Podcast Summary: Social Media Decoded – Episode: "From Classroom to CEO: How Educators Can Build a Profitable Personal Brand with Deidra Fogarty"

Release Date: August 7, 2025

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Social Media Decoded, hosted by marketing expert Michelle Thames, the focus shifts to educators aspiring to transition into successful entrepreneurs. Michelle welcomes Deidra Fogarty, the founder of Black Girls Teach, to discuss the journey from the classroom to building a profitable personal brand. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable insights, strategies, and inspiring success stories tailored for educators, creators, and brands looking to enhance their online presence and monetize their expertise.

Deidra Fogarty's Journey: From Educator to Entrepreneur

Deidra begins by sharing her 18-year journey in education, detailing her progression from a second-grade teacher in Baltimore to a school leader. Recognizing a lack of support for Black women educators, she founded Black Girls Teach. Deidra explains her strategic move back into the classroom to build her business behind the scenes, highlighting the crucial role of social media in her early growth.

Deidra (01:39): "I knew social media was going to be a big player... I was just creating content that was going viral."

Her dedication paid off, allowing her to transition into a full-time entrepreneur after four years, offering leadership coaching to schools and business coaching to a diverse clientele.

The Monetizable Expertise of Educators

Michelle and Deidra delve into why educators possess valuable skills ripe for monetization. Deidra emphasizes that educators are often overwhelmed by daily responsibilities, leaving little room to recognize the marketable skills they already possess.

Deidra (05:32): "Education has been historically cheap when it comes to things like underpaying teachers... But people will pay you, and they'll pay you good money."

She points out that educators bring a wealth of experience in areas such as leadership, curriculum design, and facilitation, all of which are highly sought after in various industries.

Establishing a Personal Brand: Step-by-Step

Deidra outlines a clear, actionable framework for educators to build their personal brands:

1. Identify Your Specialty: Focus on two to three core strengths.

   Deidra (06:01): "Get clear on what you want to be known for... ask your colleagues and yourself what your top three strengths are."

2. Leverage Social Media: Start sharing thought leadership within your identified specialties to establish authority and attract your target audience.

3. Consistency and Focus: Maintain a consistent presence on chosen platforms to build recognition and trust.

Michelle reinforces the simplicity of these steps, encouraging listeners to take immediate action towards authenticity and relatability.

Michelle (07:33): "Step one, step two, step three, step four. And it's that easy, right? Just sharing aspects of our life too, and just being relatable."

Monetization Strategies for Educators

The conversation shifts to various avenues through which educators can generate income outside the classroom:

• Professional Development Sessions: Offering workshops and training sessions to schools, which can be highly lucrative.

• One-on-One Coaching: Transitioning current informal coaching into a paid service.

  Deidra (08:06): "Most of them are already doing it for free anyways... let you charge people for it."

• Virtual Masterclasses and Webinars: Utilizing existing facilitation skills to host online events.

• Curriculum and Course Design: Creating specialized content for other entrepreneurs or educational programs.

• Digital Products and Speaking Engagements: Expanding into various digital offerings and public speaking opportunities.

Deidra emphasizes the limitless possibilities once educators leverage their unique skill sets effectively.

Success Story: From Principals to Profitable Coaching

Deidra shares a compelling success story of a principal who transitioned into a leadership coaching business:

Deidra (10:58): "She has been able to go from having all these one-on-one clients... to one night a week with her group coaching program, replacing her principal salary."

This example underscores the potential for educators to build sustainable and scalable businesses that align with their lifestyles, providing both financial freedom and professional fulfillment.

Choosing the Right Platforms: Instagram and LinkedIn

When asked about the best platforms for educators to establish their online presence, Deidra recommends:

1. Instagram:

   Deidra (13:24): "Instagram is kind of like the home base... establish your Instagram presence."

2. LinkedIn:

   Deidra (13:50): "Once you’ve established consistency on Instagram, bring your presence to LinkedIn to connect with educational leaders and decision-makers."

This two-pronged approach allows educators to build a strong personal brand while reaching a professional audience.

Positioning as Thought Leaders

To attract their first clients, Deidra advises educators to:

1. Define Their Ideal Client: Understand the challenges and desires of their target audience.

   Deidra (15:34): "Know who your client is... what are their challenges, what are their desires."

2. Create Conversational Content: Develop content that resonates with the audience's needs and positions them as the solution.

3. Consistency and Persistence: Maintain regular engagement to build trust and authority over time.

This strategy ensures that educators not only attract clients but also establish themselves as indispensable experts in their field.

Shifting the Mindset: From Teacher to Entrepreneur

Deidra highlights the critical importance of mindset in transitioning to entrepreneurship. She underscores the value of having a coach or a supportive community to navigate this shift.

Deidra (17:41): "Having that space to be able to talk... to be part of your community where there are other entrepreneurs."

She encourages educators to acknowledge their thoughts and emotions, then move forward with actionable steps to overcome mental barriers.

Advice for Transitioning to Full-Time Entrepreneurship

For educators contemplating a full-time switch, Deidra offers practical advice:

1. Financial Preparation: Save a nest egg to sustain during the transition.

   Deidra (19:51): "Have some type of savings... know what your numbers are."

2. Understand Revenue Goals: Determine the monthly income needed to replace their current salary.

3. Strategic Planning: Avoid romanticizing entrepreneurship; prepare strategically to handle the realities of the business landscape.

4. Maintain Current Employment if Feasible: If possible, keep a part-time or flexible job while building the business to ensure financial stability.

Entrepreneurial Reading Recommendations

In a rapid-fire segment, Deidra shares her top book recommendations for aspiring entrepreneurs:

1. "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson – Focuses on discipline and habits.
2. "Atomic Habits" by James Clear – Delves into habit formation and consistency.
3. "The 12 Week Year" by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington – Offers strategies for goal setting and productivity.
4. "Profit First" by Mike Michalowicz – Teaches financial management for businesses.

Deidra (22:01): "These four books are a great starter pack when it comes to entrepreneurship."

Connecting with Deidra Fogarty

Listeners interested in learning more or seeking guidance can connect with Deidra via her Instagram handles:

• Black Girls Teach (@BlackGirlsTeach)
• Teach Me D (@TeachMeD)

Michelle assures that all relevant links and information are available in the show notes for easy access.

Conclusion

This episode of Social Media Decoded is an invaluable resource for educators contemplating a leap into entrepreneurship. Deidra Fogarty’s insights into personal branding, monetization strategies, and the necessary mindset shifts provide a comprehensive roadmap for building a profitable business. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale your existing efforts, this conversation equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to successfully transition from the classroom to CEO.

Notable Quotes

• Deidra (01:39): "I was just creating content that was going viral."
• Deidra (05:32): "People will pay you, and they'll pay you good money."
• Michelle (07:33): "Step one, step two, step three, step four. And it's that easy."
• Deidra (08:06): "Let you charge people for it."
• Deidra (13:24): "Instagram is kind of like the home base."
• Deidra (15:34): "Know who your client is... what are their challenges, what are their desires."
• Deidra (19:51): "Know what your numbers are."
• Deidra (22:01): "These four books are a great starter pack when it comes to entrepreneurship."

Stay Connected

To stay updated with future episodes and gain more insights into social media and business growth strategies, follow Michelle Thames on Instagram @michellellthames and join the vibrant community at Social Media Decoded.

End of Summary