What They Don't Tell You About Starting a Business (The School Person's Reality Check)
When educators consider entrepreneurship, they often focus on their subject matter expertise, and rightfully so. Whether it's marketing, strategic planning, executive coaching, or curriculum development, most school professionals possess in-depth knowledge that can be leveraged to provide valuable services.
But here's what nobody talks about in those inspiring "leave your job and follow your passion" stories: Having expertise is just the entry fee. Running a business requires an entirely different skill set.
The Field of Dreams Fallacy
Too many educators fall into what I call the "Field of Dreams" trap—the belief that "if you build it, they will come." I've seen this assumption derail promising ventures before they even get started.
The harsh reality? Subject matter expertise alone doesn't generate clients. You can be the most knowledgeable person in your field, but if no one knows you exist, your expertise is worthless from a business perspective.
The Jobs You Didn't Sign Up For
When you transition from education to entrepreneurship, you're not just changing careers—you're becoming a one-person company. That means wearing multiple hats, whether you like it or not:
Marketing: Can you effectively communicate your value to potential clients? Do you understand how to reach your target audience? This isn't about becoming a social media guru—it's about clearly articulating why someone should choose your services over countless alternatives.
Sales: Are you comfortable making the ask? This is where many educators stumble. We're trained to teach, guide, and support, but directly asking someone to pay for our services feels foreign and uncomfortable. I was fortunate to have admissions and fundraising experience that translated naturally, but many school professionals have never had to "sell" anything.
Business Development: How will you identify and pursue potential clients? What's your strategy for building relationships that turn into contracts?
Administration: From invoicing to contract management to client communications, the administrative side of business can consume a significant amount of time and energy.
Accounting: Whether you handle it yourself or hire help (I chose the latter due to my irrational fear of the IRS), financial management becomes a crucial part of your daily reality.
The Daily Reality
This list barely scratches the surface of what you'll encounter on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Every successful education entrepreneur I know has had to develop competencies far beyond their original area of expertise.
The point isn't to discourage you; it's to prepare you. Too many educators jump into entrepreneurship, thinking their teaching skills or administrative experience will automatically translate into business success. While these skills are valuable, they're just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Before You Make the Leap
As you consider transitioning into entrepreneurship, ask yourself these honest questions:
How will you find your first five clients?
Are you prepared to spend significant time on activities that aren't your core expertise?
Do you have a plan for developing your marketing and sales skills?
Are you comfortable with the reality that you'll be responsible for every aspect of your business?
I'm not sharing this to talk anyone out of entrepreneurship; I'm sharing it because I wish someone had given me this reality check before I started. Understanding these challenges upfront allows you to prepare for them rather than being caught off guard.
Your subject matter expertise has gotten you this far, but it's your willingness to learn and execute in unfamiliar territory that will ultimately determine your success as an entrepreneur.
Respectfully Unschooled,
Brendan