In this episode, I'm sharing my journey of building a successful online business while raising my (now SIX) children! I'm disclosing the effective strategies that have allowed me to thrive as both a mother and an entrepreneur.

Let's dive into my business model, struggles, lessons learned, and how I have managed transitions along the way. I'll also tell you the tech and tools that have supported our business and allowed us to grow.

Balancing work with family life requires setting firm boundaries and delegating tasks to others effectively. There is also a lot of value in proving a concept before scaling it up and in avoiding other (potentially costly) missteps, like a few I'll share with you here!

I want to provide you the key practical insights you need for launching and growing your own online business while putting family first.

Tune in to hear:

• Effective strategies for building a sustainable online business
• Essential steps for attracting and retaining customers
• Tips for managing work-life balance as a parent and entrepreneur
• Key mistakes to avoid on your entrepreneurial journey

If you're eager to grow your online business without compromising family time, this episode is a must-listen!

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction to My Journey

1:56: Understanding My Business Model

8:29: My First Customers

12:23: Scaling My Business

18:38: Tools and Software I Use

26:42: Balancing Business and Motherhood

30:34: Mistakes to Avoid

34:35: Closing Thoughts and Next Steps

Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ 
• Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 

Work with Gillian Perkins:

• Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
• Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
• Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
• Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

When you’re just getting started with your business, it can be so tempting to spend time on all the “fun” things like designing the perfect logo, building a fancy website, or posting every day on social media. But here’s the thing: those tasks don’t actually move the needle when it comes to making money.

In this episode, I’m sharing the common mistakes I see new entrepreneurs make that end up wasting precious time and slowing down their progress. I’ll explain which activities you can safely postpone, like forming an LLC, creating complicated sales funnels, or investing in expensive software, and why focusing on them too soon can actually hold you back.

Instead, I’ll show you what to prioritize right now: your product, your target audience, and your sales process. These are the core essentials that will help you start earning sooner and give you the momentum to grow.

If you’re in the early stages of building your business, this episode will help you cut through the noise, stop spinning your wheels, and zero in on what actually matters most.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The tasks that seem important but won’t help you make money yet
• What to focus on first to build momentum and generate sales
• Why delaying certain “official” steps can actually speed up your progress
• How to avoid the distractions that hold most new entrepreneurs back

Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ 
• Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 

Work with Gillian Perkins:

• Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
• Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
• Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
• Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

If you’re running an online business, you already know how important it is to have systems that actually work—not just ones that look good on paper. But turning audience attention into revenue? That can feel a lot trickier.

In this episode, I’m joined by business strategist Jordan Gill, the founder of Systems Saved Me. Jordan and I dig into the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make with sales conversions, why keeping your systems simple is often the smartest move, and creative ways you can personalize and position your offers to stand out.

We also talk about how tools like ChatGPT can make content repurposing a whole lot easier, and why focusing on fewer platforms might just be the fastest way to see bigger results. If you’re selling digital products or growing an online business, this conversation is packed with practical strategies to help you streamline, sell more, and avoid burnout.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying to convert sales
• Why simple systems are often the most effective for growth
• How to personalize and position your offers so they stand out
• Smart ways to use AI tools (like ChatGPT) to repurpose content and save time

Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• Learn more about Jordan: https://systemssavedme.com
• Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ 
• Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 

Work with Gillian Perkins:

• Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
• Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
• Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
• Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Choosing the right legal structure for your business can feel… overwhelming. Sole proprietorship, LLC, S corp, C corp… what do all these terms even mean? And more importantly, how do you know which one is right for YOU?

When I was first starting out, I had so many questions about business structures. I didn’t want to mess up something that could affect my taxes, my liability, and my long-term growth. And I know I’m not the only entrepreneur who’s felt that way.

That’s why in today’s episode of Work Less, Earn More, I’m breaking down the four most common business structures and walking you through the pros and cons of each. I’ll share what I’ve personally learned from navigating these transitions myself, give you tips for when it makes sense to switch from one structure to another, and explain why it’s so important to get professional advice from an accountant or attorney.

If you’ve ever felt confused about what’s best for your business—or you just want to be sure you’re set up in the smartest way possible—this episode will clear things up.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The differences between a sole proprietorship, LLC, S corp, and C corp (in plain English)
• The key pros and cons of each structure
• When it might make sense to switch from one structure to another
• Why professional guidance from an accountant or attorney is essential

Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ 
• Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 

Work with Gillian Perkins:

• Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
• Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
• Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
• Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, I’m joined by leadership strategist and operations expert Jillian Dolberry to talk about how you can build a reliable system for making smarter decisions in your business.

We dive into why reactive management can hold you back, how to make sure your choices align with your core values, and the daily habits that keep operations running smoothly. Jillian also shares practical tips for delegating, documenting processes, and avoiding the operator trap, that all-too-common mistake of trying to do everything yourself.

