I jumped on with the lovely Jess Manton, a literacy specialist and tutoring business owner, to talk about: The reality of what was going on behind the scenes just a month ago What shifted to help her move forward (mentally and practically) The key changes she’s made in her business that are already...
May 21, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Let’s be real. If your tutoring business has started to feel overwhelming, unpredictable or just bloody hard… you are not alone. In this episode, I’m getting a bit ranty (in a loving way) because I see way too many brilliant tutors building businesses that are burning them out, and not paying them properly. If you’re spending hours chasing payments, running sessions, answering messages, doing late-night admin… and still wondering, “Why am I not getting ahead?” This is your wake-up call. I’m shar...
May 07, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 58
You started this business for freedom… But now it feels like you’ve built a never-ending to-do list instead. Your calendar’s full, your energy’s low and no matter how busy you are, you’re still not seeing the income or freedom you expected. In today's episode, I’m sharing the three big areas that overwhelms tutors (and keeps them stuck ‘winging it’) and what to do when everything feels like too much. Tune in to learn: Why being “fully booked” doesn’t always mean profitable The cost of wearing ev...
Apr 23, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 57
You’re working hard... Tutoring after school, replying to messages late at night, trying to post on socials when you remember, chasing up invoices, doing all the things!... And yet your business still isn’t giving you the income, clarity or flexibility you wanted. In this episode, I break down exactly why that’s happening, and what you need to do instead, if you want a tutoring business that actually works. You’ll learn: Why “doing more” isn’t fixing anything The four key reasons tutors feel stu...
Apr 09, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Feeling overwhelmed, underpaid and stuck in teacher mode in your tutoring business? It's time to shift gears! In today's episode, I dive into the critical mindset shift every tutor needs. From thinking solely like a teacher to embracing your role as a confident, thriving business owner. Learn to create a profitable business without losing your passion or sacrificing your well-being. In this episode, you'll learn: Key signs you're stuck in "teacher mode" and how it's holding your business back. P...
Mar 26, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Are you dreaming of growing your tutoring business beyond a single location? In this episode of "Classroom to Business,"I chat with Lasni, founder of Seeds of Knowledge, about her incredible journey from classroom teacher to successful tutoring business owner. If you've ever struggled with imposter syndrome or wondered how to scale your tutoring business while maintaining quality, this conversation is for you. We dive deep into Lasni's transformation from passionate teacher to thriving business ...
Feb 12, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 54
In this episode of "Classroom to Business," I delve into the unique opportunities the holiday season presents for tutoring businesses. I address the common challenges families face during Christmas and provide valuable insights on how educational service providers can strategically leverage this period to maintain revenue streams and potentially grow their customer base. The episode is a full of ideas for tutors aiming to break the routine and embrace creativity in their offerings. Throughout th...
Dec 09, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Welcome to another episode of Classroom to Business! I’m thrilled to have Bianca from Little Minds in Motion join me in this episode. Bianca shares her journey from classroom teacher to pioneering her own school readiness and literacy support business. This episode is a treasure trove for educators looking to make the transition into entrepreneurship while maintaining quality teaching outside the traditional school system. What You Can Expect to Hear: Insights from a Successful Transition: Bianc...
Oct 29, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Episode Summary: In this episode of "Classroom to Business," I share a deeply personal story that intertwines my journey with Crohn's disease and my professional life as a classroom teacher. Exactly 14 years ago, what started as a typical teaching day quickly unfolded into a medical emergency, revealing the stark realities of living with Crohn’s disease and the relentless stress of classroom responsibilities. My condition had a profound impact on my life, serving as a catalyst for my eventual tr...
Oct 17, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 51
In this episode, I interview Michael Gibbon, a renowned educator and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience. Michael shares his journey of founding a tutoring company in 2011 and how he overcame challenges in onboarding and retaining quality tutors. His strategies, grounded in empathy and transparent communication, have made him a sought-after speaker and mentor in the business world. We discuss valuable insights into effective leadership practices that foster a strong company culture, en...
Sep 18, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 50
In this episode of "Classroom to Business," I delve deep into the world of marketing, addressing common misconceptions and mistakes that many tutoring business owners make. I discuss the importance of marketing, not as a sleazy tactic, but as an essential tool for serving more students and families effectively. I identify several common marketing pitfalls, such as only posting on personal or business Facebook pages, lack of a posting strategy, over-reliance on a single social media platform and ...
Sep 05, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 49
In this episode of "Classroom to Business," I dive into alternative revenue streams to help you scale your tutoring efforts without adding extra tutoring hours and the steps to successfully implement them into yout business. This episode is a must-listen for tutoring professionals seeking sustainable growth and creative business solutions. Episode Highlights: Challenges of Sole Reliance on One-on-One Tutoring: I explore the limitations of traditional tutoring and why it’s crucial to think beyond...
Aug 21, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 48
In today’s episode of Classroom to Business, I delve into one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of running a successful tutoring business—effective marketing and client acquisition. With over a decade of experience in the tutoring industry, I share why having excellent tutoring services alone isn’t enough if potential clients don’t know you exist. This episode is packed with actionable advice for tutoring business owners who are ready to elevate their marketing strategies and ens...
