What do you do if you want to be an entrepreneur while still being an educator?

- Identify your skills - Ask yourself questions that focus on "Why" - Talk to others about your talent and get plenty of feedback and advice - you won't use it all, but that doesn't mean it is not valuable - Reflect all the time. How do your ideas change as you ask and answer your questions? How do other thoughts on the matter affect your drive and motivation? Deep down, what has been inspiring you?

-Leverage skills among associates within your own network. Move from the E and SE quadrants to B and I in the cashflow quadrants. You can be an Investor or a Business owner without having to leave your job because you have a system where someone else runs the business.

I would suggest seeking areas of synergy. Are there projects or passions that you can leverage from one setting and extend it into another area? For example, I do executive trainings on strategic thinking and that feeds right back into my capstone course in the MBA and into my new book on authentic leadership and strategic thinking.

In my experience, if you want to be an entrepreneur while still being an educator, leverage the skills you already own. The ability to organize lessons and manage a classroom will be used to manage a team or project. Effective communication skills used to engage students can help in pitching ideas and networking with potential clients or investors. Leadership qualities developed in guiding students can be applied to leading a business team. Utilize your problem-solving skills to innovate and adapt in the business world, ensuring you stay ahead of challenges. By leveraging these skills you use everyday, you can smoothly transition into entrepreneurship while still fulfilling your role as an educator.

As business owners, one of the hats we wear is the Professional Development hat. Thankfully, we can choose who the speaker will be - and the topic of need in our business area(s)! Taking a class (with your team, if you have one) is one way to ensure that you stay up to date on the advancements in your field. At any stage of growth, education serves us well. If we're starting out, a class can teach us how to begin our business. If we're at mid-career, a course can refresh our interest in the tasks at hand! And, when we're advanced in age and skill, a mentorship program can teach us how to lead others even better. Besides, how can a business leader claim they value their team's development if he/she isn't setting the example?

It can be helpful to know your why? Are you preparing for a career transition or supplementing income? Will you have a partner to share the responsibility and profits? A great as life is all our goal.

Package your best skill and become a consultant/tutor/specialist. There’s always a need for educators, especially in between academic seasons. Instead of thinking of yourself as a ‘fourth grade teacher’ change the perspective and see yourself as a fourth grade reading or math specialist. Whatever bespoke quality about pedagogy you enjoy, become a specialist in it. Write about it. Become a tutor.