Bernadette Joy unexpectedly shut down her successful business, Dressed, after realizing that it had become time-intensive and less fulfilling. Despite the initial success of the business, Joy found herself experiencing an existential crisis and decided to close up shop after three years. She learned an important lesson about starting a side hustle, which is to monetize what comes naturally to you, rather than selling something just because you can. This led her to start a podcast about paying off debt, which evolved into a money-coaching business called Crush Your Money Goals that helped her make $279,000 last year.
Joy’s journey taught her valuable lessons about passion and following her natural strengths. While she was initially passionate about fashion, she found that scaling a business and dealing with complications did not come naturally to her. Challenges such as damaged dresses and struggling interns made her realize that working in retail was not where she wanted to focus her energy. Attending a personal finance conference was the turning point for Joy, as it inspired her to help others feel more confident about their finances, leading to the launch of Crush Your Money group coaching.
The concept of monetizing what comes naturally to you is a key piece of advice shared by billionaire Mark Cuban, who emphasized the importance of focusing on where you put in your time and effort. Cuban, known for his career success in technology, highlighted the significance of evaluating one’s strengths and skills rather than solely following one’s passion. By identifying what you are genuinely good at, you can create opportunities for success and growth. Cuban’s own journey from selling his tech startup for millions to becoming a co-owner of an NBA team showcases how aligning with your natural abilities can lead to significant achievements.
For individuals seeking to make extra money outside of their day jobs, the idea of monetizing your natural abilities can be a compelling starting point. By identifying what comes naturally to you and finding ways to capitalize on those strengths, you can create sustainable income streams and pursue opportunities that align with your talents. Whether it’s through coaching, freelancing, or launching a side hustle based on your passions, the key is to leverage what comes naturally to you to achieve success. Joy’s story serves as a powerful example of how embracing your strengths and following your instincts can lead to fulfilling and prosperous ventures.
