Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marci Palla. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Marci, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

We’ve all heard the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” The same goes for judging the success of a business owner. I’ve seen business owners throw launch parties and buy thousands of social media followers, only to disappear within five years. On the other hand, I’ve seen multimillionaire business owners with business cards that have handwritten updates. In fact, I love when restaurant owners update their menus by hand with Sharpies and white-out. It shows they know how to prioritize their limited resources!

If I can do something that’s 90% as effective at 5% of the cost, I’ll do it. For example, I use magnetic advertising signs instead of wrapping my car. I also use online booking and answer client questions via email instead of talking to everyone on the phone. From the outside, it might look like I’m being cheap, but I’m not—I’m investing my money where it really counts. Instead of paying for a more professional-looking car or someone to answer phones, I pay my workers more. Since I want to provide the best private instruction in Los Angeles, I focus my resources to make that happen!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Regal Lessons LLC operates two premier private instruction programs in Los Angeles: Regal Tutors and Regal Swim. Founded in 2016, both programs offer top-tier, personalized instruction.

I launched Regal Tutors after three years as a traditional classroom teacher and over a decade as a private tutor. Regal Tutors pairs students with tutors who have classroom teaching experience, ensuring the highest level of quality and expertise.

During the summer, Regal Swim offers private and semi-private swim lessons for beginner to intermediate swimmers. I developed Regal Swim after three years as an open-water lifeguard and eight years as a private swim instructor. Drawing on this experience and my background as a classroom teacher, I created a structured and effective swim curriculum. At Regal Swim, I only hire professionals that parents can trust with their children.

Two key elements set Regal Lessons apart from other private instruction companies. First, I hire people of exceptional quality. With low overhead costs, I can pay tutors and swim instructors more than other companies offering similar services. I also personally interview and assess each tutor and instructor to ensure they meet high standards. Second, I offer flexibility in scheduling. I sell lessons a la carte because I understand the complexities of modern student life. Most students balance school, extracurricular activities, and family commitments. While they can choose regularly scheduled lessons, they can also choose more customized plans. Plus, they don’t get locked into a package if their needs change.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

I started college to become an elementary school teacher. While at community college, I joined the track team as a thrower (shot put, javelin, hammer, and discus). If you’re picturing Miss Trunchbull, think again—I’m much smaller! When I transferred to a university, the coach discouraged me from joining the more competitive team. So, I asked a classmate how to sign up for intramural sports. She then invited me to do a triathlon with her.

After the race, my mom made a comment about my poor swimming ability. This motivated me to enroll in an aquatics class. Then I joined the university’s triathlon team/club and soon discovered that swimming was my sport! While competing in triathlons, I worked a summer job as a lifeguard at the local beach.

When I graduated in 2009, during the Great Recession, I secured a teaching position at a low-income school in my hometown. There I spent two years “clearing my credential.” I then decided to move to Hermosa Beach and applied to over 100 jobs, facing a saturated job market. Fortunately, my lifeguard experience landed me a job with a swim lesson company. They paid me $20/hr to provide at-your-home swim lessons while charging clients $80/hr.

When swim season ended, I began working for a private tutoring company and eventually found a full-time teaching position at a charter school. However, its low pay and poor treatment of teachers led to high staff turnover. Meanwhile, I continued tutoring in the evenings and teaching swim lessons on weekends. By the end of the school year, I earned more from my “side hustle” than from classroom teaching. As a result, I decided to make tutoring and swim instruction my career.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Like most business owners, I had to pivot during the pandemic. Before the pandemic, I primarily tutored high school students. They often needed help with subjects too advanced for their parents to assist with. However, when classes moved online, open-note tests reduced their need for tutoring.

At the same time, families with younger children began needing more support. Many required help during the virtual school days, while others sought assistance afterward since their children had fallen behind. As a result, I shifted my focus from tutoring teenagers to working with younger students. This transition worked because I have a teaching credential for elementary education. Additionally, when students graduate from my swim program, they are now the right age to enter my tutoring program. Plus, I can now work with students for a decade, until they finish high school or college.

Contact Info:

• Website: RegalTutors.com, RegalSwim.com
• Instagram: @RegalTutorHacks, @RegalSwim
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marci-palla/
• Youtube: @RegalTutorHacks, @RegalSwim
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/regal-tutors-hermosa-beach, https://www.yelp.com/biz/regal-swim-hermosa-beach-2