3 Clever Ways Real Women Have Made a Ton of Cash Virtually

From helping others market their podcasts, to leading team-building events and creating walking challenges, these women cracked the code to make money online. Learn their secrets so you can start earning too!

“I’m a single mom who helps people launch podcasts.”

Meagan Francis, 43,
St. Joseph, MI

“I’m a single mom of five, and when my kids were young, I started listening to podcasts so I would feel less isolated. In 2015, I decided to start my own with a friend, called The Mom Hour (TheMomHour.com). In the beginning, I didn’t have a format, didn’t know much about the technology and the show sounded terrible! Over time, I learned more, and the podcast found its footing, but I knew that if I would have had help, it would have saved a lot of money and angst. So when people started to ask us for help launching their podcasts, I decided to offer consulting through my company, Life, Listened (LifeListened.com).

“To find clients, I post about my services on LinkedIn, but word-of-mouth referrals help too. I like to work with those who want to launch women- and lifestyle-focused podcasts because I’m an expert in those niches. People come to me with an idea for a podcast, and I help them decide who their audience is and how to grow it, the topics to cover and how to make money with it. I help them find a hosting provider, the technology to record and edit with and teach them how to syndicate the episodes—all via email and through video conferencing.

“I make $150 an hour — money that pays the bills, goes back into the business and allows me to do fun activities with my kids like hiking and camping!”

“I bring in six figures a year getting people moving!”

Joyce Shulman
55, Sag Harbor, NY

“I love walking. It’s allowed me to get out in nature, exercise, relieve stress and spend quality time with friends. In fact, I walk with different friends throughout the week, usually in groups of two or three. One day, after returning from a walk, I told my husband how much I loved it, and he suggested maybe there was a way I could help other women feel as inspired, connected and happy as I did by walking. “To test out my concept, I sent family, friends and other women I knew forms to fill out to log their walking miles. Then I set up a website and hired a company to develop an app so women could track their miles on their phones and with that, I launched 99 Walks (99walks.fit).

“The app offers several types of virtual classes, including everyday walking, treadmill walking, walking meditations and stretching. Women can join virtual teams and add their miles to the team too. Some even meet up in person. We offer three types of subscriptions with costs from $16 a month to $149 a year. When women sign up, they set a monthly walking goal and track their walks. To inspire and motivate them, they get a themed bracelet, or “wearable inspiration,” as a reward when they surpass their goals.

“This business has been my reward. Every day, I hear from women telling me how walking is changing their lives! I also love being part of a community where women get to be authentic. Even better? I now make six figures a year — money that goes back into the business and pays for my children’s college tuitions!”

“I make a full-time income creating online team-building events!”

Lisa Jennings, 53,
Orlando, FL

“Years ago, I worked for companies that created team-building events for corporate groups. We hosted fun events like game shows, treasure hunts and even had cardboard boat regattas where the teams would use cardboard and duct tape to make their boats and then race each other in a pool! I loved the work so much, and I always had the desire to be my own boss.

“So in 2003, together with my business partner, I launched Wildly Different (WildlyDifferent.com). We work with corporations, event planners, association organizers and companies looking to entertain their clients. All of our events are focused on play and interactive fun. We used to offer both in-person and virtual team-building events, but with the pandemic we’re hosting virtual-only events. We use a company’s training information and meeting content and branding to create virtual game shows, a fully customized virtual escape room, a murder mystery or high-tech treasure hunts. We make the virtual events fun by setting up experiences where people can interact with each other as they play the games, or we create photo and video challenges — at the end everyone laughs when they see their results!

“Last year, the company made $2 million dollars in sales! I make a six-figure salary — it pays the bills and for outdoor adventures like kayaking and paddle-boarding. Running my own business is better than working for someone else. I have flexibility to be with my family, and the pride, joy and excitement our team has for their work feels like a huge accomplishment!”

This story originally appeared in our print magazine.