School of Sellers: TPT Strategies, Tips, + Seller Stories

The leaves are changing and the morning air is turning crisp, which can only mean one thing. Spooky season is here! To get us in the spooky spirit, Ashley and I are diving into some of our deepest fears - not just in business, but in life and beyond. From TPT anxieties to real-life phobias like spiders and heights (thanks a lot, TikTok!), you’ll hear it all. We realize that some of the things we w...

Being a TPT seller looks different for each person. Some of you are full-time TPT sellers who have left the classroom while others are in the classroom with the end goal of working from home on TPT full-time. Our guest today, Katarina Lazaris, is a full-time teacher and successful TPT seller with no plans to leave the classroom.  Katarina is the face behind Lessons for Learning and a 6th-grad...

We’re kicking off a new series on the podcast: seller book club chats! In the first episode of this series, I sit down with Janice Cook and Kassaundra Foster to dive into Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” . Big Magic talks a lot about creativity and breaking out beyond fears and hesitations to live happier lives both as people and business owners.  Throughout our co...

Do you have more than one way that you’re bringing in income from your teacher business? Today we’re diving back into the world of diversification with guest, Brittany Naujok. Brittany is a long-time member of the School of Sellers community and this episode marks the second time I have had her on the show (check out her first appearance here!) .  Brittany gives a snapshot of her journey as a...

In our comeback episode (episode 126) , I sat down with Ashley, one of the faces behind team SOS. We had a casual conversation and received lots of great feedback, so we’re bringing it back today.  Ashley joins me again for a coffee chat to talk about our opinions on the TPT storefront design, what type of eating competition we would win, product inspiration, and more. I must have been hungry...

Two years ago I interviewed Abby Mullins and asked her ten questions to represent her ten years as a TPT seller (check out that episode here!) . It has turned into a School of Sellers listener-favorite, so I knew I had to invite Abby back on the podcast! Now two years later, Abby joins me to catch us up on what she’s been up to over the past couple of years. All I can say is that a lot has changed...

Having an online business comes with a lot of opportunities. There are so many different ways to generate income, and you don’t have to stick to just one! I love interviewing teacher sellers who have found ways to diversify their business, and today we’re hearing from a guest who has done just that. Lisa McHargue is a teacher turned digital organizer who has a knack for organizing Google Drives an...

Are you a TPT seller who often considers going back to the classroom? If so, then today’s guest episode is for you! I’m joined by Marcy Bernethy, the face behind Saddle Up for Second Grade . Marcy started her TPT store 12 years ago and has been working on her business full-time from home since 2018. Then in 2023, she made the quick and unexpected decision to go back to the classroom to teach secon...

Hello, friends, and welcome back to the School of Sellers podcast! In today's episode, we're continuing our series on diversifying your teacher business with the incredible Barb Flowers, a former teacher and administrator who transitioned into life coaching. I'm thrilled to share our conversation, where Barb dives deep into how life coaching is a unique and powerful way teachers can expand their c...

I am thrilled to introduce our guest, Michelle Staley, the brains behind Teach with Michelle Allison. In this fun and insightful episode, we dive into a special 20 Questions segment where Michelle answers everything from her TPT journey during COVID to her favorite comfort pajamas and what it's like to create engaging classroom resources with her first graders in mind.  Michelle shares her th...

Hello, seller friends! Today, I sat down for a fascinating chat with Breyen Wee, the creative mind behind Oui Madame Wee. Breyen, an Arbonne consultant and mother of two, offers insights on diversifying your teacher business through network marketing.  Join us as Breyen shares her journey from a kindergarten teacher to an entrepreneur, tackles common misconceptions about direct sales, and hig...

Today, we're diving into one of my absolute favorite concepts: the workcation! Imagine combining the relaxation of a vacation with the productivity of focused work time—sounds dreamy, right? Join me as I share the origins, benefits, and diverse formats of workcations, from cozy Airbnbs to makeshift bedroom retreats.  We'll explore how getting away can amplify your creativity, boost your produ...

