Episode Transcription

41: Business Isn't All Rainbows and Unicorns, with Kathy Norton

 Hello, lovely lady. Welcome to Classroom to Business. The podcast designed specifically for teachers working to become successful businesswomen and creating financial freedom and lifestyle flexibility. I'm Kirsty Gibbs, business coach and mentor for educators and teachers just like you who are ready to step away from the classroom and create something more.

The Classroom to Business podcast is committed to helping you grow your business, break down those barriers to success and replace your teaching salary without having to work more hours. It's time for you to find freedom and start being your own boss so you can once again enjoy what you do and wake up each morning loving life.

Let's get into it. All right. Welcome today. I have got Natalie Hearn from Fundamental Literacy, and she is coming on today to share a little bit of her journey in having her tutoring business and some of the challenges that she's faced along the way. But also she's going to share with us. I think it's a bit of a secret. 

I think it's something that a lot of people don't realize because most of us have come from the classroom. So we've been sort of governed by rules and regulations and code of conducts. And I think Natalie has come up with a little bit of a secret weapon here in her business. And so today I'm going to get her to share about those things.

But first, before we go any further, Nat, do you want to introduce yourself? Tell us a little bit more about maybe why you started your business, how long you've been going for, where you're set up, those sorts of things. Hi everyone. So yeah, my business is fundamental literacy. I solely focus on literacy from K to six, but then a lot of the students who my older students have continued on as they've gone into high school. 

I also offer school readiness sessions and diving into a bit of kindergarten and year one literacy support this year, just to offer a little group session for those kiddos who are starting out, make sure those skills get cemented nice and quickly. So yeah, I started back in 21 when I was still in the classroom, I knew I needed out.

And so that's where the idea came from. And so how are you running at the moment? Are you, are you online or in home? Have you got staff? What is the sort of structure of your business look like? So for the last two years, I've rented a little bedroom sized office in a building that contained other.

Education, people, psychologist and a speech therapist, so we all kind of rented a room and it was like a little, yeah, yeah. And I've just signed the lease to a new, bigger space so that I can have a lot more room for kids to move around. A lot of my students are ADHD as well, so we struggled to sit at a desk, which has been part of. 

The, the idea to me, because I need room for them, not just sitting at a desk. I love that. I love that you can, and I guess this is sort of a little bit in line with what we're going to talk about today. But when you've got your own tutoring business, you can literally do it. The way that you want to do it so you can if you want your students sitting at a table one on one for an hour you can do that if you want to create groups that have no tables and chairs in sight and everything is, you know, on the carpet or moving around you can create that as well like I think it's so cool that as educators we can step outside those as well.

Boundaries and confinements of a classroom and just creating norms of sitting at a desk and doing your work. Yeah. And that is how I am set up. I don't like it, but it's the only room that I've had. So the thought of being, having more space, like I will have a designated tutoring room and a designated school readiness room, and just have space for these kids to learn the way they need to learn.

Some kids need to roll around on the floor. That's how they learn. So yeah. That's awesome. And so what are some of the challenges? I mean, obviously the space has been a challenge for you, but what else have you faced over the years? What other sorts of challenges have come up for you? I think Working on my own was definitely a challenge at the beginning. 

I wouldn't say I was a social butterfly in a school, but I certainly had a lot of great friends. And yeah, so to go from that, and I was at a decent sized school to being on my own in a little room, I think that was hard to, to adjust to at the time. Again, the other ladies, you know, we're all working at the same time, so there wasn't a lot of crossover or You know, hallway chats or anything.

So my main source of adult conversation was parents, but you know, that was, that was okay. I enjoyed that as well. So yeah, that was probably the first big challenge I encountered from there. I guess it was getting out of my own head. And going, you know what, I can do this and I can do that. And that's okay to give that a try and it failed.

That's all right. We'll try somewhere else. So it was, yeah, I think that was probably the next obstacle. I kind of had to jump over. I'm going to jump in here and say, so Nat is a member of the tutoring growth membership. And so I've. Worked with her and I've worked with her one on one prior to that. And so I have seen your confidence evolve. 

