Menking Tutoring

How a Wall Street Trader Built a $500K/Year Tutoring Business

Monthly Revenue

$41.7K

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2020

Customer

B2B & B2C

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2020

Customer

B2B & B2C

Who is Steve Menking?

Steve Menking, originally from Connecticut, left a successful career as an equities trader on Wall Street to pursue his passion for teaching, a path inspired by his experiences as a teaching assistant and tutor during college.

What problem does Menking Tutoring solve?

Menking Tutoring helps students master complex subjects with expert guidance, relieving the frustration and stress of high academic and career ambitions.

How did Steve come up with the idea for Menking Tutoring?

Steve Menking's journey to founding Menking Tutoring began with a pivotal "quarter-life crisis" while working as a high-stress Wall Street trader. Feeling disillusioned with long hours and corporate pressures, he reevaluated what truly made him happy. His past experiences as a teaching assistant and tutor in college surfaced as a calling, reminding him of the purpose and satisfaction he felt in helping others learn.

Before fully committing to tutoring, Menking meticulously explored the education landscape. He tested the waters by joining online platforms like Wyzant and partnering with tutoring agencies, initially setting modest rates to understand the market. Through feedback and growing demand, he fine-tuned his approach, recognizing the unique niche his finance background provided in tutoring subjects like math and accounting.

The transition wasn't without its challenges. Overcoming doubts about leaving a lucrative career required trusting the fulfillment he found in teaching. The process taught him the importance of aligning work with personal values and embracing change, a lesson crucial for aspiring founders seeking meaningful ventures.

How did Steve build the initial version of Menking Tutoring?

Steve Menking initially built his tutoring business by leveraging online platforms like Wyzant and partnering with tutoring agencies. He set his initial rate under $100 an hour, gradually increasing it to $150 by 2017 as he gained experience and developed a niche in finance, math, and accounting.

The process involved sending resumes to multiple agencies and crafting a niche service for high school and college students with his Wall Street background. The experience was marked by gradual growth and validation from joining Forum Education, which doubled his annual earnings from $95,000 to $200,000 by 2017. This path required perseverance and strategic partnerships, proving more challenging and rewarding than anticipated as he iterated on his service offering to better meet student needs.

What was the growth strategy for Menking Tutoring and how did they scale?

Tutoring Agencies

After leaving Wall Street, Steve Menking leveraged his skills by contracting with tutoring agencies like Forum Education. Forum Education's extensive network exposed him to a broader client base, doubling his income from $95,000 to $200,000. This partnership allowed him to connect with high school and college students, including those at Ivy League institutions, expanding his tutoring reach across the U.S.

Why it worked: Partnering with established agencies helped Menking to quickly tap into a ready pool of potential students. The reputation and reach of Forum Education provided a platform for him to offer his specialized skills in finance, math, and accounting, leading to an increase in his earning potential.

Online Tutoring Platforms

Menking created a profile on Wyzant, an online tutoring marketplace, where he initially set competitive rates below $100 an hour. This platform allowed him to leverage his Wall Street background to differentiate his tutoring services.

Why it worked: Online platforms like Wyzant offered accessible, flexible avenues for Menking to connect with students nationwide. By pricing strategically and showcasing his unique qualifications, he was able to build credibility, gain referrals, and gradually increase his rates, which contributed to his financial growth.

Personalized Tutoring Business

In 2020, Menking launched Menking Tutoring LLC, offering one-on-one tutoring, test prep, and corporate training programs. This business serves a diverse clientele, including Ivy League students and professionals, and offers a personalized approach to meet individual learning needs.

Why it worked: Establishing his own business allowed Menking to customize his tutoring services, focus on areas of high demand, and maintain control over his schedule and pricing. His well-rounded offerings, including professional training and test preparation, diversified his income streams and attracted a high-paying clientele, leading to significant growth in his earnings.

What's the pricing strategy for Menking Tutoring?

Menking Tutoring charges $1,000 per hour for personalized tutoring, leveraging a high-end niche for students and professionals seeking finance, math, and accounting expertise.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building Menking Tutoring?

Emphasize Purpose Over Prestige: Steve Menking found deeper satisfaction in tutoring than his high-stress finance career, proving that following one's passion can lead to both fulfillment and success.
Leverage Past Experience: Menking used his Wall Street background to carve a niche in tutoring, showing that previous skills and expertise can set you apart in a new field.
Grow Through Referrals: His path illustrates the power of building a reputation and referrals to expand client bases and increase earning potential.
Balance Flexibility and Structure: Menking manages work-life balance by adjusting his hours based on demand, ensuring personal time amidst a busy schedule.
Adapt and Engage Networks: Joining a tutoring agency like Forum Education expanded Menking's opportunities, highlighting the importance of leveraging professional networks to grow a business.