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Do you need to be ruthless to succeed in business? We often hear stories about successful entrepreneurs making difficult decisions, prioritising profit and refusing to let emotions get in the way. But does building a strong business really require us to become colder, tougher or less caring? In this episode, Richard explores what ruthlessness actually means in a tutoring business and whether it is possible to remain kind, generous and values-led while still making commercially sensible decisions. We look at the tension between putting people first and protecting the business, including difficult customers, pricing, boundaries, competition, saying no and knowing when generosity has gone too far. Richard also shares thoughts from tutors and business owners who were asked what makes someone good at business—and whether integrity, empathy and a strong moral compass help or hinder long-term success. Perhaps the real challenge isn’t becoming ruthless with other people. Perhaps it is becoming more ruthless about protecting your time, maintaining your standards and building a business that can genuinely last. In this episode: • The difference between ruthlessness and strong boundaries • Whether putting people first can coexist with profitability • Why saying no does not automatically make you unkind • The danger of allowing one demanding customer to consume your business • Competition, collaboration and protecting your own opportunities • Being ruthless with distractions, habits and self-doubt • Making difficult decisions without abandoning your values What are you willing to be ruthless about in your business? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if feeling uncomfortable in your business isn't a sign that something is wrong? What if it's actually a sign that you're growing? In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, Richard explores the uncomfortable parts of running a tutoring business — selling, showing up, following up, raising prices, saying no, investing in yourself and trying something for the first time. It's easy to tell ourselves we'll take action when we feel more confident. But perhaps we've got it backwards. Confidence often comes after the action. Richard explores a simple process: Discomfort → Action → Evidence → Confidence He also looks at an important distinction: when should we lean into discomfort, and when is that uncomfortable feeling telling us something doesn't align with our values? In this episode: • Why we avoid the things that could actually grow our businesses • The danger of "positive procrastination" • Why sales and visibility can feel so uncomfortable • How to distinguish growth discomfort from a values problem • Why confidence doesn't have to come first • Learning to say no as a business owner • Building evidence that you can do difficult things • Why being kinder to yourself matters when things don't work You don't need to become fearless. You just need to become a little more comfortable with being uncomfortable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A stranger sent me a brutal message on LinkedIn, questioned the ethics of my tutoring business and then publicly called me a “leech”. He knew very little about me. So rather than spending days arguing with him online, I invited him onto the podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Simon Nicholson to talk about what made him send that message, why he believes private tuition shouldn’t need to exist, and whether building a business from the problems within education can ever be morally justified. We talk about: What happens when online criticism becomes personalThe responsibility we have for how we behave on social mediaWhether tutors are benefiting from a broken education systemWhy so many experienced teachers are leaving the classroomWhether those teachers should use their skills to build tutoring businessesSimon’s concerns about AI and the EdTech industryEducation reform and whether the current system needs completely rethinkingWhy human connection may become even more important as AI growsWe definitely don’t agree on everything. But what started as a pretty unpleasant interaction online became a much more human conversation. If being visible in your tutoring business worries you because you’re scared of criticism, judgement or what somebody might say about you, this episode is particularly worth hearing. Here is the LinkedIn Post https://lnkd.in/p/evzbZmxH Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few days after TutorFest 2026, Richard and Vicki sit down—still exhausted and slightly overwhelmed—to reflect on what really happened in Blackpool. This is not simply a rundown of speakers and sessions. It is a conversation about the moments that made TutorFest feel so special: the attendee who discovered the event through AI and travelled from Nottingham the following morning, the podcast listener who shared how Richard’s content had reached him during a particularly difficult time, and the emotional messages written by attendees to their future selves. Richard and Vicki also discuss the things that did not go entirely to plan, including a last-minute speaker cancellation and an air-conditioning failure, as well as the decisions that helped them turn those challenges into positive parts of the experience. They revisit contributions from Dan Meredith, Lisa Johnson, Sophie Kim Hughes, Charlotte Bailey, the TutorFest panel and Lee Parkinson, while exploring what they want to retain, improve and develop for the next event. You’ll hear about: • Why the smaller, shared experience is central to TutorFest • The conversations and connections that happen around the main event • What attendee feedback has taught Richard and Vicki • The possibility of more interaction and movement during future events • Why TutorFest is introducing a virtual ticket • What is planned for TutorFest 2027 in London TutorFest returns on 19 February 2027, with both in-person and virtual ticket options available. Listen for an honest look behind the scenes of creating an event—and a reminder that the impact of your work is often happening long before anybody tells you about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can tutoring business owners learn from Heinz, Gillette and Levi’s? Quite a lot, actually. In this episode, I’m talking about branding, marketing and what happens when big businesses are told they can’t show up in the way they expected. During the World Cup, several well-known brands were restricted from displaying their names because they were not official tournament sponsors. But instead of disappearing quietly, they got creative. Levi’s changed its social media branding to match its covered-up stadium sign. Gillette leaned into the shaving foam idea. Heinz used the familiarity of its bottle shape and branding to make the point