I can still remember the feeling—packing up my gear on a Friday night, knowing I’d be spending yet another weekend photographing other families while missing time with my own.

At the time, I was fully booked with motherhood sessions—those beautiful, emotional, joy-filled shoots with mamas and their babies. While I genuinely loved capturing those sweet connections and helping other mothers freeze time in such a fleeting season, there was always a quiet ache in my chest.

Because while I was giving my clients memories they’d cherish forever, I was missing out on my own.

I wasn’t there for lazy Saturday mornings in pajamas, or spontaneous afternoon walks with my kids. I was spending weekends creating for others, while watching my own time with my family slip by in the margins.

And what made it harder? I knew that if I stopped shooting—even for a weekend—I wasn’t just pressing pause on work. I was pausing my entire income.

That was the moment it clicked: I needed to build a business that could run with me and for me—even when I wasn’t actively working.

The Limitations of Service-Based Business (Even the Ones You Love)

Service-based businesses can be beautiful. They’re often built on heart and hard work. They let us share our gifts in deeply personal ways. But there’s an unspoken truth that not enough of us talk about: they have a cap. A limit.

There are only so many hours in a day. And as one person, there’s only so much you can do. Your energy becomes the currency. And over time, that becomes exhausting.

I reached a point where I realized I didn’t want to hustle for every dollar anymore. I didn’t want to build a business that only paid me when I showed up. I wanted freedom. I wanted flexibility. I wanted to make income even on the days I was fully in mom mode, snuggling my kids on the couch.

My First Step Into Passive Income (It Wasn’t Fancy)

It started small—almost by accident. I began sharing my editing tools with other photographers. I packaged up my presets (you know, those dreamy film-inspired edits that I love) and offered them as digital downloads.

And then something amazing happened.

Sales started coming in while I was sleeping. Or while I was at the park with my kids. Or while I was working with a client on something completely unrelated.

That shift was the beginning of something much bigger. It was proof that I could build something once—and have it continue to work for me long after I hit publish.

From One Product to Multiple Streams

After that first taste of passive income, I was hooked—but not in the “let’s build an empire” kind of way. It was more about curiosity. I started asking:
What else can I create that helps others, solves a problem, and doesn’t require me to be tied to my laptop 24/7?

Alright, beautiful soul, let’s dive deep into some updates about my newest venture, and oh, it’s all about passive income. But to truly paint the picture, I’m rewinding the tapes and letting you in on some personal I wasn’t entirely sure I’d ever share online.

The love and warmth I felt from your responses about diving deep into passive income while still in your cozy pajamas was so overwhelming! Picture this as the first episode of our “Passive Income Chronicles” that’ll land directly in your inbox (or in this case, on the blog).

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of brainstorming sessions. How do I serve you best? The answer felt clear as day – give you an unfiltered, VIP access into the process. It’s like baking a cake. You could tell someone the recipe, or you could invite them into your kitchen and bake it together.

So here’s my puzzle: What magic can I craft that not only gifts me with passive income but also takes you on the entire rollercoaster from the first brainstorm to the final result?

Here’s a confession: When I pressed ‘send’ on that first email, it was like jumping off a cliff not knowing if I’d fly or fall. But isn’t the thrill of creation so much more electric when you’re not alone? 

And that’s why I wanted to start this journey with YOU.

With a head bursting with ideas, it felt like picking a flavor at an ice cream parlor. 

The real challenge? 

Deciding which idea gets the golden star. Whether you’re a dreamer like me with a myriad of thoughts, or you’re at a crossroads, I suggest this: jot down your thoughts, let them simmer, and then pick what feels right in your gut. The most important piece to choosing the *right* thing is choosing something you’re excited about. It doesn’t matter what your best friend, sister, mom or anyone thinks about the idea. If YOU have a vision for this idea and are excited about it that’s the thing you gotta go for. 

When I dream of crafting something that trickles in passive income, here’s my checklist:

Does it solve a problem for my ideal customer/client? 

Can this be scaled?

Can it help them save time? 

Can this help them get a positive result? 

