Creating a new business, skin in the game, imposter-syndrome and more...

[m1nu]

Hey Fastlaners,

I'm a solopreneur from Switzerland who's been running Fastlearn since 2019, a learning platform (first wordpress hosted with LearnDash Plugin and now hosted on Skool). It's targeted at KV apprentices (that's the Swiss vocational training for commercial clerks, similar to a business administration apprenticeship in other countries – think 16-20-year-olds learning skills like accounting, economics and more while working part-time). The platform offers explainer videos (created with Vyond), assignments, summaries, and an unlimited Q&A flatrate focused on economics, law, and accounting. It started strong, but now I'm facing a major shift.

The issue: Switzerland overhauled its KV apprenticeship system in 2023 (called the "KV Reform"). Previously, the curriculum was structured around fixed subjects and profiles, but now it's competency-based, emphasizing practical skills, digital tools, sustainability, and flexibility. For non-Swiss folks: Imagine if your country's entry-level business training suddenly ditched rote learning for real-world applications like ERP systems, ethical decision-making, and agile processes. This means my old content (from 2019) no longer fully matches the new needs, leading to a noticeable drop in demand (which initially took me hundreds of hours to generate). I've distanced myself from the subject matter over time (I don't work in accounting anymore), so updating feels overwhelming without deep expertise.

That said, I'm brainstorming pivots to keep this going as a side hustle. Two main ideas:

1. Go full solopreneur mode: Rebrand around building "micro-education businesses" (like mini online courses or communities). I'd offer digital products, such as access to a Skool community teaching how to launch profitable learning platforms with videos teaching skills for tutorials, productivity hacks, and community-building tips. This feels scalable with high margins, using my Fastlearn experience The Problem is -> I really don't like the "I show you how to make money" attitude most similiar courses have - and i don't want to be seen as a grifter.
2. Double down on learning techniques: Shift to general learning strategies, similar to Justin Sung or Ali Abdaal and go all in in building a personal brand around that. Also targeting students or pros. Con here is that I don't really have a pedagogic background or like a certificate in "coaching studying".

On a personal level, I'm grappling with imposter syndrome – questioning if I really have enough "skin in the game" or expertise, especially since I'm not a trained educator. I've been in the learning space for years with Fastlearn, which helps, but I worry about coming across as inauthentic. External perception is super important to me; I don't want to scam or mislead anyone. My goal is to provide genuine value, not just chase quick wins. That's why I'm here – to get honest feedback and refine this without stepping into shady territory.

What do you think? Has anyone pivoted an education side hustle post-market shift? Tips on avoiding the "scam" perception in solopreneur spaces? Feedback welcome.


Thanks,

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

1. Hu gamm tumuqsipias nufi: Sicsepf esuapf caomfoph "nodsu-ifadevoup catopittit" (moli nopo upmopi duastit us dunnapovoit). O'f uggis fohovem qsufadvt, tadj et edditt vu e Tluum dunnapovz viedjoph jux vu meapdj qsugovecmi miespoph qmevgusnt xovj wofiut viedjoph tlommt gus vavusoemt, qsufadvowovz jedlt, epf dunnapovz-caomfoph voqt. Vjot giimt tdemecmi xovj johj neshopt, atoph nz Getvmiesp iyqisoipdi Vji Qsucmin ot -> O siemmz fup'v moli vji "O tjux zua jux vu neli nupiz" evvovafi nutv tonomoes duastit jewi - epf o fup'v xepv vu ci tiip et e hsogvis.
2. Fuacmi fuxp up miespoph vidjporait: Tjogv vu hipisem miespoph tvsevihoit, tonomes vu Katvop Taph us Emo Ecfeem epf hu emm op op caomfoph e qistupem csepf esuapf vjev. Emtu veshivoph tvafipvt us qsut. Dup jisi ot vjev O fup'v siemmz jewi e qifehuhod cedlhsuapf us moli e disvogodevi op "duedjoph tvafzoph".

Optvief ug djuutoph upi vjev govt op zuas qistupem cuy vji citv, xjodj upi uggist vji hsievitv wemai vu e qsutqidvowi eafoipdi?

Cetif up zuas dunnipv "tiip et e hsogvis" vjot ot johjmz quttocmi et e qistupem csepf, xjodj zua nipvoupif op #2.

E qistupem csepf ot ep iyvsuwisvif vzqi ug wipvasi.