How I am turning my knowledge into a business
Revealing my first 6 months in business…
1-year ago I took a leap of faith and quit my full-time job to start my online business, built around my skills and passions.
I wanted to build my days around work that fulfils me but also gives me time freedom and financial independence from an employer.
I stopped freelancing 6 months ago and went all in on my own business, and today, I’m proud to share that so far I’ve built two streams of income:
Digital courses and products
Affiliate marketing
....in the making! :)
6 months into my journey of digital entrepreneurship…
After doing Amy Porterfield’s Digital Course Academy in 2022 whilst I was in my full-time job, I was convinced that I had the power to create my own online business. This is where the seed was planted.
Excited to grow my knowledge even further, I did more courses, signed-up to many communities, and worked 1:1 with a coach.
And then I realised that you cannot learn how to do something just by attending masterclasses and workshops, and being coached.
While there is tremendous value in courses and coaching, based on what you have learned from those courses and coaches, you have to take action.
Only then you will know what you can do.
Only then you will have the direction you seek and the answers you are looking for.
And the truth is, there is no way to have it all figured out before you take action.
You have to take action, not knowing. And that’s when you will know!
It’s counterintuitive I know. and analysis-paralysis is real.
Taking action = $$$
So, all I have been doing over the last 6 months, is aggressively taking action.
I picked a problem I could solve, and an audience I wanted to serve, and then just went for it.
What I do: “I help working mums and female small business owners learn how to use AI to work better and faster, and make their first dollar online.”
Once I had this clear in my mind, I went for it with my blinkers on, and avoided shiny-object syndrome like the plague. (This was the hardest thing!)
And since then, it’s been all forces ahead and I feel like I’ve been hanging off the side of a rocketship!
Here’s what taking action has looked like for me from January to June, 2024:
I created 5 free resources for my community. This helped my grow an audience who wanted my courses.
I did 12 workshops, either online or in-person. This gave me so much exposure, and some amazing testimonials.
Sent out 12 newsletters to my Working Mums Club community ( you! :). This is where I write from my heart, to show others in a similar position as me that anything is possible!
Sent 75 emails about my resources and courses (thank you ChatGPT :) How can anyone know about what I’m doing if I don’t them them!
Numerous Linkedin & Instagram posts!
Launched my first 2-week group programme
This is how my pricing cascaded:
Free resources and workshops
Low ticket workshop x 90 minutes $47 per person
Low ticket workshop x 90 minutes $67 per person
Group programme x 3 weeks with a group $333 person (7 registrations!)
Number of people who have paid for my courses: 198
The power of taking action
Did I always know what I was doing? No.
Was I always clear in my messaging? No.
Were all my ads, social media posts emails and newsletters on point? No.
Were all my colours and designs clean and consistent? No!
There are SO many things I could have done better, but the most important thing is, I did them.
Was I afraid to put myself out there? Yes!
Do I feel imposter syndrome? Yes!
Do I now have clarity now that I have done all of the above? Not 100% , but the water is less murky.
Now I can take a step back to see what worked, what didn’t and what I can do better next time.
Building a business around your skills and interests
I took my knowledge and my interest and packaged them into online courses that I am now selling to build a business that I love.
My business is allowing me to connect with incredible mums (like you!), to work my own hours, and is putting me on the path to financial independence from any employers.
I have no overheads apart from the software that I’m using. And I am already breaking even.
As much as I knew I could do this, now that I am doing it, I can’t believe it.
It’s like I’m creating something from thin air, packaging it and selling it!
This has been made possible thanks to the Internet, social media, and new technology such as AI and no-code tools.
AI tools like ChatGPT and Canva have made my content creation process a breeze.
No-code tools like Square Space and Notion have helped me put a decent front to my stores, and organise all my material.
Tools like Kajabi, Convertkit and Demio have helped me do things professionally, and fast.
Plus, I am affiliated to a few of the above tools (linked), so if you sign up to them - I get a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Another income stream!
It’s truly, truly incredible that today, anyone can do this.
And of course, I also have an incredibly supportive husband without whom this would not have been possible.
Has it been easy? No.
Has it been worth it? YESSSSS
Am I going to make this work for me long time? I now know I can!
And because I *get* to do this, I must and will succeed.
If you are dreaming of flexible work-life systems and financial independence from employers, know that it’s possible, now even more so than ever.
New technology is at our fingertips to help us build anything we can dream of online and monetise it, with no prior skills.
There is a learning curve, and this is a long-term commitment - but it pays back multi-fold.
It’s been a thrilling journey, and I’m just getting started!
Now it’s time to evaluate and plan my next 6-months.
Have you ever thought about creating an online business? If so, what’s stopping you from starting one?
Reply to this email or leave a comment, I’d love to know and see if I can support you in anyway!
Congratulations Abha, this is very inspiring and well deserved for you. I hope you business continues to strive in the next 6 months and many more.