Is this something that my already established audience could use?

How difficult will this thing be to create? (Depending on you’re strengths you might be able to get it done quickly, or you’ll have to give yourself more time to get it all done). 

And most importantly, how can this produce passive income for me? 

I had that ‘aha’ moment when one idea, shining brighter than the rest, called out to me. But before I unveil, let’s take a quick detour.

Remember The Essential Studio Manager? Our labor of love that we poured our hearts and souls into and then, with mixed emotions, handed its reins over, hoping it would soar to greater heights? Well, life threw a curveball.

Instead of the anticipated growth, the new owners not only let it slide but went MIA on our beloved community. This heart-wrenching turn from a glittering accomplishment to a bittersweet memory was tough. After an intensive 6-month handover, seeing our creation wither w

If you’ve ever felt exhausted trying to keep up with social media trends just to stay visible, let me introduce you to one of the BEST platform for passive sales: Pinterest. Unlike Instagram, where your posts disappear into the void within a day (or even hours), Pinterest works differently.

It’s not a social platform like most everything thinks—it’s a search engine. That means the content you post today has the power to bring in sales weeks, months, even years down the line.

And that, my friend, is the kind of marketing I can get behind.

How Pinterest Works Differently From Social Media

Most social media platforms are designed to keep people engaged on the platform itself—endless scrolling, short-lived posts, and constantly shifting algorithms. Pinterest, on the other hand, is designed to send people off the platform to find what they’re looking for.

Think of it like this:

Instagram = Content disappears fast. You have to keep posting to stay relevant.

Pinterest = Content builds over time. One pin can send traffic to your site for years.

Why Pinterest Is Perfect for Passive Sales

Here’s the magic of Pinterest—it connects buyers to your business at the exact moment they’re looking for a solution.

Think about how people use Pinterest. They’re searching for inspiration, ideas, and things to buy. Whether it’s a Lightroom preset, an online course, or a physical product, they’re already in the mindset to take action.

This is why Pinterest drives some of the highest-converting traffic compared to other platforms. People aren’t just scrolling mindlessly; they’re searching with intent—and when your product pops up as the solution? That’s when the magic happens.

How I Use Pinterest to Make Passive Sales

Step 1: Optimize Your Website for Pinterest Traffic

Before you even start pinning, make sure your website is ready to convert visitors into customers.

Create clear landing pages for your products, services, or freebies.

Have an email opt-in to capture leads from Pinterest traffic.

Use strong CTAs (calls to action) that guide visitors toward making a purchase.

Step 2: Create Pins That Drive Clicks

Pinterest is a visual platform, so your pin

Have you ever met someone and thought to yourself…”I know she has a business and doing really well, but what exactly does she do…and how does she actually make an income?!” In this article, I’m going to pull back the curtains and tell you all about my business, how I make an income (and a pretty amazing impact too).

I was talking to a friend and found that although she knew I had a business (for a long time now). She had no idea how I actually made an income and how I got my business to where it is today. I loved that she came out and just asked me more about what I was doing with my business, how I was making an income, and how it all came together. (SPOILER: My business is FAR from where it used to be).

As we finished my conversation, I thought about how maybe others had the same curious questions but just didn’t know how to ask. Which I totally get. I remember when I started my business how little I knew about business structure and all the different incomes you could make. I didn’t even know passive income was a thing since all I knew was the very simple concept of working for an hourly wage.

HOW I MAKE AN INCOME (AND IMPACT)

I thought what I did was pretty clear, but maybe it’s just like that because I’ve lived it for 10+ years. So for the sake of being transparent and pulling back the curtains to those who might be wondering the same thing, here’s everything you ever wanted to know about how I make an income (and a pretty amazing impact too). Over the years, my business has changed, and so has the strategy behind how I make an income. Below I’ll go over everything you might be wondering about. And hopefully, it gives you some ideas on adding these types of income streams to your own business too.