I have seen you literally get out of your head and it's been amazing. It's been so cool to watch. And now you've got this business that, you know, is making more revenue. You've got. Things in place that mean that you run your business the way you want it to, as opposed to bending over backwards for parents or doing things the way that you thought you were supposed to do in inverted commas.

And so I just want to, you know, lean through here and give you a pat on the back. I think you've done such an amazing job of getting out of your own way and, and shifting your mindset. So that's, yeah, it's been really, really cool to watch a lot of people struggle with that. Oh, absolutely. And I think, you know, you mentioned, you know, talking to parents as a, a teacher, you know, we kind of dread the parents turning up at the door and wanting to have a conversation and, you know, even if they book a meeting, you're like, Oh, what do they want to talk about?

And you just so much in your head about it, I've found actually, you know, what parents aren't the enemies. Yeah. On the best for their kids. They, they looking for help, you know, they're not getting answers. They're not getting anywhere. They know something isn't quite right. Yeah. So that's also been another mind shift for me.

You know, they're not the enemy. Yeah. I love that. And so I did just touch on that. You are a member of the tutoring growth membership, but. What was it for you that sort of made you join? So, you know, I, I've got people on my email list, my social media who follow along, who listened to the podcast, but they're like just hanging, sitting on the fence and were you one of those people or did you just like, no, jump in straight away? 

I know I need this or I know I want this. And then. What made you make that leap? I'd love to say I wasn't a fence sitter, but I totally was. It's usually a big shove from my husband that gets me moving on things like this. And I think it comes down to, you know, again, being a teacher, not a business person.

You know, my husband is in the private sector, the business sector. So he thinks very differently to how I think, or thought at the time. I was in my head going, oh no, okay, you know, I've got clients, it's building, you know, it's okay. But yeah, I think then wanting to branch out into school readiness. I thought, okay, the way I'll do that is I'll reach out to other school readiness.

Businesses and ask how they got going and all that. And that's what led me to you. Even though I already knew about you and it was definitely following along. It was these ladies going, you need to ring Kirsty. You need just go and visit Kirsty's webpage or whatnot. It's like, Oh, okay. So yeah, from there, I took that to my husband. 

He's like, yes, yes. A hundred times. Yes. And I'm like, Oh, it's a lot of work. Like, do I do this? Do I, he's like, just do it. So, um, I love that. Sometimes we need a little extra push. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. I think too, you know, from, I hope you don't mind me talking about this from, but from a financial point of view of starting your business, took a massive, you know, pay drop from my teaching.

I guess my main focus was got to bring in the same amount, got to build it up to, you know, so the thought of spending money on me was kind of where I had to, you know, get my mind to switch over. That's okay because it's going to help in the long run. And like my husband keeps saying, you've got to spend to grow, you've got to spend to grow. 

And it's true. So yeah, I think Maybe we need to get your husband on for a chat too, because he's like, He could be really good at recruiting for you. But that's the thing. Like we, and I say this a bit, we invest so much in ourselves to become teachers. We know like tens of thousands of dollars, years out of our lives and all of that commitment and energy to become a teacher.

So there's, you know, three to four years of not being paid. At all, but paying money into ourselves yet. When we started business, we just think I've started a business. I've got a name. I've got a Facebook page. I should be making money now. And we don't ever prioritize investing in ourselves to actually learn how to properly establish and grow and scale a business.

And it constantly blows my mind that we do this. And I mean, I, I'm guilty of doing it as well for a little while, but. Your, your hubby's so right. You have to invest to be able to grow and it's like that whole, you know, one step, what's actually the other way around, probably it's like one step forward, two steps back kind of thing.

Because for us to grow, we need to be learning new things. We can't come out of a classroom and just think, okay, I know how to teach, I'm going to do some tutoring. Sure. If you want to have five to 10 kids as a bit of a side hustle, then, then that will work. But if you're serious about creating a business and, you know, building that business that can supplement your teaching income and beyond, then you've got to invest that time and money and energy into growing yourself.

