Lessons from My First Year as a Small Business Owner

Aug 16

4 min read

This past year, I decided to make a big change in my life and become a small business owner, running my own home-based playful learning studio. It’s been a journey filled with growth, challenges, and small wins that feel like big victories.

Why I made such a big career shift—and my background in education—is a story for another post. But I will say this: my journey is quite different from most tutors starting out, especially those who are current or retired teachers in Canada. As an immigrant who hasn’t taught here, I’ve faced (and still face) unique challenges. And honestly, that’s part of what makes this journey so fascinating!

Here are some of the key lessons and takeaways from my first year in business that I would like to share:

1. 🧐 Do Your Homework Before You Launch

Before even thinking about your first student or client, do your research. Learn the legal requirements and accounting basics. Look into your target market and potential competition. Know what resources and materials you'll need — and plan ahead. Starting strong saves a lot of stress down the road.

I chose a sole proprietorship for my legal structure—it was surprisingly easy to set up. The online system is user-friendly, and my background as a legal assistant definitely helped. Accounting and expense tracking are still a work in progress 😊 but I feel like I’ve got most of my ducks in a row now. As for resources and materials, that’s been more challenging. I already had a lot from working with my own kids, and I added even more last summer. But figuring out which offerings really “click” with my audience is still evolving. Luckily, it’s a part of the journey I truly enjoy!

2. ⏳ It’s Way More Time-Consuming Than You Expect

As a business owner, you wear every hat — admin, marketing, tech support, accountant, and customer service. From managing finances to writing invoices, updating the website, handling communication, and maintaining social media — the “extra” tasks pile up quickly.

Note: I thought I understood it before I started — but wow, I had no idea how much I still had to learn! Small business owner time management skills are definitely another work in progress 😊!

3. 💻 Tech is Your Best Friend (and Sometimes Your Biggest Challenge)

If you had told me two years ago that I’d be managing my own website, I would’ve laughed out loud! 😅 Back then, my tech skills stopped at telling a mouse from a keyboard.

Learning to build and manage a site—even on something “easy” like Wix—was a steep learning curve. I spent hours just trying to get it right. Canva became my go-to for visuals, and Wordwall and other online learning apps and websites have been amazing for making learning fun. It’s taken time, trial, and plenty of error—but I’m proud to be building new skills and growing along the way!

4. 📱 Social Media is a Necessary (and Time-Consuming) Ally

Creating content is basically another full-time job. It doesn’t bring instant results, but it’s essential for visibility and building a community (or so they say 😅).

I’m learning to see social media as a long-term investment, not a quick fix. Truthfully, I haven’t seen much return yet—but staying visible and competitive means showing up anyway.

5. 💸 Be Careful with Ads

Running ads can seem like a fast track to growth—but not all ads are created equal. I learned the hard way: without a clear strategy, ads can drain your budget with little return.

Do your research before spending. Sometimes, investing time pays off more than money. For me, community events and giveaways brought far better results than cold social media ads this past year.

6. 🗣️ Word of Mouth is Gold

Old-fashioned but true - the best leads come from happy parents telling other parents. Working within a local community helped my business grow more than any paid ad. Building trust and relationships really pays off.

7. 📢 Communication is Everything

Keep your clients informed—whether it’s about schedule changes, class updates, or cancellations. Clear, consistent communication builds trust and prevents confusion. I’ve learned the hard way that reminders are always appreciated (and often necessary!). There is a fine line between not wanting to be too repetitive and not informing/reminding enough.

8. 👩‍🏫 Satisfaction Comes from Both Kids and Parents

Teaching is not just about the kids — you have to balance their happiness with their parents' expectations. Kids want to enjoy the lesson, and parents want measurable results. Finding the balance between play and progress is still something I’m working on.

Celebrating student's birthday in class is always fun!

9. ❤️ Passion Keeps You Going

Is this the most profitable thing I could be doing? No. There are jobs out there that would pay more with fewer hours and less stress. But I love what I do. I love the freedom, the creativity, and the ownership. This business is my baby, and that makes the hard work worth it.

🎯 Final Thought: Know Your “Why”

If you’re thinking about starting your own small business, especially in education, make sure you’re passionate enough to carry you through the long hours and unpredictable income. It won’t be easy. But the pride that comes from building something of your own? It’s unmatched.