How to go from Idea to Income in just 5 Steps
I changed careers with a newborn in a new country.
When my husband and I discussed having children, I voted to wait because we were not financially ready. He overruled me, and soon we had a baby on the way.
I was working as a Legal Secretary at the time. Now while it was a good job, and the pay was not bad, I was still living paycheck to paycheck and I had no wiggle room in my budget. No emergency fund, no savings. So that meant no luxuries, no family vacations, etc. I already knew that even with the slight increase in salary I was sure to get, this situation was not sustainable.
So what did I do? I switched careers. I went to school in another country to become a Computer Technician just two months after my son was born. Once I gained some experience, I could bring in extra income to supplement my main salary. So, along with working at a local computer company, I saw clients in my off time and I also taught Computer Repair at a local business centre.
All of this was an improvement, but I soon pivoted again. I went to work for a large corporation and stopped teaching and serving clients on the side. I simply no longer had the time and energy and also I had no desperate need of the extra income.
So you might say that is great, and it was, but I was not satisfied. I took some business training and opened my businesses, which began the transition out of corporate life. I hired myself as CEO in my Business and Career Consultancy Agency and Dean of my Online IT Academy.
You can change your career and own your income too
Here is how I help people: There are many out there in the world that have these ideas within them but they don’t know how to develop them or if they can even make money doing so. I help people go from Idea to Income and I have put together a free 5 Step Guide on the topic, which you can find here.
Another way I serve is by helping Tech Enthusiasts become High-Earning Tech Experts as Computer Technicians, all while being completely online. I also have a 5-Step Guide on how you can break into the Tech Field, which can be found here.
STEP 1
It’s all about Mindset
So let’s talk about the very important first step to achieving financial freedom. It’s all about your Mindset. Mindset is everything. It can either stop you in your tracks or spur you on, so your mindset is something you must deal with first.
Believe in yourself
One of the first things that hit us with mindset is, Limiting Beliefs. These are negative things we hear or say to ourselves. It can come from our childhood, our environment, our loved ones or other from people around us. We hear:
“People like you don’t do things like this.”
Or you may say to yourself:
“I can’t do this. It’s too hard. I don’t know how to do this.”
Perhaps we shoot down our own ideas by saying:
“Someone else is already doing that. I can’t catch up or even compete.”
“The market is already saturated. There is no space for me.”
Falling prey to these limiting beliefs will stop you from attempting this new thing or putting forth the effort it takes to be successful.
Say this instead:
“I will try my best!”
“I do hard things!”
Then live up to your words and really put in the effort.
Internal Narrative
You need to write your own narrative.
Turn it from negative:
“I’m not good enough. People like me don’t do things like this.”
To Positive:
“I deserve this. People like me work hard and accomplish their goals. Period!”
Imposter Syndrome
If you have an idea, it’s for a reason, you Can bring it to fruition. You are capable. Instead of asking yourself if you are good enough or doubting if you belong to the table, take a page out of Michelle Obama’s book. She says:
‘I have been at every powerful table you can think of… They are not that smart.’
STEP 2
Make a list of your Hobbies and Skills
What are you really good at? What do you love doing? What is your passion? What do people ask you to help with?
STEP 3
Validate
Narrow it down
Take the best idea from your list, one you believe you can make money with.
Check out the Competition
Look at the successful businesses out there. The ones you admire. (Please note: this is not meant for you to copy them, just for inspiration.) How are they doing things? What can you do differently, better, with your unique spin on things?
Don’t be afraid of competition
Embrace it. It means that your idea is valid and there are people out there paying for this product or service. There is space for you. Have you ever looked at the bread aisle? What if your favourite bread company gave up on putting their bread out there because they believed there was no space for their spin on bread?!?
STEP 4
Market Research
Find your ideal client
The ones that will love your product or service and gladly buy from you and sing your praises to others. What problems are they having with the product or service you provide? How does your product or service solve the problem or ease their pain? Create a Market Research Form to find out all this information so you can best serve your clients.
STEP 5
Invest
Invest in yourself and your business
Successful people invest time and money in personal and professional development.
I talk through these steps in an interview on the 5 After 3 Podcast, which you can find here and I build them out in the Idea to Income Guide, which you can find here.
If you are interested in making money and creating income streams even while at home with the babies, download either of my two guides. You can find them below:
