Online Business for Teachers | TPT | How to Make Extra Money, Work From Home, Digital Products

Monica Lopez - Business & Mindset Coach for Teachers
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

The Go-To Podcast for Teachers Who Want to Start & Grow an Online Business From Home! Feeling too burnt out to even think about something new? Wondering if you have what it takes to start a TPT business (or beyond!) —especially when you’ve never seen yourself as “entrepreneurial”? Overwhelmed by the idea of setting up a store, choosing what to sell, and making it all look polished and professional? I’m so excited you’re here! This podcast will help you create extra income, build a flexible business with your own resources, and finally have the freedom to work from home—so you can stop feeling stuck and start living life on your terms! Hey, I’m Monica. A mom, former teacher, and a full-time business owner. For 10 years, I tried to start a business in all the wrong places. I was chasing every online business trend, signing up for courses, reading all the books, and looking for clarity everywhere but each one left me more overwhelmed and further from the freedom I wanted. I finally realized that if I was going to find freedom in my life and income, I needed to stop running from what I already knew—and start building a business with the skills I already had. I built a business that fit me—simple, sustainable, and aligned with what I already knew. And now I’m here to help you do the same. If you’re curious about making extra money without leaving the classroom… And want a business that’s flexible, doable, and built around your teacher strengths… With results that can change your life—like more time, more money, and more freedom— this podcast is for you! Close the lesson plans and grab your favorite drink. It’s your turn now. Grab my free TPT Store Starter Kit Mini Course — 6 quick videos to help you set up a polished, professional TPT store that’s ready to sell! 👉https://www.yourteacherbiz.com/free-mini-course

  1. May 13

    55: How to Make Decisions in Your TPT Business Without the Overthinking Spiral

    If you have ever sat down to work on your TPT store and ended up doing nothing because you could not decide what to do first, this episode is for you. Today I'm getting really honest about something I have struggled with myself. Overthinking. Indecision. That spiral that keeps you stuck even when you know what you need to do. I talk about why AI and Google are not going to fix this for you, why teachers are especially prone to overthinking, and the real tools I personally use when my brain just will not stop going in circles. I also share a very personal story about a fear I carried for two weeks that was completely taking over my life and the exercise that finally got me through it. In this episode: Why ChatGPT keeps you average and what to do instead Why teachers are the biggest overthinking rule followers on the planet The "and then what" exercise that will change how you handle fear Four decision making tools that actually work, including my personal favorite nap trick When you need more than a walk and a journal to get unstuck Links mentioned: 👉 Episode on How to Use Canva Without Breaking Any Rules 👉 Schedule a Coaching Call

    18 min

  2. May 6

    54: Why You're Not Taking Action on Your TPT Store (It's Not What You Think)

    If you've been telling yourself you're lazy or you just don't have enough time — I want to offer you something different today. In this episode, we're talking about what is actually going on when TPT sellers stay stuck. And it usually comes down to three things: fear, overwhelm, and decision fatigue. The tricky part is that most of us don't even recognize it when it's happening. It's not something we do on purpose. It's more like a subconscious self sabotage that keeps us from taking action on the business we actually want to build. We also talk about the difference between thinking like a creator and thinking like a seller — and why that shift is one of the biggest things holding teachers back on TPT. In this episode: Why "I don't have time" is usually not the real problem The teacher giving mindset and how it conflicts with running a business Why so many TPT sellers have products sitting in a folder they've never listed The what-if spiral and what it's actually doing to your business What it looks like to get real support and finally move forward Not sure where to start? Grab the free mini course: 👉 www.yourteacherbiz.com/free-mini-course Ready to stop overthinking and actually start? I work with teachers one on one to help them get clear, get focused, and take action, whether you are starting from zero or you have products but are still stuck. 👉 Book your coaching session here: www.yourteacherbiz.com/coaching And if this episode helped you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other teachers find the show, and it means the world to me.