SERVICE BASED BUSINESS

AS A PHOTOGRAPHER

I started as a photographer, which is probably the most simple income to explain. Clients hired me for a service. As much as I loved this little business I built, the one downfall was the time I had to spend away from my family. Shooting sessions all week and weddings on the weekend didn’t leave me with the greatest work/life balance.

If you currently have a service-based business, you knooooow the struggle!

To build a sustainable business, I knew I had to build a business that allowed me to do what I loved while not giving away all my time. I wanted to be able to spend more with the people I loved.

PASSIVE INCOME (With Digital Products)

Eventually, I started selling digital products. (think downloadable digital products). This can be anything from an ebook, a digital backdrop, online courses, presets, or templates. And this really opened my eyes to a new kind of income. PASSIVE INCOME.

I still remember the exact moment. I hit “send” on my very first Billi invoice…And minutes later, the notification popped up: PAID. IN. FULL. Cue the happy dance. The is this really happening? moment. The flood of gratitude. Because this wasn’t just another invoice. This was the first $5,000 I made through Billi. A platform that didn’t exist until we dreamed it up, coded it out, tested it, tweaked it, and turned it into something real.

Let Me Back Up…

Over the years, my business has evolved into this wild, beautiful, multi-offer machine. It’s a mix of client work, passive income, memberships, and digital goods. You name it, I’ve probably dabbled in it.

But trying to run all those moving parts? It’s been a full-on juggling act.

I needed something that actually fit the way I run my business, something that didn’t feel like I was forcing square pegs into round holes. So instead of waiting for someone else to build it…

We built Billi.

Not because I wanted to launch another tech company.
But because I needed a tool that worked for me.
And guess what? If it works for me, I bet it’ll work for you too.

That First $5,000

Let’s talk about that moment again, because whew. It was magic.

I created the invoice in seconds inside Billi. Sent it over. And my client? She paid directly from her phone, without any back-and-forth.

Simple. Seamless. Instant.

It was one of those full-circle, “I can’t believe we actually did this” moments.

We weren’t just testing buttons and dreaming in Google Docs anymore.
Billi was real. And it was working.

Why This Matters (For Me and For You)

One thing I’ve learned? The easier you make it for someone to pay you, the faster the sale happens.

It doesn’t matter if you’re selling $20 templates or $2,000 services—
If your checkout is clunky, slow, or confusing… you’re losing people.

With Billi, we took all the guesswork out of getting paid.
Invoices are beautifully branded. Mobile-friendly. Click and done.
No friction. No fuss. Just money in the bank and time back in your day.

We’re Just Getting Started…

What gets me really excited?
We’re not stopping at invoicing.

We’re about to launch public shop pages, and let me tell you: this is the part where I scream from the rooftops. 🥳

You’ll be able to list all your services, offers, and digital products in one beautiful public storefront. Your customers can browse, book, and buy without you lifting a finger.

And Billi’s got all the good stuff under the hood too:
Client management
Calendar Scheduling
Task tracking and to-do lists
Projects + appointments

It’s like the tool your business has been dreaming of… but way more fun to use.

Want to Be Part of It?

The most fun part? You don’t have to sit on the sidelines.

You can sign up right now for free → https://hellobilli.com/
And if you’re the kind of person who loves dreaming big and building smart, we want your voice in the room.

We’ve got a public idea board where you can upvote features, suggest tools, and literally help shape what we build next.

This isn’t just my platform. It’s ours.

🗳 Vote for Features → billi.frill.co

This first $5,000?
It’s just the beginning.
But it was a massive reminder that when we create with purpose and build tools from our actual needs, amazing things happen.

So if you’ve ever dreamed of running your business in a way that feels simple, beautiful, and actually fun…

Your seat at the table is waiting.

Because this? This is where everything starts to change.

Come try Billi → https://hellobilli.com/
No pressure. No payment required. Just possibility

Oh, and before you go…

We’re doing things a little differently around here.
Billi is 100% free to use.
No monthly cost. No upgrade needed. Just you, running your business with ease.

Instead, we take a small 1% of any sales you make through Billi,
so as you grow, we grow.

It’s our way of staying invested in your success.
Because we believe in building something together.