that people already knew who they were. And there’s a lesson here for all of us. Running a tutoring business is not always straightforward. Sometimes things feel unfair. Sometimes the rules change. Sometimes you don’t have the budget, platform or opportunity that someone else has. But that does not mean you have no options. This episode is a reminder that creativity often comes from constraint. The businesses that stand out are not always the ones with the biggest budget. Sometimes they are the ones willing to think differently, respond quickly and make the most of the cards they have been dealt. If your tutoring business is going through an ebb and flow moment, this one is for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leaving teaching can feel like leaving stability behind. A monthly salary, a school timetable, pension contributions, colleagues, policies, procedures and someone else making the big decisions can all create a sense of security. But stability does not only come from a salary. In this final episode of the mini-series on moving from teacher to tutor, I explore what stability can look like outside the classroom. Not the fantasy version. Not the “quit teaching and everything is instantly easy” version. The real version. We look at how tutors and tuition business owners can begin to create stability through income, routines, systems, boundaries, community and support. I also talk about the emotional side of leaving the structure of school behind, why self-employment can feel lonely, and why it is so important to know whether you need business support, emotional support, or both. This episode is for teachers considering tutoring, tutors still trying to find their rhythm, and anyone building a business after leaving the classroom. The big message is this: you are not leaving stability behind forever. You are learning how to build a new version of it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leaving teaching is not just an emotional decision. For many teachers, one of the biggest questions is much more practical: can I actually afford to leave teaching and build a tutoring business? In episode 3 of this mini-series, I’m looking at the money fear behind leaving the classroom. We talk about why a teaching salary can feel hard to walk away from, why financial worry is not weakness, and why understanding your real numbers is so important before making big decisions. This episode is not about encouraging teachers to quit. It is for those who already have one foot out of the classroom, or those who have already started tutoring and are trying to make the financial side feel more secure. We explore survival numbers, comfortable numbers, ideal numbers, and why replacing your salary is not always the same as replacing your required income. I also share examples of different tutoring business models, including one-to-one tuition, small groups, workshops and mock exams. The big message is this: you do not need to leap blindly. You need to build a bridge. If you are wondering whether tutoring could realistically pay the bills, this episode will help you stop letting money fear swirl around and start looking at the numbers, evidence and next sensible steps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Make It Happen Monday episode, Richard answers Jessica Sapida’s question about how tutors can create media content without sounding stuffy, and how building a following can impact their business. This episode explores the difference between being professional and being overly polished, why authenticity matters, and how tutors can show up online in a way that feels natural, useful and trustworthy. Richard also looks at why content does not have to mean dancing reels, viral trends or becoming a performer; sometimes, the most effective content simply comes from answering the real questions parents and clients are already asking. You’ll hear practical ideas for creating content from frequently asked questions, building familiarity over time, understanding your audience, and using content to create warmer enquiries, better-fit clients and a calmer business. If you have ever worried that your content sounds too formal, too generic or too far away from the real you, this episode will help you rethink what good content can look like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leaving teaching is not always the exciting fresh start people make it out to be. Sometimes it feels heavy. Sometimes it feels guilty. Sometimes it feels like you are walking away from your identity, your colleagues, your pupils, your security and the version of yourself you worked so hard to become. In this first episode of my new mini-series on the mindset of leaving teaching, I explore the emotional weight that can come with stepping away from the classroom. We talk about guilt, grief, fear, responsibility, financial pressure, identity, and the difficult question many teachers carry quietly: does leaving teaching mean I’ve failed? This episode is not about telling you to quit teaching. It is about helping you think honestly about what is going on underneath the decision. Are you tired, or are you done? Are you leaving impact behind, or simply changing where your impact happens? Are you staying because you want to, or because guilt is keeping you there? If you are a teacher thinking about tutoring, starting a tuition business, or finding a different way to use your skills outside the classroom, this episode will help you feel seen, supported and less alone. Leaving teaching does not mean leaving education. It may simply mean finding a healthier way to use your experience, values and impact. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Make It Happen Monday episode, Richard answers Emma Salter’s question: “What is the best way of increasing my prices?” At first, this sounds like a simple pricing question. Just tell families the price is going up, right? But for many tutors, the difficult part is not changing the number. It is the emotional reaction that comes with it. Will parents leave? Will they question the increase? Will it feel greedy? Are you really worth the new price? Richard explores why tutors often undercharge, how to understand the value of the whole tuition experience, and why your prices need to support a sustainable business — not just please the client. You’ll hear practical advice on increasing prices for new clients, handling existing families, giving notice without over-explaining, and communicating the change with confidence. Because increasing your prices does not mean you care less. It means you are building a business that allows you to keep doing good work properly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leaving teaching is not always the exciting fresh start people make it out to be. Sometimes it feels heavy. Sometimes it feels guilty. Sometimes it feels like you are