Upgrade Your Education Business

Upgrade Your Education Business

Follow Upgrade Your Education Business
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Each week, Sumantha shares fluff-free actionable ideas for education businesses who want to grow their businesses on their terms. Whether it’s marketing, turning ideas to income or wellbeing, each episode is designed to inspire you to take action that you can mould to suit your needs. Sumantha has been delivering training to large and medium sized businesses for 17+ years. As a teacher-turned-tutor, she now focuses on supporting education businesses. Outside of this, Sumantha delivers training to organisations and UK-based school trusts. For more information, visit www.UpgradeYourEducationBusiness.com

Sumantha McMahon


    • Jun 4, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 13m AVG DURATION
    • 260 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Upgrade Your Education Business with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Upgrade Your Education Business

    PS 101 Perfectly Imperfect Progress - That's The Point

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025 1:52


    This episode tackles perfectionism in business and why progress matters more - it's not just a catchy phrase.I share tips on embracing imperfect action, learning as you go, and building momentum; because growth comes from moving forward, not waiting for things to be perfect.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    161 Sumantha and Sarah Answering Questions From The Community

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 35:20


    Get ready for a pinch of silliness, some laughs and A LOT of value!Sarah Capewell and I recorded this spontaneous episode to answer some excellent questions from our community.Here's what we covered:What to do when you're fully booked and don't want to add more evening lessons or teach at weekendsWhen planning for tutoring, where to start with resources and lesson planning.Getting parents to trust you're a great tutor.How to find reputable international agents.How to turn messages on messenger into actual calls or clients, what to do when you're ghosted and how to communicate your value.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 100 Is The Fear Of Being Bored Affecting Our Businesses?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 2:05


    In a day and age where 'shiny object syndrome' is a thing, in this soundbite, I explore whether it boils down to us being afraid of boredom ...I'd love to know your thoughts.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    160 Keep Your Tutoring Business Fully Booked (Without It Consuming You)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 17:04


    It's time to break that feast and famine cycle in our businesses - without it meaning working all the time!When you're a small business owner, it's easy to be on the constant treadmill of chasing new clients. Often, it's driven by fear of the 'famine'.But, as I explore in this episode, it doesn't have to be that way.This episode is for you if you want to break that cycle and create something that's designed for you.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 99 Building Boundaries as a Business Owner

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 2:46


    So much falls under the 'boundaries' umbrella.In this short soundbite, I navigate through a few boundaries we need to pay attention to as education business owners.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    159 Why Community Matters When Growing a Tutoring Business

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 10:47


    Community is so powerful - we know this - but how do we find the right one for us?In this episode, I talk about the benefits of being in the right kind of community and how it can massively impact our businesses.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 98 Rejection Is Redirection

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 1:37


    I think you'll like this reframe.Rejection stings—it's natural. But what if you reframed it as redirection?Enjoy this week's short soundbite!Sumantha____________________

    158 The Business Skills Every Tutor Needs (Beyond Teaching!)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 14:14


    Running a tutoring business, whether you're an independent tutor or hire tutors or whatever - it's not a “less serious” version of running a business. It is a business. So, in this episode, I share 5 key areas to pay attention to so you can keep doing what you love for longer.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 97 The Power of Gratitude in Business

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 2:20


    Nope, this isn't woo woo! Yep, this is powerful.Gratitude isn't just a feel-good practice. It's a game changer for our mindset.Tune into this short soundbite to find out why!Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    157 Getting Clients Through Word-of-Mouth (Without Feeling Awkward!)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 9:05


    It's time to make word of mouth intentional and not a happy accident!In this episode, I share some simple and effective tips to encourage referrals in a way that doesn't feel uncomfortable.And if you're a Masterminder, here is the link to the training to attract more enquiries (including word of mouth referrals). Eunice - hyperlink this line to this link: https://www.tutorsmastermind.com/signin/post/296 Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 96 The Power of Saying No

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 2:03


    Saying no isn't about being difficult—it's about being intentional. In this short soundbite, I cast a light on the importance of mastering this two-letter word - 'no'!Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    156 How to Stand Out in a Crowded Tutoring Market

