Balancing Teaching and Entrepreneurship: Bringing Your Business or Creative Vision to Life
Do you have a dream beyond the classroom that you hope to do “someday”? Balancing teaching and entrepreneurship - or any other side hustle - may feel overwhelming. But with the right plan, it’s totally possible.
Whether it’s building a business, writing a book, or starting a creative venture of your own, many educators have a deep desire to build something beyond classroom teaching. Something rooted in creativity, impact, or entrepreneurship – And this makes sense, given teachers’ natural creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial skills and strengths.
If this is you, you likely get ideas and inspiration that pop up randomly... Perhaps during your prep period, you scribble a new idea on a sticky note, or maybe a vision keeps nudging you during your commute home.
And then, real life hits. Between grading, meetings, and the day-to-day grind, your energy runs low. And suddenly, the idea or vision that felt so exciting feels far away again.
If this resonates with you, you’re not alone.
The good news is you don’t have to choose between teaching and bringing your vision to life. You can do both in sustainable ways.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how to balance teaching and entrepreneurship, whether you’re managing side hustles while working full-time or still in the early stages of changing careers. The best part? You’ll learn how to make this balance work, without burning out, abandoning your vision, or feeling like you’re failing at both.
How to Balance Teaching and Entrepreneurship, Side Hustles, or a New Career
Even the most overwhelming experiences feel more manageable with a step-by-step plan. Let this be your guide to bringing your vision to life - even if you’re still in the classroom full-time.
Start With a Clear Vision that Energizes You
Before you can balance teaching and building your vision, it’s helpful to get clarity about both what you want to create and why it matters.
Ask yourself:
What impact do I want this creative work/business to have? (What’s my why?)
How does this creative work/business make me feel? (Does it feel energizing or draining?)
What small steps could move me closer to making this real?
Your vision doesn’t need to be perfect or fully formed from the get-go. Even a simple sentence like, “I want to help teachers feel more supported,” or “I want to create resources that make learning joyful,” can guide you.
Clarity will help you decide where to put your precious time and energy along the way (and where to let go).
Embrace Seasons of Focus Instead of Constant Balance
Fortunately, balance doesn’t mean doing everything at the same level all the time. True balance means shifting your focus based on what’s needed in the moment or season.
You might have a season where teaching requires more of you (back-to-school, testing periods, before breaks, etc.). Then you might have a season where your creative or business work gets more space (mid-fall or spring, breaks, summer, or quieter stretches).
Instead of striving for perfect, daily balance, try asking: What deserves my attention in this season (or stretch)? And what can be less, or slower, or simpler?
This approach creates breathing room and can honor the natural rhythms of your schedule/ school year. It makes balancing teaching and entrepreneurship easier and more in tune with your day-to-day life.
Create Small, Sustainable Routines That Support Your Vision
Whether you’re trying to balance work and side hustles or want to bring an idea of your own to fruition, one of the hardest parts is making time. You might be wondering how you’ll have time to work on your business or creative idea when you’re exhausted from teaching. Rest assured, you don’t have large blocks of time to make your creative work happen. You just need consistency, which means showing up steadily in ways that fit your real life.
Try choosing one or two intentional routines, such as:
A weekly “vision hour” to plan, write, or create
A 10-minute “micro-task” each day
A monthly reflection on what’s working (or not)
A Saturday morning coffee and creation ritual
An after-school boundary, like no schoolwork after 5:00
Consider working during high-energy times (perhaps mornings or weekends), or try dedicating one “creative work session” per week to maintain momentum.
Small routines accumulate into big progress. Even 90 minutes a week is nearly 80 hours a year, and that’s enough to build an offering, create content, or launch a project.
Set Boundaries That Protect Both Teaching and Entrepreneurship
Bringing your creative or business dream to life requires both time and space (mental and emotional). Create a realistic plan and consider boundaries like:
Limiting grading to specific time blocks
Saying no to an extra committee or leadership role
Letting “good enough” be enough for certain school tasks (or all of them!)
Setting designated creative/business hours and sticking to them
Protecting rest as a non-negotiable
Think of boundaries as gateways to the life and career you want. Without strong boundaries, it will be nearly impossible to start down a new career path before leaving the classroom.
Allow Yourself to Grow Slowly and Celebrate Every Step
Building something meaningful while teaching is brave and inspiring. It takes courage to imagine something different for your life. It takes persistence to keep tending to your vision, even in small ways.
Don’t rush your progress or compare yourself to others. Slow, steady progress works. Remember that every step forward gets you closer to making your dreams a reality. Celebrate your progress and growth along the way, and don’t underestimate the power of support.
Ready to make your vision a reality?
If you’re feeling called to build a business or creative project and want support along the way, check out the Vision to Action Accelerator.
This program is for educators, creators, and business-builders who want support, structure, and community as they turn their ideas into something real, sustainable, and profitable.
• Want to grow a business that makes multiple six figures+ per year?
• Dreaming of writing a book or bringing your creative project into existence?
• Know you need to get more visible as you put your dreams into the world (even though it feels scary)?
If you’ve been feeling the pull to make a change, or to finally give yourself space to focus on the idea or work you want to make a reality, this is for you.
Through expert guidance, community support, and accountability, this year‑long program helps educators like you transform ideas into reality (and income), without burning out.
If you’re ready to take action and build something you love, you can learn more and apply here. (And right now, you can join for 50% off.) We’d love to support you to bring your vision to life!
Common Questions About Balancing Teaching and Other Work
Still have questions about finding time for teaching and entrepreneurship? Explore some of the most common questions we get from educators and get our team’s best answers.
Can teachers run a business or creative project while still teaching full-time?
Yes. Many teachers successfully run side businesses, write books, or take on creative projects while teaching. The key is setting realistic time blocks and creating systems that support consistency without burnout.
What are the best business ideas for teachers?
Popular business ideas for teachers include curriculum creation, education consulting, tutoring, writing, instructional coaching, and selling digital resources. Many teachers also pursue creative ventures outside of education, like writing, art, photography, etc. Choose something aligned with your strengths, energy, and interests.
Can building a business or creative project help me transition out of the classroom?
Absolutely. Many educators use a small side project to test ideas, build skills, and generate income. Many teacher-led businesses grow into meaningful supplemental income. Some eventually replace teaching salaries, while others simply give creative fulfillment and a monthly buffer.