From Burnout to Balance: 7 Passive Income Ideas for Business Owners

Craig & I (Paula) exploring Margaret River

If you’ve been working yourself into the ground, holding everything together, and wondering, 

“Is this really what life is meant to feel like?”—I totally get it, as that was me not so long ago. The 

old way of doing things—pushing through, sacrificing joy now in hopes of a peaceful retirement

 someday—it’s not just exhausting, it’s unsustainable, and you have 

to make it to retirement first! For me that method was totally broken.

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The good news? There is another way. An authentic, realistic, and more meaningful way to earn 

a living that doesn’t drain you day in and day out, leave you constantly stressed, full of anxiety, 

tired and overwhelmed. That’s where passive income comes in—offering the freedom to breathe

 again, to slow down, and to live a life that actually feels like yours. I  break down below what 

they don't teach you when learning about business!

From Burnout to Balance: Why This Matters So Much to Me 

(And Might Matter to You Too)

A Wake-Up Call I Couldn't Ignore

I’ve been where you are—juggling business, staff issues, burnout, and overwhelm, and the 

desperate longing for something more. This journey changed my life, and it can do the same 

for you.

​

Hi, I’m Paula. My husband Craig, my English Cocker Spaniel Hudson, and I have been travelling 

and working around Australia for the last three years, and now the world also. However, life 

wasn’t always like this! Here’s how our journey started: We just wanted a moment to breathe 

again. Some relief from the pressure of running our two hospitality businesses. My husband and

I were both sick to death of being the ones holding it together when inside, they were  slowly 

breaking us!

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There had to be a better way to live!

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To live on your own terms. To have a business that works around you—not the other way round.

 To reclaim our work-life balance, spend quality time with loved ones, travel, and actually enjoy

 the life we were working so hard to build. We were done missing birthdays, holidays, and those

 spontaneous road trips because of 14-hour workdays.

​

"If you're gasping for air between endless to-do lists, and that quiet voice inside is starting to 

say, something has to change or there has to be another way—this article is for you." I was over

 feeling totally lost, full of anxiety, and not knowing how to fix it. I needed something genuine, 

not scammy. Something with low start-up costs, that felt authentic and aligned with our values.

​

For us, waiting until retirement to start enjoying life just wasn’t an option. Both my husbands 

and my parents passed away before they even got to retirement, and we weren’t about to 

repeat that cycle.

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Nature Gave Us a Taste of What Freedom Felt Like

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On the days we did get off, we’d escape to nature—swimming at some of Australia’s most 

beautiful beaches and creeks, soaking up the sun, and just trying to fill our cups back up. 

Although when owning a business, you never really switch off, as the phone is still going, and 

you worry about the running of the business when you aren't there, but that little taste of 

freedom reminded us of what life could feel like.

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So, we made a daunting but exciting shift! We sold both of our businesses and set off to travel 

around Australia—a long-held dream we finally gave ourselves permission to pursue.

Of course, after COVID, selling the businesses didn’t fund our trip. So we got creative. We began

offering other small business owners the chance to step away for a while—managing their 

operations so they could have a break too.

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Trading Time for Money Wasn’t Working Anymore

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It did give us the freedom to keep travelling around Australia and enjoy heading out on 

adventures on days off. But in truth? We were still trading time for money. Still committed to 

someone else’s schedule. Still missing birthdays and special moments with the people

 we loved—because once again, we were holding it all together for someone else’s business.

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So, we made another very exciting and a little scary at the time decision! I started diving into 

the world of passive income—looking for options that could fit around the lifestyle we were 

dreaming of. After sifting through options that didn’t sit right with me (the type—didn’t feel 

genuine and did feel scammy), I finally aligned with another way forward that truly resonated 

with my values and integrity. This was after a truckload of skepticism, but something in my gut

kept wanting to listen and learn more, and I am so glad I did. I was also able to learn step by 

step and set things up alongside what I was already doing all whilst having my hand held 

through the process.

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At the same time, my husband pivoted into helping investors purchase property to create their 

own streams of passive income—something we had just begun doing ourselves after 

purchasing two investment properties.

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What Life Looks Like Now—and What Could Be Possible for You (This Is Why This Matters)

Fast forward to today, and we’re living life on our own terms. We wake up to slow, intentional 

mornings, with the freedom to be present with who we want, when we want. I’ve built a heart-

centered business that gives us the time freedom and flexibility to work from anywhere—

whether that’s van life in our luxury caravan at one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches or 

visiting our first grandchild all the way over in Canada.

