3 Ways to Turn Your Helpful Nature Into Cash

By talking people through health concerns, guiding the visually impaired, and coaching others on achieving happiness, these women transformed their altruistic spirit into moneymaking gigs. Here’s how:

“I make 6 figures a year helping people find purpose!”

“I was a stay-at-home mom when my kids were young, but when I got divorced, I had to find a way to earn money. A friend posted on Facebook about a summit she was a part of. I clicked on the link and saw that a life coach was speaking. I’d never heard of one, but I was intrigued, so I started following several of them. Eventually, I hired my own life coach, who helped me find direction. It made me want to help other women not feel so lost, so I decided to become a life coach myself!

“Although it’s not necessary, I wanted to learn all I could, so I took a life coach training class and signed up for an online business building course. Then I set up a website (ShariTeigman.com) and blog.

“To market my business, I use social media, including Facebook Live, but a lot of my clients come from word-of-mouth referrals. I work with all kinds of people, from entrepreneurs to moms reentering the workforce. When I start working with a client, we look at where they are, how they became stuck, identify their habits and patterns and then create new, healthy belief systems.

“I offer a monthly membership, a 12-week live group program, courses and one-on-one packages. I also host two podcasts. I love running my business because I’m passionate about teaching people what’s possible in life. I now make six figures a year-money that pays the bills, goes back into the business and pays for part of my kids’ school tuition!”

“I earn up to $300 a week helping the visually impaired ‘see!’”

“As a single mom with two kids (one going off to college) and a full-time job, I was in search of a way to bring in extra income. I saw an ad for Aira, a company that hires ‘visual interpreters’ to help the blind or visually impaired navigate life.

“It seemed like a rewarding and flexible way to make money, so I applied.

“I took a test to show that I could find accurate information quickly. Then I had a virtual interview where I had to navigate the interviewer through a mock scenario. Once hired, I did six weeks of online training.

“My clients have special glasses or a smartphone app that is synced with my dashboard. It allows me to see what’s in their environment and gives me access to GPS. When they call in, I’m an extra set of eyes. I help my clients navigate unfamiliar areas while walking outdoors, read nutrition labels for them, search for recipes and help them cook meals. I even read bedtime stories to their kids or help with homework!

“I earn $15 an hour and work between 8 and 20 hours a week. The money I make pays for extras like vacations with my kids. I love this job because it’s flexible, and I can pick my own hours. Best of all, it’s given me a new perspective on life!”

“I bring in a full-time income helping people with cancer!”

“For years, I worked in marketing and had my own photography studio, but back problems made it hard to keep up with the physical demands of my job. I needed to find a way to supplement my income from home and be available for my family. Then I discovered LiveOps, a company that hires virtual, on-demand customer service agents. I read positive reviews about the company, and I knew that a job where I could help people would be perfect for me.

“I filled out an online application and LiveOps ran a background check.

“After my interview, they provided me with comprehensive training. I couldn’t believe how prepared I was in just a few weeks! At first, I was hired to handle customer service for retail clients, but when an opportunity to work with a health-care company, where I would help people being screened for cancer, came up, I jumped at it.

“People call in with questions about the testing and how it works, I take notes, set up new accounts and handle insurance and billing questions. The client gives me scripts, required greetings and closings and guidelines to help in specific situations. My goal is to make people feel like they’re talking to an old friend. We often share stories and laugh, and it makes their day a little brighter. I pride myself on being a good listener and having empathy. This work is so rewarding, and I feel like I make a difference in others’ lives.

“I work 40 hours a week and make a full-time income, which pays the bills, and for college tuition for my daughter, investments and online shopping!”

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First for Women.