In this episode, I tackle the common challenges of time management faced by aspiring entrepreneurs, offering insights from my extensive experience of running multiple businesses while raising six children. I emphasize that feeling overwhelmed is not a barrier but a stepping stone to action, and I encourage you to embrace gradual growth as your business evolves from 'baby' stages to a more established entity.

I outline five essential mindset shifts, such as starting small, focusing on consistent effort, and prioritizing long-term sustainability over quick wins. I stress the importance of taking tangible steps and share a strategic action plan to launch side hustles effectively, highlighting the need to identify specific problems to solve and simplify service offerings.

With practical strategies for gaining those crucial first customers, I advocate leveraging personal networks and online communities while focusing on relationship-building over advertising. I also underline the significance of systematizing operations early on to save time and prepare for scalable growth.

I close by providing a checklist for assessing readiness to transition to full-time entrepreneurship, covering factors like income replacement and business systems. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to work less and earn more, and I hope it inspires you to navigate your path with clarity and confidence.

Chapters:
0:00 Starting Your Business Journey
0:59 Mindset Shifts for Success
6:55 Defining Your Business Concept
12:45 Getting Your First Customers
18:52 From Customers to Consistency
20:12 Systematizing for Efficiency
24:43 Scaling Your Business
28:56 Creating One-to-Many Offers
30:59 Building an Evergreen Sales Funnel
32:57 Preparing for Full-Time Entrepreneurship
35:56 Choosing the Right Business Idea
42:03 Taking Action on Your Idea
42:36 Wrapping Up and Next Steps

Free course: Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/101

More FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• The $100K Method Podcast Series: https://www.gillianperkins.com/the-100k-method
• Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan

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!

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 talk with business exit strategist Laurie Sterling about building self-sustaining businesses that allow entrepreneurs to step back and enjoy life. Laurie shares her personal journey, emphasizing the importance of independence and her "Step Back to Scale" framework.

Key Takeaways:

• Time Audit: Conduct a comprehensive audit to determine tasks that can be delegated or automated, freeing up valuable time for founders.
• Bottlenecks: Identify key growth impediments such as cash flow and delivery capacity that often arise from founder over-involvement.
• Scaling Strategies: Explore effective methods like empowering teams and leveraging technology to achieve scalability.
• Asset Building: Focus on creating digital assets and efficient processes to enhance the business's sellability.
• Freedom Pathways: Discuss multiple scaling options, including hiring talent and developing digital courses.

This episode provides actionable insights for entrepreneurs looking to reduce hands-on management while ensuring business profitability and independence. Tune in for strategies to transform your business into a thriving, self-sustaining freedom machine!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to Freedom Machines
2:00 The Journey of Business Ownership
3:55 Laurie's Business Exit Strategy
5:51 Lessons Learned from Selling a Business
6:19 Transitioning to Helping Others
7:23 Working with Online and Local Businesses
8:30 Identifying Founder Dependency
9:54 Scaling Beyond the Founder
13:47 The Rockstar Method Explained
16:33 The Power of One-to-Many Models
19:02 Building Valuable Business Assets
23:08 The Step Back to Scale Framework
26:09 Common Bottlenecks in Online Businesses
31:14 Diagnosing Your Business's Needs
36:19 Finding Support and Resources

Laurie's Links:
Website: lauriestirling.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurie.stirling/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriestirling/

Listen to our limited podcast series to how to build an automated sales funnel and scale it to $100K/year: https://www.gillianperkins.com/the-100k-method

More FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

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

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!

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 explore the transformative journey of assembling a powerful team that can elevate your business to new heights. I share crucial insights on the paradigm shift required for effective hiring, advocating for an approach that not only seeks potential employees but fosters an environment that attracts skilled individuals aligned with your mission.

I reflect on my own hiring struggles, providing you with actionable strategies to identify and engage the best talent. I introduce the concept of the "solo ceiling," emphasizing that collaboration and shared vision are key to leveraging your business for exponential growth.

You will learn about four essential qualities that define a valuable team member: alignment with values, capability, reliability, and collaboration. Through a practical reflection exercise, I help clarify the traits that contribute to successful working relationships, making it easier to identify ideal candidates moving forward.

Additionally, I discuss innovative recruitment strategies that extend beyond conventional job postings, highlighting the power of referrals and 'inbound recruiting' to attract talent that resonates with your mission. I underscore the importance of team culture, introducing four pillars—delegation, clear expectations, strong communication, and a growth mindset—that empower team members and enhance overall engagement.

With practical advice aimed at avoiding high turnover and burnout, this episode serves as a reminder that building a successful team involves more than filling roles; it's about crafting a collaborative environment that amplifies your organizational impact. If you're eager to enhance your team-building skills and accelerate your growth, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in to unlock the potential of the right people in your entrepreneurial journey.

Chapters:
0:00 Building a Powerful Team
0:47 The Journey of Entrepreneurship
1:16 Overcoming Hiring Challenges
3:37 Finding the Right People
6:47 Essential Qualities of Team Members
9:09 Defining Team Values
12:56 Analyzing Character Qualities
14:48 Hiring for Character
16:13 Effective Sourcing Strategies
22:31 Testing Potential Hires
23:52 Attracting, Not Just Recruiting
29:18 Building a Team Culture
32:59 Setting Clear Expectations
35:13 Strong Communication Practices
41:07 Creating a Culture of Growth
43:05 Steps to Build Your Team
44:02 The Power of a Strong Team
45:06 Shortcut to Building a Strong Team

Book a free call now to find out how $100K Mastermind can help you scale your product to six-figures in 2026: https://gillianperkins.com/100k

FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• The $100K Method Podcast Series: https://www.gillianperkins.com/the-100k-method
• Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://www.gillianperkins.com/small-business-101-free-opt-in
• Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan

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!

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