163: From Planner Idea to Six Figures

From Planner Idea to Six Figures

The story is all about a planner! Yes, a physical paper planner that went from rough concept to real traction, proving that even a small, specific idea can grow into something much bigger.

Starting with a Planner Idea

The journey begins with a simple frustration: the planners on the market didn’t deliver what their creator needed. Instead of settling, he decided to build his own. That seed of an idea became the foundation for what would grow into a six-figure business.

If you’ve ever thought your own tools or products could be better, this is proof that an everyday annoyance can be the start of your side hustle. The phrase from planner idea to six figures isn’t just a catchy line — it’s a reminder that your observations and pain points might be the spark for your business too.

Building Breathing Room

Most people can’t just quit their job to start a new venture. They need security while they test and grow something on the side. In this case, a small real estate side hustle provided breathing room. Rental income from a four-unit property meant that basic expenses were covered, and that financial cushion gave the confidence to focus on creating and testing the planner business.

For you, that breathing room might come from keeping your full-time salary while you grow your side hustle in the mornings, evenings, or weekends. The lesson? Build a runway. You’ll need time before your new idea starts generating meaningful income.

Focus Groups at Zero Cost

One of the most powerful lessons in this episode is the use of focus groups. Early drafts of the planner seemed great — until a small group of testers said otherwise. They found it confusing and repetitive. Harsh feedback, yes, but it was exactly what was needed. By gathering friends, family, and acquaintances together and asking for open feedback, the product was saved before launch.

The best part? These focus groups didn’t cost a dime. If you’re developing a product, even on a shoestring budget, you can replicate this. Gather a handful of people, give them your prototype, and encourage honest feedback. That upfront discomfort can save you from costly mistakes later.

Launch and Gaining Traction

Once the planner was ready, the next hurdle was getting it into customers’ hands. Instead of relying only on paid ads — which can drain your budget quickly — the growth strategy leaned on influencer outreach. By sending free planners to YouTube creators who already reviewed planners, genuine reviews started to appear online. Those reviews tapped into existing audiences and built trust far faster than cold ads could.

For anyone with a side hustle, this is a strategy worth copying. Who already has your audience? How can you get your product or service in front of them in a way that feels natural and valuable? This kind of scrappy outreach often works better than pouring money into ads you can’t afford.

Lessons You Can Apply

• Look for frustrations in your own life. They can spark your best business ideas.
• Create breathing room. Keep your salary or build a side hustle that funds your experiments.
• Test with real people. Focus groups, even informal ones, can highlight problems you don’t see.
• Leverage existing audiences. Influencers, creators, and communities can give you traction without huge ad spend.
• Diversify. Multiple income streams give you stability when things get rocky.

Final Thoughts

Going from planner idea to six figures didn’t happen overnight. It took persistence, feedback, and creative marketing. But the story shows what’s possible when you take action on an idea, listen closely to your testers, and find smart ways to get your product out into the world.

If you’re ready to start or grow your own side hustle, tune in, take notes, and start thinking: what’s the idea in your life that could become your own six-figure success story?