Want a THRIVING Online Business? Listen to This Now
Want a THRIVING Online Business? Listen to This Now
Heads-Up:: This isn’t just another side hustle story. It’s about real teachers, real friendship, and a whole lot of Pinterest posts—and yes, one of them even asked her neighbor for green paper. Stick around. You might just see yourself in this. No magic funnel, no 24/7 hustle—It’s about repurposing, reflecting, and real-life flexibility.
Feeling Stuck Between Passion and Burnout?
You’re not alone. If you’re a teacher (or have ever shared a lunchroom with one), you know the daily juggle is real. And maybe—just maybe—you’ve daydreamed about making a little money on the side. But starting a business? That sounds… overwhelming. And yet, that’s exactly what 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡 and Alicia did—with baby spit-up on their shirts, sore backs, and a brand-new Australian curriculum staring them down.
They didn’t plan a business. They planned survival. And then magic happened.
Meet the Women Behind Rainbow Sky Creations
𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 and Alicia weren’t your typical entrepreneurial duo. They met while teaching abroad in Dubai. Total opposites. 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡's the Type A go-getter, Alicia's the go-with-the-flow creator. But their shared love of teaching—and each other’s weirdness—made them fast friends. Years later, back in Australia, Alicia had a sore back and an idea. 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡 had a baby and some free time. Enter: Teachers Pay Teachers. They started turning curriculum into digital gold—one worksheet at a time. What started as a side project turned into Rainbow Sky Creations, a TPT store with heart, humor, and a whole lot of Canva templates.
What They Did Right (That You Can Do Too)
Let’s be real: these women didn’t have it all figured out. In fact, their early product covers were rectangular. Yes, rectangular. But instead of giving up, they learned as they went. And here’s what they’d tell you:
✅ Don’t wait to be perfect.
✅ Learn from others who’ve done it—quicker wins, fewer re-dos.
✅ Reuse your content (because your brain deserves the break).
𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡 posts on Instagram almost every single day. Not because it’s glamorous, but because consistency works. She doesn’t reinvent the wheel—she polishes it and posts it again next year.
The Power of Partnership
What makes their story special? The partnership.
They split the workload. They laugh at each other’s Pinterest failures. And when one of them hated a task (hello, Pinterest strategy!), the other took it for a year. Literally. Then they swapped. Like business soulmates. Now? They outsource what they don’t love. And they spend their time doing what lights them up—creating teacher-friendly resources and supporting their community.
So… What’s the Secret Sauce?
Here’s what they swear by:
1. Reel + Repurpose – A video you made for Instagram? Add it as a product preview on TPT. That reel? Use it again with testimonials or FAQ text. Work smart.
2. Email Is Not Dead – They wish they started building a list earlier. So if you’re even thinking about starting a business, collect those emails now—even if it's just five.
3. Social Media That Converts – Instagram isn’t just for selfies. It’s their #1 traffic driver. Their advice? Show your resources. Talk about them. Let people see them in action.
4. Say Yes to Support – Whether it's automation tools like Meet Edgar, or DM flows through ManyChat, get help. Especially when your audience grows and your time shrinks.
From Worksheets to Podcast Waves
Oh, and did I mention? They also host a podcast. Because why not? When your mission is to serve teachers, your message deserves all the platforms. Every post, every blog, every podcast—it's another hand reaching out to say: "Hey, you’re not alone in this."
Want to Build Your Own TPT Biz?
𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡’s advice is golden for any teacherpreneur:
1. Post your product every few days, In different ways.
2. Show how it’s used (especially on Instagram).
3. Don’t wait to be perfect—start scrappy, learn as you go.
4. If something drains your energy, outsource it (hello, ManyChat).
5. Reuse your best content. Your audience changes. Your work still matters.
Final Thoughts: If You’re a Teacher with an Idea, Lean In
You don’t need it all figured out. You don’t need the perfect logo. You don’t even need square thumbnails at first (though 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡 begs you to figure that out sooner than she did).
You just need a spark. Whether it’s a friend who believes in you, a product you’re passionate about, or an urge to finally take that leap—trust it. Start small. Stay consistent. And for goodness’ sake, post your dang resources. Someone out there needs what you’ve got.
➡️ Want to see what’s possible? Peek inside Rainbow Sky Creations.
➡️ Ready to start your journey? Open a blank Canva docs and start designing.
➡️ Still just curious? Hit play on the interview with 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡. It might just light your fire.
💌 Stay in the Loop
If you’re a teacher, coach, or parent looking to bring joy, creativity, and confidence back into learning, I’ve got more stories and strategies waiting for you.
🔹 Sign up for my free Teacher Mindset Reset Guide
🔹 Join The Sage Circle at www.marisaecoaching.com/mindsetguide
🔹 Listen to the full conversation with 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 on YouTube or my podcast
Want to listen in the car? Check out the podcast
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