Work Less, Earn More

In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Tracey, founder of The Uncaged Life, to discuss the common pitfall of purchasing online courses that fail to meet expectations. We uncover the shared frustration among entrepreneurs regarding wasted investments and emphasize the importance of making informed decisions in course selection.
Key Takeaways:
Course Evaluation: Review past courses to understand why they fell short, focusing on issues like unclear messaging and misalignment with your business stage.
Importance of Clarity: Establishing a clear niche and message can significantly enhance the application of strategies learned from courses.
Setting Realistic Expectations: Entering courses should be coupled with an understanding that foundational work precedes results; courses won't be a magic fix.
Building a Strong Foundation: Prioritize creating a solid business model before moving on to advanced strategies or tactical courses.
Peer Insights: Leverage feedback from your network to clarify your business message, which can inform more strategic course investments.
Throughout the episode, Rebecca and I stress the significance of distinguishing between appealing marketing and practical solutions. Listeners are encouraged to identify their genuine needs rather than getting sidetracked by flashy promises. With additional resources for beginners and a strong emphasis on community feedback, this episode is a valuable guide for entrepreneurs looking to enhance their decision-making in professional development.
Tune in for actionable insights that will help you navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship with clarity and confidence!
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to Course Challenges
0:58 The Reality of Business Ownership
2:33 Meet Rebecca Tracy
3:42 Foundations of a Successful Business
5:32 The Early Days of Online Business
10:34 Missteps in Course Purchases
12:20 Clarity and Specificity in Courses
13:22 High Expectations and Course Results
19:40 Navigating Course Expectations
21:06 The Cost of Ineffective Courses
23:28 Learning from Past Investments
31:33 Pre-Purchase Considerations for Courses
38:31 Final Thoughts on Course Selection
41:55 Where to Find More from Becca
42:36 About Startup Society
Rebecca Tracey's Links:
Instagram: @theuncagedlife
Free Facebook community, Uncaged Lifers: https://theuncagedlife.com/community
More from Becca on this topic: https://theuncagedlife.com/burned
Get Becca's free guide to choosing a niche: https://theuncagedlife.com/niching
Join Startup Society at: https://startupsociety.com
FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:
The $100K Method Podcast Series: https://www.gillianperkins.com/the-100k-method
Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://www.gillianperkins.com/small-business-101-free-opt-in
Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 
Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

Work with Gillian Perkins:
Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, I talk about why I believe starting a YouTube channel has so much potential right now, despite concerns about AI and market saturation. You don't need fancy equipment or a studio; you can make genuinely good content with nothing more than your smartphone. A channel can improve both your personal and professional life, whether you work in an office or a hands-on trade. If you want more independence, visibility, or even an extra income stream, YouTube is one of the best ways to achieve all of the above.
I also discuss the creative side of running a YouTube channel. Sharing useful stories, experiences, and ideas can be incredibly rewarding. At the same time, I'm honest that YouTube isn't for everyone. I touch on AI as well: it's a powerful tool, but authentic human storytelling still matters most and always will.
In the end, I encourage you to start NOW instead of waiting for the "perfect" moment.
I also invite you to join a behind-the-scenes look at my video production process so you can see exactly how I do it and feel confident getting started yourself!
Want to see exactly what’s working on YouTube in 2026? Join Gillian LIVE for a free 3-day YouTube strategy series, Feb 23–25 — straight from behind the scenes. Register so you don't miss out on any of the sessions!
Register for my LIVE recording session here: https://creatorfasttrack.com/gillian-perkins-live 

Chapters:
0:00 The Case for YouTube Channels
2:22 Advance Your Career with YouTube
3:45 YouTube for Blue-Collar Workers
5:12 Benefits of Starting a YouTube Channel
9:00 YouTube for Stay-at-Home Parents
11:02 Who Should Avoid YouTube?
11:50 The Importance of Authenticity
14:06 How to Peak Behind the Scenes
FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:
The $100K Method Podcast Series: https://www.gillianperkins.com/the-100k-method
Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://www.gillianperkins.com/small-business-101-free-opt-in
Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 
Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

