A 36-year-old mom successfully built a thriving Etsy side hustle, quit her job, and now earns $10,000 a month in passive income.

I wanted to make a change in my life four years ago.

After the birth of my second child, I experienced postpartum depression and felt unfulfilled in my 9-to-5 job as a higher education administration professional. Additionally, I was pursuing a part-time master's degree in Positive Organizational Psychology.

I started an Etsy store selling digital products, but it wasn't an overnight success. Being a parent with two young children under four added extra demands on my time and schedule.

I have a successful side hustle in my living room that generates over $10,000 in passive income each month. Here's how I built it.

1. I focused on achieving more by doing less

After a year of attempting to launch the business, I felt drained and irritated.

Despite my efforts to create the products I desired, I found myself struggling to make progress in a vacuum. For months, I posted on social media, wrote blog posts, and bounced from product to product, but nothing seemed to be working.

To my surprise, despite the low revenue, my budgeting templates were consistently sold.

In a moment of clarity, I recalled Peter Drucker's statement, "Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right thing." Realizing my limited time, I knew I couldn't afford to waste it on actions that wouldn't yield results.

I decided to concentrate solely on what empirically would improve the Etsy store, rather than continuing to attempt and fail to go viral on Instagram.

2. I got better at using data to help inform my decisions

I created budget planners when I began selling digital products on Etsy, as I am passionate about budgeting and they are simple to produce.

Over time, I learned the importance of identifying product ideas with low competition and high demand, as I discovered that my previous products did not sell well due to intense competition and low demand.

I am particularly fond of utilizing tools such as Pinterest trends, Google trends, and eRank to discover niche products that cater to specific interests or professions, which have low competition but high demand.

While digital planners have a lot of search volume, they also face a lot of competition. However, ADHD planners have a good amount of search volume with much less competition. After realizing this, my results and revenue began to steadily improve.

3. I took consistent action every day

In 2019, I enrolled in a course on selling digital products on Etsy, which kick-started my journey.

Studying successful store owners and attending class taught me the significance of conducting market research and testing before investing time and money into a venture that wouldn't appeal to customers.

The significance of captivating listing images was another crucial lesson I learned. Initially, I would invest a lot of time and energy into my product, but I would become drained and hurried when it came to listing images. While the product is important, it's equally important to consider how it's presented. The listing images and the initial impression buyers have a greater impact than you might think.

I consistently monitored my progress and took daily action as I implemented these changes.

I would aim to work six to eight hours a day on developing and listing products, while minimizing distractions and staying focused. However, I would remain adaptable to the day's requirements. If I was holding my daughter, I would prioritize learning by watching videos. When she slept and my hands were free, I would concentrate on creating.

To achieve success in a side hustle, focus on taking small, consistent actions.

4. I realized I couldn't do it alone

To ensure the success of the business, I quickly understood the importance of being comfortable seeking and paying for assistance.

My husband took care of household chores, allowing me to focus solely on building the business.

I continued to engage in our Facebook group after my digital product class ended, posting almost daily and staying active in the online community.

I ceased worrying about being bothersome or asking excessively many questions. Instead, I utilized the resources at my disposal to the fullest extent possible.

5. I made short-term sacrifices for long-term benefits

During the pandemic, launching my business during my maternity leave helped me feel like myself amidst an uncertain time.

While on leave, I utilized any available free time to focus on developing my business. Upon returning to work, my nights and weekends were dedicated to my side hustle.

If I had to repeat the process, I would do it the same way. The sacrifices I made during those few months have continued to yield benefits, allowing me to spend as much time with my children as I desire.

The PERMA model in positive psychology outlines the five components necessary for achieving well-being: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment.

My side hustle helped me feel engaged, build new relationships, have meaning, and feel accomplished by providing a positive emotion from seeing my labor pay off.

Looking back on my business journey, I understand that it wasn't about possessing superhuman abilities or boundless energy. Instead, it was about being strategic, prioritizing what truly mattered, and having the courage to seek assistance. As a result, I now enjoy the freedom and adaptability I always desired, while pursuing a passion that brings me fulfillment.

Rachel Jimenez is a multifaceted individual who is both an entrepreneur, professor, and mother of two. Her passion lies in helping others achieve their personal, professional, and passive income goals. In addition to running her Etsy store and blog, Money Hacking Mama, she provides financial wisdom and practical advice for women navigating their careers, businesses, and life.

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