The Teacher Entrepreneur Christine

In this episode, Founder of Fizzics Education, Ben Newsome, talks about his passion of educating through interactive media.
Ben founded Fizzics Education in 2004, which has since become a leading Australian provider of interactive science workshops and shows. Fizzics shows reach around 350,000 children every year. Ben is a 2013 Churchill Fellow, a 2015, 2016, and 2018 Australian Small Business Winner for Children’s Education Services, the 2019 Blacktown Business Person of the Year, a 2020 AMP Tomorrow Maker, the 2020 WSABE Outstanding Business Leader of the Year, an Ambassador for the Association of Science Education Technicians NSW, and is an advisory board member for the Centre for Interactive Learning and Collaboration. 
Ben is a qualified science educator, regular speaker, author of ‘Be Amazing! How to teach science the way primary kids love’, and he is the host of the FizzicsEd Podcast.
Why did Ben decide to start running science shows for children? Running a successful business and fostering great partnerships, how does Ben find the time to run shows? Ben tells us about the experience of live classes versus pre-recorded classes, how he finds working in the criminal justice system and hospitals.  Ben talks about the value of content marketing and how he has built real and valuable relationships with his clients.  He gives some advice to teachers starting their journey, all on today’s episode of Teacher Entrepreneur.
 
Topics Discussed
·        [00:52] Ben’s teaching career.
·        [01:51] How did he start running science shows for children?
·        [02:55] Pivoting his science shows online due to Covid-19.
·        [04:51] Developing partnerships.
·        [06:31] How does Ben find the time?
·        [08:11] Ben’s work in the criminal justice system and hospitals.
·        [11:22] Building a business with an incredible presence on Google.
·        [12:46] Live classes versus pre-recorded classes.
·        [15:04] Marketing the online classes.
·        [18:30] Trustpilot.
·        [20:39] Advice for teachers starting out in their entrepreneurial journey.
·        [21:53] Ben’s words of wisdom.
 
Memorable Quotes
·        “We, within 24 hours of the lockdowns, had 25 different programmes ready to go for the April school holidays.”
·        “Collaborative networks aren’t always an instant thing to create.”
·        Ben’s marketing has been passive: “Be really good at what you do, put out a bucket load of content, and people will naturally start sharing it.”
·        “If you are starting off, start small.”
·        “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” – Albert Einstein
 
Relevant Links
Website: https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au 
            https://www.virtualexcursionsaustralia.com.au 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fizzicseducation 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-newsome-03169734 

In this episode, Pinterest strategist, April Aramanda, talks about scaling your business using Pinterest.
April taught for 5 years before becoming a Pinterest strategist and helping online brands gain quality leads. Her teaching experience is diverse, having taught English, multiple 5th grade subjects, technology, and engineering. She quit teaching in May 2020. April holds a BSc in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix.
Why did April stop teaching? How does one get started using Pinterest as a marketing channel? April elaborates on the ideal Pin, video Pins, and analytics, and we learn the importance of branding and consistency, all on today’s episode of Teacher Entrepreneur.
 
Topics Discussed
·        [00:36] April’s 5 years in teaching.
·        [01:43] Why is Pinterest a positive marketing channel for educational businesses?
·        [03:18] Getting started on Pinterest.
·        [04:28] Branding on Pinterest.
·        [05:31] Pins for multiple sites.
·        [06:49] What is an ideal Pin?
·        [07:51] Pinning other people’s Pins.
·        [08:26] Video Pins.
·        [09:47] What analytics should people be looking at?
·        [10:22] Advice for teachers starting out in their entrepreneurial journey.
·        [11:18] April’s words of wisdom.
 
Memorable Quotes
·        “Pinterest can help anyone with a website or blog, or even Etsy and YouTube channels.”
·        “Branding is very important, especially on the Pin itself.”
·        “You don’t want to overwhelm a Pin with words, but you don’t want to be just picture either.”
·        “Pinterest likes to see that you’re not just pinning your own stuff; they like to see that you’re willing to play the game and go and Pin other people’s things as well.”
·        “Don’t give up. It’s hard. Being a business owner is hard. Getting started is hard. It’s a long game; it’s not a short quick fix.”
·        “Don’t push people to where you want to be. Meet them where they are.”
 
Relevant Links
Website: https://www.aprilaramandava.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aprilaramandava 
LinkedIn: https://www,linkedin.com/in/april-aramanda-ba4ab565 

In this episode, Creator and Host of the Education on Fire Podcast, Mark Taylor, talks about promoting the importance of music education through entrepreneurship.
Mark is a professional percussionist, having over 20 years of experience as a performer and educator. He has performed with some of the most prestigious ensembles in the UK, including the English National Ballet, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He co-created Rhythmically Speaking, a music education company that specialized in rhythm workshops and samba.
What is the aim of the Education on Fire blog and podcast? Why does Mark recommend podcasting? We hear about the Primary Music on Fire membership, he gives some advice on starting a membership, and we learn the importance of music education to develop well-rounded students, all on today’s episode of Teacher Entrepreneur.
 
Topics Discussed
·        [00:41] Mark’s career teaching music.
·        [02:04] The Education on Fire Blog & Podcast.
·        [04:07] Mark recommends podcasting.
·        [05:24] Primary Music on Fire Membership
·        [08:38] Advice to teachers about starting a membership.
·        [10:49] How does Mark advertise his membership?
·        [12:23] Advice for teachers starting out in their entrepreneurial journey.
·        [13:56] Why the membership is for primary music specifically.
·        [17:55] Mark’s words of wisdom.
 
