I’ve always wanted to have my own business.

When I was 8, my dad built me one. 🙂 I wrote fake checks for hours…!

When I was in my 20s, I filled sandbags and wrapped them with pretty duct tape and attempted to sell them for outdoor workouts… I don’t think anyone bought one but my friends and family may have gotten some for gifts that year.

A few years ago, I started a fitness and health blog. I spent hours setting up my old school digital camera and trying to run into place before the picture snapped or video started. Luckily, I had no kids then so I had extra hours in the day to stage selfies for a blog that possibly only my mom and sister read. 😜

Six years ago, when I was pregnant with my first son, Johnny, I started learning all about online marketing and business. It was fun. And this was different than the business books I read in college… the world was changing… and people were actually making money online!

I decided to start an online marketing business helping fitness and wellness professionals create content and build an online business. For one, it was fun to learn about. For two, I knew the fitness industry already. And for three, I wanted to prove to myself I could “have my own business.”

The day I made my first $20 was so exciting… seriously! It meant more than $20. It meant someone trusted me.

The first 2 years in business I barely made any money. .

But I stuck with it.

It was hard… I was (and still do) awake at 4am a few days a week for quiet coffee, reading, cleaning up the house and working on my business. I have a job during the day and a family that comes first.

Last year, I got to hire my 10-year-old niece Noel to create recipes for me. This brings me joy to share my revenue with her and teach a young person about entrepreneurship.

If you have ever heard of the Kolbe, I am an 8 in the “quick start” which means I love ideas but my follow through sometimes needs help.

So, I brought my sister on board to help me in areas I am not strong in and offer a different perspective.

In the beginning of 2020, I also committed to donating 5% of my monthly net revenue to a mission I felt was important. I chose Northern Light Coffee whose mission is to offer the best coffee while also restoring hope, empowerment, and freedom to girls out of sex trafficking by offering resources, mentoring, and career opportunities.

Being able to share my money and resources with others is what makes building a business fun. 😉

In 2020, my business reached 6-figures. I was able to do this while working outside the home, raising a family and wearing many hats in my business because I had systems in place (and lots of coffee!).

I am all about offering real, no-fluff value when it comes to growing your business. I believe setting up systems and products that allow you to scale your time and help more people is the most BEAUTIFUL thing about online business!