So I'm really glad you did, because like I said, over the years I've seen. A huge amount of growth in you as a person, but also your business. So that's super exciting. Oh, thank you. Thank you. So being a member, we've touched on, you know, your growth and things like that, but something that I really want to bring out today that I think is a bit of a secret.

And, and I say it's a secret because I don't think enough people tap into it, but I think you, I feel I saw the penny drop. When we were on the retreat, I might be wrong. You might've already been sort of tapping away at this, but I saw a moment where you were like, yes, I don't need to follow anybody else's rules. 

Yes, I can do what I want. Tell me a little bit more about that, you know, in your own words, how did that feel, where were you prior to that? And sort of how is, how are you now in your business? Oh yeah, look, that was definitely a retreat moment. I can even picture where I was sitting when I had that moment and I was probably eating a Ferrero Rocher. 

But yeah, it really was that, oh, I'm doing this the way, you know, I was expected to be a teacher kind of thing and following those rules. And we definitely touched on the code of conduct back then at the retreat. And it really was that moment of actually, you know what, I don't have anyone standing over my shoulder. 

I don't have anyone to say, no, you can't do that. Or you need to, you know, check with the principal before you do that. Like I get to make the decisions and I get to, you know, make my, you know, business do what it needs to do. So yeah, definitely changed how I. Went forward from there. And I mean, that was only October and I think I've come in leaps and bounds again since then, you know, goal setting, mind blown.

So, yeah, that's, I guess, you know, the secret you talk about is, yeah, you realizing that. I'm not a teacher anymore in the sense that that's all I am. So I am a teacher to the kids. I think I'm a lot more to that to my students as well, but I'm definitely a business owner. And that's, you know, a whole nother side to me that wasn't there before.

That's so good. And I think it's almost like you realize that. I'm the boss, like you had that moment where you think where, yeah, and I can, I can very clearly picture where you were sitting as well. And yes, we had a lot of chocolate that weekend, but it's like, you don't need to check in with anyone else, not your principal, not your parents, not the curriculum. 

There's nothing else that you need to go back and check with. And for you, I feel like, you know, and you're probably like a lot of us. We want to do the right thing. We don't want to get in trouble at school. We are following the code of conduct, you know, we doing all of those things the right way. And when we come into our businesses, that just like subconsciously drifts in.

And I know. People who hear me talk sometimes and they say, Oh, you can't say that you shouldn't be saying that. And I'm like, but why not? Because I'm not attached to that organization anymore. Let's be honest. Most people are actually thinking it, but they're not allowed to say it. So now as entrepreneurs, as business owners.

As our own bosses, we actually get to say what we believe in or, or say how we feel and then act accordingly and do what we, so were there any specific things that you can think of that changed in your business that you're like, well, now there's nobody here to tell me what to do or check on me. I can do that or I want to start doing that.

I think definitely my advertising and putting myself out there. I was so careful in, in what I was saying on social media, be it, you know, me speaking, which wasn't a big thing that I was doing back then. I'm trying to do more of it now, but even, you know, in Instagram posts and reels, I was so, so careful.

And even in my head, and there might be some other, you know, tutor business owners out there who thought the same, it'd be nice to know if it's not just me. But I think, you know, as I was creating that content, I did feel like, oh, but if someone from work, old work sees this, what will they think? And so I was even going through all that of, you know, I know they're following me.

 Do I block them? Like I was just, you know, it was just so, yeah, old style mentality, I guess, in that I was so worried about what those people would think of my advertising and what I was saying and, you know, was I being a backstabber and all that? Like it was, yeah, that was probably the The hardest mind shift to make to make advertising go actually know what parents need to know these parents need to know that, you know, they're probably not being taught what they need to be taught and it's, you know, it's not the kids fault if they're struggling and all that kind of thing. 

So I've really switched my mindset about what I say in that respect. Again, there's no code of contact that I need to follow. I'm just need to let parents know. Hey, it's okay. And if you need help, reach out. So I love that. And and. This isn't you being disrespectful and this isn't you, you know, bad mouthing schools and teachers. 