    15 min

  3. Apr 29

    53: How to Turn What You Already Teach into a Product That Sells on TPT

    You already have the idea. You already have the resources. So why haven’t you uploaded anything yet? In this episode, I break down the exact process I use to turn a simple classroom activity into a product that earns money on Teachers Pay Teachers, step by step, no fluff. From opening your store to writing your product description, I walk you through everything. And I get honest about the real reason most teachers never start: it is not strategy. It is mindset. I even share the story of a friend who had a great idea, got stuck on clip art, and still has not opened her store to this day. If you have been sitting on an idea and telling yourself you’ll get to it later, this episode is for you. In This Episode Why I always ask if you’re a premium or basic seller — and why it matters for your profit The one file format rule every new TPT seller needs to hear How to design a product that looks professional even if you are not a designer What your cover, thumbnails, and preview actually need to include How to write a product description that shows up in TPT search The real reason teachers never start (and it is not what you think) How I built my business while teaching full time — and exactly when I found the time What to do in the next 30 minutes after listening to this episode Resources Mentioned Free Mini Course: com/free-mini-course — covers, thumbnails, Canva setup, and more. Episode 5 — Tools I Use and How to Avoid Copyright Issues 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey Not sure where to start? Grab the free mini course: 👉 www.yourteacherbiz.com/free-mini-course Ready to stop overthinking and actually start? I work with teachers one on one to help them get clear, get focused, and take action, whether you are starting from zero or you have products but are still stuck. 👉 Book your coaching session here: www.yourteacherbiz.com/coaching And if this episode helped you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other teachers find the show, and it means the world to me.

    20 min

  4. Apr 22

    52: Stop Overthinking and Start Your Teacher Business: How to Go from Idea to Action

    Stop Overthinking and Start Your Teacher Business: How to Go from Idea to Action You have had the idea. You have thought about it, researched it, and maybe even had a full conversation with ChatGPT about it. But you still have not made anything. In this episode we talk about: Why teachers stay stuck before they even start The real cost of waiting to feel ready How comparing yourself to other sellers is keeping you broke My own story of starting over and what finally clicked The truth? You already have everything you need. You just need to get out of your own way. Not sure where to start? Grab the free mini course: 👉 www.yourteacherbiz.com/free-mini-course Ready to stop overthinking and actually start? I work with teachers one on one to help them get clear, get focused, and take action, whether you are starting from zero or you have products but are still stuck. 👉 Book your coaching session here: www.yourteacherbiz.com/coaching

    15 min

  5. Apr 15

    51: Before You Quit Your Teacher Business… Listen to This | 1 Year of Podcasting

    I just hit one year of podcasting… and I didn’t go viral. In this episode, I’m sharing what actually changed and why it matters if you’ve ever felt like quitting something you started. Whether it’s a podcast, a TPT store, or any kind of online business, this is the part we don’t talk about enough. Because most of the time, it doesn’t look like it’s working. But something is happening. I didn’t see massive growth. I didn’t make a ton of money. In fact, I invested more into my podcast than I got back. But what changed the most wasn’t the numbers. It was me. My message is clearer. I understand who I want to help. I’m not afraid to be seen or heard the way I used to be. And that only happened because I kept showing up. In this episode, I talk about: what changed after showing up for a year why clarity doesn’t come before action how your message and confidence evolve over time and why slow progress doesn’t mean it’s not working If you’ve been second guessing yourself or wondering if you should keep going… this is for you. If you’re brand new and need help getting your TPT store started, I have a free starter mini course. You can get it here: Free TPT Starter Mini Course And if you’re in that in-between stage and you’re trying to figure out your next move, you can book a strategy call with me and we’ll map it out together. Book a Teacher Business Clarity Call 📧 Got questions or want to share your story? Email me at info@monica-lopez.com. I read every message and would love to hear from you.

    8 min

  6. Apr 8

    50: Email Marketing for Teachers: What to Say (Without Feeling Salesy) | Liz Wilcox

    If you’ve ever stared at your email like… what am I even supposed to say? Or you’ve avoided emailing your list because you don’t want to sound salesy… this episode is going to help you so much. Today, I’m talking with Liz Wilcox, and she breaks email marketing down in a way that actually feels doable—especially for teachers. We’re talking about how to connect with your audience, what to say in your emails, and how to make sales without overthinking every word. And the best part? You don’t need to be a “great writer” or tell long stories to make this work. In this episode, we talk about: What to say in your emails when you don’t know where to start How to connect with your audience without oversharing Why you don’t need long storytelling emails to make sales How often you should really be emailing your list How to sell in your emails without feeling pushy or annoying The mindset shift that makes email feel easier (and actually work) Connect with Liz: Liz has a freebie that gives you: a full welcome sequence newsletter examples and 52 subject lines for the year 👉 Grab it here: https://lizwilcox.com Want direct access to her super cool membership?  👉 Grab it here: Liz's Membership   If you’re brand new and need help getting your TPT store started, I have a free starter mini course. You can get it here: Free TPT Starter Mini Course And if you’re in that in-between stage and you’re trying to figure out your next move, you can book a strategy call with me and we’ll map it out together. Book a Teacher Business Clarity Call 📧 Got questions or want to share your story? Email me at info@monica-lopez.com. I read every message and would love to hear from you.

