Become a Tutor Broker, But do Your Homework First

Become a Tutor Broker, But do Your Homework First
By: Laurie Hurley

Since business opportunities and business packages do not offer protected territories, inquire into how many have been sold in your immediate area. If you live in a large metropolis that can support several flourishing tutoring businesses and one or two have been sold, that becomes important information for you to consider. If you reside in a big town and there are no tutoring companies at all (even the major franchises) this may mean the demand for tutoring services just isn't high enough to try to open a new business. Franchises almost always conduct a comprehensive demographic study before opening in a neighborhood. Knowing there are two or more major companies is a positive sign because you will be offering an alternative to the learning center environment.


If you are looking for a company that can provide an a-la-carte of programs, custom made for your individual needs, then look towards the Newbury Park, California based company Home Tutoring Business. HTB is the brainchild of Laurie Hurley, an ex-hotel executive turned home-based entrepreneur. Hurley offers a complete business ''package'' that details exactly how to begin a tutoring service - from choosing a catchy company name to contracting with qualified teachers, tutors and educators and matching them with kids in all grades, K-12 who need tutoring in any subject imaginable. Hurley refers to herself as a tutor broker. She does the leg work of advertising for tutors, as well as visiting her prospective clients in their home before she pairs a tutor with a student.


Hurley's successful business model is based on her own tutor referral service, Bright Apple Tutoring, founded in 2002, which services a large area of Southern California. ''Bright Apple is my bread and butter, but HTB is gaining in popularity as more and more individuals want to be in control of their future. Layoffs in the teaching industry and early retirees comprise much of my HTB client base. These are individuals that have a strong desire to make money and be their own boss, they just aren't sure where to begin,'' says Hurley.


Two years ago, HTB was launched and to date Hurley has assisted more than sixty companies open their doors in communities across the United States and Canada. Her packages include a comprehensive business manual, advertising and marketing materials, a complete website, and consultation, mentoring and coaching with Hurley via phone or email.


Hurley also recently began to fill a much needed void in the Tutoring Industry by launching Accounting Tools for Tutors (ATFT). ATFT is a tutoring business program that assists with the specific accounting needs and database management tasks unique to a tutoring service. It includes basic accounting features needed to track income and expenses. ''I found myself piecing together Excel spreadsheets and trying to use Quick Books, but the result wasn't good enough to accurately track my clients and tutors and produce correct invoices and other documentation I needed. So, I contracted with a group of individuals that helped me customize a program to fit my needs and the needs of all of my HTB buyers.'' Hurley quickly discovered that her ATFT program was in high demand in the tutoring industry. Some of her customers include private tutors and large franchises.


If a home tutoring business is what you are looking for then stop by Hurley's site today at http://www.hometutoringbusiness.com. You'll find all the information you need to succeed and so much more.