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stacey_dream · 02-16-2012 01:23 PM

I decided not to register my business, but to just attract more students (now I have 11, I'm planning to have about 25 in the next 2 months). I'll start with teaching them at home - I'll buy chairs and blackboard, will improve my program firstm and then I'll rent an office and register my ESL school. Now it's just too soon. But it doesn't mean I'm changing my plans - I'm not! My goal is career breakthrough, and I'm making my first steps

As for the steps I've made, I counted the potential students (who asked me about my services or wanted to start studying soon) - there are about 20 of them!!! I also posted an advert on Russian facebook and there are already a couple of people interested. The price seems high for some of them, but I really believe it's better to have less students and work with them harder while earning as much as you would, working with more people for lower price.

stacey_dream · 02-18-2012 04:09 PM

Any change is a stressful thing, I must admit, and no matter how much I love English, I adore my current employer as much

On Friday I felt a little low because of my leaving the working place, but later that day I realized how much I want to succeed in English and ESL teaching! So I'm definitely moving in the right direction!

I have a lot of new students who signed up for my sessions from March - I'm SO excited! :dance:

Tomorrow I'm planning to buy some office furniture and a blackboard - I'll use these things at home for the first month or two and then take them to my office

stacey_dream · 02-21-2012 05:09 PM

I've bought an office chair - 3 more chairs and a blackboard are still on the list. I'm feeling so excited about the changes in my life!

My dreams are coming true!

I already have a schedule for March: about 3 lessons every day, 6 days a week. There may be more students later, we'll see. For now, everything is going fine. However, I don't know what to do with the English Speaking Club (I used to hold it for free at the office, but now as I'm quitting my current job, I have no office anymore). I might hold the meetings at my place, but the room is rather small (about 12 square meters) - I don't know if it's enough for 12 people.

I'm planning to start working at home, and once I have many students and good profit, I'll rent an office and register my business. I hope to do it before Autumn!

Celes · 02-21-2012 07:10 PM

Hey Stacey, congratulations on your progress! :clap:

Just curious - why did you decide not to register your business (for now)? I believe you can register your business and still operate as a home-based business (it's not contingent upon getting a real office).

stacey_dream · 02-22-2012 12:44 AM

(02-21-2012 07:10 PM)Celes Wrote: Hey Stacey, congratulations on your progress! Just curious - why did you decide not to register your business (for now)?

Hello Celes! :hug:

It's just that I don't wanna worry about taxes - not just yet! First I see how many students I manage to attract, and the next step will be to register - I wanna make sure that I don't spend too much on taxes. But hopefully it won't take long to see. The thing is, summer is kinda dead season for English tutors. It wasn't for me, though, but I gotta be ready for anything!

stacey_dream · 02-22-2012 03:07 PM

My New Business Life starts on Monday! :dance:

Can't wait to see how it all works out for me!

Oh, and yesterday I paid for the Cambridge TKT exam (for ESL teachers) - the exam is in April, I have just enough time to prepare. And some other news: one of my students offered me to hold the meetings of our English Speaking Club at her office!!! :dance:

This is just what the doctor ordered!

Anyway, I'm SO HAPPY I decided to change my life - I'm going to follow my passion and dreams from now on, and FOREVER!

stacey_dream · 02-24-2012 02:14 PM

I've bought a blackboard and some other equipment, tomorrow I'm going to buy chairs for my students.

Today is my last day at work, I feel excited and happy! I know I'm doing the right thing, and my dreams will come true very soon! I even started thinking of going to USA or UK - this time, more seriously. I see how my business life goes and then probably consider going to UK

Life is AWESOME! :dance:

Celes · 02-24-2012 02:24 PM

(02-22-2012 12:44 AM)stacey_dream Wrote: Hello Celes! It's just that I don't wanna worry about taxes - not just yet! First I see how many students I manage to attract, and the next step will be to register - I wanna make sure that I don't spend too much on taxes. But hopefully it won't take long to see. The thing is, summer is kinda dead season for English tutors. It wasn't for me, though, but I gotta be ready for anything!

Hey Stacey! I see what you mean, as taxes can be quite high in other countries (in Singapore tax is lower in comparison). Just make sure you familiarize with the business regulations in your country - I wouldn't want you to run into any problems! In Singapore, anyone who earns revenue in any way needs to be registered, no exceptions (including private tutors, freelance graphic designers and what not, if I recall correctly). Hence I had my business registered very early in the beginning, even when I wasn't formally earning money.

stacey_dream · 03-01-2012 01:14 PM

The February Challenge is OVER! I've done even more than I expected:

I quit my job and managed to remain friends with everybody. It was a great achievement for me - I used to think it impossible to leave a working place without a fight. However, I don't miss anyone and neither do they, I guess.
I attracted several new students. Now I have 15 active students and about 10 on the waiting list.
I bought some office equipment. A few things are still left, but I'm going to get them soon.
I started a brand-new course for my students - we'll see how it goes. It combines English teaching with Life coaching! I hope to create something else soon, after this course becomes a success!