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 19:17


    Standing out isn't about looking better than your competition. It's about being you.In this episode, I share practical and strategic ideas to help you attract the right clients.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 95 From Imposter Syndrome to Expert Mindset

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 2:14


    I'm no expert in imposter syndrome, and it can be pretty complex.But I have had experience in supporting people who experience it.In this short episode, I share a tip that may well unlock a new mindset ...Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    155 Nicola Lutz_ Making Selling Less Intimidating

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 40:11


    Nicola Lutz joins me for this conversation on how to make selling effective without losing authenticity.She highlights a particularly important point - we need to be doing something every day to move the needle on our sales.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 94 The Role of Reflection in Growth

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 2:45


    We often focus on doing. But space is just as important.In this short soundbite, I explore the role reflection plays in growth.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    154 Group Classes: How to Make the Transition Smooth and Profitable

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 25:26


    Group classes are a fabulous way to support students who thrive in that environment while earning more without teaching more.BUT, they can also come with a lot of admin.In this episode, I share key considerations to make sure your transition is smooth, you price your groups correctly and share tips to promote them successfully.Enjoy :-) SumanthaLinks MentionedLaunch, Teach & Fill Group Classes CoursesFrom The Tutors' MastermindAttract students to groups Group Class Sales Clinic____________________

    PS 93 Breaking Free from the Scarcity Mindset

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 1:30


    As small business owners, it's easy to fall into the scarcity mindset.In this short soundbite, I offer some reframes for you to lean on whenever you have a moment of doubt.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    153 Social Media for Tutors: How to Get Results Without the Overwhelm

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 22:48


    Social media isn't our full-time jobs! In this episode, I help you streamline your marketing so it's effective without being time consuming.Links mentioned:1 Year Content Plan Mastermind TrainingEnjoy :-)Sumantha____________________

    PS 92 The Compound Effect of Small Actions

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 1:55


    This short soundbite zooms into how we can take small actions for big results.And you guessed it - it's all about consistency!Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    152 Content Marketing Essentials for Tutors (To Attract More Students)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 16:19


    This strategic episode will help you make the most of what you're using rather than asking you to throw more at it.Effective content marketing is about inviting people to stay in your world and keeping them there.Because, if we're putting time and effort into something, we need it to pay off.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 91 Your Mindset is Your Business Blueprint

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 1:52


    In this short soundbite, I explore how we can make sure our mindset supports us.We know how important mindset is, but sometimes we need a reminder :-) Enjoy!Sumantha____________________

    151 Key Sales Strategies I've Learnt Through My Certification

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 19:43


    By the end of this episode, you're going to be more relaxed about selling - up for the challenge!Sales doesn't rely on being pushy. But it does rely on some tried and tested methods you can mould to suit your style.Listen to this episode to embed these strategies into your sales process now.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 90 Don't Make It Hard For People To Leave

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 2:04


    We're often scared of people leaving, so we make it hard. But what if we made it easy?What if, instead, we made it hard to want to leave?Listen to this week's short soundbite to get ideas of how you can embed this into your way of working.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    150 How To Balance Learning & Taking Action (So You Get Results)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 20:57


    We're often scared of people leaving, so we make it hard. But what if we made it easy?What if, instead, we made it hard to want to leave?Listen to this week's short soundbite to get ideas of how you can embed this into your way of working.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 89 The Myth Of Overnight Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 1:23


    'It takes years to be an overnight success!' We know it, but do we always remember it?In this short soundbite, I explore how to immerse yourself in a mindset of doing things today that your future self will thank you for.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    149 Want to create a podcast? Here's what I've learnt from 100+ episodes

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 25:08


    So, let's talk podcasts!Edu podcasts are on the rise, and whether you have one, thinking of creating one or are new to one, this episode is for you.I share key things I've learnt from over 100 episodes ...Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 88 Rest Is Part Of It (We Know It, But Do We Do It?)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 1:45


