Every hero needs a guide.
Every guide has a purpose.
And every great story starts with a struggle.
This is the not-so-overnight success story of Kristi Wolch, a former special education teacher turned booked-out online tutor, and Joanne Kaminski, the coach and mentor who helped her climb out of doubt and learned how to get online tutoring clients.
Let’s begin.
The Ordinary World
Kristi was a seasoned special education teacher. She knew how to adapt, differentiate, and advocate. But what she didn’t know was how to turn her experience into a business.
And when she left the classroom, she entered the unknown. A world where websites, marketing funnels, and SEO felt more intimidating than a room of third graders hopped up on Halloween candy.
The Call to Adventure
One day, out of frustration and curiosity, Kristi Googled "online tutoring business support." That’s when she stumbled upon a familiar face on the internet: Joanne Kaminski.
Videos.
Podcasts.
Resources.
This woman seemed to actually get it.
Kristi enrolled in Joanne’s Business-in-a-Box program, not realizing yet that she was about to change more than just her income.
Get a behind the scenes look at the templates.
Refusal of the Call
But wait.
Progress didn’t come fast.
Kristi froze every time she tried to create an About Me video. Blogging felt like she was writing into the void. Pricing herself felt... terrifying.
She questioned whether she had what it takes. Whether she should just go back to a "real job."
But she didn’t. She leaned in instead.
Meeting the Mentor
Joanne wasn’t just a coach. S
he was a calm in Kristi’s storm.
She guided her through the hard stuff—marketing, mindset, money. She reframed Kristi’s panic into purpose. She took big ideas and made them doable.
Joanne saw not just what Kristi was struggling with. She saw who Kristi could become.
Crossing the Threshold
At Joanne’s Content Creation Retreat in Florida, something shifted.
Kristi finally made that video. She finally understood SEO. She finally felt seen.
She realized this wasn’t just a side gig anymore. It was her business. It was her calling.
Here what she said at that retreat.
Tests, Allies, Enemies
The journey wasn't without obstacles.
Health challenges.
Financial fears.
Tech frustration.
But Kristi now had tools, templates, and a tribe.
Inside Joanne's Insider Secrets Club, she found a community that had her back. Tutors who answered questions, shared advice, and reminded her: You’ve got this.
The Transformation
Kristi went from:
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13 tutoring slots in November
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To 21 slots booked just four months later
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With a price increase from $65 to $70 per 45-minute session
Her website now converts. Her clients say yes without blinking. And she walks with confidence because she’s earned every single win.
The Return with the Elixir
Kristi isn’t just surviving anymore. She’s thriving.
She’s built a business that supports her health, her happiness, and her family. And Joanne? She’s still in the wings, cheering Kristi on, ready to help the next tutor write their own story.
Here about her entire journey here.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t about going viral.
It was about going steady.
Kristi didn’t grow because of luck.
She grew because she chose to show up.
Again.
And again.
With a guide beside her and a goal ahead of her, she became the kind of entrepreneur she never thought she could be.
Every hero needs a mentor. Every mentor needs a win.
Kristi and Joanne got both.
About the Author Joanne Kaminski
Joanne Kaminski is a former classroom teacher turned online tutor business coach who helps passionate educators turn their teaching skills into thriving online tutoring businesses. With over a decade of experience in both education and entrepreneurship, Joanne combines practical strategies with heartfelt encouragement to help tutors get found, get students, and get paid—without burnout.
After leaving the classroom and building a successful online reading tutoring business, Joanne saw firsthand how many talented tutors were struggling with marketing, visibility, and confidence. So she founded the Online Tutor Coach, where she now mentors thousands of tutors through her signature programs like Jumpstart Your Online Tutoring Business, Insider Secrets Club, and live events like Impact Live.
Known for her down-to-earth coaching style, data-backed strategies, and a passion for helping others succeed, Joanne is also the host of a top-ranked podcast the Online Tutor Business Podcast, a sought-after speaker, and the creator of one of the most supportive communities for online tutors on the web.
When she’s not coaching or creating content, you’ll find her hiking the trails of Wisconsin, spending time with her family, or crocheting with her dog snuggled up nearby.
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