Elijah Bilel Elijah Bilel

SHS022: The Secrets Behind How To Make A Book An Amazon Bestseller Revealed With Larissa Soehn!

Intro

Becoming a bestselling author is something many people dream about—but very few understand how it actually happens.

Is it luck? Timing? Or is there a real strategy behind it?

In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel sits down with a bestselling author and book coach to break down the real process behind writing, publishing, and marketing a successful book.

Elijah also shares his own experience as the author of The Anatomy of Financial Success, giving listeners a real-world look at what it takes to reach bestseller status.

Subscribe To Elijah's New Youtube Channel, Social Dynamics

Find out the different ways that Elijah teaches to grow your network, plan events with big turnouts and advance in your career by cultivating the right relationships. Click here to join out newsletter and get started!

Intro to Larissa Soehn

  • Bestselling author with books spanning science fiction and self-help  

  • Founder of Next Page Well Coaching, helping clients write, edit, market, and publish books  

  • Experienced ghostwriter and book coach working with aspiring authors

  • Turned her passion for writing into a full-time business

  • Helps entrepreneurs use books to build credibility and grow their brands

👉 Learn more about Larissa Soehn and her work Here

Episode Overview

This episode breaks down:

  • How becoming a bestselling author is actually intentional

  • The two phases of writing a book: creation and marketing

  • Why most authors fail at marketing their first book

  • The difference between fiction and non-fiction marketing

  • How to position your book for long-term success

Larissa shares both her wins and mistakes, giving a real behind-the-scenes look at what works—and what doesn’t.

Listen to the Episode

Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!

Side Hustler’s Society Resources

Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session

The Anatomy Of Financial Success Paperback

Quick Takeaways

  • Elijah Bilel explains that bestseller status is strategic—not luck

  • Larissa Soehn highlights the importance of marketing before launch

  • Writing and marketing are two completely different skill sets

  • Many authors fail because they ignore the marketing phase

  • Knowing your audience is critical to success

  • Fiction and non-fiction require different marketing approaches

  • Your first book can be a learning experience—but it should still be intentional

  • Books can be powerful tools for building credibility and business growth

The Truth About Becoming a Bestselling Author

One of the biggest myths this episode breaks:

👉 Becoming a bestseller is not random

Elijah Bilel explains that there are:

  • Marketing systems

  • Launch strategies

  • Specific actions

That can significantly increase your chances of hitting bestseller status.

The Two Phases of Writing a Book

1. Writing the Book

This includes:

  • Drafting

  • Editing

  • Structuring your message

Larissa Soehn had this part mastered early on.

2. Selling the Book

This is where most authors struggle.

Larissa admits that with her first book:

👉 She didn’t understand marketing

She didn’t:

  • Build an audience

  • Identify her ideal reader

  • Create a strong launch plan

As a result:

👉 The book didn’t reach its full potential

Why Most Authors Fail at Marketing

The biggest issue:

👉 Authors focus only on writing

But success comes from:

👉 Writing + marketing

Larissa Soehn emphasizes that:

  • You need an author platform

  • You must understand your audience

  • You need a marketing plan BEFORE launch

The Importance of Knowing Your Audience

A key lesson from this episode:

👉 You need to know who your book is for

Without that:

  • Your messaging is unclear

  • Your marketing is ineffective

  • Your sales suffer

With her second book, Larissa:

  • Identified her audience clearly

  • Positioned the book properly

  • Applied what she learned

And saw significantly better results.

Fiction vs Non-Fiction Marketing

One of the most interesting parts of the conversation:

👉 Marketing strategies differ based on book type

Non-Fiction

  • Focus on results

  • Highlight benefits

  • Show what the reader will learn

Fiction

  • Focus on emotion

  • Focus on storytelling

  • Focus on entertainment

The Power of Writing for Personal Growth

Larissa Soehn also shares how writing:

  • Helped her process emotions

  • Overcome personal challenges

  • Grow as a person

Her fiction work was deeply rooted in real-life experiences—even when set in fictional worlds.  

Why Books Build Authority

For both guests, one thing is clear:

👉 A book builds credibility

Elijah Bilel uses his book to:

  • Establish authority

  • Open new opportunities

  • Expand his brand

And Larissa helps others do the same.

Watch The Podcast On Youtube!

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SHS021: How To Make 6 Figures With A Notary Business In 2026 With Mark Sias!

Intro

Starting a side hustle doesn’t always mean driving for apps or learning a complex skill.