This is you, like you said, informing parents and supporting kids and their parents, you know, the whole families. And I know exactly what you mean. When I started doing school readiness like a lifetime ago, there wasn't anybody else doing it. Definitely not on the Gold Coast. A couple of places in Sydney.

And there was so much backlash from people sort of saying to me, well, why do you need to prepare kids for school? And, you know, why are you putting little kids into tutoring and things like that? And you have to, it's that moment in time where you realize there's always going to be somebody who doesn't. 

Like what you do, who doesn't agree with what you do, and that's okay. We can't please everyone. And that's just human nature. That's just the world that we live in. Everybody's got people who don't like them or don't agree with them. And it would be pretty boring if we did all agree, right? So you have to, like you said, draw that line in the sand and say, Okay.

You might, might not like this, but this is who I am. This is what I stand for. This is what I do. And this all comes together in this beautiful form of my business. And I mean, we could go off on a tangent there and start talking about branding and all those sorts of things. But I think the important thing to remember is that when you're true to you.

And to, to, to who you are and what you do and what you're passionate about. I think that's when businesses really thrive and that's what I can see has happened definitely for you. You know, yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely. Dance. Yeah. I've taken that stance and you can sort of say, well. This is what I want to do.

And I mean, a great example of that was when you pivoted to groups and didn't lose students. And I mean, a lot of people are terrified of moving from one on one to groups and you did it successfully. And I do believe that, you know, you did the prep work to ensure you communicated with parents properly.

But also it's because parents trusted you because you weren't feeding them BS. You weren't just saying what needed to be said. You weren't just jumping through the hoops or following a plan that was handed down to you. You were sort of saying, this is what I believe in. This is what I'm passionate about.

This is what I want to do for your kids and how I want to work with them. And parents can see the difference. I 100 percent think that they can see the difference. Oh, absolutely. Yeah. And again, that was another, I guess, hallelujah moment of, Oh yeah, they, they do believe in me and they, you know, they know that they're, you know, getting what their child needs.

So yeah. Yeah. Switching to groups. I mean, like you said, giving them all the information that they needed and it wasn't just, you know, a bit of hullabaloo. It was, you know, based in, in facts and research that yeah, had parents going, you know, and I did have one parent. So. Yeah. You don't need to send me all that.

We'll do whatever you think is necessary. So that was a real, oh, wow, moment. Like, yeah, yeah, yeah. Awesome. Well, I think to do a full loop and go back to, to what we said at the start, I can see that you've come so far. And I wanted to get you on today because I do think that you. Unlocked a, you know, a secret within the industry, I guess, but for you, it was for the growth of your business.

And that is the shift in your mindset and then that ability to take on your business as the CEO. So more than just the employee in your business, which is unfortunately. What a lot of us end up with, we create businesses that we work in 40 hours a week anyway. And then if we're on holidays or if we're sick, we don't make money, guys, that's not a business, created a job for yourself.

And we'll talk about that another day, but you have successfully got yourself to this point. And I do think mindset plays a big part, but like we said, that, that shift in knowing. You're the boss now you have control and there's nothing limiting how you run your business and how you market and what you say and i just want to finish on one thing and say that actually sometimes the most effective marketing is when we stand out to be different so.

If you were just doing all of the same run of the mill school readiness, here's 10 tips to get your child ready. Here's, you know, what you need to know for next year. If you just stick to those very. Kind of say mediocre for lack of a better word, but they're, they're same, same, everybody's saying you get lost in that noise, you get lost in that marketing, but when you have a, an opinion that's strong or a, a view that strong that you believe in and you speak to that, you stand out.

And then you start to attract the right people. And inadvertently you repel those people who aren't aligned with you. And that's okay. Because like we said, you know, if you're running school readiness classes and you've got these families or educators, it's usually the educators. If we're being honest, it's not usually the parents.

