In this reflective episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, we explore where self-worth really comes from and why so many teachers and tutors struggle to feel valued. Sparked by a personal conversation with my sister-in-law, this episode looks at how education conditions us to give, adapt and overdeliver, often at the expense of our own time, boundaries and confidence. If you’ve ever felt unseen, under-appreciated or caught in imposter syndrome, this episode will help you reframe what value actually means and where it starts.

I share three practical ways tutors and teachers can begin valuing themselves more in everyday life and business: protecting your time, owning your expertise rather than relying on kindness alone, and stopping the habit of outsourcing your self-worth to parents, results or praise. This episode is ideal for tutors, teachers and education business owners who want to start the year feeling more grounded, confident and aligned — not by changing who they are, but by valuing themselves properly.

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In this Q&A episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, I answer real questions submitted during Make It Happen Mondays—my weekly live coaching session for tutors. We cover what to focus on when launching a new tutoring business or platform, how tutors can find their first clients, and how to design a simple customer journey that builds trust with parents. If you’re starting a tutoring business, relaunching your services, or feeling unsure where to put your energy first, this episode offers practical, experience-led guidance without the overwhelm.

We also dive into some of the biggest growth questions tutors ask: how to move from 1-to-1 tutoring into group tuition, when (and how) to take on another tutor, how to fill daytime tuition slots, and the pros and cons of agencies, home education, and international tuition. This episode is ideal for tutors, teachers and education business owners who want to grow sustainably, increase income without burning out, and make confident decisions about scaling their tutoring business.

https://www.tutorswhothrive.com/make-it-happen

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In this reflective episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, I share something I wish I’d started sooner in 2025 — building an interest list for future students rather than relying on last-minute enquiries or traditional waiting lists. I talk openly about how this happened by accident, why it’s changing the way I grow Mr C’s Tutoring, and how nurturing parents early through content, workshops and light-touch offers can lead to stronger starts each September. If you run a tutoring business, offer 11+ or GCSE tuition, or rely on word-of-mouth marketing, this episode will help you rethink enquiries, demand, and sustainable growth.

I also reflect on the wider evolution of my businesses, from setting clearer boundaries to rethinking memberships, courses, group tuition and long-term scale. We explore why waiting lists aren’t always a sign of success, how interest lists can support ethical growth, and what tutors should be doing now to prepare for 2026 and beyond. This episode is ideal for tutors, teachers, and education business owners who want to grow with intention, improve their marketing and onboarding systems, and build a tutoring business that feels calm, strategic, and future-focused rather than reactive.

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Investing in yourself isn’t just about spending money — it can be free, it can be paid, and it can be the daily choice to put time, effort and belief into your growth. In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, I share what investing in myself actually looked like while I was still teaching: the books, podcasts, YouTube and social media voices that shaped my thinking, the mindset shifts that helped me take a leap of faith, and why “skin in the game” can create the energy you need to move forward.

We’ll also talk about the impact — how personal development and business development go hand in hand, how investing in the right people can bring speed, clarity and confidence, and why the real return often comes through relationships, community and opportunities. If you’re a tutor, teacher, or tutoring business owner thinking about leaving the classroom, starting a tutoring business, growing your tutoring business, building online offers, or joining a course or membership, this episode will help you rethink what investment means and choose your next step with intention.

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In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, Richard shares a powerful personal story about his mum and dad, a sliding-doors moment on a roundabout, and how heartbreak and hardship pushed his dad into action. He connects that family story to the journeys so many tutors and ex-teachers go through: the misalignment with school values, the pressure of targets, the emotional toll of staying in the classroom too long, and the moment you realise something has to change. If you’re a teacher thinking about leaving education, a tutor building a tuition business, or an online tutor wondering where your drive comes from (and why it sometimes disappears), this episode will really resonate.

Richard explores how hardship can be the catalyst for ambition and legacy – whether that’s starting your own tutoring business, growing from 10 to 50+ students, or creating work–life balance that actually works for your family. He talks honestly about being “in the pit”, why you shouldn’t make big decisions when you’re at your lowest, and how to use frustration, burnout and “I’ll prove you wrong” energy as fuel to build something better. You’ll be encouraged to reflect on the stories, role models and key moments that shaped you as an educator, and be reminded that the work you do now as a tutor becomes part of your students’ stories – and sometimes, part of their children’s stories too.

email: richard@tutorswhothrive.com

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In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, I’m talking about something we don’t give ourselves enough credit for: our professional instincts. I share a story from my early days in social services, where a primary mental health worker picked up on signs of domestic abuse before we’d even knocked on the door, just from subtle cues and experience. We dig into what that means for us as tutors, teachers and education professionals – how our brain, body and nervous system are constantly reading red flags and green flags in the children and families we work with, whether that’s safeguarding concerns, tricky parent conversations, or noticing when a child is actually ready to move on academically.

