I’m Char, Owner and Primary Blogger at DTL
Who Am I?
I’ve spent the last 8 years in education – and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I never thought I would love it so much, because despite my personality tests that suggested education, I was NOT interested.
That changed when I had a surprise bundle of joy after 20 years in the corporate world. Five short years later and a tearful first day of Kindergarten – me, not my daughter who didn’t even glance my way as she strolled with glee, single file down the hallway – I was fascinated with what I saw and felt that day. It was a very interesting and different environment.
It still took another four years before I joined the education arena. I have worked at both the middle and high school level, all while listening to people who loved telling me that I was crazy for working with kids. Apparently, I had joined the education dark side!
No matter, because I had finally found a job that was so crazy satisfying and one where I made a difference.
The reality: We all know education doesn’t pay much for all the roles we take on, and with things getting crazy expensive, kids heading to college, mortgage and rent payments, student loans, and parents needing care, more money is needed.
So I started this blog as my side hustle to help other educators find a way to keep the career they love AND supplement their income with a sustainable side hustle.
Why am I qualified to talk about side hustles:
- I’ve started side hustles and made a lot of mistakes that I can show you how to avoid.
- There is a lot to learn about starting a side hustle, and there are reasons why you shouldn’t just jump right in and hope for the best. There’s nothing but overwhelm waiting if you think you can just figure it out as you go along.
- I know what it’s like to want more money for the level of excellence you bring to your job but have to accept that pay scales are based on years only, not level of excellence, and are what they are in the public sector.
- I unequivocally believe that if you want something, you will have to make it happen for yourself!
Who will this blog serve best?
We focus on and support the resourceful Educator who:
- is new to teaching at the entry pay scale that needs a side hustle to help with living expenses, student loans, and just more money to enjoy life.
- loves the classroom but has an entrepreneurial itch that must be scratched. The desire to create and grow a business burns within.
- loves the written word and would be thrilled to learn how to earn money with a content style business.
- is a creative that loves to design forms, worksheets, printables, posters, room decor that makes classroom life easier.
- is a seasoned educator who may be thinking about life after retirement and would like to have a business of their own.
So here’s the plan for our journey:
- Blog posts that discuss side hustle options that make sense for an educator
- Inexpensive planners and courses to get your side hustle started as early as the weekend
- Advice and tips on managing the business, our mindset, self care, time management, and much more
Will it be worth the work?
Hmmm, I don’t know about you, but if I could have my cake – a job I love with summers off, winter breaks, spring and fall breaks, snow days, and numerous holidays – and eat it too, with extra income – get me a fork! I’m going with that!
Bring it on!
Stay tuned and Welcome!
XOXO
Char