Some of the most overlooked opportunities are also the most profitable.

In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel explores one of the most underrated business models:

👉 The notary business

For many people, it’s something they’ve used—but never considered as a way to make money.

Intro to Mark Sias

  • Entrepreneur and founder of a successful notary and legal services business  

  • Former critical care nurse with 15+ years of experience  

  • Built Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers after leaving healthcare  

  • Co-author of A Golden Pen, a book on building a low-overhead service business  

  • Creator of the Notary Prosperity Academy, helping others start and scale notary businesses  

  • Built a business model focused on low startup cost, low inventory, and high demand services

👉 Checkout Mark’s Notary Prosperity Academy here

Episode Overview

This episode breaks down:

  • What a notary business actually is

  • How to start with very little money

  • Why this side hustle is often overlooked

  • How Mark Sias turned it into a full-time income

  • Ways to scale beyond just notarizing documents

Listen to the Episode

Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!

Side Hustler’s Society Resources

Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session

Financial Personality Success Bundle

The Anatomy Of Financial Success Paperback

Quick Takeaways

  • Elijah Bilel explores a high-demand, low-competition side hustle

  • Mark Sias shares how he replaced his income after leaving nursing  

  • Notary businesses can be started with minimal upfront cost

  • Many people underestimate how profitable this business can be

  • The business can be mobile and flexible

  • Multiple income streams can be added on top of notary work

What Is a Notary Business?

At its core, a notary business is simple:

👉 You verify identities and witness signatures

Mark Sias explains that a notary:

  • Confirms someone’s identity

  • Watches them sign documents

  • Applies an official stamp

That’s it.

No heavy labor. No complicated systems.

Why This Side Hustle Is Overlooked

Elijah Bilel points out something important:

Most people think of side hustles like:

  • Rideshare

  • Food delivery

  • Freelancing

But very few think about:

👉 Notary services

Even though:

  • People constantly need it

  • It’s required for major life events (cars, homes, legal docs)

  • Demand is consistent

How Mark Sias Got Started

Mark Sias didn’t start as an entrepreneur.

He was working in critical care nursing—one of the most stressful medical fields  

Looking for something different, he asked:

👉 “What can I do that pays well and doesn’t require long hours?”

That’s when he discovered notary services.

Low Startup Cost (Big Opportunity)

One of the biggest advantages:

👉 It’s cheap to start

Mark Sias explains:

  • Around ~$100 to get commissioned (varies by state)  

  • Basic supplies cost very little

  • Can be run from home

You don’t need:

  • Inventory

  • Employees

  • Expensive equipment

Mobile = More Money

One key insight:

👉 You don’t need an office

Instead, you can:

  • Travel to clients

  • Offer convenience

  • Charge more

This turns the business into:

👉 A mobile service business

How Fast It Can Scale

Mark Sias shares that within months:

  • He replaced his income

  • Built a full-time business

  • Had more demand than he could handle  

Eventually:

👉 He brought his wife into the business to keep up

Multiple Income Streams Within One Business

This is where things get interesting.

Mark Sias didn’t stop at notarizing documents.

He added services like:

  • Loan signings

  • Apostille services

  • Legal document prep

  • Tax-related services

👉 Same audience, more ways to make money

The Business Model Explained

Mark Sias’s approach is simple:

  • Low overhead

  • Low inventory

  • High demand

  • High markup

This makes it:

👉 A scalable service business

Why Demand Is Built-In

One of the biggest advantages:

👉 You don’t always have to “sell”

People already need:

  • Documents notarized

  • Legal paperwork processed

Your job is simply:

👉 Be available when they need it

How to Get Your First Clients

Mark Sias started by:

  • Setting up a Google listing

  • Offering mobile services

  • Making himself easy to find

From there:

👉 The business started growing organically

The Real Opportunity

This isn’t just a side hustle.

It can become:

  • Full-time income

  • A scalable service business

  • A multi-income stream operation

Key Lessons from the Episode

1. Opportunity Is Often Overlooked

Not all profitable businesses are trendy

2. Low Cost = Low Risk

You don’t need a lot of money to start

3. Convenience Sells

Mobile services increase earning potential

4. Stack Services

Add related services to grow income

5. Demand Already Exists

People already need what you offer

Who This Episode Is For

  • Beginners looking for a side hustle

  • People who want low startup costs

  • Anyone interested in service-based businesses

  • Entrepreneurs looking for scalable models

Key Topics Covered

  • Notary business fundamentals

  • Startup costs and setup

  • Scaling strategies

  • Business expansion

Watch The Podcast On Youtube!

