The Highs and Lows of Starting an Online Business: My Personal Journey

Ever wondered what it's really like behind the scenes of a coaching business? In this candid episode, I'm peeling back the curtain on my first year as the founder of She's Organised, sharing both the exhilarating wins and the gut-wrenching challenges of entrepreneurship.

Starting a business wasn't originally on my radar, but when the opportunity presented itself in October 2024, I took a leap of faith. For someone who typically likes everything mapped out from start to finish, this venture required embracing uncertainty and imperfection. The most rewarding aspects have been connecting with incredible clients, seeing their transformations and using my background in audio engineering to create this podcast, something that's become a passion project I hope continues for years.

The reality, however, is that building a business demands enormous sacrifice. Currently, I'm balancing my nine-to-five banking job, investing 40+ hours weekly into She's Organised, producing this podcast and prioritizing my family including four young children. This often means taking client calls until midnight and working weekends. What many don't see are the substantial financial investments (e.g. software subscriptions, legal requirements, marketing costs and professional development etc.) that have yet to be recouped through revenue.

Perhaps the most frustrating challenges have been no-shows for free strategy sessions and potential clients who express enthusiasm then disappear when I send follow-up information. Each missed appointment represents precious time away from family or paying clients. Despite these setbacks, I remain committed to my vision, knowing that the people I've helped have experienced life-changing results.

Whether you're considering entrepreneurship or simply curious about what happens behind the Instagram highlight reel, this episode offers honest insight into the entrepreneurial journey. If you're feeling stuck and ready for change, I'd love to connect through a free Organised Life Strategy Session or welcome you into the She's Organised Hub community. Whatever your path, remember that pursuing your purpose often requires perseverance through challenging seasons, but the impact you create makes it worthwhile.

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome to Beyond Organised
• 2:46 Starting She's Organised: My Journey
• 6:33 The Reality of Business Challenges
• 10:45 Financial Struggles and Lessons Learned
• 15:13 The Cost of No-Shows
• 18:01 Ways to Support and Move Forward
• 21:25 Gratitude Despite Challenges

Transcript

Mel: 0:18

Welcome to Beyond Organised, the podcast that helps you simplify your life and amplify your purpose. I'm Mel Schenker, life coach, speaker, founder of She's Organised, but, more importantly, a wife and mum of four little kids. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, like you're constantly juggling everything but never quite catching up, this is the place for you. Here we go beyond just the tidying up and creating systems. We're talking about real-life strategies that bring order to your life, but also we talk about the things beyond the organising, the things that really matter, like your parenting relationships and so much more. So grab your coffee and let's dive in. I wanted to talk to you today about my business. I wanted to pull the curtain back a bit, share the good things, share the tough things and just be honest with where I'm at, because I know quite a number of you are looking at having your own business, wanting ways to work from home and an extra income, all that kind of stuff, and I'm going to be pretty honest with you. There are many ways you can earn money online that are legitimate, but it all requires a lot of work. So I'm going to share a bit about the path I've gone down, and it might be something that you're interested in doing yourself. But I also want to share, because I believe in transparency and just being real. I'm not going to overshare, I'm just going to keep it to where things are at, maybe air some of my grievances a little bit. Maybe you can relate if you're in business. Maybe you can even just relate because other people have done stuff like this to you before and we can move forward together from this learning experience.

Mel: 2:08

I started She's Organised as a business October last year, 2024. And this is something that wasn't really on my radar until it popped up, and I believe that this is something that God has asked me to do and I've had enough confirmation about it. So I took the leap, which it goes against how I am as a person, because I am someone that likes to have everything mapped out from start to finish and know where things are going to end up and how it's going to look and how it's going to go. And when you are starting a business like this, there is no way of knowing until you just do it. So it was either do it and see how it goes and create something that's not perfect but real, or I don't do it at all, and when I think about the things that I've learned over the last 12 or so years. I knew I had to do it, but it is hard going out on your own. I've always had the backing of a business or a company before, but going out on my own is tough and I have connected with some incredible people. I just got off a call with a young woman and being able to help her and give her some knowledge and help her with her skills and set her up while she's young so she can navigate all these other seasons that are bound to come in her future. If I'd known all of this back when I was in my early 20s, I think about how much further ahead I could be in life. That's okay. I had to go through the journey that I went through to be who I am now.