walking away from your identity, your colleagues, your pupils, your security and the version of yourself you worked so hard to become. In this first episode of my new mini-series on the mindset of leaving teaching, I explore the emotional weight that can come with stepping away from the classroom. We talk about guilt, grief, fear, responsibility, financial pressure, identity, and the difficult question many teachers carry quietly: does leaving teaching mean I’ve failed? This episode is not about telling you to quit teaching. It is about helping you think honestly about what is going on underneath the decision. Are you tired, or are you done? Are you leaving impact behind, or simply changing where your impact happens? Are you staying because you want to, or because guilt is keeping you there? If you are a teacher thinking about tutoring, starting a tuition business, or finding a different way to use your skills outside the classroom, this episode will help you feel seen, supported and less alone. Leaving teaching does not mean leaving education. It may simply mean finding a healthier way to use your experience, values and impact. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CEO mindset for tutors starts before your business feels “big enough” — it starts with how you lead it now. In this final episode of the mindset mini-series, we bring everything together: identity, confidence, trust and leadership. A lot of tutors wait until their business reaches a certain size before they start seeing themselves as the person leading it. But your tutoring business grows when you begin making decisions like the owner, not when everything already feels perfect. This episode explores what it means to act like the CEO of your tutoring business, even if that word feels a bit too big right now. We look at boundaries, pricing, timetable design, saying no, group tuition, and making decisions based on the business you are building, not just the clients in front of you today. I also share stories from my own business, including moving from one-to-one tuition into groups, saying no to work that no longer fit, and making decisions that felt risky at the time but helped the business grow. Who this helps:Tutors growing a tutoring businessTutors moving from one-to-one to group tuitionTutors struggling with boundaries, pricing or timetable decisionsTeachers transitioning into business ownership Chapters:Why CEO thinking matters for tutorsActing like the leader before you feel readyWhat standards are you setting?Boundaries, cancellations and termsPricing with intentionDesigning your timetableSaying no to protect the businessMoving from one-to-one to group tuitionYour leadership takeaway 👉 CTA: If this mini-series helped, send me a message and tell me one leadership decision you are going to make in your business. Thrive Business Circle Information https://www.tutorswhothrive.com/thrive-business-clinic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Facebook groups can feel like a crowded marketplace for tutors. You post about your services and get little engagement. Then, when a parent asks for a tutor, dozens of people reply with almost identical offers. So how do you actually stand out? In this Make It Happen Monday episode, I explore how tutors can use Facebook more strategically to reach parents, build trust and avoid sounding like every other tutor online. Rather than relying only on sales posts or rushing to comment when someone asks for help, I talk about the importance of creating engagement, showing your approach, building authority and thinking carefully about the next logical step for parents. This episode is a reminder that parents rarely book the first time they see you. They need to understand who you are, what you believe, how you work and why you might be the right person to support their child. If you are using Facebook groups to market your tutoring business but feel like your posts are being ignored, this episode will help you rethink your approach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tutoring business decisions become much easier when you stop waiting for permission and start learning to trust yourself. In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, we continue the mindset mini-series by looking at self-trust, decision-making and why so many tutors get stuck even when they already know what to do. You might have watched the videos, listened to podcasts, joined groups, bought courses or asked for advice — but still not taken action. That usually means it is not just a knowledge problem. It may be a trust problem. I share some honest examples from my own business, including fear of rejection, fear of success, comparison with bigger tuition companies, and the moments where overthinking feels productive but actually keeps you stuck. We also look at real tutoring business decisions: pricing, moving from one-to-one tuition into group tuition, saying no to the wrong clients, planning ahead, and making decisions as the CEO of your business rather than waiting for someone else to tell you what to do. Who this helps:Tutors who overthink business decisionsTutors moving from one-to-one to group tuitionTutors struggling with pricing, confidence or comparisonTeachers building a tutoring business after leaving the classroom Chapters:Why trust matters in businessWhen knowledge is not the problemFear of success and fear of rejectionOutsourcing decisions and asking for permissionPricing, groups and business model decisionsOverthinking vs taking actionComparison with bigger tutoring businessesThe 24–48 hour decision ruleA simple decision filter for tutorsBecoming the CEO of your business 👉 CTA: If this resonated, send me a message and tell me one decision you are going to make this week. Thrive Business Circle Information https://www.tutorswhothrive.com/thrive-business-clinic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Posting in Facebook groups but not getting many students? In this Make It Happen Monday episode, I answer Bianca’s question about attracting students to group lessons and daytime tuition. But this is not just a question about Facebook. It is a customer journey question. We look at why “spaces available” posts rarely work on their own, why group tuition needs more education, why daytime tuition needs a more specific audience, and how tutors can build trust before asking parents to book a call or trial session. If your tuition marketing feels like it is not converting, this episode will help you slow down, look at the journey, and create content that moves people towards taking the next step. Thrive Business Circle https://www.tutorswhothrive.com/thrivebusinesscircle Make it Happen Monday Question Form. https://www.tutorswhothrive.com/make-it-happen Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/growyourtutoringbusiness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.