Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Susanne Reid, Founder of Mrs Reid does Maths, located in Glasgow, UK.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Imagine you could make your teacher go at precisely the pace that suited you—no more waiting for others to finish or moving on when you're still busy. You are in complete control of this classroom.
Select a course, watch the short video lessons, do a few examples, and then move on. Mrs. Reid does Maths is perfect for people who want to be able to see a lesson again or catch up on something they missed.
Available all day, every day, you can get help with maths whenever you need it. The course is also aimed at home education and schools that are low on qualified maths teachers. A non-subject specialist could easily lead a class through videos and exercises.
Tell us about yourself
After studying Maths and graduating from Glasgow Uni in 2000 (and a few years as a corporate banker, which we will say no more about), I trained to be a Math teacher in 2003 and have been teaching Maths ever since.
I worked in secondary schools until 2017, when I started teaching at further education colleges. I love to bring my subject alive and help others understand and enjoy what I secretly (or not so secretly now) think is the best subject.
When lockdown hit and I moved to teach online, I had to relearn all the tools of my trade and create a flexible and accessible online teaching environment. I keep my videos precise and relevant, so they are engaging and easy to watch and learn from.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My friends and family have always been very supportive, but I love it when I receive positive feedback from strangers. In class, I see my students' faces when they understand and enjoy maths. Still, an online course is different, so when a parent gets in touch to tell me that their child has benefited from my course, that's amazing.
One student had used my course to catch up on a topic they missed due to COVID and then wrote to tell me that they found the related questions easy on their final exam. Another parent thanked me for creating a resource their new home-educated daughter found helpful.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I find self-confidence the most challenging part. As my online course is so front-loaded, I had to spend a year building it before anyone could look at it and give me feedback or decide to buy it! All that time, I wondered if I was wasting my time (I was doing this in and around my day job).
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My main advice would be to believe in yourself and your ideas. I have had to give myself this advice a few times. It's easy to panic that it's not going to work or no one will be interested, but be patient and keep going.
The second tip is related to the first. When I initially had this idea, I imagined employing IT and marketing people's skills. I worried about how I would pay for that.
Still, a friend advised me to start small and simple and do as much as possible, and I've surprised myself with what I've been able to do. I hope to grow and be able to employ specialist skills in the future, but for starting up, simple has worked well.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://learn.mrsreiddoesmaths.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3g6PNCx
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsreiddoesmaths/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrsReiddoesMath
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-reid-a035031b2/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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