5 Savvy Female Leaders On How They Earn Money From Home

How These Women Earn Money From Home

Though nearly every professional has had a crash course in remote work throughout 2020, it’s definitely not a new concept. For many entrepreneurs, the ability to build their own schedule, make their own rules, and operate from wherever is a big appeal. To earn money from home and build a sustainable income that supports your lifestyle takes careful consideration, plenty of self-motivation, and ambition. If you are thinking about making a move yourself, you can learn from these five savvy female leaders who have created their own micro-empires from their abode. Here, they tell their stores:

“Start scouting online opportunities ASAP.”

Many years ago, Kari DePhillips worked in advertising. Her typical routine was exhausting, to say the least:

• A 6 a.m. wake-up call, followed by a shower and getting ‘office-ready’ with hair, makeup and styling.

• Then, a 45-minute commute so she could report into duty by 8 a.m. (Not to mention, paying $225 a month to park downtown.)

• After a workday that only included a mini-break for lunch, she sprinted out the door by 5 p.m. to make it home by 6 p.m. Or, if she needed gas or groceries, she wouldn’t pull into her driveway until 7:30 p.m.

All told, DePhillips was logging 12-hour days but only being paid for eight of them. “In reality, I rarely needed to be in the office. But it was part of the job, so I did it. Five days a week, 50 weeks a year. Everyone else did, too – and most of the people there were miserable,” she explained.

Finally, she worked up the courage to become a freelance writer and finally, she got a taste of what it was like to earn money from home. Eventually, she became a three-time entrepreneur, founding The Content Factory, co-founding the Workcationing podcast, and lastly, founding Sisters in SEO. As she puts it, she’s ruined for office work forever, and she’d like to ruin her employees, too. Her digital marketing agency is spread across continents and time zones, and no one is ever required to come into the headquarters, because, well, there isn’t one. 

If you want to create the life you want, DePhillips says to go on an online researching spree. From Craigslist and Facebook groups to job boards and LinkedIn, there are more remote work opportunities every day. “Join a ton of groups related to your industry, participate in relevant conversations and when job posts come up, jump on them,” she continues. “If you make yourself known as a freelancer looking for work, and then deliver on your first few jobs from group members, you'll have a team of brand champions who will enthusiastically refer you to others in the future.”

Communities like FemCity are also beneficial in a multitude of ways — not only do you connect with like-minded, trail-blazing women, but you also build expertise that improves your skill sets. 

“Take advantage of when your creativity peaks.”

One day, Stephanie Smolders looked around her life and career and decided she didn’t want to be part of the rat race anymore. And she was exhausted from being a teacher that was part of the education system in Belgium. She desired the ability to explore, to have new experiences and have control over her day-to-day schedule. So, for the past 4.5 years, she’s been an online business coach who works with driven entrepreneurs to help them connect to their mission and create a marketing strategy that works for them. Every month, she makes anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 — and is much happier than before. 

To earn money from home and become her own boss, she had to determine how best to manage her time. In addition to setting up boundaries that prevented her from working 24/7, she also capitalized on her productivity. For some, these are in the A.M., and for others, a night-owl approach will prove more effective. She recommends testing out various time frames to determine when you produce the best output. As an example, Smolders has ‘CEO Mondays’ where she does no client work and instead, focuses on the current and future state of her business. 

“Give yourself permission to soul search.”

When Christina Nicholson decided to ignite her entrepreneurial spirit, she wanted to keep her expenses as light as possible. One of the most expensive parts of starting a business is office space, so she decided to try the remote route and earn money from home. For the past five years, she’s gradually been building her dream lifestyle from the ground up. 

She first founded a public relations agency, Media Maven, representing a myriad of clients in various industries. Recently, she founded Podcast Clout in April 2020, purely based on the income from her other company. The software aims to help thought-leaders find top, relevant podcasts to pitch to be a guest. Her team is scattered throughout the country and able to meet all deadlines and deliverables. 

If you want to follow in Nicholson’s footsteps and create the life you want, she says to begin with some soul searching. The goal is to develop a career that meets these goals:

• Something you are very good at doing. 

• Something that you enjoy.  

• Something that others want to buy or hire you to do.

“Remember, people don't pay you for what you're passionate about. They pay you for what you're good at, so focus on your strengths. Those strengths may feel like second nature to you, but to someone else, it is something in demand that they are willing to pay for,” she adds.

“Create the space you want.”

When Michelle Löpez started her own business, Breakaway Bookkeeping and Advising, she was convinced she needed her own office. So, she signed a lease and enjoyed the peace and sanctuary of a swanky new space… until the pandemic began. With schools shut down, she needed to be home for her three daughters, so she begrudgingly moved home. While the decision wasn’t easy, she has found joy in the new normal for the past six months. 

In fact, it’s strengthened her relationship with her children. How come? They can watch their mother earn money from home, making them curious about her calls and her workdays. She says one of the reasons she took the plunge into the entrepreneurial world was to illustrate courage, and logging hours in front of them gives them a sneak peek. It also helps that she has more time with them since she isn’t commuting. As a financial bonus, her salary has grown 25 percent, too. 

To find happiness and a new groove, though, Löpez needed to ensure her area encouraged creativity and productivity. After all, if you don’t enjoy being in the space, you won’t be excited to ‘check-in’ every day. “Get a standing desk near a window, use scents that inspire you, and surround yourself with art and images that speak to you,” she continues. “Having this space tells your mind ‘time to work.’ When you’re out of it, your mind knows it’s time to unwind.”

“Ask for what you want.”

In 2016, Tasia Duske left her corporate career in Marriott to join a small startup with a handful of employees that all worked remotely. She craved flexibility, she wanted to earn money from home, and she needed more opportunity for an upward trajectory. In the four years that have passed, she’s not only seen the progression she wanted — including job title, responsibilities and compensation — but she also took an ownership role, too. 

Today, she’s the CEO of Museum Hack and the COO of TeamBuilding. She champions all systems within the business by working with the creative team to develop unique virtual experiences, as well as handling scheduling, payments and other logistics. Her goal when she decided to make a move was to earn a six-figures a year salary. As a business owner, her compensation is tied to both the company's equity and profitability. They are doing well — and she’s exceeded her financial goal. 

For those who want to earn income from home and grow their big ideas, she says it’s vital to ask for what you want. No apologies, no compromises — just go for it. “With remote work, and even more so with startups, the systems often are not in place to reward your work effort and commitment,” she continues. “If you want a raise, ask for it. If you want a title promotion, ask for it. The best way to get what you want anywhere, and especially when working from home is to ask for it.”

To learn more about FemCity, visit FemCity.com. FemCity offers a Free 30-Day Trial Membership and Memberships start at only $9.99. You can also learn more about launching a FemCity Chapter in your community.