Side Hustle Success Planner

10-Hour-A-Week Blueprint

Introduction

Are you a professional woman over 40 who works full-time but wants to start your own online business without working longer hours?

You're not alone! Many women in business consulting, coaching, and advisory services dream of diversifying their income while balancing their careers and personal lives.

This step-by-step guide will help you build a profitable side hustle in 10 hours per week without burning out.

Disclaimer

This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or business advice.

The case study examples are for illustration purposes only. We highly recommend you consult qualified professionals before making business or financial decisions suited to your unique circumstances.

How to Build Your Online Business in 10 Hours a Week

Below are five steps to help you build an online business, even if you have only 10 hours a week to devote to it.

Step 1: Define Your Business Idea (1 Hour)

Before you start, choose a business idea that aligns with your skills and interests. If you're in professional services, some great online business ideas include:

• Business coaching (e.g., career transition coaching for professionals)

• Business consulting (e.g., strategic planning for small businesses)

• Business advisory (e.g., financial advisory for freelancers)

• Creating and selling digital products (e.g., business templates, mini-courses)

• Membership communities (e.g., a mastermind group for new consultants)

✅ Implementation Plan Example

I have 15 years of experience in corporate project management. I plan to start a consulting service for small business owners needing project planning help.

✅ Pro Tip

Validate your idea by researching competitors and assessing demand for your service. Use Google Trends, LinkedIn, or Facebook groups to determine the interest of the target audience you want to help.

Step 2: Set Up Your Online Presence (2 Hours)

Your business needs an online home. A simple landing page or business website can help attract potential clients and grow your brand.

Essential Setup:

Below are examples of platforms you can set up to help build credibility for your business.

• Website: Use an easy-to-use platform such as Wix to create a website.

• Professional Email: For credibility, get a domain-based email address, such as Google Workspace, the paid version of Gmail.

• LinkedIn Profile: Optimise your profile to showcase your expertise.

✅ Implementation Plan Example

I will use Squarespace to create a one-page site with my services, pricing, and contact form. To attract clients, I will also update my LinkedIn profile.

✅ Pro Tip

Focus on clarity. Keep your website simple and include a clear call to action, such as booking a free 15-minute consultation.

Step 3: Plan Your Weekly Work Schedule (1 Hour)

With only 10 hours per week, you need a structured plan to maximise your time. Here's a sample weekly schedule:

✅ Implementation Plan Example

I'll spend 2 hours on Monday and Thursday creating social media and YouTube content and 2 hours on Wednesday and Saturday networking and marketing.

✅ Pro Tip

Use time-blocking to stay focused and avoid distractions.

Step 4: Create a Simple Marketing Strategy (2 Hours)

Your business won't grow without visibility. Focus on strategies that require minimal time but deliver maximum results.

Here are some lead-generation ideas:

• LinkedIn Networking: Connect with five potential clients weekly.

• Content Marketing: Post one helpful LinkedIn or blog post weekly.

• Email List Building: Offer a free resource like this guide to capture emails.

• Leverage AI Tools: Use Magic Bookifier to speed up content creation.

  
  

✅ Implementation Plan Example

I'll write one LinkedIn post per week about improving business processes for small businesses and message three new potential clients.

✅ Pro Tip

Don't try to be everywhere. Pick 1-2 platforms where your ideal clients hang out.

Step 5: Monetise and Generate Income (2 Hours)

To make your side hustle profitable, you need an income strategy. Here are some ways to monetise your knowledge, skills and expertise:

• Offer a Service: Start with consulting calls with a price guide of $100 per hour.

• Sell Digital Products, such as business templates, workbooks, and mini-courses, at prices ranging from $29 to $199.

• Membership Model: Monthly subscription for exclusive content with a price guide ranging from $25 to $50 monthly.

• Affiliate Marketing: Recommend tools like Magic Bookifier and earn commissions.

✅ Implementation Plan Example

I'll offer a $250 strategy session for small business owners who need help with workflow automation.

✅ Pro Tip

Start with a small offer, such as a $99 strategy call and upsell customers to more services later.

Worksheet: Your Side Hustle Action Plan

The action plan worksheet below can help you stay on track when implementing the five steps to building an online business, even if you only have 10 hours a week to work on it.

Step 1. Define Your Business Idea

Respond to the following questions to define your business idea.

• What problem will you solve?

• Who is your ideal client?

• How will you deliver your service?

Step 2. Set Up Your Online Presence

Here are the various ways you can set up your online presence.

• Website platform (Please specify): ________________

• LinkedIn Optimisation (Tick the box): ☐ Done ☐ Not Done

• Business Email Set Up (Tick the box): ☐ Done ☐ Not Done

Step 3. Weekly Time-Blocking Plan

Below are examples of activities to set up the weekly time-blocking plan.

Step 4. Marketing Plan

Below are examples of lead-generation activities.

• Content Plan (Please specify): ______________________________

• Networking Strategy (Please specify): _______________________

Step 5. Monetisation Strategy

Below are various ways you can monetise your knowledge, skills and expertise.

• Service Offer (Please specify): ______________________________

• Pricing (Please specify): ____________________________________

• First three clients (Please specify): __________________________

Next Steps: Start Today and Stay Consistent

Your 10-hour-per-week plan helps you grow your online business without sacrificing your career or personal life. Stay consistent, and test what works. Don't hesitate to change your strategies and focus depending on what's working.

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Income Disclaimer

The earnings and income representations in this guide are for illustrative purposes only. There is no guarantee that you will achieve the same results, and any business endeavour carries risks.

Your success depends on dedication, effort, skills, and market conditions. We encourage you to seek professional financial and business advice tailored to your situation.

Affiliate Disclaimer

This guide contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost if you purchase something through our links. We only recommend tools we believe can add value to your business journey.

Disclaimer

We include case studies and examples in our books and resource materials, such as worksheets, checklists, guides, playbooks, blueprints, templates, and so on, to illustrate key business concepts and strategies practically and engagingly.

While inspired by real-world scenarios, the information has been customised and changed to fictional stories to protect individuals' privacy and ensure broad applicability.

These examples provide valuable insights that entrepreneurs can relate to and apply in their journey. Any resemblance to actual persons, businesses, or situations is entirely coincidental.

Our books and resource materials are for general educational purposes and do not constitute legal, financial, or business advice.

Every business journey is unique, and success depends on various factors, including individual effort, experience, market conditions, and unforeseen circumstances.

Readers should seek guidance from a qualified professional before making financial or business decisions.

While ensuring accuracy, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or any outcomes from applying the concepts discussed in our books and resource materials.

About the Author

Melinda Stevenson is a CPA-qualified accountant, certified business advisor, and business coach dedicated to helping women start and grow their businesses online.

She is passionate about improving business processes, systemising, and implementing process automation. She empowers female solopreneurs, coaches, and consultants to turn their passion into profit without working longer hours.

As the founder of Dynamic Zenergy, Melinda curates essential business tools, resources, and software to simplify online business growth.

Beyond business, Melinda is a passionate advocate for education and community development. She volunteers her time to mentor and support small business owners.

Her motto: When you stop learning, you stop growing. Find more of Melinda's resources at dynamiczenergy.com.