    We know self-care is important, but have you ever thought of it as part of your business strategy?In this short soundbite, I explain why it should be.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    148 Tutors, Let's Make Launching New Things Easier

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 28:30


    Launching new things can be overwhelming and scary. Well, not anymore!In this episode, I share a range of ideas and strategies to make launching feel safer so you can do it with confidence.No more worrying about whether your new thing will sell!Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 87 The Cost of Waiting for Perfect

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 1:25


    'Progress over perfection' isn't just a catchy slogan.It is such an important aspect of business growth because waiting for perfection can cost you opportunities.In this short soundbite, I share a way I get started with imperfect action that might give you some ideas!Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    147 Show Off Your Tutoring Business (Minus The Cringe)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 20:09


    Showing off is one of the most important marketing strategies and yet we often feel uncomfortable with doing it.So, in this episode, I'm fixing that! I share a range of ways to show off minus the cringe so you can show the world how amazing you are.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 86 When the Fear of Rejection Creeps In

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 1:19


    What if people say I'm too expensive? What if no-one buys?Fear can be a blocker that keeps us small.Listen to this soundbite where I offer a quick reframe ...Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    146 10 Ways To Attract Students WITHOUT Social Media

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 31:31


    Social media is a long game. So, in this episode, I share 10 ways to attract students without it!This doesn't necessarily mean you need to do all 10. It doesn't mean you need to abandon social media.However, there is more we can be doing - without it taking over our lives - to support our marketing efforts.Links MentionedConvertKit (email marketing) - https://partners.kit.com/iclrc1ea976oKartra (all in one) - https://try.kartra.com/dphp4njii2txDescript (easy video editing) - https://get.descript.com/tv0tlirdtc1y Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 85 Tutors, Embrace Seasonality

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 1:47


    In this short soundbite, I explore what we can do during seasonal downtimes (panicking isn't one of my ideas!)Seasonality is normal and natural, so how can make the most of it?Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    145 Lea Turner: How Community, Branding and Purpose Shape Your Business (and Pricing)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 40:55


    In this episode, Lea Turner joins me to explore the ripple effect of purpose-driven business. We discuss building a strong community, leading with heart, and how your impact shapes personal branding and pricing. Discover how to align your values, deepen connections, and elevate your education business.Listen now to learn:How to build a heart-led, community-focused business.The role of impact in confident pricing.Why personal branding is about connection, not perfection.Enjoy :-) SumanthaAbout Lea Turner: Lea burst onto the LinkedIn scene in 2019, transforming her small transcription business through humorous, relatable, and uplifting social media posts that garnered rapid attention and over 10,000 followers in a short time. Lea is the proud founder of The HoLT Community—a thriving business membership with over 580 members worldwide. In addition, she hosts The HoLT's Survival Guide for Small Businesses podcast, where she has insightful, humorous and relatable conversations with fellow small business owners, offering advice tailored to the unique challenges of small business ownership.____________________

    PS 84 Redefining Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 1:34


    What does success mean to you? Have you defined it?In this short soundbite, I talk about a way to redefine success so you no longer compete with others and stay focused on your goals.Enjoy :-)Sumantha____________________

    144 6 Tips For Launching Your Tutoring Business

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 17:31


    If you're in the launch stages of your tuition business, this one is for you.My strategies and tips will get you making sales and starting strong without wasting time on things that can wait.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 83 The Power Of One Small Win

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 1:13


    Celebrating wins is more than a cliche - it's a powerful strategy to make more sales.Tutors, take a listen to this short soundbite for an instantly actionable reframe that'll strengthen your goals.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    143 Group Classes: Turning Bad Advice On Its Head

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 19:34


    There's a lot of bad advice floating around about group classes.In this episode, I've chosen a small selection, turned them on their head and provided solutions that actually work.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 82 What To Do When You Freeze

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 4:07


    This episode is filled with lightbulb moments!In 4 minutes, I weave through some common reasons why people experience 'freeze' - when they want to do something, but just can't seem to get it done.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    142 8 Business Lessons Learnt From 8 Years Out Of The Classroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 30:59


