Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
When we started our online business, we had a PACKED schedule.
We were both working full-time, I was coaching football six days a week, and we had an 18-month-old baby and a 3-year-old little boy.
Needless to say, we didn’t think we had a lot of time to start an online business!
Finding the time to work online was our first challenge, but we also faced a number of other obstacles when we started selling on the internet:
- We had small children that needed our attention and care
- We were living paycheck to paycheck and didn’t have a lot of extra money to start a business
- We had no clue how to start a website
- We didn’t understand how to take payments or deliver digital products
We could have let these challenges become excuses that would have prevented us from chasing our dreams.
Thank goodness we didn’t!
Jocelyn and I went all in and attacked these challenges head-on. Instead of making excuses, we created solutions to overcome each obstacle and make our online business a reality!
It took hard work, compromise, and sacrifice to get to where we are today.
Yes, we had to spend a little less time with our kids and each other in the beginning.
Yes, we had to give up a few things (bye bye cable TV) in the short term, but it paid off and got us to where we are now.
Now our business rolls along making money online every day, even while we sleep and play. We get to choose the times we work, and the times we don’t.
Because we overcame these challenges, we get to live a lifestyle of our choosing.
You can do it too!
In today’s podcast, we are going to help you find solutions for four of the most common obstacles people face when starting an online business.
The four most common objections we hear that hold people back from chasing their online dreams are:
- “I’m so busy with work and family, I just don’t have enough time to work on an online business.”
- “I’ve got small kids/ kids in school, they consume all of my energy and attention. No way I could start an online business at this stage of my life.”
- “I barely have any money left after I pay my bills, I can’t afford to start an online business.”
- “I’m not a computer person. I could never figure out how to start a website, create a digital product, or sell things online.”
I promise you, we said all of these to ourselves and each other when we started our online business.
However, instead of focusing on the problems, we focused on finding solutions!
These solutions worked for us, and should provide you a great starting point to overcome the obstacles standing in your way of achieving your online business goals!
Can’t Miss Moments
Each week Jocelyn and I share moments that we might have missed if we had not started our online business. We hope these moments inspire you to see the possibilities and freedom online business could provide for your family. 🙂
This week’s can’t miss moment: taking Isaac to his first day of kindergarten as a family!
Our entire family took Isaac to his first day of school. So happy we could be together instead of trapped at our old jobs!
Free Gift: The Flipped Lifestyle 7 Day Calendar
We want to help you overcome one of the biggest challenges people face when starting an online business: a lack of time to start.
In reality, we all have the same amount of hours each week (168). When you look at your schedule, there are tons of opportunities to “steal time” back and find ways to work on your dreams!
Click the link or image below to download our FREE “Flipped Lifestyle 7 Day Calendar.” You can use this to write down everything you do during the week.
You will not only see your true time priorities but also ways you can better organize your week to find time to live your dreams!
You can also use the calendar to plan out your “perfect” week, and take back control of your time and life!
You can do this, we are here to help!
Click here to get your 7 Day Calendar!
What is holding you back from starting your online business? Let us know in the comments and we will help you find a solution!
*Don’t forget to look us up on iTunes and leave a review 🙂
You can connect with S&J on social media too!
Thank you for listening!
Thanks again for listening to the show! If you liked it, make sure you share it with your friends and family! Our goal is to help as many families as possible change their lives through online business. Help us by sharing the show!
If you have comments or questions, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post. See y’all next week!
Floris says
Hi,
I started following you by listening to the podcast of Pat Flynn. I’m also working on my business and I found out that time management is really important. That’s why I wanted to download your “Flipped Lifestyle 7 Day Calendar.” But your link doesn’t work anymore.
Shane Sams says
Hi Floris, thanks for reaching out and following us! You should have received your 7 day calendar in your email inbox 🙂 I’ll send you another one right now to make sure, but check your bulk/spam folder to see if it ended up there. May have got lost in the shuffle. Let us know if you need anything! We are here to help!