Memorable Quotes
·        “Especially in primary education, the ability for every person to be able to teach it in some form or another, at the very base level, was really important.”
·        “Surround yourself in the world you want to come into.”
·        “Having a really clear idea of why you’re doing it, but also how you want your life to look, will be really important.”
·        “The one thing about being an entrepreneur, the one thing about being involved in education and teaching, is the fact that it can be difficult – there’s lots to do. The entrepreneurial journey is something which is a marathon and definitely not a sprint.”
·        “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire” - William Butler Yeats
 
Resources
https://www.themembershipguys.com 
 
Relevant Links
Website: https://www.educationonfire.com 
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/education-on-fire-sharing-creative-inspiring-learning/id1185244875 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EducationOnFire 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/taylormapps 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChZr20QNmV5uEq7knBJWslg 

In this episode, Image and Personal Brand Consultant at House of Colour, Rosee Elliott, talks about the importance of education in business.
Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Rosee spent over 20 years as a head teacher (principal). After finishing school in 1968, she took a three-year Diploma to teach in the primary sector. She has taught in schools in Scotland, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia. Her business, House of Colour, uses the science of colour to help women and men with their self-confidence.
What are the skills that Rosee has learned as an educator that she could apply to her business? What steps is House of Colour taking to be more environmentally friendly? Rosee  gives some advice for listeners thinking about starting a business, and she emphasises the importance of having a good work-life balance, all on today’s episode of the Teacher Entrepreneur.
 
Topics Discussed
·        [00:34] Rosee’s career in Education
·        [08:03] Educational skills that Rosee could apply to her business
·        [11:29] What she’s doing with her skills
·        [15:52] Being inclusive and environmentally-friendly
·        [19:11] Advice to listeners thinking about starting a business
·        [22:21] Work-Life balance
 
Memorable Quotes
·        “You’re a lifelong learner. The day that you wake up in the morning and you don’t think you’ve got anything left to learn, is the day that you should quit teaching.”
·        “We wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time.”
·        “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
·        “You can get everything in life that you want if you help enough people get what they want.” – Zig Ziglar
 
Relevant Links
Website: https://www.houseofcolour.co.uk
Email:  rosee.elliott@houseofcolour.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hocaberdeenshire
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosee.elliott
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/roseeelliott
Phone:             (+44) 01330 850325 

In this episode, Managing Director of Amplify, Bob Gentle, talks about virtual marketing.
Bob is an expert in digital marketing. Through his agency, Amplify, Bob has been helping clients grow their businesses. These clients range from small businesses to large corporations in a wide range of niches. He is also the host of the Amplify Podcast, where he interviews industry leaders and entrepreneurs.
What are the different kinds of SEO? What does the optimal marketing plan look like? Bob tells us about creating content across multiple platforms, which metrics are important, and which investments to prioritize. He grants anyone permission to not spend time on social media, and he gives some advice to teachers thinking about starting an online educational business, all on today’s episode of Teacher Entrepreneur.
 
Topics Discussed
·        [00:42] What is SEO and why is it important?
·        [06:41] What numbers should we be looking at?
·        [12:43] Using social media
·        [18:02] Creating a marketing plan
·        [21:30] Lead magnets
·        [25:40] Using a digital agency versus learning to do it yourself
·        [29:30] How much time should business owners spend on marketing?
·        [31:16] Advice for teachers starting their journey to an online educational business
·        [34:08] Words of Wisdom
 
Memorable Quotes
·        “SEO is the process of trying to make sure you’re in the window when people go shopping.”
·        “Consider the short-term, medium-term, and long-term investments. Do not disregard the long-term investments just because they’re not going to pay off in the short term.”
·        “Prosperity comes way outside your comfort zone, so that’s really what you need to be considering.”
·        “Make a simple promise, and keep a simple promise.”
·        Many people are paralyzed by the number of things that they could do, to the extent that they never actually do the couple of things that they should be doing.
·        “What’s really important is that people stop being social media consumers. Spending time on social media is not digital marketing.”
·        “Action trumps everything. Done will always be better than perfect.”
·        “Build it and they’ll come only works in movies.” – Seth Godin
 
Relevant Links
Website:        https://amplifyme.agency 
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-digital-marketing-entrepreneur-show/id1439009077 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmplifyMeOnline 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobgentle 
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bobgentle 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobgentle 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/bobgentle 

In this episode, Founder of Reading Simplified, Marnie Ginsberg, talks about teaching struggling readers and building an educational business.
Marnie’s educational programmes have been shown to be effective in multiple research articles in journals such as the Elementary School Journal, Journal of Educational Psychology, and Journal of Learning Disabilities. Her educational programme, Reading Simplified, has helped teach over 1.5million children learn to read. 
What led Marnie to start teaching reading? Marnie gives some advice to teachers looking to start an educational business, and she emphasises the importance of using an email list. This and more on today’s episode of Teacher Entrepreneur.
 
Topics Discussed
·        [00:49] Teaching 6th grade reading in the 90s
·        [04:49] The role that tutoring had on Marnie’s programme and business
·        [08:38] Skills teachers need to learn as they branch out into entrepreneurship
·        [13:08] Advice for setting up an educational business
·        [16:52] How important is the email list?
·        [18:55] Word-of-mouth and Social Media
 
Memorable Quotes
·        “The educator is great at communicating her or his ideas, so that’s a great attribute for a business owner.”
·        “It’s easier than ever before. Even though it’s a noisy internet world, the tools and the resources and the training are a lot more prevalent than ever before.”
·        “Very few have success straight off the bat, but if they keep pursuing it, then there are so many opportunities today.”
·        “The best marketing tool is a great product.”
·        “I read a book one day and my whole life was changed.” – Orhan Pamuk
 
Relevant Links
Website:  https://readingsimplified.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/readingsimplified 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readingsimplified 
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marnieginsberg 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marnie-ginsberg-reading 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheReadingCoach