My 17 Sources of Income at Age 39

Overview: Entrepreneurship as an “Income-Levels” Progression (Level 1 → Level 5)

The speaker frames entrepreneurship as a progression of “levels”:

1. Level 1: Exchange time for money (and later monetize scalable media)
2. Level 2: Build your own service business (direct client outcomes)
3. Level 3: Productize services + automate to avoid linear time
4. Level 4: Sell product/businesses (e.g., SaaS, real estate operator models)
5. Level 5: Own/build assets that pay automatically (true automation/ownership)

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Level 1: Time-for-money (plus scalable “boring” media monetization)

1) YouTube AdSense (automated distribution + cash engine)

Process / playbook

• Pick a niche
• Publish videos that solve problems or entertain
• Start with basic production (e.g., iPhone + natural light)
• Post at least weekly
• Treat it like a business (not a hobby)

Key KPIs / metrics

• YouTube Partner Program thresholds: 1,000 subscribers + 4,000 watch hours
• Monetization heuristic: ~$3–$20 per 1,000 views (CPM varies by niche)
• Example income: 100,000 views → ~$500–$2,000 from a single video
• Example referenced: 2024 YouTube income: ~$360,000

Actionable guidance

• Focus on long-form content, which can keep earning for months/years (“scales while you sleep”).

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2) Ads & sponsorships (high-margin brand access via creator media)

Mechanism

• Brands pay for access to your audience via channels like YouTube, podcasts, newsletters, Instagram.

Starter framework

• Know your audience and what they care about
• Build a simple media kit (reach, open rates, topics)
• Start with products you already use (credibility)
• Reach out directly (DMs/LinkedIn) to marketing decision-makers
• Take only the right deals (protect audience trust; don’t “sell out” cheaply)

Rough KPI / deal ranges (as stated)

• 5–10k followers: ~$250–$500 per post/newsletter
• Mid-size: ~$1k–$5k+ depending on niche

Tactics

• Mentions early in the video (around first ~60 seconds) often command a flat fee
• Newsletter featured links and IG product posts can also convert into sponsor checks

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3) Public speaking (monetize expertise via paid teaching time)

Positioning

• If you can explain a topic well to one person, you can teach 30–60 minute sessions to groups.

Execution

• Pitch conferences, universities, masterminds
• Deliver tactical content; get paid per engagement

Claim

• Speakers can earn $5k–$10k per talk (sometimes more), even without massive fame.

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4) Affiliate marketing (commission-based sales without inventory)

Mechanism

• Recommend a product/service; when someone buys via your link, you earn a commission.
• No inventory, shipping, or customer service.

Examples (retention-driven commission)

• Software at $100/month: some programs pay ~30% monthly while users remain subscribed
• AI companies: described as offering multi-year payouts (example referenced: “2-year payouts”)
• Example math: helping 100 signups → ~$3,000/month as long as customers stay

Affiliate playbook

1. Start with tools/books/courses you already use
2. Join affiliate programs (Amazon Associates; or Rewardful/Impact/ShareASale; or direct-from-company)
3. Put links where your audience already consumes content (newsletters, blogs, email footers)
4. Be transparent it’s affiliate (avoid misleading claims)

Constraint

• It’s not “rich overnight”; requires distribution and compounding over time.

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Level 2: Your own service business (cash-flow + direct outcomes)

5) Consulting / problem-solving offers (fastest to start)

Core playbook

• Pick a “lane” and define a narrow, measurable problem
  • Avoid vague “help businesses grow”
• Offer options:
  • One-time strategy calls
  • Ongoing coaching / VIP sessions
• Price based on value, not time
• Use early clients as beta testers (discount/free initially)
• Gather testimonials (social proof beats price increases early)
• Create content to drive leads (make thinking visible; convert commenters into buyers)

Concrete example offer

• “Help home service businesses add $10K/month in recurring revenue.”

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6) Owning local service businesses (operator-led, systems-backed, royalty-like upside)

Model

• Own cash-flowing local businesses (e.g., roofing, window cleaning, garage upgrades).
• You provide strategy/marketing/financing; operators run day-to-day.

Scale / incentive structure

• Example (“Brezi Brands”): take a cut of royalty revenue from members/franchisees—“incentivist at scale.”

How to start (3 paths)

1. Buy an existing business (example: SBA loans; “~10% down” cited)
2. Partner with an operator (they run; you bring capital/strategy; split profits)
3. Make it boring: systematize, build a brand, let it run

Business principles

• Speaker emphasizes: less competition, recurring demand, and higher margins are often overlooked.

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Level 3: Productized services + automation (scale without linear time)

7) “Book royalties” via automated e-commerce flows (Shopify + Omnisend)

Process

• Use Shopify + Omnisend to automate:
  • sales recovery
  • onboarding
• Write like a human (welcome emails “sound like me”)

Key metric / KPI

• 87% of automated orders come from three flows:
  • Welcome
  • Cart abandonment
  • Browse abandonment

Actionable recommendation

• Set up those flows and let them run 24/7.

Promotional detail

• Mentions a code for 30% off paid plans (code: “Cody Sanchez 30”).

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8) Productized services (courses, community, memberships)

Framework

• Convert knowledge into a repeatable product (courses, memberships, packaged offers).

Execution playbook

1. Choose one transformation (one result)
2. Start with a beta version; sell before fully building
   • Use discounts/focus groups
3. Record content (Loom/Zoom/iPhone; prioritize clarity)
4. Add a community platform (Slack/Circle/Discord) for engagement and retention

Example structure

• Community for business buyers + community for business builders
• ~6 events/year
• Four course/curriculum tracks

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Level 3.5: Venture/VC operating as management fees + carry (high-network dependent)

9) VC fund management fees and carry

Mechanics

• LPs provide capital; the fund manager charges:
  • ~2% management fee (speaker: “usually 2% of total amount raised”)
• Upside comes from carry on successful exits.

Starter logic

• Start small with angel deals to build track record
• Join a syndicate (AngelList-style) to learn and reduce back-end work
• Build an LP trust network early
• Launch micro funds (example: 1–5M fund sizes referenced)

Timeline risk

• Long investment horizon: ~5–10 years

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Level 4: Selling product (SaaS + real estate operator models)

10) SaaS (replace a human workflow with a subscription)

Model

• Build a software tool that solves a previously service-led workflow.
• Subscription billing; runs 24/7.

Concrete example

• “Biscout” helps people find small businesses to buy—replacing a broker with technology.

Implementation playbook

1. Solve a pain point you already have (don’t chase trends)
2. Validate before building:
   • landing page + pre-sell
   • talk to ~20 potential users
3. Partner with a builder/agency if not technical (offer equity if needed)
4. Charge from day one (don’t rely on free users)
   • “Real customers do real feedback”
5. Distribution first
   • You need eyeballs / go-to-market focus after product creation

Constraint

• SaaS is not “easy mode” due to support and customer retention requirements.

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11) Airbnb

Key claim

• Potential earnings: 2–3x versus long-term renting the same place (speaker’s claim).

Options

1. Own the property
2. Rent it (rental arbitrage; must follow local laws)
3. Co-host (takes ~10–30% cut; heavy operations like cleaning, messaging, bookings)

Execution guidance

• Block off days, adjust pricing, test markets
• Speaker advises being thoughtful because it’s harder than earlier years

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12) Multifamily investing

Why it’s positioned as more stable

• Multiple tenants diversify income and reduce vacancy risk vs single-unit rentals.

Entry tactics

1. House hack (duplex/triplex/fourplex; live in one, rent others)
   • Down payment cited: as low as 3.5% via FHA
2. Partner (capital vs operations split)
3. Passive syndication (wire funds; operators manage)

Risk warning

• Buying property requires expertise—mispricing can “bankrupt yourself” (speaker caution).

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Level 5: Build/buy assets that pay automatically (true automation/ownership)

13) Dividend stocks / ETF dividends

Mechanism

• Hold dividend-paying stocks/ETFs; receive periodic cash (quarterly/monthly).

Action plan

• Use a low-fee broker (examples: Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab)
• Choose:
  • Dividend ETFs (examples: VM, SCHD)
  • Blue-chip dividend stocks (examples: Johnson & Johnson, Pepsi, Procter & Gamble)
• Set to DRIP (automatic reinvestment via dollar-cost averaging)

Rule

• Don’t day trade; use long-term patience.

Source reference

• Speaker references investing experience from 2008–2010.

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14) Bond income / bond ladders concept

Mechanism

• Invest in bonds; receive interest typically every 3 months up to 36 months (speaker phrasing).

Options

• Treasury bonds (government-backed)
• Municipal bonds (“munis”) described as tax-free (speaker claim; depends on jurisdiction)
• Corporate bonds (higher yield, more risk)
• Bond ETFs (examples: BND, TLT)

Decision variables

• Short vs long maturity (long-term can offer higher rates)
• Reinvest for compounding vs taking periodic cash

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15) Franchises & royalty licensing (operational leverage via replication)

Model

• Build the system + a profitable business once.
• Franchisees operate locally; you earn ongoing economics.

Earnings

• Ongoing royalty fee: described as ~3–10% of revenue
• Plus upfront franchise fees

Execution steps

• Prove model with one successful profitable location
• Protect brand/system via franchise attorneys and FDD
• Recruit franchisees (often employees or early adopters)
• Provide growth support to maintain royalty inflow

Concrete example

• “Resi Brands” with ~700 franchises.

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16) Licensing content/IP (infinite leverage from creative output)

Mechanism

• Brands/platforms/creators pay to license IP (videos, frameworks, courses, clips).
• Analogy: republished content in many versions (example: MrBeast translations).

Playbook

1. Identify licenseworthy assets (frameworks, evergreen content, multilingual potential)
2. Protect IP (trademark/copyright; at minimum establish grievances)
3. Find distributors/partners (media companies, international publishers)
4. Structure deals (flat fees or royalties; prefer royalties for long-term demand)

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17) “Book royalties” (duplication/republishing logic)

Traditional vs self-publishing

• Traditional: ~10–15% of each book sale (speaker recollection)
• Self-publishing: can be up to ~70% via platforms like Kindle Direct

Key business reality

• Writing is only half; sales/distribution are required (“books do not sell themselves”).

Strategy

• Use the book as leverage for other channels:
  • YouTube content
  • courses
  • speaking gigs

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18) Venture/angel investments (final “stack” bet)

Mechanics

• Invest in startups; capture upside through syndicates.
• High risk / high reward.

Starter rules

• Join syndicates and invest smaller amounts (example: as low as $1,000)
• Invest in industries you understand
• Diversify (most fail; one can change your life)

Timeline

• Expect 5–10 years, illiquid until exits.

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Key frameworks / playbooks used

• YouTube growth & monetization checklist
  • Niche selection → publish weekly → partner thresholds → monetize via CPM
• Creator sponsor playbook
  • Audience clarity → media kit → direct outreach → selective deals to protect trust
• Consulting offer framework
  • “Pick your lane” + measurable outcome → value-based pricing → social proof → content-led lead gen
• Service ownership operating model
  • Operators run day-to-day; owner focuses on strategy/marketing/financing; incentives via royalties/cuts
• E-commerce automation
  • Set up core flows: welcome + cart abandonment + browse abandonment
• Productized service development
  • One transformation → beta-first sale → simple recording → add community for retention
• SaaS build/validate playbook
  • Landing page + pre-sell + interviews → partner build if needed → charge early → prioritize distribution
• Franchise replication
  • Prove template first → legal protection (FDD) → recruit franchisees → ongoing growth support
• IP licensing
  • Licenseworthy assets → protect IP → find distributors → structure flat fee vs royalties

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Concrete examples / case studies referenced

• YouTube earnings: 2024 YouTube income ~$360,000
• Affiliate example: software $100/month with ~30% recurring commission; AI “2-year payouts”; example: 100 signups → $3,000/month while retained
• Consulting marketplace: GLG used to find consulting while employed
• Owned service model: roofing/window cleaning/garage upgrades; “Brezi Brands” takes royalty cuts from operators
• E-commerce stack: Shopify + Omnisend; claim 87% of automated orders from 3 flows
• SaaS example: “Biscout” replacing broker workflow with tech
• Franchising: “Resi Brands” with ~700 franchises; royalty 3–10%
• Licensing analogy: MrBeast content translations/reposts

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Presenter / Sources

• Presenter: Cody Sanchez
• Repeated self-references; includes a promo code: “Cody Sanchez 30” (for Omnisend)