What really happens when a teacher leaves the classroom and builds an education business?

In this episode, Claire Riley is joined by John Nichols, President of The Tutors’ Association and founder of an international education consultancy, to unpack the uncomfortable truths about teaching, tutoring, and entrepreneurship in education.

John shares his unconventional journey from Teach First science teacher to full-time tutor, and eventually to leading one of the UK’s most influential professional bodies in tuition. Along the way, he talks candidly about why classroom teaching didn’t suit him, why tutoring worked immediately, and why many education businesses struggle when they try to scale — especially in edtech.

This is a grounded, no-hype conversation about responsiveness, mindset shifts, boundaries, and what teachers must unlearn if they want to succeed in business. If you’re a former teacher building (or thinking of building) an education business, this episode will challenge how you think about work, value, and impact.

 


00:01:30 - John’s Exit from Teaching

00:05:20 - Discovering Tutoring — and Earning More Fast

00:11:40 - Teaching vs Tutoring: What Actually Changes

00:06:30 - From Tutor to Business Owner

00:07:30 - The Reality of Building an EdTech Company

00:17:40 - Managing Multiple Roles and Businesses

00:20:30 - Teams, Expectations, and Cultural Differences

00:28:30 - Responsiveness as a Business Superpower

00:35:00 - The Future of Education and Private Provision

 

All About John:

John Nichols is a former teacher, tutor, President of The Tutors' Association (TTA) and co-founder of the education technology and consulting company, Get My Grades Limited. He has a wealth of experience in education with over 13,000 hours of personal teaching experience, as well as having implemented a high-impact educational technology programme to over 27,000 students in Africa and delivering impactful teacher training based on modern cognitive science and its practical application in the classroom. As elected President of The Tutors' Association since 2020, John led on the sectoral engagement with the DfE and its contracted delivery partners in the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) and has created and implemented the international growth strategy and led engagement with UNESCO, UK Government departments (DfE, DBT and HMRC) as well as with education stakeholders in the UK and around the world.

Website: https://thetutorsassociation.org.uk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-nichols-2556693b/

 

What really happens when a teacher leaves the classroom and builds an education business?
In this episode, Claire Riley is joined by John Nichols, President of The Tutors&rsquo; Association and founder of an international education consultancy, to unpack the uncomfortable truths about teaching, tutoring, and entrepreneurship in education.
John shares his unconventional journey from Teach First science teacher to full-time tutor, and eventually to leading one of the UK&rsquo;s most influential professional bodies in tuition. Along the way, he talks candidly about why classroom teaching didn&rsquo;t suit him, why tutoring worked immediately, and why many education businesses struggle when they try to scale &mdash; especially in edtech.
This is a grounded, no-hype conversation about responsiveness, mindset shifts, boundaries, and what teachers must unlearn if they want to succeed in business. If you&rsquo;re a former teacher building (or thinking of building) an education business, this episode will challenge how you think about work, value, and impact.
&nbsp;
 00:01:30 - John&rsquo;s Exit from Teaching
00:05:20 - Discovering Tutoring &mdash; and Earning More Fast
00:11:40 - Teaching vs Tutoring: What Actually Changes
00:06:30 - From Tutor to Business Owner
00:07:30 - The Reality of Building an EdTech Company
00:17:40 - Managing Multiple Roles and Businesses
00:20:30 - Teams, Expectations, and Cultural Differences
00:28:30 - Responsiveness as a Business Superpower
00:35:00 - The Future of Education and Private Provision
&nbsp;
All About John: John Nichols is a former teacher, tutor, President of The Tutors' Association (TTA) and co-founder of the education technology and consulting company, Get My Grades Limited. He has a wealth of experience in education with over 13,000 hours of personal teaching experience, as well as having implemented a high-impact educational technology programme to over 27,000 students in Africa and delivering impactful teacher training based on modern cognitive science and its practical application in the classroom. As elected President of The Tutors' Association since 2020, John led on the sectoral engagement with the DfE and its contracted delivery partners in the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) and has created and implemented the international growth strategy and led engagement with UNESCO, UK Government departments (DfE, DBT and HMRC) as well as with education stakeholders in the UK and around the world. Website: <a href="https://thetutorsassociation.org.uk/">https://thetutorsassociation.org.uk/</a> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-nichols-2556693b/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-nichols-2556693b/</a>
&nbsp;

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.