Online Business Launch Podcast

Story-Based Learning Meets Digital Products: How One Mom Built Multiple Income Streams with Catherine Wilkinson


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What if you could stay home with your kids AND build a thriving business—without sacrificing either? In this inspiring episode, Lindsay connects with Catherine Wilkenson all the way from England to unpack exactly how she did it through online English teaching (ESL) and digital printables.

Catherine's journey started with a familiar struggle: she wanted to be present for her babies, but also needed income. After cramming a teaching qualification into one intense year (while pregnant with her second child), she stumbled onto an industry most people don't even know exists—online ESL teaching. Since 2017, she's been teaching English to students around the world from her home, allowing her to homeschool her own children while earning an income.

But here's where it gets really interesting: Catherine didn't stop at teaching. She identified a massive gap in the market—affordable, play-based English learning resources for families who couldn't afford private tutoring. So she built a second income stream through digital printables and curriculum focused on story-based learning for 3-8 year olds. Now she helps families globally through her YouTube channel (free lessons!), her website (TheoET.com), and platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  1. How to get started as an online ESL teacher (even without a teaching background)
  2. What companies provide—materials, students, and no marketing required
  3. The difference between teaching 1-on-1, small groups, and classrooms (and which pays best)
  4. How Catherine transitioned from working for companies to freelancing (where rates are significantly higher)
  5. Why she chose YouTube, email, and long-form content over social media (and how it's working)
  6. The "shiny object syndrome" trap and how accountability partners helped her finally scale
  7. How to build a digital product business around what you're already creating

Whether you're a parent desperate to stay home with your kids, a teacher looking for flexibility, or an entrepreneur curious about the digital product world, Catherine's story proves you can build multiple income streams doing work you genuinely love.

Connect with Catherine: TheoET.com | Free resources for families & teachers | YouTube: story-based English lessons

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

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Online Business Launch PodcastBy Lindsay Sutherland