Episode Overview

Sarah shares how she built a tutoring franchise from an “accidental” start into a long-term business. The conversation explores franchising from both sides, decision-making under uncertainty, and what actually drives sustainable growth in education businesses.

The discussion focuses on practical realities: communication failures, hiring decisions, scaling challenges, and the operational pressure of running a small business. It also looks ahead to long-term thinking, including succession, flexibility, and what “retirement” really means for founders.

 

00:01:00 – Sarah’s accidental path into business

00:03:30 – Leaving a franchise and starting from scratch

00:05:00 – Building a family-run franchise model

00:07:45 – Where franchisors get it wrong

00:11:30 – What makes a great franchisee

00:19:30 – Online tutoring and building Study Central

00:24:30 – Rethinking retirement as a founder

00:32:00 – The reality of small business pressure

00:36:00 – Why outsourcing matters more than hiring

00:39:30 – Final advice: you are not alone

 

All About Sarah:
Sarah always wanted to run her own business, a passion that began in her teenage years and continues to shape her career today. She is part of the family behind MagiKats Tutoring, a company that delivers small group tuition through a network of franchised Tuition Centres across the UK and internationally. Alongside this, she supports private tutors through the Study Central subscription.

While tutoring itself isn’t her focus, Sarah is most passionate about helping educators grow and succeed in building their own businesses, so that they, in turn, can help the next generation achieve their full potential.. Outside of work, she sings professionally and enjoys keeping active with the gym, as well as spending time on coffee outings and dog walks.

Website: https://www.studycentral.info/ and https://www.magikats.co.uk/

Instagram: @sarahmagikats

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-marsh-51227523/

TikTok: @sarah.magikats

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011448608582

Episode Overview
Sarah shares how she built a tutoring franchise from an &ldquo;accidental&rdquo; start into a long-term business. The conversation explores franchising from both sides, decision-making under uncertainty, and what actually drives sustainable growth in education businesses.
The discussion focuses on practical realities: communication failures, hiring decisions, scaling challenges, and the operational pressure of running a small business. It also looks ahead to long-term thinking, including succession, flexibility, and what &ldquo;retirement&rdquo; really means for founders.
&nbsp;
00:01:00 &ndash; Sarah&rsquo;s accidental path into business
00:03:30 &ndash; Leaving a franchise and starting from scratch
00:05:00 &ndash; Building a family-run franchise model
00:07:45 &ndash; Where franchisors get it wrong
00:11:30 &ndash; What makes a great franchisee
00:19:30 &ndash; Online tutoring and building Study Central
00:24:30 &ndash; Rethinking retirement as a founder
00:32:00 &ndash; The reality of small business pressure
00:36:00 &ndash; Why outsourcing matters more than hiring
00:39:30 &ndash; Final advice: you are not alone
&nbsp;
All About Sarah: Sarah always wanted to run her own business, a passion that began in her teenage years and continues to shape her career today. She is part of the family behind MagiKats Tutoring, a company that delivers small group tuition through a network of franchised Tuition Centres across the UK and internationally. Alongside this, she supports private tutors through the Study Central subscription. While tutoring itself isn&rsquo;t her focus, Sarah is most passionate about helping educators grow and succeed in building their own businesses, so that they, in turn, can help the next generation achieve their full potential.. Outside of work, she sings professionally and enjoys keeping active with the gym, as well as spending time on coffee outings and dog walks.
Website: https://www.studycentral.info/ and <a href="https://www.magikats.co.uk/">https://www.magikats.co.uk/</a>
Instagram: @sarahmagikats
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-marsh-51227523/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-marsh-51227523/</a>
TikTok: @sarah.magikats
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011448608582

The Education Business Podcast is for educational consultants, small education-based business owners, Edtech providers and workshop leaders focused on providing education services to schools, as well as for teachers transitioning to freelancing with an entrepreneurial business idea. Growing and scaling a business that provides a service to schools and education requires a different skillset and inside knowledge to many other entrepreneurial ventures. In this podcast Claire Riley, CEO of Classroom Secrets and host of The Teachers' Podcast, shares what it takes to market and pitch your services to this sector. Find out exactly what headteachers and teachers are looking for, and why building a personal brand matters in your marketing and how you can grow your education business.

The Education Business Podcast is for educational consultants, small education-based business owners, Edtech providers and workshop leaders focused on providing education services to schools, as well as for teachers transitioning to freelancing with an entrepreneurial business idea. Growing and scaling a business that provides a service to schools and education requires a different skillset and inside knowledge to many other entrepreneurial ventures. In this podcast Claire Riley, CEO of Classroom Secrets and host of The Teachers' Podcast, shares what it takes to market and pitch your services to this sector. Find out exactly what headteachers and teachers are looking for, and why building a personal brand matters in your marketing and how you can grow your education business.

The Education Business Podcast

Building a business in education can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone.

Hosted by Claire Riley, founder of Classroom Secrets and passionate advocate for helping educators turn their expertise into thriving businesses, this podcast brings you honest conversations, practical strategies, and the behind-the-scenes lessons from those already making an impact in the education space.

Each episode dives into the realities of running and growing an education business—from building sustainable income streams and navigating challenges, to embracing innovation and scaling with purpose. You’ll hear inspiring stories from fellow entrepreneurs, expert insights, and Claire’s own experiences of successes and setbacks along the way.

Whether you’re an aspiring edupreneur just starting out or a seasoned business owner looking for fresh perspective, this podcast will give you the tools, clarity, and encouragement you need to grow with confidence.

Tune in weekly to discover how to make your education business thrive while staying true to your mission of making a difference.

Building a business in education can feel overwhelming&mdash;but you don&rsquo;t have to do it alone.
Hosted by Claire Riley, founder of Classroom Secrets and passionate advocate for helping educators turn their expertise into thriving businesses, this podcast brings you honest conversations, practical strategies, and the behind-the-scenes lessons from those already making an impact in the education space.
Each episode dives into the realities of running and growing an education business&mdash;from building sustainable income streams and navigating challenges, to embracing innovation and scaling with purpose. You&rsquo;ll hear inspiring stories from fellow entrepreneurs, expert insights, and Claire&rsquo;s own experiences of successes and setbacks along the way.
Whether you&rsquo;re an aspiring edupreneur just starting out or a seasoned business owner looking for fresh perspective, this podcast will give you the tools, clarity, and encouragement you need to grow with confidence.
Tune in weekly to discover how to make your education business thrive while staying true to your mission of making a difference.