The Education Business Podcast

Claire Riley
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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.

  1. Sarah Marsh: The Accidental Founder: Building an Education Franchise

    6 DAYS AGO

    Sarah Marsh: The Accidental Founder: Building an Education Franchise

    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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min
  2. Katie Stone: From Teacher Burnout to Scalable Business

    27 APR

    Katie Stone: From Teacher Burnout to Scalable Business

    Episode Overview Katie Stone shares the transition from teaching to building a scalable virtual assistant business. The conversation focuses on the realities of leaving teaching, the mindset barriers that stop founders from outsourcing, and the practical systems required to grow beyond a one-person operation. This episode is grounded in operational clarity: how to move from doing everything yourself to building processes that allow your business to run without you.   00:02:00 - Leaving teaching under pressure 00:05:00 - Starting a business with £500 00:07:00 - Why remote work changed everything 00:14:00 - The mindset shift required to outsource 00:15:00 - Control vs growth: the turning point 00:17:00 - Building simple processes that scale 00:22:00 - What to hand off first in your business 00:28:00 - Why systems matter early   All About Katie: Katie Stone is the founder of Elevated Support Ltd, a virtual assistant agency that helps education businesses grow by taking admin off their plate. A former teacher turned entrepreneur, Katie is passionate about helping education businesses to find more time for the work that matters.Since 2020 she has built an award-winning team of ex-educators and specialists who streamline systems, set up automation, manage email marketing and handle day-to-day operations. When she's not digging her clients out of spaghetti like tangles of admin, she can be found in South Shropshire gaming, watching and much TV as possible and hanging out with her husband and two lovely kids.Website: https://katiestonepa.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestonepa/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevatedsupportltd See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
  3. Simon Hunt: Why Credibility Matters More Than Followers

    20 APR

    Simon Hunt: Why Credibility Matters More Than Followers

    Episode Overview This episode explores how a classroom teacher built opportunities beyond school without leaving it. Simon shares how he moved from simply posting ideas online to working with global education brands, while staying grounded in teaching. The conversation focuses on value, credibility, and the tension between education and business. It unpacks what companies actually need from teachers, why authenticity matters, and how educators can create opportunities without chasing them. For education founders, it offers a clear perspective on working with teachers effectively. For teachers, it shows a realistic path into building influence and income without losing integrity.   00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Why Simon Became a Teacher 04:30 – Starting to Share Online 06:30 – The Shift to Business Thinking 12:30 – Understanding Your Value 17:30 – Monetisation and Credibility 19:30 – The Role of Trust in Schools 23:00 – Getting Started in 30 Days 26:30 – What Brands Get Wrong 29:00 – Working with Small vs Big Companies 31:30 – What Education Businesses Need to Know   All About Simon: Simon Hunt is a primary school teacher, education consultant, author, and content creator with 17 years of experience across a range of settings. He began his teaching career in Reception before teaching in Year 6 and now teaches a mixed Year 3/4 class at Tottington Primary School in Bury.Alongside his classroom role, Simon is a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) for Bury, supporting schools to develop creative, inclusive, and effective teaching practices. He works with schools across the UK to deliver CPD, share innovative approaches to learning, and help teachers feel confident and inspired in their practice.Simon has worked as an education consultant with the BBC on the 500 Words writing competition for the past three years and has collaborated with organisations including Netflix on projects linked to the Blackfish documentary. He is also a published children’s author and has worked with a range of education and EdTech organisations across the UK and Europe to develop meaningful, classroom-focused resources. He was also named Inspirational Teacher of the Year by the Manchester Evening News.Known online as Mr Hunt from the Front, Simon shares practical ideas, classroom strategies, and creative approaches to teaching with a wide audience of educators. His work is driven by a passion for making learning engaging, inclusive, and memorable for all children.Website: https://www.mrhuntfromthefront.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrhuntfromthefrontInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrhuntfromthefront/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-hunt-b0a442161/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrhuntfromthefront   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min
  4. Matthew Henshall: Scaling by Subtraction: Building a Net Positive Business