If you’ve been wanting to streamline your operations, empower your team, and free up more of your time to focus on growth, this conversation is full of actionable insights you can start putting into practice today.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How to make business decisions that align with your core values
• Practical ways to delegate tasks and empower your team
• The importance of documenting processes for smoother operations
• How to avoid the operator trap and free up your time for growth

Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• Learn more about Jillian: https://jilliandolberry.com/
• Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ 
• Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 

Work with Gillian Perkins:

• Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
• Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
• Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
• Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Ever feel like there’s just too much to do and not enough time to do it all? In this episode, I’m sharing the exact weekly planning process I use to keep my business running, homeschool my kids, and still have time to breathe.

I’ll walk you through how I prioritize what actually matters, set boundaries that protect my time, and build in flexibility so my week doesn’t feel overwhelming. I’ll also let you in on a little secret: sometimes procrastinating on purpose is the smartest move you can make.

If you’re looking for a simpler, more strategic way to plan your week, this episode is for you.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• My step-by-step weekly planning process
• How I set boundaries and stay focused on priorities
• Why I intentionally procrastinate on certain tasks
• Tips for fitting in small tasks without losing momentum

Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ 
• Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 

Work with Gillian Perkins:

• Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
• Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
• Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
• Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Ready to try Melio for yourself? You can get started with no monthly fees using their Melio Go plan, or upgrade for advanced features like batch payments, approval workflows, and W9/1099 tax tools. https://go.melio.com/gillian2025

In this episode, I’m talking about how AI is reshaping content creation, for better or for worse. While it’s easier than ever to churn out low-quality work, there’s also huge potential to create better content faster with the right strategies. I’ll share three smart ways to use AI to level up your content: coming up with ideas, repurposing across platforms, and polishing your drafts. I’ll also give you a bonus tip on automating your workflow, plus introduce a tool called Lio that makes managing contractor payments simple and flexible.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How AI is changing the landscape of content creation
• Three practical ways to use AI to streamline your content process
• Tips for repurposing content and improving your drafts with AI
• A bonus tip for automating your workflow and saving time

Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ 
• Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 

Work with Gillian Perkins:

• Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
• Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
• Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
• Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Dave Heath, founder of Human Focus AI, for a conversation about how entrepreneurs can use AI to run their businesses more efficiently. Dr. Heath shares why now is the time to start integrating AI, comparing it to the early days of the internet, and how adopting it early can give you a major advantage. We dive into practical ways to use tools like ChatGPT for content creation, quality control, and streamlining daily operations. He also explains how to build custom AI assistants tailored to your unique business needs and how to avoid some common mistakes. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear roadmap for using AI to save time, boost productivity, and stay focused on what matters most.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why early adoption of AI can give your business a competitive edge
• How to use tools like ChatGPT for content creation and quality control
• Steps to create custom AI assistants tailored to your business
• Common mistakes to avoid when integrating AI into your workflow

Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ 
• Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 
• Learn more about Dave: https://www.humanfocusai.com/

Work with Gillian Perkins:

• Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
• Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
• Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
• Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, I’m sharing a challenge that nearly every aspiring entrepreneur faces at some point: how do you choose the right product to create and sell?

I’m walking you through the five-step framework I use to help my students make this decision strategically so they can confidently create a product that sells, even if they have a small audience or feel uncertain about their expertise. Whether you’re thinking about creating a course, a digital product, or something else, I’ll show you how to identify opportunities, filter your ideas using my Four Ps method (Problem, Person, Proven, Personal Fit), and validate your concept through real customer interactions and pre-sales.

I’m also sharing a practical example from one of my students, Jane Calms, who successfully launched her first course by following these exact steps.

If you’ve ever struggled with indecision, self-doubt, or simply having too many ideas, this episode will give you the clarity and direction you need to move forward.

Use this scoring spreadsheet to decide WHICH of your product ideas to pursue: https://gillianperkins.com/choose-what-product

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• A clear, step-by-step process for choosing the right product to create
• How to narrow down your ideas using the Four Ps method
• Practical ways to validate your product idea before you build it
• Encouragement and examples to help you get started, even with a small audience

FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ 
• Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 

Work with Gillian Perkins:

• Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
• Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
• Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
• Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and fellow entrepreneur, Tara Wagner. Tara is an accredited small business consultant who has been through a lot in recent years, navigating chronic health challenges and long COVID while still running a successful business.

We had a really honest conversation about what it looks like to build a sustainable, profitable business when life throws you curveballs and how social media, specifically Instagram, can either help or hurt in that process. Tara shared how she’s learned to treat her Instagram profile more like a digital business card: simple, strategic, and supportive of her overall business goals (without requiring hours of her time every week).

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or uninspired by social media, I think you’ll find this conversation refreshing and encouraging.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How to optimize your Instagram profile so it works for you even when you’re not actively posting
• Why social media shouldn’t run your business — or your life
• How to create intentional content that aligns with your offers and helps convert followers into clients
• Tara’s plan for her own 90-day challenge to revive her social media presence in a way that feels aligned and manageable

Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• YouTube Workshop Registration: https://creatorfasttrack.com/workshop-registration
• Learn more about Tara: https://xotara.us/socialbizcard/

Work with Gillian Perkins:

• Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
• Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
• Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
• Instagram: @GillianZPerkins