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I’m sharing this story because if you’ve ever felt the burnout, the constant anxiety, or like 

you’re just holding on by a thread—know that you’re not alone. I’ve been right where you 

are, and I’m deeply passionate about helping others reclaim their time, peace, and balance. 

Life is far too short to spend it stuck in survival mode, slogging away at something that no 

longer lights you up. There is another way—and I’m here to show you what’s possible. "You 

have the power to create a life where your wellbeing fuels your success, not sacrifices it."

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Keep reading, because I’m breaking it all down into simple steps—especially if you are just 

starting to realize something’s gotta give and there has to be a better way than how you are 

currently living. Let’s explore how you, too, can start creating income that doesn’t burn you 

out, that is realistic, isn’t scammy and aligns with your values and passions. “These simple 

truths could change how you approach working forever.”

What Is Passive Income

Passive income is money you earn without trading hours for it every day. That doesn’t mean 

it’s 100% hands-off, but it does mean more flexibility and freedom once it’s set up.

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Some people call it “making money while you sleep”—and honestly, that’s not far off. You do 

the work once and keep reaping the rewards over time. Think automated online businesses or 

rental income. Personally I’m not a totally hands-off type of girl, so I choose to keep spending 

time on growing the business (the income potential is uncapped) and creating new 

opportunities that I am also passionate about. Having multiple passive income streams, so I 

can work smarter, not harder.

Why Passive Income Matters

Imagine this: You wake up, enjoy your tea or coffee, and check your phone to see you’ve

 made money overnight. That’s passive income—and it changes everything. I don’t know 

about you, but that is very darn exciting to me to make a sale whilst swimming in a 

beautiful beach or whilst having a massage?!

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Instead of chasing your tail and going through the daily drudgery in a traditional business

 or job, passive income gives you time back. Time to travel, rest, be with your loved ones, 

or finally start that passion project you’ve been pushing aside. It gives you time to reclaim 

that freedom and flexibility you have been craving.

​

Next up I breakdown some passive income ideas and provide options for what I found 

out along the way and wish I knew sooner.

7 Beginner-Friendly Passive Income Ideas for Freedom & Flexibility

1. Affiliate Marketing

One of the easiest ways to get started online. You promote someone else’s product or service, and 

when someone buys through your unique link—you get paid. No need to create your own product. 

Just find something you believe in and share it.

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Many people (myself included) started with an online course that walks you through this step by

 step, even if you're not tech-savvy or have a large social media following. I really didn’t want to be

 showing my face on socials, and I was really worried about needing to be tech-minded, but this 

course breaks it down into easy step-by-step processes and support to get you where you need to

 be. All without having to be on socials. If you’re curious, these workshops are a great place to start

 (more on that below!). I have also written another article breaking down what affiliate marketing is

 here.

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2. Digital Products

Ebooks, printables, templates—create them once and sell them over and over. Platforms like Etsy 

make it really beginner-friendly. If you’re a creative or even just great at organising, 

this is something you can absolutely explore.

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3. Online Courses & Subscriptions

Got a skill or passion you love to share? You can turn it into a course or a membership. Record 

once, and offer lasting value. It’s a fulfilling way to earn while helping others grow.

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4. Online Coaching & Mentoring

Whether it’s wellness, mindset, business, or something uniquely yours—coaching can be an 

incredible way to connect and support others while creating income. Many start with just one or 

two clients and build from there.

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5. Ecommerce or Niche Online Stores

If you love curating beautiful things or creating your own, an online store might be for you. Think 

lifestyle products, wellness goods, van life hacks—whatever lights you up. This can be built slowly 

and strategically around your lifestyle.

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6. YouTube or Podcasting with Monetisation

If you’re someone who loves to talk, teach, or inspire, these platforms allow you to create content 

that lives on and generates income through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate partnerships. It’s a 

slower build, but incredibly impactful when done authentically.

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7. Rental Properties

Real estate can provide stable, long-term income. If you’re in the position to buy, renting out 

homes or units can be a powerful source of passive income—especially if you hire a property 

manager to take the headaches away from you. If you’d like to speak to someone who lives and 

breathes investing in real estate to create passive income wealth, feel free to check out my 

husband’s page: here. "Yes, I gave him a shout-out—only 

because I genuinely believe in what he does."

Of course, these are just a few ideas when it comes to building passive income. There are also 

options like investing in the share market, peer-to-peer lending for interest returns, or even 

something as simple as a high-yield savings account.

