As educators, we’ve spent years working with students, guiding them toward success, and shaping the next generation. When we transitioned into educational consulting, we thought our expertise in the classroom would easily translate into success as consultants. While our experience was invaluable, we quickly learned that consulting required more than just a deep knowledge of education. Here are the three biggest lessons we wish we had known before starting our consulting business:

1. The Job is About Sales

One of the most surprising aspects of becoming an educational consultant was realizing that we weren’t just offering advice—we were running a business. And like any business, sales play a critical role. As educators, the idea of “selling” ourselves didn’t come naturally. But in consulting, you need to market your services and demonstrate the value of your expertise.

We quickly learned that sales don’t just mean pushing a product—it’s about building relationships, understanding client needs, and showing how our services can solve their problems. It’s about establishing trust and credibility. Whether you’re pitching to schools, families, or other educators, selling yourself is an ongoing process that requires confidence, communication, and persistence.

2. How to Share Expertise Effectively

As educators, we were used to sharing our knowledge in a classroom setting, but consulting requires a different approach. Instead of teaching students, we’re guiding families. We had to refine how we shared our expertise to fit the unique needs of each client.

Clients hire us because we offer a solution to their challenges. We had to learn to move away from educational jargon and present information in a way that’s digestible, actionable, and tailored to their specific goals. It’s about listening first, then offering the right advice at the right time. Building a reputation for delivering clear, practical solutions made a huge difference in growing our business.

3. Mastering Time Management

One of the most challenging adjustments in transitioning from education to consulting was managing our time. In the classroom, schedules are dictated by bells and lesson plans. In consulting, we control our time, but that freedom can quickly lead to overwhelm without strong time management skills.

We had to learn how to prioritize tasks, set boundaries, and balance client work with business development. Unlike teaching, where your responsibilities are relatively consistent, consulting requires you to juggle multiple roles—marketing, client relations, service delivery, and financial management. Creating a structured workday, setting clear goals, and using time-blocking techniques were key to ensuring we stayed productive while preventing burnout.