A good business idea for a teacher should leverage their unique skills, expertise and passion for education. It should allow them to channel their teaching experience and knowledge into starting a business that furthers their education expertise.
Teachers are passionate about education and have a genuine desire to make a positive impact on students' lives. This passion, combined with proper business planning, can help drive the success of an educational business. It’s also possible for teachers to use their extended break during the summer to start a side business idea for extra income - how to make money as a teacher. Teacher salaries can vary and launching a business can help them generate an extra source of income.
Some teachers may also use their business as a bridge to transition into new roles within the education field or explore different career paths, such as instructional design, curriculum development or educational technology as they transition from in-school or in-person teaching.
Teachers who start businesses often find it rewarding to apply their expertise in innovative ways. They can fill gaps in the education market, help struggling students and contribute to educational innovation.
10 business ideas for teachers
Teachers possess valuable skills that can be utilized beyond the classroom. Here are ten business ideas specifically tailored for educators:
01. Online tutoring
Online tutoring involves providing academic support and guidance to students via the Internet. This can cover various subjects and grade levels, catering to students who need extra help or specialized instruction.
Learn more: How to start a tutoring business
Online tutoring allows teachers to leverage their subject expertise and teaching skills to help students improve academically. It offers flexibility in terms of scheduling, making it suitable for part-time or full-time commitments. It can be started from home and run during teacher holidays or after school hours and weekends. It’s also a low-cost business to start, as other than a computer and the internet plus your teaching experience, it requires few other resources.
Learn more: Online business ideas
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02. Teacher blog
A teacher blog is an online platform where educators share teaching resources, strategies, classroom management tips and educational content. Blogs can be monetized through ads, affiliate marketing or selling educational materials.
Teacher blogs allow educators to share their knowledge and experiences with a broader audience. It provides an outlet for creativity, professional development and a source of passive income. Additionally, it offers a way to build a personal brand and connect with a global network of teachers.
03. Curriculum development
Curriculum development involves creating educational materials, lesson plans, worksheets, textbooks or ebooks for use in classrooms or homeschooling settings.
Teachers have a deep understanding of what works in the classroom. They can use their expertise to develop educational resources that cater to specific learning needs or ages. A curriculum development business can serve other teachers, schools and homeschooling parents, providing a valuable service while generating income. Teachers should be able to tap into their school and parent networks to promote this type of unique business idea.
04. Educational workshops
Organizing and leading educational workshops and training sessions for teachers and educators, covering topics like classroom management, instructional techniques or technology integration in the classroom.
Educational workshops allow teachers to share their expertise and provide professional development to other educators. This business idea promotes lifelong learning and empowers other teachers to enhance their teaching skills. It’s a rewarding business idea for teachers and a great post-retirement business opportunity.
05. Educational counseling
Educational counseling services involve offering guidance and support to students, parents or educational institutions. This can include academic counseling, college admissions counseling
or career counseling.
Teachers are well-equipped to provide educational counseling due to their deep understanding of the educational system. Offering counseling services can help students make informed academic and career decisions, making it a rewarding and impactful business idea. It can also be run from the comfort of your home, online and according to your schedule.
06. Language counseling
Language counseling involves offering language instruction, coaching, or support to individuals or small groups seeking to learn a new language or improve their language skills.
Language teachers are proficient in multiple languages and have experience teaching language skills. Language counseling provides an opportunity to leverage this expertise, helping individuals achieve their language learning goals. It offers flexibility in terms of scheduling and commitments and can cater to diverse age groups and language proficiency levels. It can also be run online and reach a wide audience of potential students all over the world.
07. Educational YouTube channel
An educational YouTube channel is a platform where teachers create and share video content on various educational topics, including tutorials, lessons, explanations and learning tips.
Teachers can use their instructional skills to reach a global audience through educational videos. YouTube offers monetization options through ads and sponsorships, making it a potential source of passive income as well. Additionally, it allows teachers to contribute to the force that is online education, all while showcasing their teaching abilities and building a
personal brand.
08. Book writing and publishing
This teacher-focused business idea means writing and publishing educational books, textbooks, children's literature or academic resources to be shared and sold.
Teachers possess subject expertise and a strong understanding of effective teaching methods. Writing and publishing books can allow them to share their knowledge and insights with a broader audience. It offers opportunities for creative expression, financial gain and the potential to impact education on a larger scale.
09. Test prep services
This business idea for teachers involves specializing in preparing students for standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, GRE or other entrance exams.
Teachers, especially those with middle and high school experience, are highly adept at understanding testing formats and effective strategies for test preparation. Offering test prep services can help students excel in these high-stakes assessments, providing a valuable service and enabling teachers to work one-on-one or in small groups.
This is another business idea that can be started easily from home and online, thus requiring minimal investment costs upfront. Learn more about how to sell online.
10. Educational games and apps
Another interesting and creative business idea for teachers is developing educational games, apps, or software that facilitate learning and engagement for students of all ages. This might be of particular relevance to technology and computer teachers.
Teachers are uniquely qualified to design educational games and apps that align with curriculum standards and cater to the specific learning needs of their students. These digital tools can make learning enjoyable and effective, reaching a wide audience through various platforms.
Tips for starting a business as a teacher
Starting your own business as a teacher involves combining your creative teaching skills, educational expertise and a bit of entrepreneurial spirit. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Start by identifying your specific niche or area of expertise within education. What subjects, age groups or educational needs are you most passionate about and qualified to address? Is there any creative angle you want to take, like selling crafts online, for example?
Research your target audience and competition. Understand the needs and preferences of your potential clients or customers. Are there gaps in the market that your business can fill?
Create a comprehensive business plan that outlines your business goals, strategies, target market, revenue model and marketing approach. A solid plan will serve as a roadmap for your business.
Register your business, obtain any required licenses or permits and consider legal structures such as sole proprietorship, LLC or corporation. Consult with a legal professional if needed.
Develop a budget and financial plan. Consider startup costs, ongoing expenses, pricing strategies and revenue projections. Ensure you have a clear understanding of your financial situation.
Establish a professional online presence through a website or social media profiles. Your website can serve as an information hub for your services and a platform for connecting with clients. If you plan to sell as part of your business idea, building an eCommerce website can help you do this easily via an eCommerce business model.
Connect with fellow teachers, educational professionals and potential clients through education-related events, forums and social media groups. Networking can help you build relationships and gain clients for the long-term success of your business.
Define clear, measurable goals for your business. Whether it's increasing your client base, developing a specific product, or expanding your service offerings, having clear objectives will guide your efforts.
Balancing teaching and running a business can be challenging. Prioritize effective time management to ensure both aspects of your life receive the attention they need.
Remember why you became an educator in the first place, your passion for education. Let this passion drive your business and it will shine through in your work.
Help your students by introducing them to Wix Tomorrow. This offers meaningful learning and creating experiences at every stage of a young learner’s web creation journey, from creating a first website, to learning industry-standard skills, to making real-world impact with hands-on projects.
Business ideas for teachers FAQ
Do I need to have a teaching degree to start an education-related business?
While having a teaching degree can be advantageous, it's not always a strict requirement. What matters most is your knowledge, expertise and passion for education. Many successful education-related entrepreneurs have diverse educational backgrounds.