What if I told you that the key to unlocking your business’s fullest potential isn’t in your town, but in the limitless expanse of the world? Curious? Let me explain…

Isn’t it just fascinating to think about how the entire world, with all its incredible diversity and opportunities, could actually fit right in the palm of your hand? And I mean this quite literally, especially when it comes to the realm of business. Oftentimes, in the initial stages of building our dreams, we limit ourselves to the familiar spaces around us.

But what if we allowed ourselves to dream a little bigger?

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, back to the days when my universe was as small and charming as the quaint town I lived in. I found my joy in capturing the simple, heartfelt motherhood moments with my camera, soaking in the happiness it brought to my soul. Yet, I could sense the limitations of my small-town surroundings, as charming as they were. There’s something truly special about knowing your town like the back of your hand, but sometimes our dreams need a little more room to stretch and grow.

It wasn’t about feeling unappreciative; it was about giving myself permission to dream without limits.

My moment of clarity was simple and sweet: Why limit my dreams when the world is so vast and full of opportunities?

By extending my reach just a little—about a 4-hour radius, which was a step not many local photographers were taking—I opened up a world of new connections, stories, and adventures. I found people who valued my work, which in turn, allowed my business to blossom and thrive.

Yet, this was just the beginning of the journey.

Venturing into the digital and passive income world was like uncovering a hidden gem. All of a sudden, my little local business had the potential to reach every corner of the globe. And before I knew it, I had clients from all around the world.

This adventure was more than just a business expansion; it was a journey of personal growth and discovery. It was a realization that the only limits that existed were the ones I had set for myself.

When you feel like you’ve hit a wall in your business, what do you do? As an entrepreneur, I understand the importance of staying true to yourself and building a business that you can be proud of. Sometimes, this means taking a leap of faith and pivoting your business in a completely new direction. The fear of making the wrong decision can be paralyzing, but successful business owners make mistakes all the time. Instead of letting that fear take over, they take action and learn from whatever results they get.

And that’s where the power of pivoting comes in.

You see, businesses that survive are those that adapt to change. If you box yourself (and your business) into this idea of what it “should be”, you might be missing incredible opportunities to grow and get the freedom you deserve.

I started my career as a photographer, capturing exquisite moments for others. But as my family grew, I craved flexibility and time freedom that I simply didn’t have. I was nervous about radically changing my career path, but I did it anyway – because it was the RIGHT step for me.

At first, there was a lot I had to learn and mistakes I needed to make as I started creating and selling digital products from my living room. The fear and doubt didn’t compare to the ease and joy I felt going to work each day, knowing that I was building a business I could be truly proud of. Working towards having the freedom to homeschool my kids, or take off for a spontaneous family vacation, or have more time for myself AND my family was worth the risk.

What makes the risk worth taking for you?

Whenever you feel anxious or worried about always making the “right” decision in your business, re-focus on why you’re creating a business. And allow yourself to be nervous, but take action anyway.

Pivoting your business is all about: freedom and flexibility like never before, increased income opportunities, and the chance to wholeheartedly pursue your passions.

Here’s how you start:

Get clear on what you want your life to look like. How do you want to spend your time? Embrace the art of taking calculated risks and exploring new territories. Who around you is already where you want your business to be? Seek advice from those who’ve walked before you.

Pivoting your business can be scary and uncertain, but sometimes the best decisions take us out of our comfort zones. By staying true to yourself and being willing to change, you can build a business aligned with your passions and goals. Looking back, I’m thrilled I had the courage to move in a new direction. I had no idea that in just a few years, I’d achieve my goal: making over a million in passive income.

With every passing year and each product launched, the process of pivoting felt less terrifying and more like stepping towards new horizons. The shift from photography to digital products, to creating Wordsmith, each move was about making a world I believed in. Wordsmith was about helping businesses be authentic online and eases articulating one’s brand message.

