Bernadette Joy decided to start her money coaching side hustle in order to work fewer hours per week, not more. She had previously run a business renting out bridesmaid dresses, but as the business grew, she found herself overwhelmed by the financial and time commitments. This led her to close the business and transition to offering money coaching services under the name Crush Your Money Goals. Joy’s expertise comes from her own personal experience with paying off debt, as well as her educational background in psychology and business.
In 2020, Joy officially launched her money coaching business, which quickly became lucrative, earning her $279,000 in the first year. Despite the success of her business, Joy prioritizes having a flexible schedule that allows her to work just 20 hours per week from Monday through Wednesday. This schedule gives her enough free time to engage in activities like traveling and taking hip-hop dance classes, something she has always wanted since childhood. Joy admits to being “incredibly lazy” and prefers to find the path of least resistance.
Joy attributes her ability to maintain a work-life balance to being “hyper-efficient.” She works intensely for her 20 hours a week, allowing her to have the rest of the time for relaxation and other activities. Joy avoids multi-tasking as much as possible, opting to meet with clients for longer sessions every other week instead of shorter sessions each week. Her coaching program incorporates her mindset of less-is-more, aiming to change the way people think about both money and time.
Joy’s belief in working fewer hours aligns with a broader movement in the United States towards prioritizing work-life balance. Companies like Exos have implemented shorter work weeks, resulting in increased productivity and employee satisfaction. Even top entrepreneur Mark Cuban has emphasized the importance of controlling one’s time over chasing wealth. Senator Bernie Sanders introduced legislation to reduce the standard work week to 32 hours without a pay cut, though it has faced opposition from some Republican senators concerned about its impact on small businesses.
Ultimately, Joy’s success and approach to work serve as a testament to the idea that one does not need to be constantly busy or overbooked to achieve success. Her less-is-more mindset, combined with her efficient working style, has allowed her to build a thriving coaching business while still having time for personal interests and relaxation. This approach challenges conventional notions of success and encourages others to reconsider their relationship with both money and time.
