Online Business for Teachers | How to Make Extra Money, Work From Home, Digital Products
The Go-To Podcast for Teachers Who Want to Start & Grow an Online Business From Home! Feeling too burnt out to even think about something new? Wondering if you have what it takes to start a business—especially when you’ve never seen yourself as “entrepreneurial”? Overwhelmed by the idea of setting up a store, choosing what to sell, and making it all look polished and professional? I’m so excited you’re here! This podcast will help you create extra income, build a flexible business with your own resources, and finally have the freedom to work from home—so you can stop feeling stuck and start living life on your terms! Hey, I’m Monica. A mom, former teacher, and a full-time business owner. For 10 years, I tried to start a business in all the wrong places. I was chasing every online business trend, signing up for courses, reading all the books, and looking for clarity everywhere but each one left me more overwhelmed and further from the freedom I wanted. I finally realized that if I was going to find freedom in my life and income, I needed to stop running from what I already knew—and start building a business with the skills I already had. I built a business that fit me—simple, sustainable, and aligned with what I already knew. And now I’m here to help you do the same. If you’re curious about making extra money without leaving the classroom… And want a business that’s flexible, doable, and built around your teacher strengths… With results that can change your life—like more time, more money, and more freedom— this podcast is for you! Close the lesson plans and grab your favorite drink. It’s your turn now.
Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
🎙️ Episode 10 – TPT Seller Tips: What to Include in Your TPT Products, How to Set Up Resources for Buyers, and Boost Teacher Side Hustle Success
Are you wondering what to include in your TPT products and downloads to create a polished, professional buyer experience?
In this episode, you’ll discover: ✅ The complete checklist of must-have pages, like thank you pages, terms of use, and credits ✅ How to set up TPT resources for buyers, including clear instructions, answer keys, rubrics, and download guides ✅ How adding related product links, review requests, and optional freebies helps increase sales, reviews, and followers ✅ Practical TPT seller tips for growing your teacher side hustle income and making your products stand out
Whether you’re just learning how to sell on TPT or want to improve your current products, this episode gives you actionable steps to boost your TPT store success.
💬 Want personalized support? Book a free 1-hour coaching call with me — we’ll tackle your TPT strategy, product setup, or business growth! Spots are limited: [Free Call]
👥 Looking for community? Join my Facebook group for teachers building online businesses, teacher side hustles, and TPT stores: [Join Now]

Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
🎙️ Episode 9 – Teacher Side Job Earnings: What to Expect When Selling on TPT as a Teacher Side Hustle
Wondering how much money you can realistically make on TPT?
In this episode, we break it down honestly: ✅ What key factors influence your teacher side hustle income ✅ Why mindset is the biggest driver of your success ✅ How your investments, time, and effort shape your TPT seller earnings ✅ What to expect (and what’s realistic) when starting your TPT journey
Whether you’re hoping to make extra money as a teacher side job or dreaming of replacing your income, this episode will give you clarity, direction, and practical insights.
💬 Want personal help? Book a free 1-hour coaching call with me — ask anything about TPT, side hustle growth, or money mindset! Spots are limited: [Free Call]
👥 Looking for community? Join my Facebook group for teachers growing online businesses and building side hustles: [Join Now]

Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
🎙️ Episode 8 – TPT Seller Breakdown: The Real Costs of Running a Teacher Side Hustle
Are you wondering how much it really costs to start and run a successful TPT seller business?
In this episode, we break it all down for you:✅ What must-have tools and expenses every teacher side hustle needs✅ What’s nice to have but totally optional when starting out✅ How to avoid wasting money and focus on smart investments for your teacher side job
Whether you’re just launching your TPT store or trying to grow it into something bigger, this episode will help you understand the real-world costs — so you can plan wisely and move forward with confidence.
💬 Want personalized advice?
Book a free 1-hour coaching call with me — I’m answering all your questions about selling on TPT, what works, and how to get started. Spots are limited, so grab yours here: Get my coaching call!
👥 Looking for community?Join my Facebook group for teachers growing online businesses, building side hustles, and creating more freedom in their lives: I want in!

