A Maker and In Business: The Invocation of Balance.
Someone said the words to me last night: "You have to be a maker too."
At the beginning of things (things being this haphazard and awesome world I call my career/life) I was a MAKER.
I worked with my hands and in my brain, but with that part of my brain that wasn't linear. I used that part of my brain that was spinning and on fire. That passionate and creative spark. I've still got it. But it is a bit more buried these days.
You've gotta coax creativity sometimes. (Click to Tweet)
I love business. I love running a business and managing a business and all of those things involving numbers and goals and planning and marketing and making things for business BETTER. Seriously, ask my clients,
I THRIVE on this shit.
Need to help clarify your goals? Make a marketing plan? Get some debt paid off? Make more money? I am your woman. Running my businesses and coaching others to run theirs more effectively is who I am. I'd jump for joy at the opportunity to help you.
But. But. But. But. But.
It is NOT ENOUGH.
I must make as well. I must tap into that fluid place where color folds onto itself and shapes come into being. And so must begin,
the invocation of balance.
You should spend some time today thinking about how to find yours.
Oh Snap, What Have I Done #wordlesswednesday
The offer is in... Let the waiting begin...
The offer is in... Let the waiting begin...
Passive Income like a Mother*ucker
We all want to stop and smell the flowers. Or photograph them. Or, more likely, we just want to do shit that ISN'T making us money. That's why we meet up with our friend: Passive Income.
"What's this?" you ask. Essentially, money that you/your business generates that is NOT equal to time or money spent.
We all want to stop and smell the flowers. Or photograph them. Or, more likely, we just want to do shit that ISN'T making us money. That's why we meet up with our friend: Passive Income.
"What's this?" you ask. Essentially, money that you/your business generates that is NOT equal to time or money spent.
Below are two ways that I make money that are NOT PASSIVE REVENUE. Does that mean they are not good? Hells no. I love both. But, they are not money rolling in while I am sleeping (Passive Revenue: Dream of The Masses).
- If I sell a bracelet (you know, my baby, Wear Your Music), I have to a) make the bracelet or b) pay someone to make the bracelet. Once it is sold I can't sell it again. There is direct time and money associated with the product sold. This is NOT passive revenue.
- When I book consulting sessions, I have to spend the REAL time with my clients. My time = money. Again, NOT passive revenue.
Examples of things that ARE passive revenue:
- Stock photography. Take the picture once. Sell it thousands of times (you hope) and make passive income.
- Music. Or in my case, downloadable meditations. Record them, master them, etc, then keep selling them as you sleep. Make a less than a dollar each time someone purchases. Woot. Okay, so I do these because I love them, not for money. But that $25 I've made this year on them, TOTALLY passive revenue.
- Real estate. Yes, yes, always a good bet. Pay that off and then people PAY you. EVERY MONTH. Like, for realz. Epically awesome. I wn't tell you the last time I paid my own mortgage. (Umm, never).
So, for today I leave you with this question:
How can you INCREASE your passive revenue?
Or better yet. How can I increase mine?
Because I know it, and you know it if you are here reading this. I want to have a tea party with my kids and be banking it at the same time. Or, at the spa getting a pedicure while the money rolls in. Or, on vacation, at the beach while my wallet is getting fatter. Or maybe, really, just sleeping as the clicks equal number signs...Catch you on the flip. I'm off to a bonfire. Can you say cha-ching? See more on the topic here.
Liked this? See more here:
The Hustle. (I'm a Hustler, Baby. I Just Want You to Know)
On occasion people give me shit about NOT HAVING A JOB.
In case you are new here:
On occasion people give me shit about NOT HAVING A JOB.
In case you are new here: I run my own consulting business (for self employed peeps), I am co-president of Wear Your Music (guitar string bracelets made from strings of famous people with profits to charity), I make and sell jewelry on the side, I run the backend of my husbands photography business , I manage a 5 unit rental property, I am building an eco-friendly kit house in the woods, I have a two and a half year old, I am 35 weeks pregnant and I have to deal with my crazy family and friends and make a living and pay bills and eat and sleep and shit and shower. . . just like everyone else.
My whole family hustles, its really the only life I know. Above are my "little" cousins who handcraft and sell cutting boards in the shape of fish and Block Island. One is a recent Brown graduate, watch out for what he does next. This weekend you can find me on Block Island, selling my jewelry alongside them at two art fairs.
So the next time it is Monday morning and I am taking a nap or picking flowers or sitting on the beach I dare you to tell me I don't have a job.
Diversification of Income Streams
I talk to my clients a lot about diversifying their income streams. It's like not putting all your eggs in one basket. And when you are self employed (or investing) it's pretty important.
Yes, I believe that if you are a designer you can be successful at doing JUST that, ONLY that. But, in the interest of your mental health (ie sanity), I strongly suggest you have some different revenue streams that you can put your feet up on during the leaner months.
I talk to my clients a lot about diversifying their income streams. It's like not putting all your eggs in one basket. And when you are self employed (or investing) it's pretty important.
Yes, I believe that if you are a designer you can be successful at doing JUST that, ONLY that. But, in the interest of your mental health (ie sanity), I strongly suggest you have some different revenue streams that you can put your feet up on during the leaner months.
For those lucky self employed, married folks with a spouse who is employed by someone OUTSIDE the family (not me, it is true) they have a bit of a buffer from the ebbs and flows of income.
I have a bunch of different income streams I rely upon. Not only does that make me feel more secure financially, but it makes me more interested in what I am doing. I can switch gears when I am stuck.
How are you financially flexible? What can you do to be MORE SO?
It's true, I like numbers...
I think you can too, if you get to know them. I am offering an e-course on creating an expense budget for only $14.95 (I bet you like that number!)
I think you can too, if you get to know them. I am offering an e-course on creating an expense budget for only $14.95 (I bet you like that number!)
The course is over 20 pages of step-by-step how-to's as well as access to password protected videos.
You get a download- so you can buy it right now, and start working at your own pace whenever you want!
Directed at women and small business owners. Great for personal or business use, or both.
I also am just an email away if you have questions during the course.
Let me share a little number love with you today! You want it, you need it. Tell your money struggling friends.
or watch a video HERE.