Mel: 3:43

For you, it's exciting when I get to connect with people that get so much out of what I have to share that I can listen to where they're at, connect with them and work with them and be able to work up a plan to help them moving forward. It's really rewarding and I've gotten to meet some incredible people and even doing this podcast, I've got an audio engineering background, as I may have mentioned in the past, and I never really did much with it. But now I even get to use that in doing this and I love this podcast and I'm having conversations with people offline, people that are listening and getting a lot out of it, and it's really exciting to hear how the guests I'm having on and the things that I'm sharing are really making a difference. I hope I get to do this podcast for many years to come, because this has really turned into like a hobby for me now and I'm really enjoying it. So I've had many great experiences and I've helped dozens of women already get unstuck, move forward. All of that.

Mel: 4:52

It hasn't all been smooth sailing. I have learned so much over this last year and I realized really how naive I was going into it. I just wanted to coach, so I just wanted to find people and coach them. That's it. But there is so much more to business than that, and marketing is certainly not my strong point, but I'm working on it. I want to make sure that I'm authentic and I'm genuine and I'm real, and that's also what I like about this podcast is that people are getting to know me. For me, all these other things that it takes to build a business, to market yourself, get out there, build a brand. Really, that is new to me. I am learning a lot and it hasn't been easy really.

Mel: 5:39

In the last month I have managed to pretty much have my calendar booked out, which is great, but most of it has been with the free Organized Life Strategy sessions and I've really enjoyed doing those sessions with people. I love being able to hear where they're at and come up with a practical, tangible plan for a next step on how to get unstuck and move forward. And then, for those that it's a good fit, I will talk about ways that we can continue to work together and I'll be honest, I'm not going to try and sell anything to anyone that doesn't need it. In fact, I don't even try to sell at all. I'm there to serve and I believe when you put people first and you serve people first, the business side of things will happen and it's slowly happening. But it is frustrating when I have a booked out calendar and then people don't show up. That is precious time to me that I could have had for a paying client. I could have put towards my family all of that stuff that people don't think about and they don't see.

Mel: 6:40

So just to give you a bit of an idea, I have gone back to my nine to five job in the bank. I love my job and I love the people I work with. It's a fantastic company to work for. I do enjoy that part of my life. So I've gone back.

Mel: 6:56

Last month my baby's just turned one. I'm spending at least 40 hours plus in my business. Still, I spend a fair bit of time on my podcast every week. I am pouring a lot into things at the moment and my family trying to make time for them. It's quite the juggle at the moment. I don't think I could do it if I wasn't organized. So it's a good thing this is my profession, because if I wasn't an organized person I would not be able to manage it all. But it has been tough because I'm taking calls up to midnight most nights and I'm working weekends doing podcast guests at all hours of the day and night. There's a lot that goes into running this business to get it up and running and, as you probably know, a lot of small businesses fail in the first two years and I did not want to be that statistic and I am so determined it's not going to be that I want this podcast to be around for many years to come. I want my business to be around for many years to come because I know that I can help people.

Mel: 8:04

But when people look in, they don't show up. That's precious time that is being wasted. And look, I give everyone 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, I hang up, I leave and I make the most of my time because I'm not going to wait around. If you can't be there in the first 15 minutes, chances are you're not going to be there at all and I'm not going to waste my time because I'm too busy. I've got other people to help, I've got other people to serve, I've got a lot of things to do and I also have a family to show up for.

Mel: 8:35

But it's also hard when people do show up. We go through, we have a great session, they've got a plan what to do next and we talk about moving forward across the next 90 days. So I have a 90 day package and I've split it up into two tiers now and since doing that, everyone has jumped on board with wanting the standard tier, the cheaper option, which really has the foundations of everything you need to move forward. That has been really popular. But it's also pretty frustrating. Because they're keen, they say they want it. I send everything through and then they ghost me and I cannot get a hold of them again.

Mel: 9:17

And it's frustrating, not just because of my time or anything like that, but it's frustrating as someone who genuinely cares about you, to know that I've got all these ideas and all these things. I know that I can help you move forward, but for whatever reason. But for whatever reason, you have questions or doubts, you second guess things and you just decide it's easier to ignore me than to just ask them, and I'm not a difficult person and I am understanding. If now actually turns out to not be the right time, that is okay. I'm not going to be upset with you. But for whatever reason, they don't get back to me and it's hard because I know that I can help them. I can really help them move forward, but I can't help someone that won't help themselves first.