The other day, I found myself standing in the grass, barefoot, with an old cooler and a handmade sign made with leftovers from my kids’ craft box. My hair was pulled back in a messy bun that had definitely seen better days, and nothing about the moment looked like the dreamy farmstand I’d once pinned on Pinterest. No cedar planks. No pretty branding. Just me, a few dozen eggs, and this little whisper in my chest that said, this is the beginning.

That moment reminded me of every other beginning in my life. Every business I’ve ever built didn’t begin with a perfect setup. It started with what I had. With what I knew. With whatever was within reach, and a deep desire to make it work anyway.

Is It Really Enough to Just Start Small?

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’d do it if I had more money… more time… better tools…?”
Have you been waiting for the stars to align before giving yourself permission to begin?
Does it ever feel like everyone else is running miles ahead, while you’re still stuck at the starting line without the “right” gear?

I know that feeling. I’ve lived it, more than once.
But I also know something else now, and it’s this: the secret isn’t in having more, it’s in using what’s already in your hands.

Today I want to share the truth behind starting small, why it works, and how my most successful businesses all began with a whole lot of heart and very little budget. You’ll walk away knowing how to take your next step, even if it’s a tiny one—and why that’s the most powerful thing you can do.

An Old Cooler and a Dream

We recently started a little farm here in New England. It’s been a long-time dream of ours. Growing our own food, raising animals, and selling fresh produce and eggs from a beautiful, welcoming farmstand someday.

But you know what I didn’t have?
I didn’t have the gorgeous wooden structure.
I didn’t have a branded setup with chalkboard signs or vintage baskets.
I didn’t have a custom-built fridge or cute labels.

What I did have was an cooler, a surplus of fresh eggs, and a handmade sign created with leftover supplies from my kids arts-and-crafts bin.

And so… that’s what I used.
I set it out by the road, and trusted that starting small was still starting.

It reminded me of the first time I ever sold Lightroom presets. I didn’t have a team. I didn’t even have a fancy shop or logo. I uploaded a few .zip files, made a simple landing page, and sent an email to my tiny list. That was it.

But it made money.
And then I reinvested it.
And then it grew.

Over and over, this has been my rhythm: use what you have, make it work, and let that be enough to get going.

Resourcefulness Is the Real Superpower

The world will tell you that you need more. More tools, more gear, more money, more experience. Before you’re allowed to begin.

But after building multiple businesses from scratch, I’ve learned something different: resourcefulness beats resources every single time.

If you’re scrappy, willing, and ready to learn as you go, you are already equipped.
That business you’re dreaming about?
That offer you’ve been sitting on?
That side hustle idea you’ve been swirling around in your brain for months?

It doesn’t need to start big.
It just needs to start.

And once it does, even if it’s messy, imperfect, or patched together with duct tape and hope, you’ll begin to build momentum. And that? That changes everything.

Here’s What Helped Me Build from the Ground Up

1. Define Success by Action, Not Appearance

Your first step doesn’t have to look good.
It just has to move you forward.

I know it’s tempting to wait until it all looks put together, but the truth is, most successful businesses had a humble, even awkward beginning. Focus on progress. Not perfection.

Want to sell art? Sell prints before you build a full website.
Want to coach others? Offer free sessions in exchange for testimonials.
Want to grow a product-based business? Start by selling to your circle before worrying about paid ads.

What matters most is that you start doing the thing. Not waiting for it to be perfect.

2. Reinvest Before You Reward

This is how I’ve always scaled my businesses:
Make a little income → reinvest it → make a little more → reinvest again → repeat until sustainable.

I didn’t pay myself right away. I let the business pay f

Let me just say this right off the bat: I’ve never been the kind of person who could just do one thing. I run multiple businesses. I build things from scratch. I pivot, I create, I explore new ideas like a kid with a blank notebook and a brand new set of colored markers.

And you know what? I love it that way.

Some people hear that and say, “Wow, that sounds exhausting.”

But to me? It’s energizing—because I’ve learned how to do it without burning out.

If you’re someone who’s multi-passionate too, you know the feeling. Your mind is full of ideas. You’ve got dreams in one hand and a to-do list in the other. And while it’s a beautiful thing to be creative and curious and excited about more than one path… it can also feel a little chaotic if you don’t have a system in place.