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But, the reason I’ve focused on these particular ideas is that they’re designed to help you transition

into building something you truly love—something that can support you emotionally and 

financially, especially if you’re feeling drained or burnt out.

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The course I started with taught me all of these (except the real estate side, which we learned 

through personal experience and Craig's course). Right now, I’m focusing on just one online 

business model that aligns with my values and lifestyle—but the beauty of it is, once I’m ready, I 

can expand into other online income streams too.

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These aren’t quick-fix, get-rich-overnight schemes. They’re sustainable, heart-led business models 

that grow with you, without burning you out.

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Click the links below ⬇️ to learn how you can get started

How to Start (Even if You're a Beginner)

You don’t need tech skills. You don’t need to be a social media guru. You haven't missed the boat,

 and you definitely don’t need to be “someone special.”

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All you need is a willingness to try, an open mind, and the right guidance. Start by researching, 

watching a few videos that I have in the link below, and learning what excites you most. You don’t

 need to have it all figured out just yet, especially when it comes to business models. With the 

right mentoring and a clear understanding of your values, you’ll be able to shape a path that feels

 right for you. Clarity comes with action, and it’s okay to figure things out as you go. I have some 

videos for you to watch on the following button below ⬇️ to see what’s possible.

Final Thoughts - It's Not Too Late to Redesign Your Life

Craig & I at Craddle Mountain, Tasmania

If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or wondering how much longer you can keep pushing 

through—please know this: you’re not too old, and it’s absolutely not too late.

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Yes, tech can feel confusing. Social media can seem noisy and fake. And the idea of starting 

something new might feel completely out of reach right now.

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But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be a tech expert. You don’t need to dance on reels or use

 flashy marketing tactics. You simply need a clear, step-by-step path… and a way to begin that 

feels genuine, aligned, and doable—without burning out all over again.

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Maybe that looks like hiring someone to ease the day-to-day so you can finally breathe.

Maybe you’re preparing to sell, or even just exploring an exit strategy that gives you peace of 

mind.

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Or maybe, it’s carving out one hour a day for something that helps you transition gradually—

without sacrificing income while you do it.

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That’s what this course gave me: clarity, structure, support—and a path forward that didn’t feel 

overwhelming. It gave me options. It gave me hope. And most importantly, it gave me freedom.

You deserve flexibility. You deserve peace. You deserve to feel like you again.

And I’m here to remind you—it’s more realistic than you think.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is passive income truly hands-off? 

Not always. You’ll need to put in work up front—but the goal is to earn long after the effort is done. 

As I mentioned earlier, I choose to stay hands on with my business as I want to keep growing 

different business paths and not just concentrate on one thing. However, my workload now 

compared to what it used to look like is total heaven and I am so happy with how my life looks these

 days.

2. How much money do I need to start? 

Many methods like digital products require very little—under $500 in most cases. It also depends on

 what you want to invest in to get you underway. I invested in the mentoring I felt I needed to get me

 started quickly as I hadn’t done anything like this before. Which was such a small investment 

compared to what a traditional brick-and-mortar business looks like.

3. Do I need special skills? Nope. Everything can be learned. You just need curiosity, an open mind 

and a willingness to start.

4. What if I’m not tech-savvy?

No worries! Lots of tools and mentors exist to walk you through things step-by-step. The tech part 

scared me until I started learning the step by step process, which made things very easy and simple 

to follow.

5. What’s the first step I should take?

Pick one method that excites you, invest in a course (more info on course options after the workshops) to help you get to where you need to be, and start learning. Concentrate on that one step until you master it, and then you can concentrate on something else that excites you and keep building if you want to. Or just stay on that one thing. There’s no perfect starting point—only progress!

6. Do I need to be on social media to make this work? 

No, you don’t need to be on social media at all. This is one of the biggest myths out there when it 

comes to building an online income. You don’t need to post, go live, or build a following if that’s not 

your vibe. Many people have built successful online businesses without being on Instagram, 

Facebook, or TikTok. The training I followed teaches you how to create systems that work behind 

the scenes—quietly, efficiently, and without putting yourself out there online if you don’t want to. If 

you're more private or just not into the whole social media thing, that’s totally okay. There’s still a 

path forward that fits you.

Want to Know More Beyond Burnout

Unlock the Workshops & Start Creating Balance, 

Freedom & Aligned Income

️️️️You can listen to the article here ⬆️