From Side Hustle Doubts to TPT Success: Laila's Inspiring Journey

From Side Hustle Doubts to TPT Success: Laila's Inspiring Journey


Imagine waking up on a Saturday morning, sipping your coffee, and thinking, Today, I’m going to start a business.


Sounds ambitious, right?


That’s exactly how Laila, a special education teacher from New Jersey, began her Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) journey in January 2024. Now, less than a year later, her store Modz by Laila is thriving, and she’s here to share her tips, tricks, and lessons learned along the way.


Whether you’re a TPT newbie or a seasoned seller, Laila’s story has nuggets of wisdom for everyone.


The "Lightbulb" Moment


Laila’s journey began with a nudge from her friend Beth, who sent her an article about teachers making six figures on TPT. Beth asked, "Why aren’t you doing this?" Laila’s initial reaction? Self-doubt.


But after sleeping on it, she woke up the next morning determined to give it a shot. By Monday, she had her first product listed—admittedly “terrible and embarrassing,” as Laila described it.


Her approach? Commit one hour every morning before work to her TPT store. “I told myself, ‘If I don’t see results in a year, I’ll walk away,’” she explained. That consistency, even at the crack of dawn, became her superpower.


Getting Started: Perfect Isn’t the Goal


Laila admits she didn’t spend much time planning before diving in. “I’m not a planner. I just figured it out as I went,” she said. Her early products were far from perfect—her first covers were made in Microsoft Word! But her willingness to embrace imperfection allowed her to learn quickly.


She encourages teachers to take that leap, even if it’s messy at first. “It doesn’t have to be perfect. You can always tweak and improve as you go.”


Lessons Learned Along the Way


When asked what she wishes she’d known before starting her store, Laila didn’t hesitate: covers, previews, and thumbnails. “I’m on my seventh version now, and I’m finally happy with them,” she laughed. Her advice? Research other sellers’ designs, figure out what catches your eye, and aim for a cohesive, visually appealing look from the start.


Marketing Magic


One of the biggest surprises for Laila was realizing that running a TPT store isn’t just about creating great products—it’s about marketing them, too.


Here’s what worked for her:


Email Marketing: Laila started an email list in July and focused on building it with a valuable freebie. By the end of summer, she had a few thousand subscribers.

SEO: Search engine optimization was a game-changer. “At first, it didn’t click. But once I figured out how to use long-tail keywords, my sales took off.”

Social Media: While posting in teacher Facebook groups initially felt “spammy,” Laila found success by engaging authentically. “It’s about helping others, not just promoting your products.”


We also discussed creating quick, engaging videos showcasing your products and posting them on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook Reels. You don’t even have to be in the video—just show how the product works! Could be a 2025 goal!


Top-Selling Products


As a special education teacher, Laila designs resources she uses in her own classroom. Her store features:

  • Parent-teacher conference forms
  • IEP data tracking forms
  • Accommodation checklists
  • Math resources with step-by-step breakdowns
  • High-interest reading passages


Surprisingly, her best-sellers aren’t her beloved math or reading resources but her special education forms. “My top-selling products are all forms for special educators,” she shared.


Her takeaway? Keep an eye on what’s selling and lean into it. “Now I’m brainstorming what other forms I can create. Teachers need quick solutions, and forms save so much time.”


Final Advice


For anyone considering starting a TPT store, Laila’s advice is simple:

  • Just start. Don’t let perfectionism hold you back.
  • Commit to consistency. Even an hour a day can make a big difference.
  • Learn as you go. Watch YouTube videos, listen to podcasts, and experiment.
  • Focus on marketing. Build an email list, optimize for SEO, and engage authentically on social media.


Laila’s journey from self-doubt to TPT success is a testament to the power of grit, consistency, and a willingness to learn. Whether you’re just starting or looking to level up your store, take a page from Laila’s playbook: wake up early, take the leap, and figure it out as you go.


So, what’s stopping you? Your TPT journey could start today!

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