The real path to online business success (no shortcuts needed)

A Note From Colleen

Hi, friend.

This edition is more of a reminder, about something we’ve already learned. There’s no such thing as a free lunch (except at Costco on sample day) and if you want to build something quality and sustainable, it’s going to take quality effort.

Thanks for being here.

Cheers,

Colleen Kochannek, Publisher

*This publication may include affiliate links and links to products I sell. If you click and buy, I may earn revenue and/or commission. 

How Long Will It Really Take To Get Your Digital Business Going?

Last week I outlined 3rd Act Entrepreneurship math. We looked at what your earnings from an online business could look like over the 10-15 years.

Were you as surprised by the numbers as I was? Cha-ching… it’s exciting.

Part of that discussion was around the fact that we have decades ahead of us, an entire ‘next life’: 2, 3 or even 4 decades to live, learn, adventure, and build.

We don’t have to decline doing things because we’re too old. We don’t have to avoid starting something for fear of not having enough time to finish it.

Building a quality business is worth the time and effort it will take. 

It’s easy to get lured by marketers who promise quick money, sales without selling, easy $30,000 months; and, making money on ‘auto-pilot’. 

It’s all BS. You know it. I know it. We all know it and, yet, we still fall for it. Nobody wants to do something the hard way.

Building a solid and sustainable digital business isn’t hard per se. It does take effort and time. 

We have the time and the time is going to pass whether or not we dig in to learn the skills you need to learn to run your online business and lay a solid foundation.

So, how long will it take to get your business up and running?

12 months, in my opinion.

You can be up and running before 12 months, but there are a lot of moving parts to consider. And, as digital immigrants, we have additional learning curves (unless you come from a tech-y background).

For example, my Pilot to Profit Startup School students often have to stop and learn how to do something (use an app or software) before they can use the thing to do the thing it’s intended for.

For example, my students must often learn how to build a Facebook Business Page before they can market with a Facebook Business Page. 

Many of my P2P students need to learn how to use Canva (the graphic design tool for non graphic designers) before they can jump in to use Canva to make simple graphics for their business.

My Pilot to Profit students are typically familiar with using social media for personal reasons, but need to learn how to create content for their business. 

Most younger people have already been exposed to these apps and know how to use them. They have fewer learning curves. 

That’s okay.

We have the time to do it right.

Don’t be swayed by promises of hacks and shortcuts and quick fixes and fast tracks. You deserve to build a great business, based on a quality foundation, even if it takes you more time than you would like. Enjoy the process.

What Could A 12-Month Business-Starting Plan Look Like?

Of course, I’ll use myself and my program as an example 😊:

Months 1-3: Learn. Join a program like my Pilot to Profit Startup School (launching in early August). It’s built specifically for you ladies over 50. Get on the WAITLIST HERE. Take your time. Go at your own pace. Watch and read the materials, then re-watch and re-read the materials. It takes time to learn new concepts. There’s no need to rush or pressure yourself.

Months 4-6: Go through the P2P program again and implement. Take your time working the steps: Find your business idea and narrow it down to a product idea, build and optimize your Facebook Business Page, learn Canva, and create your first product. 

Months 7-9: Practice. Practice posting on Facebook. Practice your marketing messages. Practice talking about your product. Practice showing up on Facebook. Build your first tiny audience.

Months 10-12: By now you have a product and a marketing platform (Facebook) and a tiny audience. It’s time to launch your storefront in Stan.Store. Practice selling! Practice selling some more (it takes time to get comfortable with it). Get your first sale. Feel pride and confidence in the fact you took the time to learn all the things, practice all the things and now you have a solid business. Year #2 will be even more incredible.

Pilot to Profit Startup School coming again in August. Get on the WAITLIST here and be among the first to know when doors are opening.

We’re just rounding out a long holiday weekend here in the U.S.  I spent it doing my favorite thing - nothing.

I used to have a hard time doing nothing. My conditioned upbringing taught me doing nothing was lazy, unproductive and a waste of time.

Now I can do nothing without feeling guilty or like “I should be doing something”. It’s glorious.

I’ve learned to decline invitations that don’t excite me and I’ve gotten okay with canceling plans (somewhat last minute) if my brain is telling me I need quiet time and space. I’m never rude. I respect people’s efforts, but I respect my needs even more.

Trixie and I spent a wonderful 4 days doing nothing: binging movies, needlepointing, walking, scrolling TikTok, trying to clip Trixie’s nails (she’s not a fan) and half-heartedly cleaning the apartment (I got the vacuum out and ready. It’s still waiting to be used… chuckle).

When you do nothing, what's your favorite thing to do?

Sleep. More.

I know you know sleep is good for you, but do you let yourself get enough?

I go to bed at 8pm. I’ll sleep (mostly) through the night, with a brief 2am potty run. Then, I wake about 5:30am or 6am and hang out in bed for up to an hour (seriously!) It’s Trixie’s snuggle time, and my time to start thinking about my day… slowly.

Confession: Last night I climbed in bed at 7pm (I know, even early for me) to ‘read’. You know where this is going. I was out in about 20 minutes, but I’m not mad about it. I woke up at 5am ready to tackle the vacuum cleaner, which I did not because… apartment living.

I can’t recommend sleeping highly enough. I really appreciate a solid night’s sleep. I’ve been told I’m slightly unpleasant without one.

I hope you’re finding a good 8 hours to snooze away!

1. YouTube Video: I sat down recently and talked with my friend, Jo Blackwell of The Midlife Movement and The Midlife And Beyond Podcast (I recommend you subscribe). We talked bout all things ‘starting a business after 50’ and why this 3rd Act is such a gift. Check it out HERE.

2. Ready for an A-to-Z digital-business-starting program, built exclusively for women over 50. My Pilot to Profit Startup School is opening again in August 2024. Grab a spot on the WAITLIST HERE.

3. Have you joined my Facebook Group yet?  I host weekly Facebook Lives and talk about the practical (and not so practical) side to starting an online business as a digital immigrant.

4. Looking for some inspiration for what you could do as an online business; or, want a quick reference for how the whole process works: 

• 109 Simple And Inspiring Ideas You Can Make Money With (A Free Guide)

• The Go-Getter’s Guide: A Simple Quick-Start Online Business System  For Women Over 50 ($6 guide)

Questions and suggestions for admin or the Ask-Me-Anything section. Simple Hit REPLY to this email or email us at: [email protected]