Because here’s the truth: When you’re multi-passionate and disorganized, it starts to feel like you’re constantly running in circles.

You’re working hard—sometimes really hard—but you’re not seeing the kind of progress you want. You’re pouring your energy into so many different places that nothing feels like it’s truly moving forward. You feel pulled in multiple directions. Unsure which idea to run with, which task to prioritize, which business needs your attention the most.

You sit down to work and freeze—not because you don’t have ideas, but because you have too many. And that kind of overwhelm? It can lead to burnout, second-guessing, and spinning your wheels without ever gaining real traction.

The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way.

The moment you put a structure in place—the moment you start mapping out your ideas, organizing your projects, and planning your time with intention—you go from scattered to strategic.

From overwhelmed to in control.

From “I’m doing everything and nothing is working,” to “I know exactly what to focus on this week.”

That shift is powerful.

So today, I want to talk about how to find your focus when you’re multi-passionate—without forcing yourself to pick just one thing. Because you don’t have to. You just need to be a little more strategic about how you manage it all.

First, Let’s Redefine “Focus”

We tend to think of “focus” as choosing one thing and sticking with it forever.

But for me, focus means being intentional with my time and energy. It means knowing which hat I’m wearing today, and giving that version of me the attention it deserves—without guilt that I’m not doing everything at once.

I think focus is less about narrowing your dreams, and more about designing your life and business in a way that lets you pursue them well.

Why I Love Being Multi-Passionate (and How I Make It Work)

I’ve built a life and career around multiple ventures—each with its own purpose, audience, and strategy.

From digital products to content strategy, from writing to tech development (hello, Wordsmith 👋), I’ve learned to switch gears without losing momentum. But here’s the key:

👉 I don’t treat every business like it’s happening all at once.

I map out my year. I segment my focus. I batch my work.

Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship has always been challenging but incredibly rewarding. The precious moments with my 4 children have taught me that being present is more valuable than any business milestone.

Curious about the secret that makes it all possible?

It might surprise you.

Sixteen years ago, I embarked on the exhilarating journey of entrepreneurship with a newborn sleeping in my arms. It was a chaotic dance between naptimes and business calls, between diaper changes and client meetings. I remember feeling like a tightrope walker, balancing precariously between the demands of motherhood and the relentless drive to grow my business. 

Fast forward to today, and I’m back in a similar place, only this time, I have two more little ones filling our home with laughter and a whole lot of chaos.

Starting a business with young children was, and still is, a balancing act. In those early days, it often felt like I was being pulled in a million directions. My two older kids, now 11 and 15, were once tiny beings who needed my constant attention. 

I juggled snack time, playtimes, and sleepless nights while trying to carve out a space for my business to thrive. It wasn’t easy, but it was a journey that shaped me as both a mother and an entrepreneur.

Now, with my older ones off pursuing their passions and my two little ones keeping me on my toes, I am acutely aware of how quickly time passes. 

It feels like just yesterday I was holding my firstborn’s tiny hand, and now I’m watching her navigate life, working 40+ hours doing something she loves. These fleeting moments with my children are precious, and I cherish every second. I know that soon enough, my house will be quieter, and the demands of motherhood will shift.

In this season of life, my office time has become a rare luxury. I adore my beautiful workspace, but I’ve learned that being present with my children is far more valuable than any business milestone. The hours I spend with them, building sand castles or making up bedtime stories, are moments I will never get back. My big ideas and ambitious plans for my business might take a little longer to achieve, but that’s okay. This is what feels right for me now.

Creating a Business That Works for You

One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned over the years is the importance of setting up a business that doesn’t require me to be chained to my desk. Even while I’m at home enjoying family time or working on our historic home, my business continues to generate income. This has been the key for me, and it’s something I’m excited to share more about with others.

By setting up ads that drive traffic to my business, I’ve been able to step away from the constant grind of social media and focus more on what truly matters. 

This approach has allowed me to maintain a steady income without sacrificing those irreplaceable moments at home with my children.