Making money online – Who can actually do it?

You see these stories everywhere.

“I quit my 9–5 to become a social media manager.”
“I left corporate to open my webshop and sell custom-made jewellery.”
“I walked away from my job and built my dream life online.”

It all sounds inspiring. And sometimes it is true.

But it’s not the full reality, and it’s definitely not the only way.

The truth is, there is no single ‘right’ way to start making money online. Everyone’s journey looks different, because everyone’s life looks different.

And that’s something we don’t talk about enough.

The part most people leave out:

At Glow & Grow Academy, there are two of us behind the brand and even we are on completely different paths.

One of us is still working in corporate while freelancing on the side.
The other made the decision to quit her job and fully pursue social media management as a freelancer.

Same values. Same skills. Same support system. Very different timing and circumstances. And that’s exactly the point.

Stability isn’t a weakness

For some people, quitting a job makes sense.

They might:

• Have savings that can support them for a few months

• Live with parents or have low living costs

• Have someone helping with bills or food

• Be at a stage in life where they can take a bigger risk
  

In that situation, leaving a job that drains you mentally can feel like freedom, and sometimes it is the right move.

But for many others, that simply isn’t realistic.

And that doesn’t mean they’re doing anything wrong.

A corporate 9–5 might not look exciting on social media, but it offers:

• A stable income

• Job security

• Health insurance

• Predictability
  
  

Walking away from that without a safety net can be incredibly risky, and for some people, irresponsible. No matter what the internet tries to convince you of.

Choosing stability while you build something on the side is not “playing small”. It’s being realistic.

The honest trade-off no one likes to mention

If you’re in the second group, working full-time and building something online on the side, you will have to sacrifice more of your time.

There are only so many hours in a day.

If you work 8 hours, sleep 7–8 hours, and still have responsibilities like the gym, childare, commuting and basic life admin…there isn’t much left.

That usually means evenings and weekends.

And yes, often it means your social life will be very quiet for a while. That part isn’t glamorous. It’s not aesthetic. It doesn’t fit into a reel. But it’s real.

Building something alongside a full-time job is slower, but it’s also safer. And for many people, that’s the smarter option.

Slow progress is still progress

It might take longer than you expect.

It might take more than a few months before anything really clicks.

But the most important thing is this: don’t quit on yourself.

The goal doesn’t have to be “leave your job tomorrow”.
The goal can simply be: replace your income gradually.

Once you start consistently making what you earn in your corporate role, month after month, the risk of quitting becomes much smaller.

At that point, the decision is no longer emotional. It’s informed.

So… who can make money online?

Honestly?

Anyone who is willing to:

• be realistic about their situation

• choose a direction instead of staying stuck

• put in the work consistently, even when it’s unglamorous
  
  

You don’t need to quit your job. You don’t need to rush. You don’t need to copy someone else’s timeline. You just need to start.

The first decision is simply choosing what you want to work towards.

Our free guide, Start Making Money Online, gives you a clear overview of legitimate online business models, so you can see what might actually suit your skills, lifestyle, and current situation.

You already have more skills than you think. Choosing a direction is the hardest part.

And if you need more guidance or support along the way, we’re here. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Your first step.