Today, as part of our Sellers Actually series, we're featuring a truly inspiring story that debunks some common myths about the world of Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT). Joining us is none other than Amy Lemons, a pioneering figure in the TpT community. Amy's journey as a TpT seller began in 2011, and she's continued to achieve remarkable success without a massive team backing her. Amy's business is e...

Today's episode tackles a topic that many of us have experienced – FOMO, or fear of missing out! Especially when it comes to the annual TPT conference. While these conferences offer unique experiences, not everyone can attend due to various reasons. But don't worry! If you're unable to attend this year's TPT conference in San Diego, we've got you covered.  From following along on our Instagra...

We are back with another guest in our diversifying series! In this episode, I welcome the inspiring Molly Wheatley, a fifth-grade teacher with over a decade of experience who has successfully transitioned into the tutoring business. Molly shares her journey from classroom burnout to creating a thriving tutoring business that not only supplements her income but also reignites her passion for teachi...

We're kicking off a series on diversifying with Amanda Cardenas, founder of Mudd and Ink Teaching and cohost of the Brave New Teaching podcast. Amanda chats with me about diversifying her teacher business through in-person professional development. She shares her journey from selling on TPT to discovering her passion for in-person PD and speaking engagements.  Amanda opens up about the person...

Have you been looking for ways to maximize your sales on TpT, even with some of the limitations on the platform? I know many sellers wish we had a few additional features when it comes to the TpT platform. One feature I wish TpT offered is having access to our customers’ email addresses so we can stay connected with them after their purchases. The good news is there are some hacks that we can use...

Have you thought about diversifying your teacher seller business to include supplemental income streams? Many teacher sellers, like myself, worry about the uncertainty of relying solely on platforms like TpT for income. However, we know we can’t add on something we pour as much time and effort into as our TpT stores, so what are some options for creating additional revenue streams for our business...

Do you feel like you have 25 tabs open in your brain at all times? If so, you are not alone! As a teacher, business owner, and mom, I feel like I constantly have new ideas, endless to-dos, and random things popping into my head all the time. Now, I’m sure you’ve heard about brain dumps before, but finding a brain dump system that works for me has truly been a gam...

Are you ready to successfully tackle your business goals this summer, even with kids at home? We are quickly approaching summer which means that for many of us, our schedules will be changing. There will be kids at home, summer camps, trips, and, of course, all the everyday summer fun that we look forward to. But even with the change in schedules, you can take control of your summer business plan...

Does spring have you feeling the need to clean, declutter, and head into summer with a fresh start? I always look at spring as a time for fresh starts and a renewed sense of energy, not just for my physical spaces but for my business as well! If you’re ready to head into the second half of the year feeling rejuvenated and with your business organized and fresh, I’ve got some helpful tips for you....

We are so excited to be back with you for a new season of the School of Sellers podcast! After stepping back from the podcast for a bit, Ashley from Team SOS is here with me to catch up with you, share what we have been up to, and kick off an amazing season two. We understand that as teacher sellers, you have a lot on your plate, and we can’t wait to share some helpful seller tips and stories and...

We are bringing a listener's favorite back! It's always such a breath of fresh air to hear from someone who has experienced it all and understands the struggle of wearing multiple hats for several years on TPT. Today's guest is Abby Mullins, the owner of the TPT store Babbling Abby . She has over a decade of experience as a TPT Seller and has many lessons to share. She will be answering ten questi...

Are you wearing multiple hats and unsure how to balance it all? Many of us are teachers, business owners, and parents, and that can be overwhelming. If you're feeling like you're juggling all the things, you're not alone, and this episode will dive into how balancing a business can be done successfully. Today's guest is Breyen Wee, the owner of the TPT store, Oui Madame Wee . She has built her bus...

Are you on the verge of TPT burnout trying to excel as a teacher, parent, and business owner? You're in the right place! We are devoting the entire month of podcast episodes to those working in the classroom while also running your TPT business!  Today's guest is Brittany Blackwell, who specializes in teacher resilience. She is a special education teacher, a mother of 5, and the host of The R...