What would it take to replace your corporate income with an online business?
For Derek and Courtney, the answer came faster than anyone expected. Within just 9 months of starting their digital agency, they were consistently earning $15,000 per month – all while raising two children under five and starting with zero technical knowledge.
Their story breaks the conventional wisdom that building an online business requires years of preparation. Through strategic focus and determined implementation, they transformed from corporate professionals into successful digital entrepreneurs in less than a year.
Today, they reveal exactly how they did it:
- The strategy that took them from complete beginners to managing major corporate clients
- How they built recurring revenue that’s about to hit $20,000 monthly
- Why they succeeded so quickly when most people take years to achieve similar results
- The exact systems they used to find and win high-paying clients
Join us to discover how this couple turned their dream of entrepreneurial freedom into reality, and learn the practical steps you can take to follow their path.
Click below to watch the interview or read the article to discover their story.
From Corporate Burnout to Digital Agency Dreams
Derek’s role as a senior business manager in the Asia-Pacific region for a major liquor company came with a hefty paycheck – and an equally heavy toll on family life.
I was traveling constantly, in and out of planes. It was hard with family, and I was burnt out
Meanwhile, Courtney juggled a demanding position as a senior admin manager in mental health while raising their two young boys, aged four and 20 months.
The turning point came when they realized their current path wasn’t sustainable. “We wanted work-life balance,” Courtney explains. Rather than continue along the traditional corporate trajectory, they made a bold decision: Derek would step away from his corporate role entirely, while Courtney would maintain her position part-time to provide stability during their transition.
A Strategic Approach to Building Their Online Business
Unlike many who dabble in various online business models, Derek and Courtney took a laser-focused approach from day one.
We made the decision very early that we wanted to start a digital agency, we wanted to build an asset that eventually we could either step away from or sell.
This clarity of vision proved crucial to their rapid success. Rather than getting distracted by multiple strategies, they committed fully to mastering one path – building a digital agency focused on website development and SEO services for local businesses.
Their first client came through an unexpected source – Courtney’s mothers’ group. After creating a simple Facebook business page announcing their new venture, a fellow mom reached out. It turned out she ran a business with over 20 employees serving clients nationwide. Despite being complete beginners, they were honest about their experience level and secured a $2,000 website project.
Building Momentum Through Strategic Networking
The couple’s approach to finding clients combines traditional networking with modern digital strategies. They joined BNI (Business Network International), where Derek took on an SEO specialist seat in a new chapter. This positioning helped them focus on building recurring revenue through monthly SEO services – a strategy that would prove instrumental to their success.
We’re now probably one or maybe two smaller clients away from clicking over the $20K a month of recurring income, that’s excluding website builds.
Their client portfolio ranges from small businesses paying $500 monthly to larger organizations investing $5,000 per month in their services.
Keys to Their Rapid Success
Several factors contributed to their impressive nine-month trajectory:
1. Disciplined Client Acquisition
They maintained a rigorous commitment to what they call the “hundred call challenge” – a weekly routine of reaching out to potential clients in targeted niches. “Every Monday morning we map out a target niche and then look online and just reach out cold,” Derek explains. This consistent outreach, combined with their BNI networking, ensured a steady flow of new opportunities.
2. Complementary Skill Sets
The couple leverages their individual strengths effectively. Courtney, who works on the business from 7 PM to midnight after putting the kids to bed, excels at website development. Derek focuses on SEO and client relationships, drawing on his corporate sales background to handle complex proposals and client communications.
3. Focus on Quality Service
Their success in winning larger clients, including taking over from established agencies charging six-figure retainers, stems from their hands-on approach. “The feedback we get is just how hands-on and how much we care,” Derek notes. “With some of the bigger agencies, clients tell us they were unresponsive… whereas we share every single thing that we do.”
Building a Sustainable Future
What started as a leap of faith has evolved into a sustainable business model with significant growth potential. They’ve begun building a team, hiring an onshore marketing assistant and an offshore technical specialist to handle increasing workload. More importantly, they’re creating an asset that could be sold for 3-5 times annual profit in the future – something their corporate careers never offered.
The couple recently celebrated their first year in business by mapping out their five-year plan. “We’re connecting on brand new levels,” Derek shares. “We could plan before, but it’s completely different when you’re actually living the business together.”
Lessons for Others Looking to Start an Online Business
For professionals considering a similar path, Derek and Courtney’s experience offers valuable insights:
- Choose a clear strategy and maintain laser focus rather than trying multiple approaches simultaneously
- Trust the process and implement proven systems consistently
- Take action every day – even small steps compound over time
- Be honest with clients about your experience level while demonstrating your commitment to delivering value
- Focus on building recurring revenue streams from the start
Their story demonstrates that with the right strategy, dedication, and support system, it’s possible to quit corporate life and build a thriving online business within a year. While their path required significant effort – particularly during the initial months – it has created something far more valuable than their corporate careers: control over their time, location independence, and a growing asset they truly own.