    13 APR

    Matthew Henshall: Scaling by Subtraction: Building a Net Positive Business

    Episode overview:This episode explores what actually drives sustainable growth in an education business. Matthew breaks down why focus beats expansion, how luck shapes outcomes more than we admit, and why long-term success comes from subtraction, not addition.  Listeners will get: A clear lens on product-market fit vs early traction A grounded view on growth during and after COVID Practical thinking on focus, strategy, and saying no A realistic take on “net positive” success beyond revenue   00:00:00 – The core principle: scaling through subtraction 00:01:00 – Matthew’s journey into tutoring and edtech 00:03:00 – The accidental start of Lessonspace 00:05:00 – Early traction vs real product-market fit 00:07:00 – Customer-led growth 00:08:00 – COVID: luck, timing, and rapid growth 00:10:00 – Post-COVID strategy and saying no 00:12:00 – Focus as a growth strategy 00:13:00 – Building and scaling a team 00:16:00 – The personal cost of building a business 00:17:00 – Defining “net positive” 00:22:00 – Sustainability vs impact in education 00:26:00 – Final lesson: subtract to scale   All About Matthew:Matthew is the founder of Lessonspace, a Zoom alternative to conduct your online tutoring. Website: thelessonspace.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lessonspace/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  5. Jen Elliott: An Operator’s Guide to Scaling and Exiting an Education Business

    6 APR

    Jen Elliott: An Operator’s Guide to Scaling and Exiting an Education Business

    Episode Overview This episode explores what it really takes to build a scalable education business. Jen shares lessons from three decades in one organisation, including leadership, succession planning, and preparing for exit. The conversation focuses on the shift from founder-led to system-led businesses. It challenges common assumptions about growth, value, and control. At its core, this episode is about building something that works beyond the founder. That means strong leadership layers, clear accountability, and a business model that can stand on its own.   00:01:00 – Jen’s journey into education business 00:04:00 – Purpose and working in schools 00:06:00 – Leaving and returning with clarity 00:07:00 – Ownership and mindset shift 00:11:00 – Preparing a business for sale 00:13:00 – Systems, metrics and scalability 00:15:00 – What buyers are really investing in 00:17:00 – Succession planning explained 00:22:00 – Hiring and developing leaders 00:25:00 – Culture and people strategy 00:28:00 – Staying relevant in education 00:29:00 – Relationships and long-term growth   All About Jen:Jen Elliott is CEO of EPM Ltd, a leading provider of HR and payroll services supporting over 2,000 schools and trusts across the UK. With more than 30 years of experience, EPM partners with school and academy leaders to navigate complex staffing and employee relations challenges, delivering technology-enabled solutions across HR, payroll, pensions, safeguarding, compliance, and consultancy. Having worked in the business since 1996 Jen was appointed as EPM CEO in 2017. She has worked with many schools and some of the UK’s largest MATs over the last 30 years, supporting academy leaders with complex staffing and employee relations issues. In 2025, Jen founded the Network of Education Excellence (nEdEx), designed to bring together education leaders to share insight, drive innovation and strengthen sector collaboration. She also Chaired the Board of CF Group, an organisation dedicated to supporting young people through Alternative Provision, children’s homes, and independent social work services, leading the organisation through to its sale in 2025. Outside Education Jen is on the Advisory Board of www.eightfourtwo.co.uk, a financial investment business. Jen is passionate about supporting young people with their careers and providing development opportunities for students to support with the transition from school to business. Website: www.epm.co.ukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-elliott-b1187023 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  6. Kate Bodrova: Building in a Crowded Market

    30 MAR

    Kate Bodrova: Building in a Crowded Market

    Episode Overview Entrepreneurship often looks glamorous from the outside. Fundraising announcements. Revenue milestones. Big exits. But the reality is much simpler. In this episode, Kate Bodrova shares her journey from selling private English lessons as a university student to building a language school and founding an education technology company. The conversation explores what really drives founders: curiosity, challenge, and the desire to build something meaningful. Kate explains why success is not just financial. She talks about the role of personal growth in entrepreneurship, the importance of listening closely to customers, and why there is no magic system for scaling a business. Instead, the work is straightforward. Build something people need. Talk to your customers. Improve the product. Repeat. For founders in education, her message is clear: competition should not stop you. When Kate opened her language school, there were already 38 schools on the same street. What mattered was commitment, energy, and focus on the customer.   00:00 — Introduction 01:00 — How Kate Started Her First Business 02:10 — Why Founders Need Challenge 03:05 — What Success Really Looks Like 04:00 — Can Money Buy Happiness? 05:30 — Entrepreneurship and Personal Growth 06:40 — Why Kate Never Chose Employment 07:30 — The Truth About Systems and Productivity 08:20 — Why Customers Must Be the Centre 09:30 — How Customer Conversations Shape Strategy 11:00 — Competing in a Crowded Market 12:30 — Final Advice for Entrepreneurs   All About Kate:Kate Bodrova is the founder and CEO of Amazy.uk, an award-winning platform that transforms how schools and educators create, manage, and deliver learning content while tracking student progress. A former ESL teacher, she is on a mission to modernise education by giving schools and teachers greater flexibility, control, and impact in the way they design, track, and share learning experiences. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    21 min
  7. Parita Patel: Building an Education Business Around Life, Not the Other Way Around

