11 income lifelines for struggling entrepreneurs

To build Spanx, Sarah Blakely kept her day job, and used her earnings to fund the Spanx project.

With just $5,000 of savings, she bootstrapped her way forward, building relationships and diversifying her product line for multiple income streams. 

Her story shows that even in tough times, smart financial choices and resourcefulness are key lifelines for entrepreneurs to survive and thrive.

Let’s show you how!

Productise the knowledge

You’ve built a wealth of knowledge while running your business, and others are hungry to learn from your experience. 

Why not monetise it? 

Platforms (e.g. Udemy) allow you to create and sell courses on topics you’re already an expert in—marketing, business development, or industry-specific skills.

Why it works:

It turns your hard-earned experience into passive income. 

Once you create the course, it can generate revenue while you focus on your business.

Pain point addressed:

This is a great way to leverage existing knowledge without the overhead costs of starting a new venture.

Offer consulting services in your industry

You may be struggling with your own business, but your expertise is invaluable to others in your field. 

Offering consulting services – whether it’s strategy, operations, or marketing – can bring in income 

while allowing you to stay connected to your industry.

Why it works:

As was the case with The Orie Team, clients often value real-world experience over academic knowledge. 

Your practical insights could be exactly what other businesses need.

Pain point addressed:

Consulting gives you immediate cash flow, helping bridge the gap during slow months.

Micro-investing

When finances are tight, investing might feel out of reach. 

But with properties akin to The Orie and Orie Showflat or micro-investing platforms like Acorns or Stash, you can start with anything. 

These apps round up your everyday purchases and invest the difference.

Why it works:

Even small amounts can grow over time. 

It’s a low-effort way to build a financial cushion, and it doesn’t take significant time or money away from your business.

Pain point addressed:

This method helps you build long-term financial security, even during lean periods.

Sell digital products

If you’ve already created marketing materials, templates, or guides for your business, why not sell them as digital products? 

Platforms like Etsy or Gumroad let you easily sell downloadable content, turning your existing resources into revenue.

Why it works:

You’re using assets you’ve already created, and once they’re online, they can be sold repeatedly with no additional effort.

Pain point addressed:

This adds a passive income stream, giving you financial breathing room without additional labour.

Rent out your business assets

If your business involves equipment or space, whether it’s office equipment, tools, or even a room in The Orie showflat, you could rent them out during downtime. 

Platforms like Fat Llama make it easy to list and rent equipment, or you could rent space to local entrepreneurs needing temporary workspaces.

Why it works:

You generate revenue from assets that would otherwise sit idle. 

It’s a great way to maximise the utility of your investments.

Pain point addressed:

This method allows you to generate immediate income without selling your assets.

Affiliate marketing

If you run a blog, website, or social media page for your business, you can monetise it through affiliate marketing. 

By promoting products/services that cater to your audience, you can earn a commission on referral sales.

Why it works:

This doesn’t require any upfront investment, and you can align the products you promote with your brand’s mission or customer base.

Pain point addressed:

It’s a low-risk way to add an income stream that grows as your following does.

Offer one-time workshops or webinars

If a fully digital course feels too time-consuming to create, consider hosting one-time workshops or webinars. 

People are always looking for targeted, actionable advice, and you can charge for access to these live or recorded events.

Why it works:

You provide value in real-time, and with platforms like Zoom or Eventbrite, it’s easier than ever to organise and promote a workshop.

Pain point addressed:

This is a fast way to generate income from your expertise without committing to a long-term teaching format.

Freelance on the side

Freelancing in a field related to your business can bring in additional income without the need to shift careers. 

From design writing to coding, there’s a high demand for freelancers on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.

Why it works:

You’re leveraging existing skills in a different format, bringing in extra income without straying too far from your core business

Pain point addressed:

Freelancing allows you to maintain cash flow when your business revenue dips, with the flexibility to scale up or down as needed.

License your intellectual property

If you’ve created a product, process, or technology for your business, you might be sitting on intellectual property that others are willing to pay for. 

Licensing your IP can bring in royalty payments from other businesses that want to use your creation.

Why it works:

Licensing provides a passive income stream while allowing you to retain ownership of your IP. 

Pain point addressed:

This allows you to earn from your innovations without the need for manufacturing or selling.

Offer subscriptions

If your business offers a product or service that people frequently use, consider creating a subscription model. 

From digital content to physical goods, offering a recurring subscription ensures a steady income. 

Why it works:

Subscriptions offer predictable, recurring revenue, which can stabilise your cash flow.

Pain point addressed:

It provides financial predictability in a way that one-off sales cannot, giving you a reliable income stream even during slow periods.

Monetise your business’ story

The journey of entrepreneurship is full of highs, lows, and invaluable lessons—and people want to hear about it. 

Start a podcast or blog that shares your experiences. Once you build an audience, monetise it through sponsorships, affiliate links, or even premium content.

Why it works:

Your unique perspective as an entrepreneur is your selling point. 

As your audience grows, so do your opportunities to earn from advertising or paid subscriptions.

Pain point addressed:

This leverages your personal story for profit, giving you a way to turn your journey into income without additional investments.

Conclusion

Being an entrepreneur is tough, especially when revenue is inconsistent and the financial pressures are mounting. 

Remember, no matter how tough things get, there are ways to create financial stability while continuing to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.

The editorial unit