How Do You Start An Online Business? 5 Powerful Steps to Success!

Hi, I’m Paula!

My husband Craig, our beautiful English Cocker Spaniel Hudson (pictured above), and I travel and work around Australia—and now, we’ve taken it even further, exploring and working our way around the world together!

BUT it wasn’t always like this…

Not long ago, our lives looked very different. I was constantly stressed, overwhelmed, and running on empty from the relentless demands of managing our two hospitality businesses. The burnout was real—and it was hitting hard. My health was suffering, my energy was gone, and the stress wasn’t just affecting me—it was straining the most important relationships in my life.

I had nothing left in the tank.

I was done. Done trading time for money. Done living for weekends. Done with the pressure-cooker life that left me physically, emotionally, and mentally drained.

Sure, society told me this grind was “normal”—that it’s just how life is when you run a brick-and-mortar business. But deep down, I knew it was slowly destroying me. And if I kept going the way I was, I knew exactly where it was heading—straight to an early grave.

I couldn’t do it anymore.

There had to be a better way to live.

I was watching people succeed in the online business world and knew deep down that this could be the solution to the freedom I was desperately craving. But the problem was—I had no idea how to make the transition. I wasn’t a social media influencer, I wasn’t tech-savvy, and I didn’t feel like I had any standout qualities. Based on what I’d seen from others who were making it work online, I was worried that those concerns would hold me back. I wanted something that felt genuine—a business that aligned with my values and could be built with integrity. That was non-negotiable for me. 

Finding Something Real

So, I kept researching. At first, I came across a lot of people online who just didn’t feel authentic. They were promoting all sorts of online business models (which you see all the time - eye roll) —affiliate marketing, e-commerce, network marketing (ugh, no thanks)—but in all honesty, my instincts and gut were saying hell no. Then, I found someone who felt real. Someone who was living life on her own terms—and more importantly, helping others do the same - authentically! She, along with thousands of others through the online course I went through, had transitioned into an online business and were now living with freedom, balance, and adventure. Without having to be a social media guru, a tech specialist or be someone "special". This was EXACTLY what I was looking for! 

From Skeptic to Aligned Action

That’s when things shifted for me. Yes I was still extremely skeptical even though I wanted this to be a genuine solution to what I was wanting. I kept researching, I kept learning from the workshops that were on offer, and once I felt ready—I dove in and invested in the coaching I felt I needed to turn this into the online business with freedom, balance and adventure I was craving.

NOW, life finally has the balance, adventure, and freedom I had been dreaming about for so long! Which is still a bit surreal to be honest. 

Below, I’m sharing the key foundations that helped me transition from burnout and overwhelm into building a successful online business—and ultimately, a life of freedom and balance. I have outlined this help you understand the foundations of what business online looks like and how it could be a fit for you to obtain the life of freedom, balance and adventure you are craving.