If you don't like what we're saying, it's usually other teachers have got their nose in the joints. They're not your audience. That's not who you're trying to work with. So if they come along and they have a poo poo about your, you know, whinge about you doing school readiness, who cares? You know, you're not friends with them because of that, you know, so yeah, I just want to say thank you today for sharing your journey, for sharing some of those tips and things that you've experienced along the way.

And I'm really excited. Do you have, okay, I'm putting you on the spot here, but do you have, or are you happy to share what it is that you're working on for this year? Like the big goals that you're sort of trying to achieve for 2024 in your business. Yeah, on the spot.

Look, to be honest at the moment the move and the new office space is like the number one thing in my brain. I'm kind of Consumed with that because I'm just so keen to get in and get moving in and hopefully start the term in there. I think staff needs to be my next big goal. I have a million ideas and then I look at my timetable and I think, um, I'm not even gonna have time to sleep at this rate.

So I think that needs to be my next big focus and really. Yeah. Work on that, that goal for 2024. Brilliant. I love it. And like we just said, if, you know, to grow your business. Usually you need stuff, you need some good systems, you need stuff, and otherwise you're just creating, you know, more work for yourself.

So I'm super excited and I can't wait to see the new setup of the new space. If people would like to touch base with you, maybe follow along with what you're doing in your business. Where's the best place? What are your Instagram or Facebook handles and your website? So Instagram is fundamental literacy and Facebook is the same.

Yeah. So that's usually where I'm, I'm hanging out, sharing all my personal thoughts on, and that is actually nailing social media. So if we flashed back to 12 months ago, probably about 12 months ago, you were like, there's no way in hell I'm putting my face on camera now just nailing it. So we actually have a lot of. 

The ladies inside of the tutoring growth membership, Nat doesn't know this yet, but we have a lot of the ladies who are saying, what's Nat doing? We need to, we need to get Nat in and do a session with us to show us what she's doing. So I'm just telling her this right now for the first time. You should see her face. 

She's mortified, but that's just proof that when you let go of what other people are thinking of you and you just. Focus on what it is that you're passionate about and what it is that you're trying to bring to the table and help other people with. It actually makes it so much easier. Yeah, absolutely. I did have one of the girls reach out to us.

She's like, you must be outsourcing. I'm like, no, I'm just ignoring my family. That's it. Well, you think about it, like it probably would feel awkward. Everything is, everything in our lives has got a context, okay, and probably that's the difference with social media is anything you put out there, the whole world can see it, but if you were in the classroom teaching and your partner walked in, I mean, because if you've been doing it for a while, you, it might not even faze you, but for some people, they would like freeze up and they'd be like, Oh my gosh, someone's watching me.

But it'd be like the same. If you went to a nightclub and you were dancing and your kids walked in and saw your amazing moves, people would probably be like, like your kids would be like, what are you doing? So everything is got, you know, its own place and its context, but because social media is worldwide to everyone, when you put something out there.

Our intentions get blurred. We're trying to put it out there for our ideal audience, but we know that people who aren't our ideal audience are watching it and judging. And that's the bit I think that we have to try and ignore and that's the bit that Oh, absolutely, and that's the hardest thing to block out.

And there are times I just sit there, you know, just post it, just do it because that, that negative side, unfortunately, I think is part of human nature. That's, you know, what stops us from doing things. You've got to go, you know what, you are not important. This is what I need to do. So good. Love it. Thank you so much, Nat.

Thank you for your time today. It's been so great chatting with you. It's been lovely. And for anybody else who is in that moment of being stuck and feeling like they are struggling with what other people are thinking or saying, even though they're probably not, or getting away from the constraints and boundaries of school, then feel free to get in touch.

I'd love to have a chat. We can jump on a call, nut through some things, but don't let that hold you back. Don't let that fear. Of what other people are thinking and your previous job hold you back from the growth in your business. If you enjoyed this episode today, I would absolutely love for you to leave a review.

It only takes a minute and if you haven't yet subscribed Make sure you do to ensure that you never miss an episode Finally, if you want to know more about what we do head over to the website Kirstiegibbs. com or check out the link in the show notes below Thanks for listening. It's so great to have you here.