How a Free Writing Group Turned into Paid Clients: Building a "Plan B" Academic Business

What if your own accountability tool became a profitable business--and academic escape plan?

Dr. Nicole Pettitt didn’t set out to build a business. She just wanted accountability for her own writing. So she launched a free co-writing group for women in grad school—and it quietly became a coaching business, with paid clients and real impact.

Many academics want a “Plan B” but don’t know where to start. They feel stuck between their current role and the unknowns of entrepreneurship—especially when they still enjoy aspects of their job.

Nicole started with what she already had: experience advising grad students, a deep understanding of writing struggles, and a Zoom link. From there, she organically built a coaching business—without quitting her tenure-line role.

In this episode, she shares how she turned her Saturday morning co-writing group into a business that supports women finishing their dissertations—while staying in alignment with her values and energy.

Whether you’re toying with a side hustle or looking for a sustainable exit strategy from academia, Nicole’s story will give you the clarity and confidence to begin.

🔗 Learn more about the BAE program: AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor

Connect with Nicole:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-pettitt/

Email: drnicolep31@gmail.com

01:24 – Nicole's shift toward supporting women in academia

05:14 – Balancing academic roles with entrepreneurial aspirations

08:11 – Free writing group beneficial for community building

09:13 – Majority of clients found through the writing group

10:57 – Importance of providing community for online doctoral students

12:11 – Similarities between coaching others and personal challenges

14:30 – Bridging the gap between knowledge and action

14:30 – The necessity of community and feedback for doctoral students

16:07 – Community aspects tied to external feedback in coursework

18:48 – Recognizing that information alone isn’t enough for student success

22:39 – Advice to focus on one-on-one coaching first

24:56 – Writing group as a funnel for attracting one-on-one clients

26:03 – Clarity is key to helping clients execute their projects

30:20 – Establishing boundaries between coaching and editing services

36:39 – Pricing coaching services fairly based on value offered

42:03 – Strategies for promoting coaching services to writing group members

48:40 – Testing marketing strategies as a scientific experiment

49:43 – Understanding client pain points as core to effective marketing

50:53 – Providing contact information for potential clients

51:21 – Encouragement for women to pursue their academic goals

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