Ep 332: I tried every kind of online business so you don't have to.

In this episode, Gillian Perkins breaks down her real-world experience trying over a dozen different online business models—sharing what worked, what didn’t, and which ones are actually worth your time today.

From affiliate marketing and dropshipping to courses, memberships, and YouTube, she walks through the pros, cons, and earning potential of each model based on years of hands-on experience—including multiple seven-figure successes and a few costly failures.

As you listen, you’ll gain clarity on which business models are best for beginners, which ones scale, and how to choose the right path based on your strengths, goals, and personality.

Ready to finally turn your business idea into real sales? Our 8-week accelerator program Validate helps students launch and earn their first revenue, and we're gearing up to run it again this spring! Put your name on the waitlist to be the first to know when enrollment opens: https://gillianperkins.com/validate

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/101
• 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

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: Businesses I’ve Tried (Wins & Failures)
01:27 Affiliate Marketing (Pros, Cons, Earnings)
04:01 Coaching (High Income, Low Scalability)
06:40 Etsy (Creative but Competitive)
07:56 Dropshipping (Time-Intensive & Risky)
09:02 Courses (Scalable & Highly Profitable)
10:50 Memberships (Recurring Revenue Model)
13:17 Validate Program Mention
16:02 Print on Demand (Flexible but Quality Matters)
18:19 Freelancing (Hard to Differentiate)
20:02 Agencies (Scalable but Not for Everyone)
21:37 Shopify Stores (Powerful but Requires Marketing)
23:31 Blogging (SEO-Driven & Competitive)
26:02 YouTube (Best Growth & Revenue Driver)
27:53 Podcasting (Indirect Monetization)
29:18 Which Online Business Should You Start? 

What is Work Less, Earn More?

Work Less, Earn More is the podcast that explores how to get the most out of every hour you work. Gillian Perkins brings more than a decade of experience as an entrepreneur and educator to help you design a business that's not only flexible and fulfilling, but highly profitable. She shares strategies that are working in her own business to save time and maximize profits. She also features interviews with successful business owners on how they’re achieving big things in their businesses with crazy-little time investment. Share Work Less, Earn More with an overworked entrepreneur you know who could use a change of pace!