Shane Sams says
The link is now fixed. Thank you SO much for pointing that out to us. Let me know if you need anything else 🙂 – Shane
Sarah says
I heard you today on SPI and I am enjoying your podcast. Keep it up!
Shane Sams says
Thanks Sarah! Let us know if we can help you in any way 🙂 -Shane
Ashlyn says
Guys, I heard you on the SPI Podcast on my way to work this morning and I totally wish I could send you both a BIG virtual hug. There was no better time for me to listen to that podcast. I had a minor breakdown this morning as I was getting ready for work because I dreaded waking up at 4 am just to get to my job that starts at 7 am. I went to the special link you guys made for SPI listeners and THANK YOU for creating those videos. The spark of hope was immediately ignited in me again. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Shane Sams says
Wow. Ashlyn, I’m so happy that our story had a positive influence on your day 🙂 We have totally been in your shoes. Jocelyn and I used to have to be up super early to be at school on time when we taught…there were many mornings where we had minor and major breakdowns! Don’t let it beat you, let it drive you to pursue something different! Take action on your newfound energy! Let us know if we can help you get your digital dreams rolling. -Shane
Arvind says
Shane/Jocelyn,
Thanks for answering the Buddy Press question on SPI. Again…loved the podcast interview and it was a great emotional boost. I did exactly the same thing in regards to saving time. My kids look to be around the same age as yours 😉 6 and 3.
I removed cable 2 years ago and cutoff news as well.
The last year I have spent completely revamping my site using a lot of Pat’s suggestions and tools. The biggest struggle however, is hoping that my “niche” will catch. Most of my previous content focused completely on Automotive design and illustration but I felt that it was too niched down as it focuses on mostly automotive design. So the suggestion was to niche UP and find a way to focus on professionals trying to improve their design skills.
Our DVD product was launched through a successful Kickstarter campaign 2 years ago (took me a year to create the product working every night!) but I am now struggling with sales and in the process of trying to “connect” better with the target audience. It’s been a huge struggle for me.
My fear is whether I have chosen a wrong niche 🙁
Wow..so much to talk about but I have already written too much. I don’t want to bog down your comment section.
You’ve gained another listener! Any other advice would be welcome. Thanks again! 🙂
Shane Sams says
Awesome comment! So glad you are here and you are never bogging down our comment section haha…that is what it is here for! We are working on a scheduling system for people to talk to us soon in person. When its up we can get together and talk about that niche!
Arvind says
Awesome! Thanks so much Shane! Very much appreciated 😉 If there is anything I can do for YOU, please let me know. I’ll be happy to help in anyway I can.
Glen says
I am stuck on the building part of my newest project, but you helped me realize my time is being wasted. I have wanted to join a mastermind group for idea exchanges and accountability but don’t even know where to find one. Thanks for the insights Shane and Jocelyn, anyone who quotes Dave Ramsey is automatically awesome in my book.
Shane Sams says
Glen, our Flip Your Life eCourse grants you access to a private facebook group with the other people who are in your session. Our current Mastermind groups formed out of an event we participated in and the friendships we made during that event. I highly recommend joining courses or attending small events…that is where you find your mastermind groups! 🙂
Arvind says
Glen,
Shane’s private group sounds like a great idea to get started and share thoughts and strategies.
I formed a mastermind group myself and we created a private forum specifically to get engaged and set task lists to complete. So if there is an opportunity to join a private facebook forum with Flip Your Life eCourse, than it may be a great way to start.
We have been doing a great job with accountability. However, we all sort of lack the experience in trying to optimize our sales strategies and generate more revenue as most of our content is completely free.