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SHS020: How A Hustler Handles Sales With Jon Loyhayem From ALEVO Financial & Insurance Agency!

Intro

Sales is one of the most important skills anyone can develop—especially for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and side hustlers.

In today’s world, it’s easier than ever to make money without learning how to sell. But that convenience comes with a hidden risk.

In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel breaks down why sales skills are essential for long-term income, stability, and growth.

From freelancing to entrepreneurship, this episode explains why:

👉 Sales = income

Subscribe To Elijah's New Youtube Channel, Social Dynamics

Find out the different ways that Elijah teaches to grow your network, plan events with big turnouts and advance in your career by cultivating the right relationships. Click here to join out newsletter and get started!

Intro to Jonathan Loyhayem

  • Entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in sales and financial services  

  • Started his career at 19 in the financial services industry  

  • Became a manager by 21 and a senior manager by his mid-20s  

  • Helped expand operations by opening offices across multiple states  

  • Founder of his own financial services and insurance firm after leaving his previous company  

  • Experienced in building, training, and leading sales teams for over a decade

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-loyhayem-65467010/ 

Episode Overview

This episode covers:

  • Why sales is the foundation of all income

  • The hidden risk of relying on gig economy apps

  • How sales skills transfer across industries

  • What separates successful salespeople from everyone else

Jonathan shares real-world experience from building and leading sales teams, while Elijah connects these lessons back to freelancing and entrepreneurship.

Listen to the Episode

Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!

Side Hustler’s Society Resources

Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session

Financial Personality Success Bundle

Quick Takeaways

  • Elijah Bilel explains why sales skills protect your income

  • Jonathan Loyhayem shares how he built a career in sales

  • Gig economy apps can create income—but not security

  • Sales is required in every business and everyday life

  • The best salespeople never stop improving

  • Not giving up is a key factor in success

  • Sales skills can transfer across industries

  • Relationships play a major role in long-term success

Why Sales Skills Matter More Than Ever

Elijah Bilel points out a major issue:

👉 Many people are making money without learning how to sell

Apps like rideshare, delivery, and freelance platforms allow people to:

  • Earn income quickly

  • Avoid learning sales

But there’s a downside:

❌ If the platform removes you, your income disappears
❌ You don’t own your customer relationships
❌ You haven’t built a transferable skill

The Freelancer Reality

Elijah shares his own experience as a video editor and freelancer.

Instead of relying on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, Elijah:

  • Built relationships directly

  • Networked in person

  • Found clients through business groups and referrals

This allowed Elijah to:

👉 Keep full control over client relationships
👉 Avoid platform restrictions and fees
👉 Build a sustainable business

Sales Is Everywhere (Even If You Don’t Realize It)

Jonathan explains that sales isn’t just about business—it’s part of everyday life.

Examples include:

  • Convincing someone to marry you

  • Negotiating decisions in relationships

  • Influencing people in daily conversations

👉 You are either selling—or being sold

Jonathan’s Journey Into Sales

Jonathan Loyhayem started in sales at just 19 years old  

What followed:

  • Rapid growth into leadership roles

  • Managing and training sales teams

  • Expanding company operations across multiple states

  • Eventually launching his own firm

His journey highlights one key point:

👉 Sales is a skill that compounds over time

The Two Most Important Sales Skills

According to Jonathan, success in sales comes down to two things:

1. Not Giving Up

Most people fail because they quit too early.

Sales requires:

  • Persistence

  • Repetition

  • Handling rejection

2. Continuous Self-Improvement

Top performers are always improving:

  • Studying sales techniques

  • Learning communication skills

  • Practicing consistently

Jonathan emphasizes that:

👉 Skill development is what separates average from elite

Why Most People Struggle With Sales

The biggest issue:

👉 People don’t spend enough time developing their skills

They may:

  • Have talent

  • Have opportunity

But without skill development:

❌ They struggle to close deals
❌ They leave money on the table

Sales Skills Transfer Across Industries

One major insight:

  • Selling insurance ≠ selling real estate

  • Selling cars ≠ selling services

But:

👉 The core fundamentals of sales apply everywhere

Once mastered, these skills can:

  • Be applied across industries

  • Increase earning potential

  • Open new opportunities

The Importance of Leaving on Good Terms

Another powerful lesson from this episode:

👉 Relationships matter

Jonathan explains that leaving a company the right way:

  • Protects your reputation

  • Keeps doors open

  • Maintains long-term opportunities

Elijah Bilel reinforces that success is often tied to:

👉 The quality of your relationships

Key Lessons from the Episode

1. Sales = Income

If you can’t sell, you can’t earn consistently.

