This is a story about passion, emotions and sheer determination.

Listen to Deborah's story, as she talks about being the teacher she needed, her mother needed and her daughter needed.

Through her determination to help the next generation, she set up her franchise, The Reading Doctor, and in this episode, she tells us exactly how she did it, and the kind of leap of faith it took.

Enjoy :-)

Sumantha

About Deborah

Deborah began teaching in 1993. With a background as an intervention lead and Reading Recovery teacher, she has always specialised in helping children who find reading difficult.

In January 2012, she founded The Reading Doctor, offering bespoke, one-to-one reading support. Six years ago, Deborah franchised the model to fulfil her mission of unlocking the potential in as many struggling readers as possible. Today, there are over 30 Reading Doctors across the UK, all qualified teachers, supporting nearly 1,000 pupils each week. The franchise was proud to win an award at The 2025 National Tutoring Awards.

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👋🏽 Hello! I'm Sumantha McMahon and I've supported over 100 tutors and education business owners.

As a teacher 'dropout' turned professional tutor, combined with my 20+ years as a business owner, I'm in it with you!

My training leans on tried-and-tested methods that are completely tailored to our niche.

There's no generic business advice here!

Work with me to breathe life into YOUR definition of success:

#1 Bespoke 1:1 Mentoring

Goal-driven wrap-around support, with 1:1 strategy calls, WhatsApp support and free access to The Tutors' Mastermind.

#2 The Tutors' Mastermind

The leading membership for edupreneurs that combines tailored training (live and recorded), a community of like-minded business owners and exclusive discounts to resources in The Training Jukebox.

#3 The Group Class Course

Get lifetime access to this self-paced course designed to help you launch, grow and refine your group classes. Includes teaching ideas too.

This podcast is recorded using Riverside. Sign up for your account here (free plan available)

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Sometimes, I share links to resources and apps that I recommend. They are all based on my experience - if I don't love them, I don't recommend them. In some cases, I earn a small commission for my recommendation, at no cost to you.

© 2024 Sumantha McMahon

Deborah: 39:34 Yeah, but it, yeah, it was, it was, um, non-negotiable and I think you do have to have real guts as well. Um, and I am very much like, yeah, I'm gonna do that because I know that's right. I, I, or no, I'm definitely not gonna do that. Um, I'm, I hardly ever am in the middle. Um, it, it has to just feel really right. And I'm not saying that everything that I've done that I've thought is brilliant. Has ended up like sticking, but most things have, and, and I think that's being prepared to sort of fail if you like, or I don't really see it as failing but trying and it's not quite working.

Deborah: 42:30 Um, and so yeah, he, he, there's a, a few things that he said. So business is not about make, about money, it's about making dreams come through true for others and for yourselves and, and for yourself. And I thought, yeah, there's that. Um, yeah. And then the other thing that rang true was when he said, if it's not a hell yeah, it's a no. And I thought, yes, that is me. That is absolutely me. There's no, there's no middle ground there. Um, but obviously money is important because if you haven't got money, then you can't reinvest in your business and you can't pay your bills and things like that.