Mel: 10:10

It's so important to be able to know the difference between I want help and I want to get unstuck. I want to move forward. I need help with my motivation or procrastination, overwhelm, stress. I need help and I want to get unstuck. I want to move forward. I need help with my motivation. Or procrastination, overwhelm, stress. I need help with all these things. It's one thing to recognize that, but it's another thing to actually go. Okay, I'm ready to actually put in a little bit of work to do this and, honestly, the way I go about things, I'm all about simplifying, so a lot of the time, what you think might end up being a lot more work for you. Once we start going through things together, you realize I'm literally taking a bunch of things off your plate and the relief is huge and everyone that I've helped has just gone. Oh, my goodness, wow, I wish I'd done this earlier, because I'm not making it hard for you. It requires a bit of work, bit of time, bit of energy, but overall it's helping you.

Mel: 11:09

It's like when people take vitamins versus taking painkillers. Vitamins are important. We need them. We need them for our body, but if you weren't to take, to say, a vitamin one day, you're probably not going to notice a huge difference, right, and some people don't even take vitamins at all, but obviously our body needs them, but you probably don't really notice it too much, whereas if you're actually in pain, you've got a problem like you've got a horrible headache and you want that headache gone. Well, you take the painkiller and you notice it, and that is like what I'm offering is that painkiller, so to speak. You will notice it and it's there to try and help and take that pain away.

Mel: 11:52

But I'm not just that painkiller, I'm not just removing the pain. I can help show that to you. You're the one that has to make that happen. But I also help rehabilitate you and move you forward together. I support you. I provide you the accountability and all the things that, for most people, is where they go wrong. So I offer a lot as a coach. I offer a lot as a coach and for those that have seen that value and jumped on board, thank you. But also thank you for showing up for you. You are the true success story. You are the ones that are making a complete U-turn for some of you in your life and this is something that's going to change the whole trajectory of your life, moving forward, and good on you for taking that action.

Mel: 12:44

But getting back to it, a lot of people just don't appreciate the time and the effort that also goes into having this business and when I'm giving these free sessions. It's free for you, but it costs me. It costs me in gaining the leads. It costs me in time that I could be making money somewhere else, but I'm not. It costs me time with my family. It's costing me a lot and even just to have the bare bones of a business running and a podcast running and all of that this is all my own money going into this. I am not making enough money to cover costs right now and unfortunately it's gotten to a point where the money's gone. I'm great at budgeting and I knew that things would take time and cost money and it's all within what I planned in the budget. But I did think that by now I would have had more people on board, more people paying, and unfortunately it hasn't happened. It doesn't mean that I'm going to give up. It just means I need to shift and pivot and change things out a bit. But it is stressful and for those of you that are going through tough times financially, I know how you feel and I need to keep my nine to five job to be able to cover just the costs of my life.

Mel: 14:06

Still, for those that are thinking oh, let's just jump online make some money. It doesn't work like that. There might be something out there and you might be able to make some money, but we also generally need to put a bit of money into it. First, we see the highlight reels of everyone else doing well and succeeding. We don't see the tough parts. We don't see the endless hours behind the scenes putting things together. We don't see the tens of thousands of dollars like I have put into everything from software to training to legal and all the marketing costs and everything that goes into it. Nobody sees that, and that's okay. You don't need to for the most part.

Mel: 14:54

But for those of you that are thinking of just starting an online business, it's not as easy as just starting and making money. Maybe for the odd person here or there it is, but for most people it does take a bit of time, takes a bit of effort. But if you have got a vision and you've got a dream and you believe that it can happen, then it can happen. But you've got to stick through it. You've got to stick through it because it is tough. It is really really tough. And then you throw in other health issues and sleepless nights with the baby and all these other things. It adds up, but hold on to the vision, hold on to your dream dream.

Mel: 15:33

And this is definitely not for everyone. It's a huge cost. For most people, they will probably end up having a more simple and more financially fit life, having an employed job, and that's fine. We need people in all industries doing all sorts of jobs, and that's okay too. And be honest, if you don't have a big savings buffer, like I did, then I certainly wouldn't be starting a business like mine, not unless you're willing to take out a business loan or something.