2. Platforms Are Temporary—Skills Are Permanent

Own your skills, not just your platform.

3. Don’t Quit Too Early

Persistence is a major differentiator.

4. Always Improve Your Skills

Growth leads to results.

5. Relationships Matter

Your network impacts your long-term success.

Who This Episode Is For

  • Freelancers and service providers

  • Entrepreneurs and business owners

  • Side hustlers looking to go full-time

  • Anyone who wants to increase their income

Key Topics Covered

  • Sales strategies from Jonathan Loyhayem

  • Business insights from Elijah Bilel

  • Freelancing vs platform dependency

  • Building long-term income

Watch The Podcast On Youtube!

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How To Invest For Retirement As A Freelancer Or One Person Business

Let me ask you a question: does this sound familiar?

You’ve quit your job—or maybe you’re working toward that goal—and now you’re officially in the world of self-employment. You’re putting in the work, things are starting to pick up, but there’s this quiet voice that won’t go away. At first, you could barely hear it, but now it’s crystal clear:

“What am I going to do for retirement?”

This is a real question many self-employed people start asking themselves once they realize there’s no company-sponsored 401(k) waiting for them. And while employees have at least some system in place (even if it's flawed), we freelancers have to build our own. Not in the mood to read this? Watch our video below instead!



 

Why Freelancers Avoid Thinking About Retirement

Let’s keep it real: when you’re running a one-person business, life is hectic. You’re managing clients, income goes up and down, and you’re focused on keeping the lights on today—not 30 years from now.

Retirement planning doesn’t feel urgent. It feels like something you’ll deal with “someday.” But here's the truth: if you don’t start thinking about it now, you may end up working well into your 70s—not by choice, but because you didn’t prepare.

And nobody wants that.

So if you’re a freelancer or a self-employed person and this is hitting home, here are three steps you can take today to start investing for your future.

Step 1: Learn About Retirement Accounts for Self-Employed People

Before you can start investing, you need to know where your money should go.

As someone who’s self-employed, you actually have access to several retirement account options built specifically for you. These include:

  • SEP IRA

  • Solo 401(k)

  • Traditional IRA

  • Roth IRA

Each of these accounts has its own rules, limits, and tax advantages. The key is to understand what each one is, how it works, and which one fits best with your business and income situation.

If you don’t know the difference between them yet, that’s your homework. Start learning about these accounts now so you’re not flying blind later. For a detail break down on the pros and cons of each retirement account in regards to freelancers or those who are self employed, check out our free " Steal My Financial Blueprint PDF written by Elijah here.

Step 2: Set a Frequency for Contributions

Once you’ve picked a retirement account, the next step is deciding how often you’ll contribute to it.

Unlike an employee, where contributions are usually automated through payroll, you’ve got to create your own system. That means asking yourself:

  • Will I contribute monthly?

  • Every time I get paid?

  • Once a quarter?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. It depends on how consistent your income is. But whether it’s $50 a month or a percentage of each client payment, having a set rhythm makes sure you’re investing consistently, not just when you feel like it. 

Consistency is key. We broke down the best system for people who are a one person business to use in a previous article on investing. You can find that article by clicking here

Step 3: Don’t Forget About the Roth IRA

Even if you go with a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k), don’t sleep on the Roth IRA.

A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax money, and when you retire, you get to withdraw that money tax-free. That’s a big deal, especially if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later in life.

Many people don’t even think about using a Roth IRA when they’re self-employed because they’re focused on other options. But it can be a solid piece of your retirement plan—especially when you’re first starting out and your income is still growing.

Final Thoughts

Planning for retirement as a freelancer isn’t optional—it’s essential. Even though there’s no employer setting things up for you, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. You just have to take a more active role.

Let’s recap:

  1. Learn about self-employed retirement accounts (SEP IRA, Solo 401(k), Traditional IRA, Roth IRA)

  2. Set a consistent contribution schedule

  3. Don’t forget about the Roth IRA—it has unique long-term benefits

You don’t have to know everything today. Just take that first step. Get educated, set a rhythm, and start building your future.