    39 min

  7. Apr 1

    49: Can You Afford to Leave the Classroom? The Financial Reality Teachers Should Know

    Thinking about leaving the classroom… but not sure if you’re financially ready? In this episode, I’m sharing what I learned after leaving teaching and trying to figure out how to replace a full-time salary with business income. This came up after a teacher friend (and mom of three) asked me how to actually make the transition. And I get it. When you have a family, especially young kids, the decision to leave teaching isn’t just emotional… it’s financial. I thought I was prepared when I left. My business was growing, I saw the numbers going up, and I assumed it would continue. It didn’t. So in this episode, I’m walking you through what I would do differently and what I think every teacher should think about before leaving the classroom. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why business income is not the same as a teaching salary How to figure out where your money is actually going A simple way to separate needs vs wants in your budget Why I started paying myself based on my lowest income months What to look at financially before you leave the classroom Why giving yourself time to build your business matters Who This Episode Is For – Teachers thinking about leaving the classroom – Teacher moms trying to balance work and family – Teachers building a TPT or online business – Anyone wanting to replace their teaching salary with business income Mentioned in This Episode 48: How I Manage the Money in My Teacher Business (Taxes, Profit & Paying Myself) (go back and listen if you haven’t yet) If you’re brand new and need help getting your TPT store started, I have a free starter mini course. You can get it here: Free TPT Starter Mini Course And if you’re in that in-between stage and you’re trying to figure out your next move, you can book a strategy call with me and we’ll map it out together. Book a Teacher Business Clarity Call 📧 Got questions or want to share your story? Email me at info@monica-lopez.com. I read every message and would love to hear from you.

    12 min

  8. Mar 25

    48: How I Manage the Money in My Teacher Business (Taxes, Profit & Paying Myself)

    In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how I manage my business finances, not as an accountant, but as someone who has learned through experience. I’m sharing what I did when I first started, what changed when my business started growing, and the simple systems I use now to stay organized. What You’ll Learn in This Episode What I did when I made my first $500 in my business The moment I realized I needed better financial systems Why I opened an LLC and a business bank account How I keep my business and personal finances separate The simple spreadsheet system I use instead of QuickBooks How I track income, expenses, and deductions each month How I estimate and save for quarterly taxes (without surprises) How I organize my money for: taxes business expenses profit owner’s pay The difference between profit and paying yourself Tools I Mentioned I use a bookkeeping spreadsheet created specifically for TPT sellers. It helps me: track all income and expenses calculate deductions estimate quarterly taxes You can check it out: 👉 Emily Bryant Bookkeeping Remember: The goal is to create a simple system that works for you Even small changes like separating your accounts or tracking monthly can make a huge difference.   If you’re brand new and need help getting your TPT store started, I have a free starter mini course. You can get it here: Free TPT Starter Mini Course And if you’re in that in-between stage and you’re trying to figure out your next move, you can book a strategy call with me and we’ll map it out together. Book a Teacher Business Clarity Call 📧 Got questions or want to share your story? Email me at info@monica-lopez.com. I read every message and would love to hear from you.

    11 min
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

The Go-To Podcast for Teachers Who Want to Start & Grow an Online Business From Home! Feeling too burnt out to even think about something new? Wondering if you have what it takes to start a TPT business (or beyond!) —especially when you’ve never seen yourself as “entrepreneurial”? Overwhelmed by the idea of setting up a store, choosing what to sell, and making it all look polished and professional? I’m so excited you’re here! This podcast will help you create extra income, build a flexible business with your own resources, and finally have the freedom to work from home—so you can stop feeling stuck and start living life on your terms! Hey, I’m Monica. A mom, former teacher, and a full-time business owner. For 10 years, I tried to start a business in all the wrong places. I was chasing every online business trend, signing up for courses, reading all the books, and looking for clarity everywhere but each one left me more overwhelmed and further from the freedom I wanted. I finally realized that if I was going to find freedom in my life and income, I needed to stop running from what I already knew—and start building a business with the skills I already had. I built a business that fit me—simple, sustainable, and aligned with what I already knew. And now I’m here to help you do the same. If you’re curious about making extra money without leaving the classroom… And want a business that’s flexible, doable, and built around your teacher strengths… With results that can change your life—like more time, more money, and more freedom— this podcast is for you! Close the lesson plans and grab your favorite drink. It’s your turn now. Grab my free TPT Store Starter Kit Mini Course — 6 quick videos to help you set up a polished, professional TPT store that’s ready to sell! 👉https://www.yourteacherbiz.com/free-mini-course

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