How Gillian Perkins Built a Profitable Digital Business

Building a digital business often comes with the assumption that success requires endless hustle, long nights, and sacrificing personal time. But what if there was another way, one where you could grow a profitable business without burning out?

That’s exactly what Gillian Perkins has done with her digital business, and in this episode of the podcast, Dylan Jahraus uncovers how she makes it all work.

In this episode of the podcast, Dylan Jahraus sits down with Gillian Perkins, a successful entrepreneur, homeschool mom of six, and creator of a thriving digital business. Gillian has built multiple companies, scaled a digital product empire, and grown a YouTube channel with more than 700,000 subscribers, all while keeping her workweek under 30 hours.

How does she do it? Through intentional business design, smart systems, and a deep commitment to her values.

From Accidental Entrepreneur to Music School Owner

Gillian’s entrepreneurial journey started early. At just 14 years old, she was asked by her peers to give flute lessons. At first hesitant, she soon discovered a natural talent for teaching. Word spread quickly, and what began as a side hustle grew into the Northwest School of Music, one of the largest music schools in Oregon. She ran the school for over a decade before selling it.

Even as a teenager, Gillian knew she didn’t want to follow the traditional 40–60-hour workweek path. She craved flexibility, wanted to be a mom, and envisioned a career that could provide both freedom and financial security.

The Love of Business Itself

While building her music school, Gillian started other ventures every couple of years. At the time, she thought she was searching for the “right” business. Looking back, she realized she simply loved entrepreneurship, starting, marketing, and growing companies was her passion.

This curiosity eventually led her to online business. After experimenting with a marketing agency, she returned to her first gift: teaching. She began helping others build businesses, market their offers, and find their first customers.

Building a Digital Business Empire

Today, Gillian runs multiple online brands:

• Creator Fast Track – a YouTube growth program
• Startup Society Shop – digital products, templates, and tools for entrepreneurs
• Startup Society – a membership program with training for online business owners
• GillianPerkins.com – advanced coaching for scaling digital product businesses

She’s also the host of the Work Less, Earn More podcast, where she shares strategies to grow income without overworking.

5 Tactical Lessons from Gillian Perkins

In the world of online entrepreneurship, it’s easy to equate success with hustle. But Gillian Perkins—entrepreneur, homeschool mom of six, and creator of a thriving digital product business—proves that it’s possible to grow sustainably without burnout.

In her recent interview with Dylan Jahraus, Gillian shared the systems and strategies that allow her to run a half-million-dollar business in under 30 hours a week. Here are five tactical lessons you can apply to your own business.

1. Validate Before You Scale

Before you start hiring a team or outsourcing tasks, make sure your business model is solid. Gillian emphasizes finding what works first—what actually sells—before investing in help. Scaling too soon often just amplifies inefficiency.

“Don’t start hiring people if you’re not making money yet. You have to find things that work first, and then you can delegate.”

2. Focus on One Powerful Growth Channel

Gillian tried many marketing strategies early on—Facebook, ads, blogging—but nothing compared to the results she got from YouTube. Once she saw that, she went all in. Her advice: pick one channel, get great at it, and double down.

“Within three months, YouTube results were so incredible that I stopped doing everything else.”

3. Give Away Massive Value for Free

Her content strategy is simple: share everything. She gives away the “what” and “why” freely and reserves the detailed “how” for her paid offers. The result? A loyal audience that trusts her expertise and wants to go deeper.

4. Build Systems That Protect Your Time

Running a lean, efficient business starts with smart systems. Gillian has a small team—just six people, only three full-time—and every role has a clear purpose. This allows her to stay out of the weeds and focus on big-picture strategy instead of constant management.

5. Choose Long-Form Content for Lasting Impact

In a world obsessed with short-form video, Gillian doubles down on long-form. She’s found that deeper, more educational content attracts loyal followers who actually convert into paying customers. It’s quality over quantity, every time.

Work Less, Earn More from Your Digital Business

Despite her business growth, Gillian’s work hours have consistently decreased over time. She has intentionally built systems and teams that keep the business running smoothly without requiring her to be constantly “on.”

Her philosophy is clear:

• Focus on impact-driven tasks. Only work on activities that move the needle.
• Leverage digital products. Scale income without scaling time.
• Build systems. Automate and delegate to prevent burnout.

For Gillian, balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about aligning her business with her values — making space for motherhood, family, and the freedom to live life on her terms.

Key Takeaways

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to grow your income while working fewer hours, Gillian’s story is proof that it is. By choosing scalable products, creating strong systems, and staying rooted in her priorities, she’s built a business that supports her life rather than consuming it.

This episode is packed with insights and real-life inspiration for anyone looking to design a business that allows both profit and freedom.

To learn more about Etsy marketing tips, check out Etsy Seller Success podcast.

And don’t forget to follow Dylan on Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes seller strategies!