I definitely think having a couple people that are “above” your level aids in the input. My input primarily comes from Pats blog. However, the nice part of our group is that our niches are related.(not sure if that’s good or bad)
At the end of the day, we share our results and try to understand what is working and what isn’t.
and YES….Dave Ramsey is indeed…AWESOME! 🙂
Wish you the best Glen
Joey says
Hi Shane & Jocelyn, I heard you on SPI and came over! I’m not an online entrepreneur or anything (just a hobbyist photographer who likes web stuff), but always love to listen to SPI. I’ve listened to all of them, probably more than 50 times each for 10-15 favourite episodes, but I guess your episode 122 is definitely one of the best among all 122 episodes (I’ve listened more than 10 times already!). Your story is very inspiring and encouraging. I’ve listened to your own podcast (very fitting intro/outro music, btw), too, and looking forward to listening more! Huge thanks for Singapore. 🙂
Shane Sams says
Thanks Joey! When we heard that music we were like “Yes, we have to use that!” The internet marketing world needs more country music I always say lol. Thanks for listening 10 times haha, and for saying that! We are are long time listeners of Pat, and for anyone to say our interview was one of the best after all those great shows is amazing! -Shane
Joey says
Hi Shane,
Glad to hear back! Sorry for the typo, I meant “Huge thanks FROM Singapore”. I live in Singapore. By the way, I have a topic I’d like you to touch on the podcast if you don’t mind, which is about how you increased traffic to your niche site after the 11 cents experience.
As you know, when a new website is launched, it hardly gets any traffic (except those from family and friends). Even if quality articles are regularly posted, it still takes quite a long time to get noticed as a new website has zero online authority at the start, and almost no one comes to your website through search engines. Did you do all those rather time-consuming (and sometimes desperate, hahah) efforts like commenting on other people’s websites and hoping for them to visit yours, etc?
Would love to hear more on your show, cheers!
Shane Sams says
It takes time, the key to getting noticed quickly is to research your posts and make sure you are writing about what people want to hear (aka, what they search for) and have a plan…find 50 good search terms and schedule them out in order. It will make writing more painless and make sure you are writing about things that will be found.
And yes, you do have to put in the time consuming tasks. This not easy…but it is WORTH IT! That being said, there are TONS of shortcuts. Purchasing training, tools, virtual assistants, getting in with the right people…all those can speed up the process BIG TIME. You just have to know what to put in place.
We will talk about it in an upcoming show for sure! Thank you for the request!
Terence Pera says
Kiaorana
From the Sunny Cook Islands in the Pacific ocean, i have read your transcript from Pat’s Podcast page and what a story. I have been following Pat for quite some time (2 years) and this is the first time i listen and read his podcast. I am quite amazed by your story and now its starting to motive me to follow in your footsteps. You see, i am a computer tech both software and hardware and built web sites sometimes ( not as good as you guys), take photos as a side job, make local video productions and teach basic ukelele.
I just recently returned from the Gold Coast, Australia to the Cook islands and there are not many jobs for a retired 61 year old, So therefore i thought i would try the online internet life style. I don’t miss the Gold Coast except that i will miss Pat when he goes there very soon.
S o with you permission, i will look into you online tutorials and make start from there.
Terence Pera
Shane says
WOW, the Sunny Cook islands! That is amazing! So cool to connect to someone from half a world away! Make sure you click the link in the sidebar to learn more and get your free videos on creating digital products. Cool thing is, you can make money from anywhere with digital products…even from the middle of the Pacific Ocean! Very cool to meet you Terence!
mark says
Great podcast with pat. Shane how did you get the ground running with your forum coachxo.com . How did you build traffic and reach out to people to use your forum? How did you get your 1st member then to 100 member and over 1000 members. Thanks in advance.
