We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Margarita Figueroa a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Margarita, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
In the demanding field of education, overcoming or avoiding burnout is very important to maintaining your well-being. It’s not uncommon for stress levels to soar, affecting not only teachers but everyone involved in education. Unfortunately, I have experienced moments of burnout and stress, stemming not just from the demands of running a successful classroom but also juggling the responsibilities of being a mother and wife.
Now, as a small business owner, I’ve found a way to navigate these challenges. Creating my own schedule has been a game-changer, allowing me to have breaks, family vacations, and a balanced routine that includes work, personal, and family time. This flexibility has been instrumental in preventing burnout and fostering a healthier work-life balance.
Prioritizing tasks has been another way I’ve avoided burnout. By organizing my responsibilities according to priority, I can make sure that I dedicate ample time to my small business, family, taking care of my home, and self-care. This has help me maintain self control and has reduced the likelihood of overwhelming stress.
Being aware of the physical and emotional signs that come with burnout is crucial because once it takes hold, it can negatively impact all areas of life, from the success of your small business to your job or career, and even your family life. You must give yourself permission to slow down and take a breather. Preventing burnout is essential in ensuring that each aspect of your life remains fulfilling and satisfying.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Funshine Educational Services (FES) provides personalized learning for children ages 4-11. We provide online tutoring, homeschool help, and parent support. Funshine Educational Services was built from a passion for educating young children and helping others.
Here at FES, we believe that every child should feel valued and we strive to develop positive relationships with our students while building their confidence. We make sure to incorporate their interests and learning preferences into their sessions. We believe that children and families deserve only the best. They deserve to be provided with the best teaching methods. They deserve personalized attention and recognition. They deserve to have fun while learning. We also believe in collaboration. We believe in collaborating with students’ parents and whoever is involved in their education such as their teachers or therapists. Lastly, we believe in celebrating growth and embracing progress. We make sure to recognize every child’s academic progress every step of the way no matter how little and no matter the pace.
About me… I have a degree and several certifications in education, and never would I have imagined that God would have it in His plan for me to become an entrepreneur. I, of course, did not learn how to open a business, manage a business, how to market or sell, etc. in college. I learned how to teach. But when God put it in my heart to open FES, I took the leap of faith and was hopeful and excited. But then, once FES began to grow, and at such a rapid pace, I knew that I had to learn how to manage a business, how to do bookkeeping, how to start build a website, how to utilize email marketing, and I had to learn how to wear all those hats in my business. Knowing how to teach and how to do it well was not enough to continue growing my business. So I watched YouTube and learned. I watched hours and hours of YouTube videos on business taxes, bookkeeping, business bank accounts, email marketing, sales… You name the “how to” business video on YouTube and I’m sure I watched it.
The great thing about taking the leap of faith and dedicating myself to learning about business management was that I already had a lot of the skills to be able to continue providing high quality educational services regardless of my lack of knowledge in managing a business. My experience, skills, and knowledge as an educator, instructional coach, and even a mother were essential to growing my business.
Many people think that just because they are “only a mother” or “only an educator” or “only a (fill in the blank)”, they don’t have the skills or the knowledge to build a successful business. But, let me be the one to tell you, there are so many skills that “only a mother” or “only an educator” or “only a (fill in the blank)” can transfer to building a brand or starting up a business. It’s in you. You just need to take the leap of faith like I did.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe the three qualities that were the most impactful in my journey as an educator turned small business owner is adaptability and flexibility, effective communication. and continuous learning.
Online teaching while running a small business requires me to adapt, adjust, and pivot as new technologies are introduced and market trends shift, in order to stay relevant and continue to run a successful online tutoring business. Being open to change and innovation is key to improving my skills and to take my business to the next level.
Communication is at the heart of both my online tutoring and in running my small business.. Clear and concise communication with my students, their families, and potential clients is essential for building trust and maintaining strong relationships. Clear and concise communication is also essential in marketing my services as well as addressing clients’ needs. In order to improve my communication skills, I practice and hone in on the best ways to present to new clients, retain clientele, and I also ask for feedback.
Lastly, the education field is continuously evolving and so it is essential that I continue to learn about the most updates research on teaching methods, curriculum and education standards, as well as educational technology. As a business owner, it’s important for me to stay up to date and learn about the latest education industry trends, marketing, and business management. Continuously learning not only enhances the quality of my tutoring, but also enables me to make informed decisions for the growth and sustainability of my business. Networking with experts in the field, attending webinars and summits, and reading books are just a few of the ways that I have continued my knowledge-building throughout my entrepreneurial journey.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am enthusiastic about collaborating and networking with like-minded individuals, especially those in the realm of small businesses that cater to families. At Funshine Educational Services, we recognize that families have diverse needs beyond academics, and our goal is to establish a network where we can collectively ensure our clients’ needs are met comprehensively.
I am particularly interested in partnering with small business owners who share a passion for family well-being. Whether you are involved in education, health, parenting, or any other family-centric service, I believe that collaboration is key to offering a well-rounded support system.
If you are reading this and share a similar vision, I would love to connect with you. You can reach out to me via email at [email protected]. Additionally, feel free to explore, engage, or send me a direct message at the Funshine Educational Services Instagram (@funshine_edu). You can get to know us better and discover the array of services we have to offer.
Let’s build a network that not only benefits our individual businesses but, more importantly, enhances the lives of the families we serve.
If you are a family looking into online tutoring, homeschooling, or need a helping hand with your child’s academic journey, I encourage you to visit our website www.funshineeducation.com in order to get to know us better, learn about our services, request your freebie, and also read our awesome parent testimonials. There is a Contact Form on our website or you can reach out to me directly by emailing margie@funshineeducation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.funshineeducation.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funshine_edu/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FunshineEducationalServices/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margie-figueroa/
- Other: FREE Guide on Nurturing Your Child’s Confidence https://www.funshineeducation.com/freebie
Michelle Herrera Photography