Mel: 16:02

So I don't want to turn this into a grizzle podcast session. I don't want to be negative or anything like that. I just wanted to be real in the fact that, although I'm loving what I'm doing and I am not giving up, it is also really tough, but I'm not giving up and I am not going to just dramatically increase my prices or change things because I just believe I haven't found the right people yet prices or change things because I just believe I haven't found the right people yet. What I've got to offer, what I'm doing and the prices that I've got things for is more than fair, more than reasonable, and if you are the right person or if you know someone who would get value out of working with me, then reach out. I'm pretty busy and I have got people that I'm already helping, but I am available for you. And if you are in a position where you're ready to change your life, you're like all in, I need this and I'm ready for you.

Mel: 17:04

And I have got a 90 day program and that's what I talk about in our one-on-one sessions at the end. If you want to move forward but I have only got limited spots too and I only want to take on people that are serious and ready for change and if that is you, I'm happy to do a free session with you to at least get you a plan for your next steps. Even if you decide not to move forward right now, I'm still happy to talk to you and help you. So that's the one-on-one type sessions. But I have also got the she's Organized Hub. I would look into that if you are maybe not necessarily wanting some personalized one-on-one coaching, but you know you need something to move you forward. It has an amazing community over a hundred women in there. Now it's got monthly group coaching calls.

Mel: 17:50

I am just in the process of creating some more events and more calls, that if you're inside this hub, you're going to get free access and I am literally throwing everything in there. That is the place I hang out the most. You can get direct access to me for any questions you've got. I'm in there, I show up, I help you, I encourage you and motivate you, I help keep you accountable, and you've got access to all the trainings and resources and everything in there as well, so that's another thing that you can do, but there's some of you that don't really need any support right now. Totally fine, you're pretty organized, you're on top of things. This is just helping keep you motivated and moving you forward that way.

Mel: 18:31

If that's you and you are wanting to continue to support this podcast because, as I said, I'm not making any money off it, I'm not making much money off anything and if you want to keep it going, there is a link in the description where you can support the show and you can choose to donate just a few dollars, and that would really help me and my family but also help this business and be able to, in turn, help you in being able to keep producing more episodes that actually help you, motivate you, keep you showing up. There is that option too, and as much as I hate asking for help or anything like that, that is pretty much what I preach to the people I help, so I need to take my own advice and I need to mention this as an option, but of course, you don't need to do any of these things. It's just for those who are looking at further ways of either supporting me, supporting you, and these are some options that you can have. So all the details are in the description for you on that. But I just want to say this is not a pity party. This is not about pity. This is not about any of that.

Mel: 19:45

I still chose to start this business. I knew that it was going to be challenging and not easy, and I am so grateful for everything that I've got with this, and I'm humbled by the people that are trusting me with their lives. I do not take it lightly. I'm grateful for it. This is about partnership, about you doing your part if you are wanting that extra support, and then me being able to still be in a position to help. Do my part for you. I am grateful for you, for every listener, and if, at the very least, all you can do is just share this with the people that you care about that you think will get something out of this.

Mel: 20:28

Then please share the episode that really spoke to you, or my socials, any of the posts on there that really spoke to you. Just let people know, and if that's all you can do, I'm incredibly grateful for it. So I hope this helped give a little bit of insight to behind the scenes as to where I'm at right now with the business, and I know it's a bit tough, but I'm also really sure and really confident this is what I'm supposed to be doing and I have no doubt that possibly months, but at least years down the track, I'm going to look back on this and this particular episode and I'm going to be able to see the difference of where I was to where I will be. And, if anything, if that's all this episode is, at the very least, it's for me. It's a record to say that, even though it's really tough right now and it's hard, I can do this. So even if no one listens to this episode, no one gets anything out of it, this is for me, to encourage me moving forward, not to give up on my dream, to continue, even if things are looking a little bit bleak financially or people aren't showing up for their sessions. All of that, I'm still grateful for what I've got and what I know it has the potential to be.

Mel: 21:49

I thank you and appreciate every single one of you that is here has the potential to be. I thank you and appreciate every single one of you that is here. I would love to hear from you and hear how this podcast is helping you. I hope that you continue to have a blessed week and I look forward to hearing from you soon. If you loved this episode, don't forget to hit subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. And if you want to continue the conversation, you can connect with me on Instagram at @shes. organised, or, for some free resources, head over to beyondorganised. com/ toolkit. Remember, organising is a tool to live the purposeful life beyond it. See you next time.