Are your journals and books profitable? It’s such a good question. And it’s also a really hard one to answer with a simple yes or no. Because before you choose any business path, you deserve to know two things: Is this a viable opportunity in general? And is it viable for you? Here’s what I’ve learned the long way. People say “it takes money to make money,” and for a long time I nodded along without really understanding what that actually meant in real life. Now I do. Even the most “simple” business costs something. A book on Amazon KDP still costs money. Marketing costs money. Ads cost money. Designers cost money if you hire them. Time absolutely costs money too, even when we pretend it doesn’t. And when you move from print on demand into physical products like journals and planners, the stakes change again. You’re paying for shipping and inventory. You’re often paying for your next restock before the first one has fully paid you back. Cash flow becomes the real game, not just sales. I’m not sharing this to scare anyone. I’m sharing it because this is the part people skip when they sell the dream. Yes, you can start scrappy. Yes, you can grow organically. Yes, platforms like TikTok Shop can reduce upfront costs. But none of that is free. You’re either paying with money or with time. And eventually, if you want to scale and buy back your time, most people will need to invest money too. Here’s the part I think matters most. Before you build a business, even a small one, even a nine dollar Skool, you need to understand your own finances. Not in a scary way. In an empowering way. Because when you know your numbers, you make decisions from clarity instead of fear. You stop chasing shiny ideas. You stop comparing your chapter one to someone else’s chapter ten. You choose growth that fits your real life, not someone else’s highlight reel. Income without burnout is not about avoiding effort. It’s about choosing effort on purpose. It’s about asking: What can I sustain?

Get comfortable. Sitting or standing is fine. If it feels okay, close your eyes. If not, soften your gaze. Picture a jellyfish moving through the ocean. It moves slowly. No rush. No effort. Bring your attention to your breath. As you breathe in, imagine the jellyfish expanding. As you breathe out, imagine it gently softening. Do not try to breathe a certain way. Just notice the rhythm. Notice the colors of the jellyfish. They might shift. They might stay the same. If your mind wanders, that is okay. Just come back to the jellyfish. Come back to your breath. Stay here for a few slow breaths. Inhale. Expand. Exhale. Soften. When you are ready, open your eyes. Giving your brain a calm image and a steady breath helps your body settle. It creates a little space. Sometimes that is all we need. If you try it, drop one word below that describes how you feel. I am doing it with you.

I am in the middle of building out the classrooms and calendar right now, and I wanted to pause and share something exciting with you. As of today, everyone currently inside the group is now in Premium. No action needed. You are already upgraded. This free Premium access is my thank you for being here early and building alongside me. It will not always be this way, so if you know someone who would be a great fit for this community, now is the moment to invite them. Here is where you can check out the available plans! Please feel free to share the group using your link and invite people who value calm, intentional growth and building without burnout. If you want to help the group grow in an aligned way, here are two great places to share: Skool Classifieds https://www.skool.com/classifieds/about?ref=c3e777594643429ab7511fdf2a445587 Advertise Your Skool https://www.skool.com/advertise-your-skool/about?ref=c3e777594643429ab7511fdf2a445587 Thank you in advance for helping me spread the word. Thank you for being here too. Thank you for building with me. I am really excited about what we are creating together and cannot wait to share the next pieces as the classrooms come together. It’s a good day to have a good day 💛

@Charli Fels, we are so glad you are here. In Multiple Streams of Income Without Burnout, we build together, have fun, and actively create a space where everyone belongs. Jump in anytime. We are happy you found your way here.