Birth of an Entrepreneur

I decided to start my entrepreneurial journey after maternity leave. It’s probably quite a common story – the time off with my baby made me realise that I actually didn’t enjoy my day job. I thought I did, but the thought of going back made me feel physically ill. It was, of course, in part down to the fact that I’d be leaving my son to do so, but I also realised that the job itself was what was putting me off.

Things needed to change.

I signed up for courses with the College of Media and Publishing (one in proofreading and copy editing, and one in creative writing) with a view to changing careers, and I was diligent in my studying. I flew through the proofreading one and could envision my future as a professional proofreader and editor: working from home, at times that suited me, still being able to do things with my son, and be earning.

But, I am impatient, and I realised that it was going to take too long to get to a point where I could actually leave teaching and do proofreading and editing full time.

What I needed, was another way of getting income, and fast!

That was when I settled on tutoring. It was something I’d considered as an alternative, but I felt it was too much like teaching. But, then I realised that it doesn’t have to be my forever job. Tutoring could just be the “in the meantime” way of getting some extra money, and experience running my own business.

So, I set myself up as a sole trader, got a small start-up grant from Business Gateway, and created a Facebook page. I set up an advert to run for 2 weeks, and that was it. I ended up with 6 students in the space of about a month! I barely had to try! And, having been a teacher for 16 years at that point, I could do tutoring with my eyes closed! I tutored from January to May (when the exams start in Scotland) and earned £2,140!

This was when I realised, I can do this. I can actually end up in a position where I can leave teaching and go it solo. It’ll take a while, maybe another couple of years, but all the ideas that have been sparked just by taking this leap, mean I am ready to take on the world of entrepreneurship.

I am so excited to be on this journey, and can’t wait to share it all here – warts and all!