    23 MAR

    Parita Patel: Building an Education Business Around Life, Not the Other Way Around

    Episode Overview  Parita Patel spent nearly two decades in education before building a tutoring business almost by accident. What began as a stop-gap after leaving full-time teaching is now a growing education company supporting students from primary through A-levels. In this episode, Parita shares how illness forced her to pause and rethink everything. That period became a turning point, shaping the way she built her business around health, family, and purpose. She talks openly about the realities of running an education business while raising a family, what “balance” actually looks like day to day, and why building the right team is essential for sustainable growth. This conversation explores the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and life design.   00:00 Introduction to Parita Patel 00:01:30 Leaving the classroom and discovering tutoring 00:03:00 Viral meningitis and a forced pause 00:04:30 How recovery reshaped the business vision 00:06:00 Growing LEAP Educate from two tutors to a team 00:09:00 What “balance” really looks like in practice 00:12:00 Structuring a founder’s day around family life 00:16:00 Building a team and letting go of everything yourself 00:18:30 Advice for education business owners   All About Parita: Parita, a mum of two teens, an educator of 18 years with experience in Primary, and Secondary SEND education. From Teacher to tutor and entrepreneur, Parita’s mission at LEAPeducate is about empowering ALL students to maximise their academic potential no matter their barriers. Supporting parents to support their children is one of her strengths; after all, a successful education journey blossoms in a triangulation with the child at the heart of the journey "Providing a platform for children to learn and be the best version of themselves is my passion and ultimate goal. Some children may want support in challenging themselves academically, some to overcome learning barriers and others to gain optimum confidence. All children have the right to learn in the in alignment for them, enabling them to achieve their potential."LEAPeducate is an award-winning inclusive education organisation aspiring to support its students (aged 5-21) to learn holistically while developing wider skills for longer term success in a competitive world. If you would like to optimise your child’s academic journey through tuition and academic mentoring, you can join the LEAPeducate family booking in FREE consultation to discuss your requirements >>> www.leapeducte.com/contactWebsite: https://www.leapeducate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapeducate/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paritapatel-leapeducate/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leapeducate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    19 min
  8. Shane Leaning: Building an Ethical Education Business

    16 MAR

    Shane Leaning: Building an Ethical Education Business

    Episode Overview In this episode of the Education Business Podcast, Claire Riley speaks with education consultant Shane Leaning about the journey from classroom teacher to running an education consultancy. Shane began his career teaching in the UK before moving into international schools and senior leadership roles in China. After running professional development across schools in Asia, he noticed something surprising: teachers would attend training, give positive feedback, and yet very little would change in practice. That experience sparked a deeper interest in sustainable change in schools. In this conversation, Shane explains why traditional professional development often fails, how leadership coaching can transform school culture, and what happens when schools develop real confidence in their own expertise. The discussion also turns to the realities of building an education business. Shane talks openly about the steep learning curve of entrepreneurship, particularly the challenge of sales and the difference between having expertise and building a sustainable business. The episode explores ethical business in education, the importance of trusting educators, and why founders should be cautious about the picture of business success portrayed on social media. Hosted by Claire Riley, this episode offers practical insight for founders building businesses that serve schools.   00:00 – Introduction to the podcast 01:00 – Shane’s journey from teacher to international school leader 02:30 – The moment he realised professional development wasn’t working 03:30 – Discovering the problem of sustainable change in schools 05:00 – Life as a consultant supporting schools globally 06:30 – Coaching in education vs coaching in business 09:00 – Why teachers rarely get executive coaching 11:30 – Teachers as leaders in the classroom 13:30 – The transition from education to business 14:10 – Operationalising your offer as a founder 15:00 – The risks of product-led education businesses 17:30 – Why confidence changes school culture 18:30 – Psychological safety in schools 19:20 – Breaking the “waiting loop” in organisations 20:00 – How confident schools approach failure 22:00 – The steep learning curve of sales 23:00 – The myth of “if I build it, they will come” 24:30 – Learning how to sell without feeling salesy 26:20 – The reality behind business success on LinkedIn 27:00 – Why founders need a community   All About Shane:Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders around the world. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chart-topping school leadership podcast, community and academy, Education Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering school leaders, he co-authored the best-selling book, 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Website: shaneleaning.comPodcast: Education Leaders: shaneleaning.com/podcastInstagram: @leaningshaneLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leaningshane/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@education_leaders See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
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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.

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