We then bring it right into the tutoring room: spotting when a student is bored because the work is too easy, handling behaviour in small groups, recognising when a family isn’t the right fit, and noticing the things that quietly light you up in your tutoring business (hello, GCSE maths tutoring!). This is a reflective, honest episode for private tutors, tuition business owners and teachers who want to lean into their intuition, stay aligned with their values, and make better decisions about the students, parents and opportunities they say yes (or no) to.

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We forget how powerful our work is. In this solo episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, I make the case that tutors aren’t “just tutors”—we change trajectories. From 11+ and GCSE breakthroughs to confidence, mindset and motivation, I explore the academic and emotional impact of tutoring: light-bulb moments, intrinsic motivation, and the long-term ripple effects into sixth form, university, careers and family life. If you’re a tuition business owner who needs a reminder of your value (and a few stories to share in your marketing), this one’s for you.

You’ll get practical prompts to reflect on impact, build your “evidence bank” (testimonials, messages, results), and turn those into content that attracts ideal families. We’ll talk authentic branding, simple habits for consistent visibility, and why sharing wins (and the graft behind them) grows trust and bookings. Perfect for UK tutors, GCSE/11+ specialists, and tutoring business owners focused on client acquisition, student outcomes, and sustainable growth. Subscribe for more episodes on pricing, packaging, safeguarding, marketing and systems that help your tuition business thrive.

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Want to build an authentic audience for your tutoring business without feeling fake on social media? In this solo episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, I share a practical framework for showing up as yourself, growing trust and loyalty, and turning followers into families who buy. We cover core values, consistent content habits, and real engagement (DMs, comments, voice notes) that help tutors create a personal brand parents actually believe in, without the over-polished, inauthentic stuff.

I also reflect on how Tutors Who Thrive grew when I stopped performing and started speaking in my real voice, plus lessons from Lisa Johnson on consistent, values-led visibility. You’ll leave with simple steps to grow your audience, improve engagement, build an email list, and market your tuition services with integrity. Perfect for UK tutors, teacher-turned-tutors, and anyone who wants ethical marketing that leads to bookings.

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Feeling tempted to say “I’m not selling anything, come to this free thing”? In this solo episode, I unpack why that line erodes trust, first in you, and then across the wider tuition industry. I’ve seen this bait-and-switch approach in other sectors for years, and it’s now creeping into tutoring. I explain why it backfires (even if you don’t pitch on the webinar) and how it trains parents to be sceptical of all of us.

Instead, I share a simple, ethical structure you can use today: be transparent about next steps, deliver a complete win in the free session, then invite—never pressure—the right people to continue. We’ll cover the “Promise → Proof → Path” framework, a permission-based CTA, and a quick checklist to audit your copy, design a useful free asset, set expectations, and nurture without tricks. If you care about trust, community, and long-term reputation, this one’s for you.

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In this reflective episode, I unpack a simple but slippery question: where does passion actually come from, and how do we use it well in our tutoring businesses?

Fresh from a visit to a school’s IB cohort (mentoring project = very impressive!), I share what I told their sixth formers about running a great session—and how their questions led us into a wider chat about passion. Is it discovered by trying things, or is it something we already have that gets assigned to football, teaching, business… even fixing washing machines? We explore both sides, plus the role of boundaries—what to fold into your brand and what to keep purely for you.

Then I bring it home with what’s changing for me: still loving the Kent Test/11+, but feeling pulled towards creating resources and opening up GCSE Maths again. We’ll talk seasons of passion, how to balance impact with life (hobbies, family, sanity), and how to notice when the thing that lit you up needs to evolve. If this resonates, or you’ve got your own “passion pivot”, I’d love to hear it.

