If you had told me five years ago that I’d leave my high school teaching job to start an online course business, I would have laughed and dismissed the idea entirely. At the time, I loved my job—or so I thought. But between grading papers until midnight and breaking up lunchroom arguments over stolen fries, the exhaustion was starting to outweigh the joy. Still, I didn’t know there was another path for me.
Then came the turning point: a life change that pushed me out of the classroom and into an entirely new world of possibilities. My journey wasn’t linear, nor was it easy, but it taught me that the skills I had as a teacher were my superpower. With a few adjustments, I turned them into a business that not only pays the bills but also fills my days with purpose and creativity.
Here’s how I did it, the mistakes I made along the way, and why I believe anyone with a passion for teaching can thrive in the world of online education.
The Leap I Never Planned to Take
It all started with my grandmother. She was the backbone of our family, the kind of person who could fix a broken sewing machine and whip up a three-course meal without batting an eyelash. When her health started to decline, I decided to move back home to care for her. Leaving my teaching job was one of the hardest decisions I’d ever made.
At first, I tried to find online work to stay afloat financially. I dabbled in freelance writing and even attempted a few virtual tutoring gigs, but nothing felt right. That’s when a friend suggested I try creating an online course. “You’re a teacher,” she said. “You literally create lessons for a living. Why not turn that into something people can buy?”
At first, I laughed. Creating an online course sounded daunting, like something only tech-savvy entrepreneurs with fancy equipment could pull off. But the more I thought about it, the more intrigued I became. What if I could take the lessons I had honed over years of teaching and share them with people beyond the four walls of a classroom?
The First (Messy) Attempt
My first course was a disaster. No sugarcoating here—it was bad. I decided to teach time management, something I had mastered as a teacher juggling lesson plans, parent meetings, and 30 kids who all seemed to lose their pencils at the same time.
I filmed the course in my childhood bedroom, using a stack of books as a tripod and a desk lamp for lighting. I didn’t know how to edit videos, so I uploaded everything as one long, unpolished take. I cringe just thinking about it.
But here’s the surprising part: people actually bought it. Not a lot of people—five, to be exact—but it was enough to make me realize that I was onto something. If five people were willing to pay for my hastily thrown-together course, what could I achieve if I took the time to do it right?
Turning a Hobby Into a Business
That’s when I decided to treat my online course creation like a real business. I spent weeks researching the best platforms, watching YouTube tutorials on video editing, and learning how to market my course. I invested in a decent microphone and a ring light, which made a world of difference.
The second version of my time management course was a far cry from the first. I added interactive elements, like downloadable worksheets and quizzes, to keep students engaged. I also created a private Facebook group where students could ask questions and share their progress.
Slowly but surely, word started to spread. Former students from my classroom days signed up and left glowing reviews. They recommended the course to friends, and before I knew it, my sales had doubled, then tripled.
The Big Lessons I Learned
Looking back, there are a few key lessons that helped me turn my teaching experience into a successful online course business:
1. Start Before You’re Ready
If I had waited until I had the perfect equipment or a polished marketing plan, I never would have launched my first course. It’s okay to start messy as long as you’re willing to learn and improve along the way.
2. Lean Into Your Expertise
As a teacher, I already had the skills to create engaging lessons and explain complex ideas in simple terms. Those skills are incredibly valuable in the world of online education.
3. Build a Community
People don’t just want to buy a course—they want to feel supported and connected. Creating a community around my courses helped me build trust and keep students engaged.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Market Yourself
This was the hardest part for me. I hated the idea of “selling” myself, but I realized that marketing is just about sharing something valuable with people who need it.
A Day in My Life as an Online Educator
These days, my life looks very different from my teaching days. Instead of rushing out the door at 6 a.m., I start my mornings with a cup of coffee and a quick check-in with my course students. I spend my afternoons brainstorming new course ideas, recording videos, or hosting live Q&A sessions.
One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been hearing from students around the world. A single mom in Canada told me that my time management course helped her balance work and family life. A college student in India said it gave him the tools to stay organized and improve his grades.
It’s moments like these that remind me why I started this journey in the first place.
Practical Tips for Aspiring Course Creators
If you’re thinking about creating your own online course, here are some tips to get started:
1. Identify Your Niche
What are you passionate about? What unique skills or knowledge do you have? Your niche should be something you love and something people are willing to pay for.
2. Start Small
You don’t need to create a massive, 20-module course right out of the gate. Start with a small, focused topic and build from there.
3. Choose the Right Platform
There are many platforms for hosting online courses, like Teachable, Thinkific, and Kajabi. Research their features and pricing to find the best fit for your needs.
4. Focus on Quality Over Quantity
It’s better to create a short, high-quality course than a long, poorly executed one. Invest time in planning, recording, and editing.
5. Gather Feedback
Ask your students for feedback and use it to improve your course. Positive reviews can also help attract new students.
Why This Journey Matters
For me, creating an online course business wasn’t just about making money—it was about rediscovering my passion for teaching and sharing it with the world. It’s proof that you can turn even the most challenging circumstances into opportunities for growth and connection.
If you’ve ever thought about creating an online course, my advice is simple: go for it. You have something valuable to share, and there are people out there who need what only you can offer.
