How Julie Berninger made more than $500,000 last year by working about only 10 to 15 hours per week.

Julie Berninger, 35, has perfected the art of making money while hardly lifting a finger. She’s like the internet’s Midas, turning hobbies into gold. Her journey began in 2015 when she launched her blog, Millennial Boss, while juggling her job as an engineering manager at Amazon. The blog, which covers personal finance and lifestyle topics, has been raking in tens of thousands of dollars in passive income every year. Who knew that writing about money could make you so much of it?

In 2017, she decided to dip her toes into the Etsy waters, selling printables like bachelorette party activity lists. It turns out, people will pay good money to avoid planning these things themselves. Her Etsy shop brings in thousands each year with minimal effort, requiring only an hour of her time every quarter. That’s less time than it takes most people to decide what to watch on Netflix.

In 2019, Berninger teamed up with Cody Berman to co-found Gold City Ventures, an online course company. Their flagship course teaches users how to start an Etsy store selling printables, just like Berninger’s. Spoiler alert: it’s a hit. The course has grossed millions, proving that people really do want to learn how to make money while doing as little as possible.

By 2023, Berninger and Berman were ready for their next big thing: Auros Agency. This venture takes the Gold City Ventures model and applies it to creators with sizable followings. Essentially, they’re helping influencers turn their clout into cash. “We’re doing the same business model that we do for the Etsy seller community that we have,” she says, “but it’s in all different niches.” Translation: more money, more fun.

The Magic of Passive Income

Millennial Boss, Berninger’s blog, is a shining example of passive income at its finest. It makes money through affiliate links and display advertising, earning about $35,000 in 2023. Berninger updates it once a year, just to keep things current. It’s the kind of hands-off business that dreams are made of.

Her Etsy store, though less of a cash cow, still brought in around $3,000 in 2023. For Berninger, the shop serves as a helpful tool for her Gold City Ventures community. She references it in her course, showing students real-life examples of success. It’s like a prop in a magician’s act, proving that the magic is real.

Gold City Ventures: The Cash Machine

Gold City Ventures is the real moneymaker in Berninger’s portfolio. The company sells courses on how to start an Etsy store for printables, alongside a membership that offers coaching and community support. The course costs $197, while the membership is $29 per month. With around 4,000 members, the company’s gross revenue exceeded $2 million in 2023. Berninger’s personal take-home pay? A cool $500,000. And she only works 10 to 15 hours a week. Talk about living the dream.

Auros Agency: The Next Big Thing

Auros Agency, Berninger’s latest venture, aims to replicate the success of Gold City Ventures across different niches. They help influencers create and sell digital products, building communities and marketing funnels for their clients. The agency has already signed three clients, including Ashton Pienaar from “Below Deck.” The courses and memberships they offer sell for $179 per month, or $2,497 per month with one-on-one coaching. The agency splits profits 50/50 with the creators, ensuring everyone’s happy and, more importantly, profitable.

Berninger, Berman, and their COO, Taylor Smith, have big plans for Auros. If they can replicate their success across five niches, they’re looking at an eight-figure business. “We’d be an eight-figure business,” Berninger says with confidence, and perhaps a hint of glee.

The Bottom Line

Julie Berninger’s story is a testament to the power of side hustles, strategic thinking, and a sprinkle of entrepreneurial magic. From blogging and selling printables to launching successful courses and agencies, she’s turned her passions into profits. Her journey from Amazon engineer to multi-business owner is as inspiring as it is entertaining, proving that sometimes, the best way to work is to hardly work at all.