Drop me a message via the email in the show notes.

thrive@tutorswhothrive.com

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Safeguarding can feel daunting when you’re tutoring solo, but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I’m joined by Holly Goodwin, safeguarding lead for The Tutors’ Association and a former school DSL, to demystify what safeguarding really means for tutors day to day. We dig into the big picture (children at the centre, clear boundaries, and confident communication) and the practicals you’ll face: handling a disclosure, liaising with parents and schools, when to contact the local authority, simple record-keeping that stands up, and how the home-education register and KCSIE (Part 1) affect your practice.

We also get into the “nitty gritty” that pops up in our community all the time, lone working (in your home and in a family’s home), whether parents should stay, safer online set-ups, and why most tutors don’t need to record lessons (plus the GDPR pitfalls if you do). Finally, Holly shares ways to protect your own wellbeing and avoid isolation, including where to find mental health support via the Hub of Hope. Check the show notes for links to The Tutors’ Association, KCSIE Part 1, and key resources mentioned.

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In this fresh-from-the-room debrief, I unpack a big idea from Monday’s training: we’re in a recession of trust. Buyers need more time, more proof, and more personal connection than ever. I share how to bake trust into your whole journey—top of funnel posts that actually mean something, mid-funnel value (emails, webinars, lead magnets), and bottom-funnel moments that feel natural, not “icky.” We dig into “earning the right” to message, why viral-but-random posts still help likeability, and how to design focal points (webinars, discovery calls, trials) that move families from curious to confident.

Then we get practical: turn common questions into pre-sales content; map the experience at every touchpoint (post → email → voice note → webinar → trial → first session); and de-risk the “yes” with micro-offers that let parents and students experience you before committing. You’ll hear why experience beats price, how a £30–£100 offer can warm buyers for higher-ticket services without extra calls, and ways to personalise follow-ups ethically (hand-raise first, message second). Expect clear next steps to build trust, shorten the sales conversation, and grow with integrity.

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In this honest, big-picture episode, I dive into intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation—how each fuels us at different stages of business. I share how my early “prove-them-wrong” fire evolved into a steadier, mission-led drive to serve families with nurture first, clear expectations, and mindset work around high-stakes moments (11+, GCSEs, A levels).

You’ll hear practical prompts to find your own fuel, balance impact with income, and avoid quick-fix traps like overspending on ads before you’ve proven your offer.

We also bring it back to tutoring practice: how to talk motivation with young people, build pride in hard-won skills (hello, times tables and habits), and use short-term rewards without relying on them. If this resonates, or you’ve got a story the tutor world should hear, I’m lining up new guests. Drop your details via the form in the show notes and let’s share what’s working.

https://forms.gle/Pc3pPXvkbe4ZeUaE9

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In this reflective, practical episode, I share why the show’s gone “edit-light” to reduce friction and ask if that works for you—before diving into ongoing CPD for tutors. Fresh from the National Tutoring Conference, I unpack what great CPD looks like, where to find it (inside and outside our industry), and how to apply it to real tuition challenges—like changing buying habits, low social reach, and the power of webinars, email, and community to keep your pipeline healthy.

You’ll hear simple prompts to streamline your workload (what can you stop doing without losing value?), plus a nudge to plan your next learning day so you stay on the pulse rather than playing catch-up. I also share what I’m attending next and why and invite you to do the same. Bonus: if packaging your services is on your list, I’ve got a £30 workshop on 23 November designed to help you clarify offers for groups and 1-to-1s. Tune in, take notes, and tell me what CPD you’re prioritising next.

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Fresh from the National Tutoring Conference at the Royal Lancaster, Richard shares the standout ideas and people that made the day special—beginning with a huge nod to event lead Sam Nichols and the superb TTA team. Highlights include Susie from PS Education on humanising our language (“families,” not “clients”) and building belonging through richer onboarding and regular check-ins—even online, where a 30–120 second end-of-session parent touchpoint can transform trust. Beata Inskip opened Richard’s mind to scalable GCSE groups online, using Zoom breakout rooms for exam-board/ability differentiation without spinning up endless classes. Amin (A Team Education) offered a grounded look at the fast-growing home-education landscape and what quality, school-like provision can look like when built around a family’s needs.

