Grow Your Tutoring Business Podcast

In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business , I’m talking about something we don’t give ourselves enough credit for: our professional instincts . I share a story from my early days in social services, where a primary mental health worker picked up on signs of domestic abuse before we’d even knocked on the door, just from subtle cues and experience. We dig into what that means for us as tutors,...

We forget how powerful our work is. In this solo episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business , I make the case that tutors aren’t “just tutors”—we change trajectories. From 11+ and GCSE breakthroughs to confidence, mindset and motivation, I explore the academic and emotional impact of tutoring: light-bulb moments, intrinsic motivation, and the long-term ripple effects into sixth form, university, caree...

Want to build an authentic audience for your tutoring business without feeling fake on social media? In this solo episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business , I share a practical framework for showing up as yourself , growing trust and loyalty , and turning followers into families who buy. We cover core values , consistent content habits , and real engagement (DMs, comments, voice notes) that help tut...

Feeling tempted to say “I’m not selling anything, come to this free thing”? In this solo episode, I unpack why that line erodes trust, first in you, and then across the wider tuition industry. I’ve seen this bait-and-switch approach in other sectors for years, and it’s now creeping into tutoring. I explain why it backfires (even if you don’t pitch on the webinar) and how it trains parents to be sc...

In this reflective episode, I unpack a simple but slippery question: where does passion actually come from, and how do we use it well in our tutoring businesses? Fresh from a visit to a school’s IB cohort (mentoring project = very impressive!), I share what I told their sixth formers about running a great session—and how their questions led us into a wider chat about passion. Is it discovered by t...

Safeguarding can feel daunting when you’re tutoring solo, but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I’m joined by Holly Goodwin, safeguarding lead for The Tutors’ Association and a former school DSL, to demystify what safeguarding really means for tutors day to day. We dig into the big picture (children at the centre, clear boundaries, and confident communication) and the practicals you’ll face: ha...

In this fresh-from-the-room debrief, I unpack a big idea from Monday’s training: we’re in a recession of trust . Buyers need more time, more proof, and more personal connection than ever. I share how to bake trust into your whole journey—top of funnel posts that actually mean something, mid-funnel value (emails, webinars, lead magnets), and bottom-funnel moments that feel natural, not “icky.” We d...

In this honest, big-picture episode, I dive into intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation —how each fuels us at different stages of business. I share how my early “prove-them-wrong” fire evolved into a steadier, mission-led drive to serve families with nurture first, clear expectations, and mindset work around high-stakes moments (11+, GCSEs, A levels). You’ll hear practical prompts to find your own fuel...

ChatGPT said: In this reflective, practical episode, I share why the show’s gone “edit-light” to reduce friction and ask if that works for you—before diving into ongoing CPD for tutors. Fresh from the National Tutoring Conference, I unpack what great CPD looks like, where to find it (inside and outside our industry), and how to apply it to real tuition challenges—like changing buying habits, low s...

Fresh from the National Tutoring Conference at the Royal Lancaster, Richard shares the standout ideas and people that made the day special—beginning with a huge nod to event lead Sam Nichols and the superb TTA team. Highlights include Susie from PS Education on humanising our language (“families,” not “clients”) and building belonging through richer onboarding and regular check-ins—even online, wh...

In this practical, real-talk episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, Richard unpacks how to find clients without feeling spammy or overwhelmed. He reframes the journey as three stages—Know-Like-Trust → personal touch (discovery calls) → onboarding—and argues that onboarding is the middle of the business, not the start or end. You’ll hear why visibility matters beyond social media, with examples li...

Feeling flat or “off your game” with your tutoring business? In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business , I open up about losing my mojo after the big push for TutorFest and how that dip crept into my motivation, marketing, and mindset. I share a practical, compassionate reset: identify the trigger, capture the mental load through journaling, and use solution-focused thinking to turn worries i...

In this candid, energising episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business, I share how I’m getting my mojo back by tackling a topic many tutors avoid: sales. We unpack the difference between the sales conversation and the close, and why the “salesy” feeling usually shows up at the very end—not at the start. I break down stalls vs objections (overwhelm vs price, add-ons, and negotiation) and explain why pu...

In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business , I’m digging into what it really takes to keep showing up when your energy is low and motivation is slipping. We’ll talk about perseverance, determination, and the small but powerful habits that help you keep moving forward when you hit a hurdle. Whether it’s a dip in momentum, admin overload, or that nagging feeling that nothing is working, this con...

In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business , I’m diving into a topic that every tutor and business owner needs to face head-on: running on empty. The summer months are some of my busiest, especially with 11+ preparation, and while it’s exciting to see so many children working hard, it also means something has to give — in my case, that’s been the podcast. But today I want to pause and explore...

In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business , I pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to run not one, not two—but three interconnected businesses. From the tuition company to the growing Tutors Who Thrive membership, and now events like TutorFest, it’s all getting exciting… but also a bit complicated! I share how I'm currently navigating multiple launches, prepping for September tuitio...

In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business , I get a bit raw and real about something that knocked me sideways recently—a run-in with online negativity that triggered some old feelings around teaching, identity, and how we show up in business. What started as an annoying Facebook comment turned into a much bigger reflection on the kind of messaging out there for teachers right now, especially...

In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business , I’m diving into a question that’s been cropping up in conversations a lot lately, what does success actually look like? It’s a word that gets thrown around all the time, but the truth is, success is deeply personal and changes depending on where you are in life. I reflect on what it means to be successful as a tutor, business owner, parent, and just...

In this deeply moving and thought-provoking episode, I sit down once again with Tom Delahunt – the mind behind The Wandering Lamb , The Butterfly Farmer , and the evolving identity of The Hobo Poet . We pick up where our last conversation left off and explore how Tom’s storytelling, immersive workshops, and growing partnerships are creating transformational experiences for children, educators, and...

In this unplugged, no-edit episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business , I'm recording straight from my phone, back to basics, just like in the early days of Tutors Who Thrive. Join me for a personal reflection on how this summer feels different: less stressful, more intentional, and a sign of how far the business has come. I share candid thoughts on the seasonal shifts in tutoring, the power of experi...

Welcome back to another episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business ! In today’s powerful and inspiring interview, Rich chats with Susan Duffy , a newly full-time tutor who has just made the bold leap from classroom to self-employment – all the way from Hong Kong . After 11 years teaching in the same school, Susan walked out last Friday and into her new life as a business owner. She shares the real sto...

What. A. Day. TutorFest 2025 was everything we hoped for – and more! In this special celebration episode, Rich and Vicki sit down (just about recovered!) to reflect on the highs, laughs, and unexpected magic of the day. From emotional arrivals and perfectly timed food to surprise tutor recruitment at the pub and old school friends reuniting after 30 years, this episode captures the real heart of w...

In this episode of Grow Your Tutoring Business , we're focusing on how to set yourself up for a strong September by taking action now. Whether you're aiming to increase enrolments, improve your onboarding systems, or simply get ahead with your content planning, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you build momentum over the summer. I reflect on lessons from past years, explain why w...

In this episode, I take a different tack and focus on the real-world challenges and opportunities that arise inside a tutoring business—particularly how we build strong relationships with parents and pupils . From onboarding new clients to setting clear payment terms and cancellation policies, I share practical advice for tutors looking to grow sustainably while protecting their time and values. T...

In this episode, I share my reflections on attending Atomicon , one of the UK’s leading marketing and business events. It was packed with practical insights and inspiration—from powerful talks by Carrie Green , Rory Sutherland , and Geoff Ramm , to standout strategies on improving your business mindset and communication. If you've never been to a business event like this, I explain why it’s worth...