Overcoming Fear and Starting My Own Education Business

My First Class....

 I have a confession to make: I didn't start out as a confident, successful educator. Nope, I started out as a scared, nervous wreck who had no idea what she was doing.

Let me backup a bit. I've been a hairstylist for over 21 years, but for a long time, I felt like something was missing. I had always dreamed of becoming an educator, but I had no idea where to start. Should I work for a brand, or should I create my own classes and become an independent educator?

As fate would have it, I ended up relocating to a small town in Idaho. I quickly realized that there wasn't a lot of education provided locally for hairstylists and salon professionals. And that's when I saw an opportunity: the hand-tied extension trend was just starting to gain popularity in the area, and it was something I had learned to do 10 years ago and had become an expert at. So, I decided to teach a class.

But let me tell you, I was terrified. I had no idea what I was doing or how to start. I didn't know where to get supplies, and I didn't even know where to host the class. But I set a date, announced my class, and the ball started rolling.

I started contacting brands to see if they would be interested in sponsoring or sending me products for the swag bags. I created a rough class outline and figured out how to break down my method into teachable steps. And I used Canva to create some awesome graphics (seriously, if you haven't tried it yet, you need to).

I was so nervous that nobody would buy tickets, but to my surprise, I sold three. Three! I was over the moon that even one person wanted to learn from me.

On the day of the class, I was in the back room with my assistant Nicole, feeling like I was going to puke lol I remember asking myself, "Why did I do this?" But as I walked out and started talking, I felt myself relax and start to enjoy myself. After the class was over, I felt like it had flown by in either hours or minutes. I was on a high and knew that I had to do it again.

That's how I started my education company. And now, five years later, I've created an online course for hairstylists and salon professionals to help them create their own independent education. I teach them both online and in-person educator options, and I teach them every step of creating their own business.

So, what's the moral of my story? Don't be afraid to take a chance, even if you don't feel ready. Nobody starts out perfect, and you never will feel "ready" to do anything. But sometimes, you just need to take that first step and see where it takes you. Who knows? You might surprise yourself with what you're capable of.

Feeling inspired to start your own education journey? I've got you covered! Download my free starter kit to learn how to create your own independent education business. This kit includes valuable resources and tips to help you get started on the path to success. Don't wait, download it now and let's start building your dream!

Dream Big,

Cassandra