You’ve already taken control of your career—now take control of your retirement too.

If you would like to know more about thriving as a one person business owner, consider joining The Self Made Business Academy where we support people making the transition from side hustle to a full time one person business. Click here to learn more!

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SHS019: How To Maximize Customer Retention In A Business With Irina Poddubnaia From Trackmage

Intro

Customer retention is one of the most overlooked aspects of building a successful business.

While many entrepreneurs focus heavily on acquiring new customers, fewer understand how much more valuable it is to keep the customers they already have.

In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel dives into the importance of customer retention, lifetime value, and building systems that maximize revenue from existing customers.

This conversation highlights why long-term growth isn’t just about getting more customers—but getting more value from each one.

Subscribe To Elijah's New Youtube Channel, Social Dynamics

Find out the different ways that Elijah teaches to grow your network, plan events with big turnouts and advance in your career by cultivating the right relationships. Click here to join out newsletter and get started!

Intro to Irina Poddubnaia

  • SaaS founder and business consultant specializing in operations and process optimization  

  • Over 8 years of experience in e-commerce across multiple business models  

  • Ran a fulfillment center in China for over two years  

  • Founder of TrackMage, a software platform designed to improve post-purchase customer experience  

  • Helps e-commerce businesses increase sales through automation, upsells, and customer follow-ups

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-poddubnaia/ 

Episode Overview

This episode explores:

  • What customer retention actually means

  • Why lifetime value (LTV) is critical for business growth

  • How automation and systems improve retention

  • The difference between short-term sales vs long-term strategy

Irina shares real-world experience from both running operations and building SaaS tools designed specifically to increase customer retention.

Listen to the Episode

Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!

Side Hustler’s Society Resources

Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session

Financial Personality Success Bundle

Get The Side Hustler's Society Merch!

Quick Takeaways

  • Elijah Bilel breaks down customer retention strategies

  • Irina Poddubnaia explains how LTV drives long-term growth

  • Retaining customers is often more profitable than acquiring new ones

  • Automation can increase revenue without increasing workload

  • Post-purchase experience is a major opportunity for upsells

  • Surveys don’t always reflect real buying behavior

  • Testing demand with real purchase intent is more effective

  • Building an audience first makes selling easier

  • Systems and processes are key to scaling

What Is Customer Lifetime Value (LTV)?

Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) represents:

👉 The total amount a customer is expected to spend with your business over time

Elijah Bilel explains that many businesses fail to maximize this by:

  • Only selling once

  • Not offering additional products or services

  • Ignoring existing customers

Why Customer Retention Matters

Irina Poddubnaia highlights that:

  • A returning customer is significantly more likely to buy again

  • Repeat purchases increase profitability without additional acquisition costs

  • Retention is the foundation of long-term business growth  

The Problem Most Businesses Have

Many entrepreneurs:

  • Focus only on getting new customers

  • Ignore existing customers

  • Leave money on the table

This creates:

❌ Lower revenue per customer
❌ Higher marketing costs
❌ Slower business growth

The Power of Post-Purchase Experience

Irina built her software, TrackMage, around one key idea:

👉 What happens after the sale matters just as much as the sale itself

Her system helps businesses:

  • Track orders

  • Send follow-ups

  • Request reviews

  • Upsell additional products

All automatically  

Why Automation Changes Everything

Before SaaS tools:

  • Businesses relied on spreadsheets

  • Communication was manual

  • Processes were inefficient

Now:

  • Systems handle follow-ups

  • Upsells happen automatically

  • Customer experience improves

This allows business owners to focus on growth instead of operations.

Customer Retention vs Customer Acquisition

A major takeaway from this episode:

👉 It’s easier to sell to an existing customer than a new one

Irina explains that:

  • First-time buyers are harder to convert

  • Repeat customers already trust you

  • Each additional purchase increases overall LTV

Do Surveys Actually Work?

Irina challenges a common strategy:

👉 Surveys don’t always reflect real buying behavior

People may say:

  • “Yes, I’d buy this product”

But:

👉 That doesn’t mean they actually will

A Better Way to Test Demand

Instead of surveys, Irina suggests:

  • Create a sales page

  • Let people attempt to purchase

  • Measure real intent

If people try to buy:

👉 You have demand

This method is far more accurate than opinions alone.