Work with Gillian Perkins:
Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, I delve into optimizing YouTube videos for visibility through AI recommendations, particularly from ChatGPT. I start with a checklist I received from a brand sponsor and critically assess each point's validity with ChatGPT's insights and my own experience.
First, I explore updating video titles for AI queries, noting its benefits for YouTube but lesser impact for ChatGPT. We discuss the practice of repeating questions in intros, stressing viewer experience over algorithm tactics.
I highlight the value of transcripts and chapters for retention and cross-platform engagement while clarifying that tagging is largely outdated and not very helpful anymore. I also emphasize the importance of solid content over mere distribution on various platforms.
Ultimately, I find many of the recommendations on my sponsor's list lack a strong foundation, so I tell you what to do instead, outlining truly effective methods for increasing the visibility of your videos.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to YouTube and AI
2:39 ChatGPT and YouTube Optimization
6:55 Best Practices for Video Titles
10:02 Understanding Video Transcripts
12:34 What Works for ChatGPT Suggestions
16:15 The Best Way to Ensure Your Videos Rank Well on YouTube
Are you a creator or business owner who wants to use YouTube content as a consistent source of visibility, leads, and income? That's exactly what Creator Fast Track will help you accomplish. Join the waitlist so you're the first to know when doors open this month:
https://creatorfasttrack.com/waitlist
FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:
The $100K Method Podcast Series: https://www.gillianperkins.com/the-100k-method
Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://www.gillianperkins.com/small-business-101-free-opt-in
Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 
Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

Work with Gillian Perkins:
Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, I tackle the common challenges of time management faced by aspiring entrepreneurs, offering insights from my extensive experience of running multiple businesses while raising six children. I emphasize that feeling overwhelmed is not a barrier but a stepping stone to action, and I encourage you to embrace gradual growth as your business evolves from 'baby' stages to a more established entity.
I outline five essential mindset shifts, such as starting small, focusing on consistent effort, and prioritizing long-term sustainability over quick wins. I stress the importance of taking tangible steps and share a strategic action plan to launch side hustles effectively, highlighting the need to identify specific problems to solve and simplify service offerings.
With practical strategies for gaining those crucial first customers, I advocate leveraging personal networks and online communities while focusing on relationship-building over advertising. I also underline the significance of systematizing operations early on to save time and prepare for scalable growth.
I close by providing a checklist for assessing readiness to transition to full-time entrepreneurship, covering factors like income replacement and business systems. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to work less and earn more, and I hope it inspires you to navigate your path with clarity and confidence.
Chapters:
0:00 Starting Your Business Journey
0:59 Mindset Shifts for Success
6:55 Defining Your Business Concept
12:45 Getting Your First Customers
18:52 From Customers to Consistency
20:12 Systematizing for Efficiency
24:43 Scaling Your Business
28:56 Creating One-to-Many Offers
30:59 Building an Evergreen Sales Funnel
32:57 Preparing for Full-Time Entrepreneurship
35:56 Choosing the Right Business Idea
42:03 Taking Action on Your Idea
42:36 Wrapping Up and Next Steps
Free course: Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/101
More FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:
The $100K Method Podcast Series: https://www.gillianperkins.com/the-100k-method
Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 
Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

Work with Gillian Perkins:
Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, I talk with business exit strategist Laurie Sterling about building self-sustaining businesses that allow entrepreneurs to step back and enjoy life. Laurie shares her personal journey, emphasizing the importance of independence and her "Step Back to Scale" framework.
Key Takeaways:
Time Audit: Conduct a comprehensive audit to determine tasks that can be delegated or automated, freeing up valuable time for founders.
Bottlenecks: Identify key growth impediments such as cash flow and delivery capacity that often arise from founder over-involvement.
Scaling Strategies: Explore effective methods like empowering teams and leveraging technology to achieve scalability.
Asset Building: Focus on creating digital assets and efficient processes to enhance the business's sellability.
Freedom Pathways: Discuss multiple scaling options, including hiring talent and developing digital courses.
This episode provides actionable insights for entrepreneurs looking to reduce hands-on management while ensuring business profitability and independence. Tune in for strategies to transform your business into a thriving, self-sustaining freedom machine!
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to Freedom Machines
2:00 The Journey of Business Ownership
3:55 Laurie's Business Exit Strategy
5:51 Lessons Learned from Selling a Business
6:19 Transitioning to Helping Others
7:23 Working with Online and Local Businesses
8:30 Identifying Founder Dependency
9:54 Scaling Beyond the Founder
13:47 The Rockstar Method Explained
16:33 The Power of One-to-Many Models
19:02 Building Valuable Business Assets
23:08 The Step Back to Scale Framework
26:09 Common Bottlenecks in Online Businesses
31:14 Diagnosing Your Business's Needs
36:19 Finding Support and Resources
Laurie's Links:
Website: lauriestirling.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurie.stirling/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriestirling/
Listen to our limited podcast series to how to build an automated sales funnel and scale it to $100K/year: https://www.gillianperkins.com/the-100k-method
More FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:
Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://www.gillianperkins.com/small-business-101-free-opt-in
Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan 
Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society.

Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck!

Work with Gillian Perkins:
Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
Instagram: @GillianZPerkins