Monday May 12, 2025
Monday May 12, 2025
🎙️ Episode 6 – Side Hustle for Teacher or Full-Time TPT Seller? How to Choose Your Path
Are you working on Teachers Pay Teachers just for some extra income — or are you dreaming of replacing your full-time job?
In this episode, we break down the two types of TPT sellers:
✅ Side hustlers who want a flexible teacher side hustle for extra money✅ Exit strategists who are all-in, building their TPT seller business as an exit plan from the classroom
You’ll learn:
The goals and strategies of each seller type
How to figure out which one fits you
What actions will actually move you forward, no matter where you start
💬 Ready for clarity and momentum?For a limited time, you can book a free 1-hour coaching call with me — this is not a sales pitch, just real help! Spots are limited, so grab yours here: FREE Call.
👥 Want a supportive community?Join my Facebook group for teachers building online businesses and taking control of their future: Join HERE.

Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
🎧 Episode 6 – Why Teachers Don’t Start Selling on TPT (And How to Finally Take the First Step)
If you’ve ever said, “I want to start a TPT store, but…” — this episode is for you.
Maybe you’ve told yourself:
“I don’t have time.”
“I’m not a business person.”
“I don’t know what to sell.”
“I’ll do it this summer… or when the kids are older…”
But here’s the truth: those aren’t the real reasons.
In this episode, I’m talking about the actual thing that’s holding so many teachers back from selling their resources online—and why understanding this one mindset shift can finally unlock the freedom you’ve been craving.
I’m also sharing my own story about struggling with money mindset, pricing my first $3 product, and how I had to completely rewrite what I believed about my own worth.
Plus, you’ll hear a story a college professor once told me that perfectly explains why something valuable—like a free coaching call—often gets overlooked. This leads into something I’m offering just for a few teachers who are truly ready to take action.
💡 In this episode:
The real reason you haven’t started your teacher business (hint: it’s not time or strategy)
How fear hides behind logical excuses
Why your brain tells you “later” when your heart says “now”
The identity shift that happens when you go from teacher to seller
How selling a $3 product can transform your confidence
A story about value, perception, and a window AC unit you’ll never forget
If you've been waiting for the perfect time to start your TPT business, this is your sign. You don’t have to go all in—you just have to take the first step.
🎁 Want my help?I'm offering a few free, 1-hour coaching calls (for a limited time). These are not sales calls—they’re real, hands-on sessions where I’ll help you:✅ Set up your TPT store✅ Get clear on what to sell✅ Walk through your first product step by step📧 Book your FREE Coaching Call HERE!
👥 Join the Facebook group:Online Business for TeachersCome connect with other educators building their businesses one step at a time. You’re not doing this alone.

Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
🎧 Episode 5 – The Best Tools for Creating and Selling TPT Products (Fonts, Clip Art, and What to Avoid) Without Copyright Issues
If you’ve been wanting to create and sell your own teaching resources on TPT but you’re not sure what programs you can use—or what’s even allowed—you’re in the right place.
In this episode, I’m breaking down:
The best tools you can use to create TPT resources
How to choose fonts and clip art that are safe for commercial use
What to avoid so you don’t run into copyright issues or legal trouble
How I learned the hard way with my first resource (and what I wish I had known sooner!)
You don't need fancy design programs or a ton of tech skills to start selling your teaching materials—you just need to know the right tools and a few simple rules.
✨ In this episode:
My three favorite programs for creating teacher resources (and why I use them)
Canva Pro: when you can use it—and when you can’t
Where to find fonts and clip art that are truly safe for selling
What you should never use if you plan to sell online (even if it's something you use in class!)
How to create beautiful, legal resources from scratch with confidence
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by what’s allowed and what’s not, this episode will give you the clarity—and the confidence—to move forward and start building your business.
👥 Join the Facebook group:Come hang out with us in Online Business for Teachers—where you’ll find support, real conversations, and step-by-step help from other teachers on the same path.
📧 Want your question answered on the podcast?Email me at info@monica-lopez.com—I read every message and would love to hear what you’re wondering about!

Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
How to Start Selling Teacher Resources Even When You’re Burned Out
If you’ve ever thought about starting a TPT store or selling your teacher resources online—but life keeps getting in the way—you are not alone.
Most teachers I talk to say the same thing:“I’m too busy.”“I don’t have the energy.”“I don’t want to take time away from my students or my family.”
I get it—because I’ve been there.
In this episode, I’m sharing 3 simple, realistic ways to finally get started (even if you’re overwhelmed or completely burned out). Plus, I’ll tell you the story of how my business started with just one graphic organizer, a single moment of curiosity, and a question that changed everything: What if?
This episode is here to remind you:You don’t need to start from scratch.You don’t need hours of free time.You already have what you need—you just haven’t uploaded it yet.
✨ In this episode:
The #1 reason teachers don’t start their store—and how to shift it
Why selling your resources doesn’t have to take over your life
How to make progress in just 30 minutes a week
The power of uploading what you’ve already created for your students
Why summer is the perfect time to build something that earns all year
If you’re feeling stretched thin but still dreaming of starting your online teacher business—this episode is for you.
👥 Come join the conversation inside my free Facebook group:
Online Business for TeachersIt’s a supportive space where we talk about starting, growing, and staying consistent—without burnout.
📧 Have a question you want answered on the podcast?Email me at info@monica-lopez.com—I read every message and would love to hear what’s on your mind.

Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Hey Teacher Friend!
Thinking about leaving teaching, but scared to admit it?
Have you ever sat at your desk, staring out the window, wondering: Is this really it? Am I really supposed to do this for the next 20 years?Because that was me—over a decade ago. I had this quiet, nagging feeling that I was meant for more than teaching... but I was afraid to say it out loud.
If you're struggling with teacher burnout, feeling stuck, or secretly googling things like “what else can teachers do?” or “how to start a side hustle as a teacher,”—this episode is for you.
In this episode, I’m sharing:
The moment I realized I couldn’t keep teaching forever
What held me back from leaving the classroom
What I wish someone had told me when I was just starting out
Why I created this podcast to help other teachers explore life beyond the classroom
🎧 Tune in if you're curious about starting something new but don’t know where to begin.
📧 Got questions or want to share your story? Email me at info@monica-lopez.com—I read every message and would love to hear from you.

Saturday Apr 12, 2025
Saturday Apr 12, 2025
Have you ever felt like there’s nothing left of you after giving everything to your students and your family?
That was me. Burned out, exhausted, and completely disconnected from myself. I thought I needed rest… but what I actually needed was purpose—something that was mine. Something that gave me energy instead of draining it.
In this episode, I’m sharing why starting a business (even something as simple as selling one teacher resource) became the most life-giving thing I could’ve done. It wasn’t just about making money—it was about coming back to life.
We’ll talk about why your burnout isn’t a sign to quit—it’s an invitation to build something that lights you up.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through:
Why burnout is more about purpose than exhaustion
How starting something small (and just for you) can give you your spark back
My $12 TPT story and how it became my turning point
The 3 unexpected ways business can actually help you heal
Why starting a business as a teacher doesn’t have to be overwhelming
If you’ve been craving something that’s yours—something to look forward to, something that reminds you of who you are—you’re in the right place.
In this episode I share the amazing book Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Be Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis. I highly recommend it!
📧 Got questions or want to share your story? Email me at info@monica-lopez.com—I read every message and would love to hear from you.

Saturday Apr 12, 2025
Saturday Apr 12, 2025
If you’ve ever felt a little guilty for wanting to make money outside the classroom—you’re not alone.Maybe you’ve wondered if starting a TPT store or selling your resources somehow means you’re not “in it for the right reasons.”Maybe you’ve told yourself: “I should be grateful for what I have.”
But here’s the truth: wanting more isn’t wrong—it’s human.In this episode, I’m diving into the guilt so many teachers carry around money, and I’ll share 3 powerful mindset shifts that helped me finally release the shame and own my desire for more time, more income, and more freedom.
I also share one of my favorite quotes from Joseph Murphy’s book, Maximize Your Potential Through the Power of Your Subconscious Mind to Create Wealth and Success, which I highly recommend.
That one sentence changed everything for me—and I hope it does the same for you.
💡 In this episode:
Why teacher guilt around money is so common (and where it comes from)
3 mindset shifts to help you release shame and start owning your value
How building a business can be a path to healing—not greed
Why your desire to earn is actually a sign that you're growing
If you’ve been craving something that’s yours—something to look forward to, something that reflects your full potential—this episode is for you.
📧 Got questions or want to share your story? Email me at info@monica-lopez.com—I read every message and would love to hear from you.