I think I'll drop by this thread of mine whenever I have something career-oriented to share. My plans for the nearest future are:

Do my best with my current students and attract the new ones.
Earn at least $1000 a month.
Improve my courses and work on the new ones.
Develop my English Speaking Club: its structure, mission, plan etc.
Register my business and rent an office (whenever I'm ready).
Go to UK to see London with my own eyes.
Get a TKT certificate in April 2012.
Grow as a teacher, English speaker and a business woman

Just want to add that no matter how great your dreams are, make the first step - and if it's the right thing to do and your direction to move, life will support you and help you with everything you decide to accomplish! :angel:

Matt · 03-02-2012 04:30 PM

Sorry I'm just catching up now. Congratulations, Stacey! It's amazing that you quit your job to pursue your dreams. You have been talking about doing this for a long time and I'm sure you will do well.

stacey_dream · 03-03-2012 12:05 AM

Thank you Matt! glomp

vpcastelo · 04-30-2012 11:10 AM

Hello Stacey.

Just finished reading your posts. Quite an adventure I might say.

But now I'm curious as your final post was in March: your initiative continues to fare? I hope so.

All the best,
Vitor

stacey_dream · 04-30-2012 12:25 PM

Hello Vitor!

Welcome to the forums!

Yes, I'm still pursuing my goal - I'm working at home now, planning to rent an office in August, because in summer students are usually not very active. I started earning as much as I used to, having 2 jobs. There are a lot of people willing to become my students - soon I won't have enough time for them all. So I'm considering teaching them in groups... I'm also planning a trip to London in order to improve my English a little more and get a Certificate - this will help me in my business

The TKT course was rescheduled for June. Oh and I started working on another English course, based on 'Desperate Housewives' - my students are so happy!

vpcastelo · 04-30-2012 04:59 PM

(04-30-2012 12:25 PM)stacey_dream Wrote: Hello Vitor!

Welcome to the forums!

Yes, I'm still pursuing my goal - I'm working at home now, planning to rent an office in August, because in summer students are usually not very active. I started earning as much as I used to, having 2 jobs. There are a lot of people willing to become my students - soon I won't have enough time for them all. So I'm considering teaching them in groups... I'm also planning a trip to London in order to improve my English a little more and get a Certificate - this will help me in my business

The TKT course was rescheduled for June. Oh and I started working on another English course, based on 'Desperate Housewives' - my students are so happy!

I'm very, very happy for you!

I follow the Personal Excellence blog articles, but never had come before to the forum. Your experience was the first I picked and it drove me to registration. Your log was very strong and genuine and I really wish you the best.

stacey_dream · 04-30-2012 08:49 PM

(04-30-2012 04:59 PM)vpcastelo Wrote: I'm very, very happy for you!

I follow the Personal Excellence blog articles, but never had come before to the forum. Your experience was the first I picked and it drove me to registration. Your log was very strong and genuine and I really wish you the best.

Thank you so much for your nice words, Vitor! I strongly recommend you to start your own thread and begin posting your goals and your journey toward their realization - it really motivates you on your way to success, because the people here are amazing and they simply won't let you fail with their support and encouragement!

stacey_dream · 05-12-2012 09:48 PM

Now everything is going pretty smoothly in my career - I have about 15 students, earn about $800-900 monthly, working no more than 15 hours a week. I love my job and my students, but I don't want to start a business officially and become too career-oriented, because my family is now more important for me, I don't want to be an exhausted hysterical wife who makes more money than her husband. So I rescheduled all the teaching sessions from weekends to working days, so now I have 2 normal days-off, just like my husband. I have 2 online lessons at the weekend, but they don't count, cuz there won't be any people coming to our flat and disturbing anyone.

I'm really happy that my hobby gives me not only satisfaction, but also good money and recognition from my students. I think I'll keep working at home for as long as I can - even when we decide to have a baby, I'll still be able to teach till the last minute

I guess I've achieved my career goal even sooner then I expected. And this is awesome! :dance:

zingfairy · 06-07-2012 10:44 PM

Wow Stacey, I'm loving reading about your progress here! Well done for all you have achieved so far!! xx

stacey_dream · 10-17-2012 12:37 AM

OK, I guess it's time I updated this journal, as there has been a lot of change in my career. Firstly, I took 4 groups of students at a local language school. They all are different age and have different English levels, so it's a great experiene for me and a good opportunity for a professional growth. Secondly, the number of my students increased - now I have about 18-20 of them, and they all seem to LOVE my way of teaching. I'm super-excited about my work and grateful to have found my path in life. Thirdly, I'm earning about $1200 a month now, which is above average for my town. I'm very proud of myself, and I hope I'll do even better!

My current plans are:

to create a gift certificate for my potential students (one of my students suggested I do this so she could present one to her husband's birthday)
improve my services (give my clients more than they expect)
create a new course (preferably for groups, not individuals)
finally get serious about my new blog on teaching and learning English (it is in Russian, but later I might consider writing in English about teaching methods and techniques)

I believe my next post here will be about my big success in the teaching career!

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