Aug 08, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 47
In this episode of "Classroom to Business," I dive into the Tutor Success Path—a proven, five-stage framework designed to grow successful tutoring businesses. I bypass the usual formalities, jumping straight into valuable content to prepare listeners for my upcoming free training sessions. The episode is tailored to help tutors identify which stage their business is currently in, offering clarity and direction for future growth. I outline the five stages—Lining Up Your Ducks, Getting Momentum, G...
Jul 24, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 46
In this episode of "Classroom to Business," Kirsty Gibbs welcomes Jess Manton, founder of Jessica Manton Special Education Services. Jess shares her journey from being a secondary school teacher to a business owner, detailing the motivations and challenges that drove her to make this significant career shift. The conversation delves into the unique difficulties faced by educators who are exceptionally good at their jobs and how these challenges can often lead to increased frustration and burnout...
Jul 10, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 45
In this enlightening episode of Classroom to Business, host Kirsty Gibbs invites financial expert Malisa Clarence from MBooks and The Ask Hub, to provide invaluable insights on handling end-of-financial-year tasks for small business owners, specifically tutoring businesses, especially in Australia. As the end of the financial year approaches, Malisa emphasises the importance of reviewing profit and loss statements, engaging in tax planning and keeping accounts updated. She guides listeners on st...
Jun 27, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Join us in this inspiring episode, as we dive into the experiences of several female entrepreneurs who attended our 'Teachers in Business Retreat' in Northern New South Wales, late last month. Listen to firsthand accounts of business breakthroughs, personal growth and the incredible synergy of combining business acumen with personal development. Discover how stepping out of your comfort zone and engaging with like-minded individuals can truly transform your business and personal life. During the...
Jun 11, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 43
In this podcast episode of Classroom to Business, Kirsty Gibbs brings on Kerrie Parry from Bright Minds Co. to delve into the intricacies and challenges of catering to gifted children in the educational sphere. Kerrie discusses her journey as an educator, how she niched down to specialise in gifted education and the various services her company offers to enrich the intellectual and creative pursuits of these children. Kirsty and Kerrie explore the common misconceptions about giftedness, the heig...
May 28, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 42
In this insightful episode, Kirsty Gibbs sits down with the enthusiastic Kathy Norton from Rise Up Education , on the 27th floor of a Melbourne high rise to divulge the journey of her tutoring business. Giving a peek into the hard-earned lessons and strategic planning that goes behind a successful educational venture, this conversation is a goldmine for tutors and business owners alike. Kathy shares candidly about the unexpected intricacies and challenges of starting and growing her own business...
May 14, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 41
In this episode of Classroom to Business, Kirsty offers invaluable insights into the strategic decision-making process for tutors pondering whether to specialise or diversify their tutoring services. As she delves into the question, "Should I just specialise or niche down in one subject area for my tutoring business?", listeners are treated to a thorough analysis of the benefits and challenges associated with each approach. Her expertise sheds light on the impact of these decisions on the growth...
May 01, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In this episode of the Classroom to Business podcast, Kirsty discusses the emotional challenges that come with starting a business. She acknowledges the fears, limiting beliefs and negative thoughts that often arise when teachers consider starting their own tutoring businesses or any other type of business. Kirsty shares her own experiences and provides insights on understanding fear, taking action and building confidence. Kirsty emphasises the importance of recognising and acknowledging fear, b...
Apr 16, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 39
In this episode of the Classroom to Business podcast, host Kirsty Gibbs is joined by her daughter Imogen for a special interview. Imogen asks Kirsty a series of questions about her journey from being a teacher to starting her own tutoring business and eventually becoming a business coach. Kirsty shares her reasons for becoming a teacher, what she loved and didn't love about teaching, and why she decided to start her own tutoring business. She also discusses the challenges she faced and the rewar...
Apr 04, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 38
In this episode of "Classroom to Business," host Kirsty Gibbs discusses the importance of dreaming big when starting and growing a tutoring business. She addresses the common tendency for educators-turned-entrepreneurs to limit their aspirations and offers practical advice on how to overcome these self-imposed limitations. Kirsty emphasises the need to believe in oneself, explore the full potential of a tutoring business and take calculated risks to achieve success. By setting clear goals, stayi...
Mar 19, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 37
This episode was inspired by one of my memebers inside of the Tutoring Growth Membership. It's a question I get asked a lot, and this particular member asked me to share it on the podcast. So here we are! When starting a tutoring business, or any business for that matter, there are going to be challenges along the way, and in this episode I share with you some of the main challenges that I had and how I overcame them. Hopefully you can learn from my journey (and mistakes) to get to your success ...
Mar 06, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Natalie Hearn is the founder of Fundamental Literacy , a tutoring business that focuses on literacy from kindergarten to sixth grade. With a background in teaching, Natalie started her business in 2021 as a way to transition out of the classroom and have more control over her work. She offers one-on-one tutoring sessions, school readiness sessions and group sessions for kindergarten and first-grade students. Natalie is passionate about providing personalised support to her students and creating ...
Feb 27, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Chantelle Elbadaoui is the founder of Attain Education , an online tutoring business that specialises in providing personalised and engaging lessons for primary school students. With a background in primary school teaching, Chantelle started Attain Education during the UK lockdowns in 2020, recognising the need for additional support for students during remote learning. She has since expanded her business to Australia and continues to provide high-quality online tutoring sessions for students. C...
Feb 06, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 34