    To celebrate 8 years out of the classroom, I share 8 (non-obvious) lessons learned.I won't give them away - you'll have to listen!Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 81 Your Brand? It's Just You

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2025 1:17


    Let's simplify how we do business starting with our branding!Instead of getting hung up on logos and colours, focus on showing up as you.Because, as I explore in this short soundbite, the age of company brands are dead. It's all about personal brands ...Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    141 Lucy Spencer: From The Classroom To The Boardroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2024 46:53


    Lucy shares how she has grown from being an independent tutor to hiring tutors to immense growth in just 9 years.In this conversation, she shares how to leverage your network, protect your energy and the numbers you need to pay attention to.Enjoy :-) SumanthaAbout LucyLucy Alexandra Spencer is the Founder and Director of Education Boutique, a tutoring business that specialises in bespoke educational experiences for the most disengaged children, locally and the most privileged children, globally. She is a passionate advocate for the tutoring industry and, in a pioneering move for the industry, sold part of Education Boutique to The Eteach Group in 2021 on World Tutors' Day.“Tutoring is changing people's lives.” says Lucy, “It's an exciting place to be.”____________________

    PS 80 Understand Who You're Speaking To

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 2:59


    This principle helps us with personal and professional interactions - it can even lead to more sales.In this short soundbite, I reflect on The Chimp Paradox from the Upgrade Your Mindset Book Club and hone into reframing behaviours.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    140 In-Person Events For Introverts

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2024 12:30


    In-person events can be daunting! In this episode, I talk through tangible things you can do to get the most out of them without exhausting yourself and/or feeling too outside of your comfort zone.Enjoy :-)Sumantha____________________

    PS 79 Remove Imposter Syndrome With This

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 3:25


    The book we're covering in the Upgrade Your Mindset Bookclub gave me a lightbulb moment about combating imposter syndrome ...... and I wanted to share it with you!Essentially, this short soundbite is about understanding where feelings come from so you can intervene.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    139 Staying In Control Of Sales Conversations

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 20:12


    By the end of this episode, you'll feel comfortable with selling - a bold claim, I know!But I say it with confidence because everything I share has transformed my sales - it has for my clients too.Tune in for instantly-actionable ways to turn sales calls into relaxed and productive conversations.Enjoy :-). Sumantha____________________

    PS 78 Don't Try Getting Good At Things You Aren't Good At

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 3:55


    This statement doesn't sound very encouraging, does it! Hear me out ...In this short soundbite, I explore how this concept is actually an important one to have in your back pocket.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    138 How to Niche And Be A Go-To As A Private Tutor

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 19:37


    We hear about niching all the time, but what does it mean?In this episode, I explore its importance, how you can position yourself as a go-to and practical ideas of how to niche in your education business.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 77 Being In Motion Isn't Taking Action

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 2:29


    This one insight has transformed how I work (and reduced my workload).Being in motion is feeling like you're doing something towards a goal. Being in action is actually doing something towards a goal.They're different, but the concept made me realised how often I blur the lines ...Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    137 Alima's Journey Of Her 1st Year Out Of The Classroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 29:30


    Alima's first year out of the classroom is so interesting that I just had to invite her onto the pod!In this episode, she talks about how she:Got started in tutoring with word of mouthEnded up specialising in 11+ tuition with a heavy focus on mindfulnessStarted working with a range of people, including 'Ultra High Net Worth' clientsIs already at the stage of selling coursesListen now to hear her fabulous story.Enjoy :-) Sumantha____________________

    PS 76 We Need To Stop Focusing On Goals

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 2:28


    I'm sharing something that has really turned my thinking on its head - how we need to stop focusing on goals and focus on systems instead. A goal delays happiness, a goal provides temporary achievement. It only becomes long-lasting when we focus on the 'how'.Enjoy :-) SumanthaPS. This is inspired by Atomic Habits by James Clear, the book we're looking at in The Upgrade Your Mindset Book Club. Join using the link below for social media, provide the link itself please https://bit.ly/trasformyourmindset____________________

    Claim Upgrade Your Education Business

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel