When I transitioned from teaching to running my own business, I didn’t expect that so many of the skills I had developed in the classroom would become essential tools in my entrepreneurial toolkit. But, as I’ve learned, teaching and business aren’t as different as they seem.
From communication and patience to breaking down complex topics and handling difficult conversations, here’s how my years in education shaped the way I run Carter Clear today.
1. From the Classroom to the Boardroom: My Journey from Teaching to Business
Before running Carter Clear, I spent years teaching accounting to adult learners—predominantly AAT Levels 3 & 4, but also CIMA Certificate Level and finance training for non-finance managers at Culina Group. My students were apprentices and professionals studying for qualifications like ACCA, ICAEW, AAT, and CIMA.
I loved teaching because you truly master a subject when you teach it—the deeper the understanding, the easier it is to break down for others. But in 2020, when my dad became sick, I made the difficult decision to step away. My business was already growing fast, and while I still occasionally cover staff absences at local colleges, my main focus is now helping business owners understand their numbers.
That transition from teacher to business owner wasn’t just about changing careers—it was about applying everything I learned in education to running and growing my firm.
2. Teaching Skills That Shaped My Business Mindset
💬 Communication: Navigating Difficult Conversations
Teaching doesn’t just involve delivering content—it involves delicate, sometimes difficult conversations.
A huge part of my work with apprentices included mandatory training under the Prevent duty, which meant I learned how to approach sensitive conversations with care. In business, that’s helped me communicate effectively in tough client situations, from cash flow crises to tax planning discussions clients weren’t prepared for.
🧘♀️ Patience & Adaptability: Clients vs. Students
People often assume students require more patience than business clients. Not true!
Students want to learn—they’ve chosen to be there. Clients, on the other hand, are often forced into learning finance because of a situation or requirement (hello, HMRC deadlines!). That means I have to be even more patient, adaptable, and creative to make sure they feel comfortable and in control.
I always try to make finance fun—or at least less intimidating—so clients actually engage with their numbers rather than avoid them.
🔍 Breaking Down Complex Topics: Making Accounting Make Sense
One of the biggest lessons from teaching? You can’t explain something effectively unless you truly understand it yourself.
That’s why at Carter Clear, I never use ‘accountant speak’ with clients. Instead, I:
✔️ Use real-world comparisons that they can relate to.
✔️ Offer different ways to present reports (text, visuals, or in a meeting).
✔️ Give clients a choice in how we communicate—some prefer WhatsApp, some email, some phone calls.
The more approachable we make finance, the more business owners take control of their numbers.
🎤 Confidence in Speaking: From Classrooms to Networking Events
You’d think after teaching full classrooms, I’d be fearless at networking events or speaking slots. Nope!
I still get nervous before events where I have to talk about myself—business feels more personal. But I’ve learned that if you’re passionate about what you’re talking about, the nerves disappear after the first few minutes.
(That said, put me in a room full of accountants, and I could happily talk about wasting chattels or the infamous Jaffa Cake tax case all day long!)
3. Teaching vs. Running a Business: The Parallels
Surprisingly, teaching and business management have a lot in common.
📌 Lesson Planning = Business Meetings with SMART Goals
I treat client meetings like lesson plans—we have:
📌 A clear agenda so we don’t waste time.
📌 Defined objectives—what needs to be covered?
📌 A focus on outcomes—what action steps will the client take away?
Using SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) in teaching has helped me ensure client meetings and business strategies are always productive.
👩🏫 Educating Students vs. Educating Clients
The only real difference between teaching students and working with clients? Perspective.
📚 Students come to learn finance. They want to understand it.
📊 Clients want you to explain finance to them in a way they can use.
My job is to bridge that gap—to teach clients what they need to know in a way that feels relevant and actionable for their business.
4. Unexpected Business Skills I Gained from Teaching
🛠️ Trello & Systems Thinking
In my first teaching role, I discovered Trello—and now I’d be lost without it.
Teaching involves a lot of documentation and regulation (much like accounting!). That taught me to systemise everything in my business so I never get bogged down in admin.
🤝 Handling Different Personalities
In teaching, the biggest challenge isn’t delivering content—it’s managing employer relationships for apprentices.
I quickly learned that getting buy-in from managers was key to student success. In business, that’s translated to helping clients see the value in financial systems—whether that’s cloud software, tax planning, or advisory services.
5. Challenges, Growth & Business Wins
🏆 Training My Own Apprentices
One of my proudest moments? Training my two apprentices at Carter Clear—and seeing them pass their exams with top marks.
I regularly run exam prep sessions, and the teaching mindset has been invaluable in helping our team grow.
🎭 Teaching Meets Business: Tax for Creatives
One of my favourite ways teaching still plays a role in my business?
📌 Our “Tax for Creatives” workshops for Contact Theatre Manchester and York Creatives.
📌 It combines my love of teaching with my passion for helping freelancers and artists understand their finances.
There’s nothing better than watching someone go from confused to confident about their numbers!
6. Final Reflections & Advice
📌 The Biggest Lesson I Use Every Day?
💡 Everyone has a hidden skill or talent, and people will always surprise you.
📌 Advice for Business Owners: Adopt a “Teaching Mindset”
✅ You learn more about yourself when you teach others.
✅ It makes you more patient and better at explaining things clearly.
✅ The best leaders educate and empower their teams.
📌 Would I Still Choose Both Teaching & Business?
Yes, 100%. If I could, I’d love a blended role.
For now, I see the future of Carter Clear evolving into more advisory and coaching work—because helping people understand finance is what I love most.
Final Thoughts: Have You Ever Taught Someone Something?
💬 I’d love to hear—have you ever taught someone something that changed the way you work or think?
Drop a comment with your experience!
📩 Need finance training, workshops, or business coaching? Let’s chat. 😊