President John Nichols closed Richard’s loop with a call to values-led leadership and a timely return to foundations: Bloom’s lower rung (remembering) as the base for real understanding—think times tables before fancy gimmicks—then build up to application and analysis. Richard and Vicky’s own ABC framework—Attraction, Belonging, Connection—pulled the day together: tried-and-tested pedagogy plus intentional community. Expect practical takeaways you can use this week: add micro-feedback moments, trial breakout-room differentiation, explore home-ed opportunities, and double-down on fundamentals that work.

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In this practical, real-talk episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, Richard unpacks how to find clients without feeling spammy or overwhelmed. He reframes the journey as three stages—Know-Like-Trust → personal touch (discovery calls) → onboarding—and argues that onboarding is the middle of the business, not the start or end. You’ll hear why visibility matters beyond social media, with examples like community boards and soft local partnerships, and how the most effective tactics right now are the human ones: showing up as you, inviting real conversations, and building trust through consistent touch points.

Richard also shares a simple metric to aim for—around 20 meaningful touch points a month—as a realistic “sweet spot” for momentum without burnout. He explains how to use “hand-raise” calls to action (comments, messages, opt-ins) instead of jumping straight to “Buy now,” and how those signals earn you the right to send info and make an offer. Expect clear, usable guidance on closing conversations, nurturing before the sale, and protecting your headspace with financial security—so you can stay consistent long enough for the compounding effect to kick in.

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Feeling flat or “off your game” with your tutoring business? In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, I open up about losing my mojo after the big push for TutorFest and how that dip crept into my motivation, marketing, and mindset. I share a practical, compassionate reset: identify the trigger, capture the mental load through journaling, and use solution-focused thinking to turn worries into simple next actions. We talk rest without guilt, routines that actually fit real life, and why community time (family, friends, fellow tutors) can be the quickest route back to energy and clarity.

You’ll hear exactly how I’m rebuilding momentum—batching content, scheduling posts, and setting up boring-but-beautiful systems that keep the flywheel turning even on low-energy days. If you’ve felt the same, this episode will help you spot your own pattern, pick one gentle lever to pull, and get back to showing up for your students, your business, and yourself. If it resonates, hit subscribe, share this with a tutor friend, and drop a comment: What’s your go-to move when the mojo slips?

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In this candid, energising episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, I share how I’m getting my mojo back by tackling a topic many tutors avoid: sales. We unpack the difference between the sales conversation and the close, and why the “salesy” feeling usually shows up at the very end—not at the start. I break down stalls vs objections (overwhelm vs price, add-ons, and negotiation) and explain why pushback happens at every price point, whether you charge £15 or £60+ per hour.

You’ll leave with three practical moves you can implement today: make pricing front and centre (or give a clear “from” range if you’re bespoke) to pre-filter enquiries; turn your most common objections into FAQs and content across your website and socials to answer them upfront; and use confident closing questions that smoothly move parents to a decision—think “Which evening works best?” and “Here’s how to get started.” If you don’t have a website, a pinned PDF/proposal works too. Simple tweaks, fewer awkward chats, and more right-fit clients.

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In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, I’m digging into what it really takes to keep showing up when your energy is low and motivation is slipping. We’ll talk about perseverance, determination, and the small but powerful habits that help you keep moving forward when you hit a hurdle. Whether it’s a dip in momentum, admin overload, or that nagging feeling that nothing is working, this conversation is about finding ways to reset, re-energise, and build consistency without burning out.

I’ll share insights from a recent Q&A session in the Tutors Who Thrive community, as well as my own experiences of being in a “funk” and what I do to pull myself out of it. From the importance of creating habits and triggers, to showing up even when it isn’t perfect, this episode will help you think about how to stay visible, stay consistent, and keep your business growing, even when motivation feels far away.

I'm here to help

https://www.tutorswhothrive.com/together-membership

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In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, I’m diving into a topic that every tutor and business owner needs to face head-on: running on empty. The summer months are some of my busiest, especially with 11+ preparation, and while it’s exciting to see so many children working hard, it also means something has to give — in my case, that’s been the podcast. But today I want to pause and explore an idea that came from a powerful message I read earlier this year: is it ever okay to pour from an empty cup?

We’ll look at what exhaustion really means for tutors and business owners, the difference between teaching in schools and running your own business, and how we can build better boundaries for ourselves. I’ll share my own reflections, practical questions to sense-check your workload, and even a little challenge: are you being a good boss to yourself, or a rubbish one? If you’ve ever felt tired, stretched, or wondered how to balance growth with wellbeing, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

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