Jocelyn Sams says
Mark, I will let Shane know that you have asked this question and he will get back to you! -Jocelyn
Shane Sams says
I had a similar question over at SPI, here are some suggestions for building a community/forum: “First, its no different than an email list…give them something incredible for free when they sign up for your forum. Another thing you can do is set your forums/wall to where only members can respond…but anyone can view and read. Lets people lurk and come back for more…they will eventually join. Next, don’t ask for a ton of info up front…make it easy…like username and email ONLY easy. They will fill out their profile, join groups, and let you know more about them as they favorite things and communicate. Finally, GO FIND MEMBERS. If you build it, they will come only works in Kevin Costner movies 🙂 Find places in the real world and online where people in your niche congregate, join the conversation and invite them to your site once you are there. Hope that helps.”
–
One more thing…forums do not grow own their own. People are reluctant and shy…all people. Nobody wants to ask questions in a room full of strangers. But EVERYONE loves to voice their opinion…just look at facebook in an election year haha. YOU have to start DOZENS of posts…ask questions your novice audience members may ask, suggest books, take polls, whatever. Fill up your forums with conversation starters. People will participate and work up the courage to start their own.
mark says
Thanks for a detailed response Shane and thank you Jocelyn. Keep up the good work.
Allie says
Hi Shane and Jocelyn,
Just wanted to let you know I’m really inspired by you! I loved the podcast with Pat. I’ve been following Pat for a while, and this podcast really grabbed my attention because you two seem so real. Listening to you, it was the first time I felt that I could really do this too. So, thank you!
I’m a writer, and I’ve wanted to create my own products for awhile but have been unsure about how to get them in front of people who would buy them. I watched your lessons, and I really like the way you break it it down. I also appreciate what you said about not getting discouraged if other people are out there selling products related to the same niche. Thanks again!
Allie
Jocelyn Sams says
Thanks so much, Allie! We’re so glad you’re here, and we’re glad that our content has been helpful to you so far.
Bryanna says
Hi! I came across your Podcast last night and I loved it! I am super excited to keep reading through everything on your site! I am in the process of starting my own Virtual Assistant business while having 4 kids under the age of 8 and a husband who works full time. And in May we just moved into a RV and are living at a campground with a goal of traveling the US in the very near future! Thanks for sharing your story and for providing all of this awesome information!!
Derek says
I am finding so many similarities between my experiences and where you guys have been, which is encouraging me to keep working at finding my own path.
Recently, I have been very dedicated to improving my health and have lost about 70 pounds through exercise and healthier eating options. So many people comment to me that they wish they had the time to do it too, and I respond that nobody has the time to do it, you have to make the time to do it. It all comes down to priorities.
With that in mind, I have been using one of your tips to listen to your very podcast. I currently have a 60-75 minute commute each way to work and I am cruising my way through your podcasts and trying to catch up. Really liking what you guys are doing and sharing with everyone!
Ben Alagnam says
My site is all about our immigration journey to Canada (memovingtocanada.blogspot.com). I help applicants by answering their queries about the process, etc…also blogs about my life in Canada. It has an average of 300views/day.
I used Google Adsense to make money, but it’s just too low to start my own business. My plan is to make my own ebook just like you guys, but these are the walls that are blocking me.
– I don’t know what topic for my ebook that relates with my blog.
– I’m not sure if it can set a red flag from the Canadian Government because my blog is all about immigration. That’s the reason why I made all my assistance FREE, for the time being.
– Will I be registering a business first before I sell the soon-to-be ebooks? Or should I use my Paypal and send them the pdf copies manually.
I am very eager to make my own products like ebooks.
S&J, I hope you can enlighten me…Thanks!
Shane Sams says
Ben: 1) Your ebook can be the same as your blog just more detail. 2) You are not sure…easy…call the government and ask. Stop wondering, you have a place to get the answer, call and get it and then you can move forward. 3) You use technology to automate.
We teach everything you need to know to set up payments in Flip Your Life https://flippedlifestyle.com/flipyourlife
Let us know and we can help my friend!
Shane
Ben Alagnam says
Thank you, Shane, for the inputs. I’ll follow your advice and let you know the outcome.
Your podcasts are very informative. In fact, I’m listening with the FL43 right now and eager to see your coming podcasts.