Soon after I started tutoring I did an accredited dyslexia training course. After one of the modules the course tutor phoned me to congratulate me on the content of my answer.

She asked what I did and I mentioned that I had just started tutoring. She asked if I was a teacher and I explained that no I wasn't. I told her my qualifications, experience, degree, etc and said I made it clear to parents that I'm not a teacher, but this is what I can offer; this is my ethos, etc.

The praise and admiration from the start of the phone call had completely vanished now.

She was adamant I should get in touch with the families I was working with and tell them that I was no longer available to help, because what if someone sued me?!

The thing was, to contact those families and tell them that I was quitting took more confidence than I had. I couldn't do it. I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. So, I kept going...

14+ years later I'm still going for it and the business has helped so many children in that time and I am now also supporting others in building their own tutoring businesses.

I've had teachers work with me who have been incredible. But I've also had some who have not been able to adapt to the individual.

I've had non-teachers work with me who have been incredible and again some who I have had to let go.

I've come to the conclusion that it's not the teaching qualification that makes you a good tutor, it's your attitude towards what you are doing.

It's your willingness to see the child and their personal needs and to work with that.

I'd like to say that I now keep going because I have the confidence in myself, but that would be a lie. I think I still keep going because of the fear of failure.

And in some respects that fear gets stronger all the time because as the business grows people come to us through recommendations and as such they have expectations. And every time you fear that this is the family who exposes you as being a fraud.

So, please don't let your confidence or you qualifications hold you back, take the first step and see what happens and may be for you it will grow far beyond what you ever imagined, like it did for me.

If you are taking those first steps into starting or growing your tutoring business and you are looking for help, please do get in touch: Start or Grow my Tutoring Business