In Good Company Edition One: Glori Jade

In Good Company is a new Journal series about the people, makers and businesses we’re lucky enough to cross paths with through The Minimal Co. A place for conversations about what people are making, building, learning and figuring out along the way.

For our first feature, we’re talking to Glori, who has set herself a rather ambitious challenge: make $20,000 in 90 days and use it to clear her debt.

When we first came across Glori’s 90 Days to $20k challenge, we were immediately interested, not only in whether she could reach the number, but in everything that sits behind it. Building new income streams, talking openly about money, putting yourself on the internet before you necessarily know how things will turn out, and ultimately trying to create a little more freedom in your life.

The Minimal Co has since become one small part of the experiment through our affiliate partnership with Glori, so we thought this was the perfect time to find out a little more about why she started and how it’s going so far.

For anyone discovering the challenge for the first time, what is 90 Days to $20k and what made you decide to do it?

I find I work better with a deadline and I’ve been dreaming of building online income for years but have never done much about it. I figured if I put a little gentle pressure on myself I might actually get a step closer to the life i dream of.

Why did you choose $20,000 as the goal, and why 90 days?

I have a bit of debt that I want rid of and I think to build the foundations of the life I want I have to demolish the life I used to live.

What would reaching the $20k and getting out of debt actually change for you?

It would allow to have more freedom and flexibility around my time and my money. It would allow me to stress less and enjoy life more!

How did you feel when you first made the challenge public? Were you nervous about talking openly about money and debt?

Physically sick haha. I’d been thinking about it since I started posting on the account, initially I was going to just do $1000 in like 30 days, but then I raised the stakes to make enough to cover my debt. I was very nervous. I’ve grown up in a household where money wasn’t much of a conversation because we didn’t have a lot of it. But every single time i’ve ever been vulnerable on the internet it has connected with people. So it’s well worth it.

What different ways are you trying to make money during the 90 days?

Initially I was just going to try UGC, Affiliates & Digital Products, but I’m playing with the idea of adding a couple more income streams to the challenge. You’ll have to follow to find out.

What has surprised you most so far?

The support from so many people!!! I have been overwhelmed with the support strangers and people I know have shown me so far, it’s wild.

What’s been harder than you expected?

Finding time. I juggle a lot every day and some days I’m lucky if I spend an hour or two on the challenge before my brain switches off.

Has the challenge changed the way you think about money, earning or spending?

I think I’ve known for a while but it’s really confirmed that there is money to be made online. You don’t necessarily have to work yourself to the bone in a job you dislike to get ahead anymore.

What role have brand collaborations and affiliate partnerships played in the challenge so far?

Literally the biggest role. I thought the bulk of my wins in this challenge would come from digital products, and right before Bridget & The Minimal got in touch I was about to axe trying affiliates!! But brand collabs and affiliates have been my biggest successes so far.

When someone shops using one of your affiliate codes, what does that actually mean for you and the challenge?

Not only are you supporting a stunning NZ brand and business with an awesome ethos, and getting some unreal goodies for yourself, but you’re also adding to the outcome of my challenge! Everyone wins

Have there been any moments so far where you’ve thought, okay, I might actually pull this off?

I had a day where my parcel arrived from the minimal, I landed my first paid deal and I had a message from a marketing company wanting to chat about a potential role because they’d seen my challenge. It was insane. I felt like I could take on anything.

Is there anything you’ve learnt already that you think you’ll carry with you after the 90 days are over?

I’m hoping that the income streams I build over the 90 days I can just carry on after the challenge ends, ultimately this is a stepping stone in my bigger picture.

And finally, if we check back in with you on Day 90, what are you hoping you’ll be able to tell us?

That I hit the $20k and have cleared my debt!! and if that’s the case I will most likely ugly cry so be prepared for that.

Follow along and support the challenge

There’s something particularly lovely about Glori describing this challenge as a stepping stone rather than an end point. The $20,000 might be the number she’s working towards over these 90 days, but behind it is a much bigger experiment in creating more choice around how she works, earns and spends her time.

In the meantime, if you’d like to support Glori’s challenge while shopping with The Minimal Co, you can use GLORI10 for 10% off your order. When you use Glori’s code, she earns commission from the sale which goes towards her $20,000 goal.

And if you’d simply like to see whether she manages to pull this whole thing off, follow Glori as she documents the 90 days at @selfmadebyglorijade, including the wins, experiments and everything she figures out along the way.

In Good Company will continue here in the Journal, sharing more conversations with the people behind the things, ideas and businesses we think are worth knowing about.