Business is about making money, yes.
But as small business owners, we also know it’s about so much more than that. It’s about flexibility, creativity and freedom.
And yet, how many of us have accidentally created a job for ourselves that feels harder, longer, and more exhausting than the 9–5 we tried to escape?
We don’t have to stick to one rigid way of earning. In fact, that can be the thing that holds us back.
Because money mindset is a muscle and for a long time, I didn’t flex mine. I thought money had to come from one job, one lane, one “offer.” But that’s the myth. The truth? There are endless ways to generate income when you let go of the old rules.
Here are a few creative ways I’ve earned income as part of my journey:
- I’ve picked up dog poop (yep, really, both as a casual at a kennels and then in my own pet sitting business. And it paid well!)
- I’ve sold unwanted items in my home to shift energy and bring in quick cash, including gold and jewellery that earned me a couple hundred dollars
- I’ve led charity treks and cycles through Bhutan, Nepal and Vietnam, having all my trip and all expenses paid for while ticking off huge bucket list items
- I’ve run luxury retreats in paradise locations
- I’ve collaborated with photographers to offer branding shoot experiences, earning a commission
- I’ve done freelance writing for travel mags while on the road
- I’ve taught online workshops from my friend’s apartment in India
- I’ve earned affiliate income by recommending services I use and love
- I’ve been paid to update a friend’s Airbnb listing while enjoying a family trip to the Australian ski slopes
- I’ve stayed with friends and clients on work trips, cutting costs while building deeper relationships
The key is to stop thinking your money has to come from just one stream. Because the truth is, it rarely does.
I’ve had three businesses at once. I’ve also shut down projects, taken breaks, and shifted gears. But the throughline is this: I never stopped creating opportunities. That’s the mindset.
So here’s my invitation to you…start looking at your business, and your life, with fresh eyes. What skills do you have that you’re not charging for yet? What connections can you tap into? What small tweaks could add value and income, without more hustle?
You don’t have to wait until you retire to enjoy your life. You can build income streams that support the freedom you crave. You can rest, travel, grow, and still hit your goals.
