If you’re someone who’s passionate about teaching etiquette to children, you’ve likely considered doing it professionally. Starting an etiquette business of your own is the perfect solution! “Can I start a business teaching manners to children while I am still working at my job?” is a commonly asked question for new etiquette professionals.

This is exactly how I got started. I was still in a corporate job while developing Manners To Go.  And you can do the same! In fact, many licensed etiquette professionals start this way. It happens more often than you’d think.

When you teach manners, life skills, and etiquette to children, you add tremendous value to the world around you.

5 Steps for Starting An Etiquette Business

Starting an etiquette business isn’t for the faint of heart. But it’s also not as difficult as you may think. By following these five tips to kick off your entrepreneurial journey, you’ll soon find yourself the proud owner of a successful business.  

1. Consider Taking Baby Steps and Starting An Etiquette Business On A Small Scale First

When I started my own etiquette business, I started planning and teaching manners to children on the weekends while still working my corporate job. Accepting business opportunities on the weekends or evenings makes the leap into business ownership a bit softer. 

Of course, committing to your full-time work and starting an etiquette business makes life extremely full for a while. It helps to think of your etiquette brand as a creative outlet so you don’t become completely overwhelmed by “work.” After all, your role as an etiquette teacher should be fun and rewarding right from the start!

As a business owner, you get to take charge of your time. If a particular weekend or afternoon works for you, schedule a class! You can build gradually—at your pace. And you may be pleasantly surprised by how many parents want private instruction on the weekends or in the evenings. 

2. Make A Plan and Get Certified Before Starting An Etiquette Business

You need some sort of a plan before you start your own business. Open up your laptop, whip out the “notes” app on your phone, or grab a pen and paper to jot down all the things you need to accomplish before starting an etiquette business.

Acquiring your certification is the natural first step to becoming a manners professional! 

Luckily, most of the subsequent steps for starting an etiquette business are already done for you when you actually get your etiquette certification. It’s as if you’re handed a “manners and etiquette business in a box!” Our professional etiquette certification is that comprehensive. 

In fact, many etiquette certificate graduates say the entire process of starting an etiquette business was far easier than they expected. We give you all the proposal templates, scripted dialogue, training, and curriculum (for all grade levels) that you need! That way, you can start working right away.

3. Set A Date and Take Action

It’s important to realize that your intentions, passions, or desires aren’t enough to make your dreams come true. If you’re serious about starting an etiquette business, you need to get moving.

You can map out your movements in three simple steps:

  1. Set a date. Your calendar is a powerful motivation tool if you choose to use it!
  2. Have a plan. Know the exact steps you need to take—have them recorded somewhere.
  3. Take action! Follow your plan. Odds are once you start, a snowball effect will kick in—more and more will get done.

Your first move should be to set up a discovery call with us at Manners To Go. I can share my experiences to help you along. Plus, you can hear about many of our licensees who have already gotten started on their journeys in teaching manners to children.

Related: 6 Ways To Tell You’re Ready To Start Your Business As A Certified Etiquette Consultant

4. Recognize The Value Of Your Time When You’re Starting An Etiquette Business

Remember, you won’t be in the beginning phase of your business forever. It can be a shock transitioning from a full-scale team at a corporate job to becoming an all-in-one marketer, manager, educator, etc. 

When starting an etiquette business, it’s important to take time to consider which jobs you can handle and which you should outsource. Take the time to figure out your budget and search for helpers that can take the heavy tasks off of your plate.

For example, you might consider hiring a social media manager! Have someone post about your business on social media a few times a week so you can focus on other things. Hiring a team might not be in the cards for you right away, but it should always be in the front of your mind as your business develops.

The whole purpose of hiring team members is to make more money in the long run. Only hire when someone can add true value to your business.

5. Remember: Resilience Is Key

Embrace the ups and downs! Keep searching for educational opportunities, and as you gain more experience, word of your expertise and helpfulness will spread. Before long, you’ll have a steady list of clients to pull from year after year.

There is always room to expand. Think of all the possibilities to grow your etiquette business:

  • Non-profit organizations
  • Schools
  • Daycare facilities
  • Sports programs
  • One-on-one coaching

Explore options in your own town, but also in neighboring communities. Starting an etiquette business takes time and patience. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of success and failure—and don’t give up when the going gets tough.


Soon enough you’ll have a full-fledged business at your fingertips, ready for further development and care.

Here is a FREE Guide to Help YOU Start a Business Teaching Manners to Children

CLICK THE IMAGE TO GET THE DOWNLOAD RIGHT NOW

6 Things Needed to start an etiquette business
   

Here Are Your Next Steps

Step 1

Get to Know Manners To Go™

Most likely, you will want to get to know us. Feel free to call or email us. Click on the links below. We are happy to discuss the details with you.

Step 2

Decide on the best training option for you

We offer two trainings to become certified to teach manners to children:

Professional Consultant Certification - Live video training

Option #1:

“Live” Video Training

If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOT self-guided.

2 Day Etiquette Certificate Training

Option #2:

Two-Day In-Person

PRIVATE Training.  That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business.  Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.

Step 3

Receive the curriculum and book your training dates

Upon payment, you receive the curriculum. Next, we will send an email asking you to schedule your first training date.

Manners To Go Lesson Plans for Teachers

Join the
Manners To Go™ movement with Lisa Richey.

5 Tips for Starting An Etiquette Business As You Transition From Another Career | Manners to Go
Skip to content