Build the Audience First

One of the most important insights:

👉 Start with the audience, not the product

Elijah Bilel reinforces that:

  • Audience = built-in customers

  • You can gather feedback directly

  • You reduce the risk of failure

Real-World Business Insight

Irina Poddubnaia’s experience includes:

  • Running fulfillment operations in China

  • Building internal systems from scratch

  • Turning those systems into SaaS products

This gives her a unique perspective on:

👉 Both operations AND scalability

Key Lessons from the Episode

1. Retention > Acquisition (Long-Term)

Focus on maximizing value from each customer.

2. Automate What You Can

Systems allow you to scale without burning out.

3. Test Demand with Real Behavior

Don’t rely on opinions—track actions.

4. Build an Audience First

Selling becomes easier when trust already exists.

Who This Episode Is For

  • E-commerce business owners

  • SaaS founders

  • Side hustlers building online businesses

  • Entrepreneurs looking to increase revenue without more traffic

Key Topics Covered

  • Customer retention strategies

  • Insights from Irina Poddubnaia

  • Business strategies from Elijah Bilel

  • Lifetime value (LTV)

  • Automation and scaling

Watch The Podcast On Youtube!

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How A One Person Business Owner Can Start Investing To Build Wealth

You’ve Left the 9-to-5 — What’s Next?

If you’ve clicked on this article, chances are you’ve either already left the traditional 9-to-5 life or you’re planning to. You’ve stepped into the world of being self-employed—a one-person business.

You’ve probably invested a lot of time and money into yourself to learn a trade, build a skillset, or launch your freelance service. And that investment is starting to pay off. You’re making more money. Business is moving.

But then you take a step back… and realize you haven’t been building your asset column. This is Elijah Bilel from The Side Hustler's Society and lets deep dive into it. 

Not in the mood to read? Check out the video version of this below!





The Missing Piece: Building Assets That Work for You

You’ve invested in yourself—and that’s a great first step. But now it’s time to think about investing in something else: assets that generate income on their own.

These are investments that allow your money to work for you, so you’re not always trading time for dollars.

Unfortunately, many freelancers and self-employed people delay this. They keep pouring money back into their business or personal development, which is important—but never shift into true wealth-building.

Let’s fix that.

Step 1: Open a Brokerage Account

The first step to start investing is simple: open a brokerage account.

Without it, you can’t buy stocks, ETFs, or any other investment assets. This is your gateway to building that asset column.

There are plenty of platforms available today—some are beginner-friendly with mobile apps and automation tools built-in. You don’t need to overcomplicate it. The important thing is just to open the account so you have the ability to invest when you're ready. I use and recommend M1 Finance because of their ability to reinvest dividends into my entire portfolio automatically instead of just the paying stock. If you want to check out M1 Finance, click here

Step 2: Speak With a Financial Advisor or Watch My Video

Once you’ve got a brokerage account open, your next move is to get educated. For some people, that means sitting down with a financial advisor who can walk you through what investing looks like.

For others—especially those just getting started—you can begin by watching my video on investing, which I’ve linked below.


It breaks down how investing works in simple terms and gives you the context you need to make smart decisions with your money.

Either way, the key is to build understanding before blindly jumping in.





Step 3: Use Weekly Percentage Investing

This is a game-changer—especially if your income fluctuates as a freelancer.

Instead of investing a flat amount every time (which may not always be realistic), use a weekly percentage-based system. Here’s how it works:

  • Pick a percentage of your income—say 5% or 10%

  • Every week, calculate your total earnings

  • Invest that percentage consistently, no matter what

This method removes the stress of trying to “time” the market or over-commit financially. It allows you to build the habit of investing consistently, even if your income isn’t exactly the same every week.

Recap: The 3-Step Investing Blueprint for Freelancers or The One Person Business Owner

Here’s a quick summary of how to start investing as a freelancer or one-person business:

  1. Open a brokerage account – This gives you the ability to invest in assets like stocks and ETFs.

  2. Speak to a financial advisor or watch my investing video – Get clear on what you're doing and why.

  3. Use weekly percentage investing – Invest a set percentage of your income every week to stay consistent.

Final Thoughts

If you're serious about building wealth outside of your business, these three steps will help you get started without overwhelm. I also cover additional information about the different types of accounts that can be used for investing in my PDF Steal My Financial Blueprint. You can download this document for free here.

You’ve already taken control of your career—now it’s time to take control of your finances.

If you would like to know more about thriving as a one person business owner, consider joining The Self Made Business Academy where we support people making the transition from side hustle to a full time one person business. Click here to learn more!

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