6 BS Reasons Teachers Don’t Start Businesses

If you’ve listened to this show before, you know that I truly believe that every teacher can have a successful business and still be a rock star in the classroom.  The trouble is, many of you don’t believe. So let’s talk about some of the BS you’re telling yourself about becoming a side hustler.

Still not sure you’ve got what it takes?  Well, let’s talk about some of the crap you’re telling yourself and just how wrong you are.

I don’t have time.

I thought the same thing.  But, the thing is, I did, and you do, too.  When I added up all the time I was spending on unnecessary things I had lots to spare.

So, let’s think about all the ways you may be wasting time that could be used to make you money.  

• Facebook
• Pinterest
• Netflix
• Grading

I don’t have the skills

I addressed this issue in my intro episode, but it’s worth talking about again.  Teachers have MAD SKILLS. Not only are we organized, dedicated, methodical, and passionate.  We have people skills, we know how to explain things to anyone, we inspire, we give people hope.  

AND, as if all that isn’t enough, we’re life-long learners.  So, whatever we don’t know, we can figure it out.

I don’t have any money.

Hello, broke teachers!  I hear you. And I’m not saying you’re business isn’t going to cost anything (though that can be done in some cases), but it can be done for a lot less than you think.  

There are lots of free tools available and there are programs developed with teachers in mind, like Side Hustle Summer Camp (shameless plug), that are incredibly affordable.

I can’t sell.

Yeah, that one’s not going to fly at all.  You spend your days convincing kids, big and small, to do things that they don’t think they can do, don’t want to do, and maybe can’t see any need for.

You’ve got this.

I’m not tech savvy.

If you can work your school’s grading program, website, and/or all things Google, you have the tech skills to build a business.

Don’t be scared off by the fact that some entrepreneurs have a very tech-heavy business.  That’s a choice they made. While it’s likely you’ll want some tech in your business – Facebook, Pinterest, a website – there’s no reason they have to be complicated, or that you have to do all the things.

I’m part of an MLM, or an agent of another company.

Awesome!  Not only do you have something to sell (half the battle), but you have a company backing you up.

But that in no way prevents you from having your own business, in which you can incorporate this ready-made product.  In fact, many of the people who are most successful at things like direct sales or VIPKid are those who have their own business where the company the work with provides one of many streams of income.

In addition, building a unique-to-you business solves 2 major problems faced by folks like you who are independent agents for a larger company.  

1. You set yourself apart as an expert, not just one of 20,000 people selling essential oils.
2. You expand your customer base beyond your immediate circle of friends and family because the internet goes everywhere.

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