Building multiple revenue streams for different energy seasons
Growing up, I only knew two business models: sell products or sell services. Get clients, do the work, get paid. Repeat.
When I launched my marketing agency, I went all-in on this model. I was doing everything - branding, websites, social media, ad campaigns. It was such a fun time, and I loved the work. But it also contributed to a lot of my burnout cycles.
When your only revenue source requires you to be "on" all the time, you can't afford to rest. Because when you rest, the money stops.
The mistake I made (and how I'm fixing it)
One of the biggest mistakes any business owner can make is putting all your eggs in one basket. And I made it for years.
As I've shared in my previous post, there are seasons of business and there are seasons of personal energy. You have to know how to adapt to those different seasons while still ensuring consistent revenue. I've talked about the masculine and feminine seasons of business. The grind phases where you have energy to go full force, and the flow phases where you need to step back and recharge.
The problem is that if all your revenue requires masculine/grind energy, you're trapped. You can't flow even when your body is screaming for rest, because bills don't stop.
The solution I learned along the way is building multiple revenue streams that match different energy levels, and that's what I'd love to share with you today.
My revenue streams (and what I'm learning)
So over the years, I've been building a portfolio of revenue streams that work together. Some require my full presence, others run more independently. Here's what that looks like:
1. Agency Services: Purple Ant Media (Medium Energy)
This is my talent agency that helps entrepreneurs hire the right people for their business, and it's become one of my most sustainable revenue sources. Purple Ant Media runs almost entirely on its own at this point, which I'm incredibly blessed about. I still jump in from time to time to check on services and make strategic decisions, but it's not dependent on my daily presence.
This didn't happen overnight. It took years of building systems, hiring the right people, and documenting processes. But that upfront investment now gives me freedom.
Energy level: Medium, leaning towards low now that systems are in place
Revenue type: Project-based with some retainer clients, fairly predictable
Why it works for both seasons: During grind season, I can be more hands-on with client relationships and business development. During flow season, my team handles operations and I focus on high-level strategy only.
2. Consulting (High Energy, but flexible)
This is where I take all the knowledge I've accumulated over the years and put it into practical application - mentoring and coaching entrepreneurs, consulting for boards, advising on business and marketing strategy. This brings me the most income and also the most purpose and meaning. I get to work directly with 6-7 figure founders and see real impact from my work.
Energy level: High - requires my direct presence and mental capacity
Revenue type: Project-based and retainer, varies significantly
What it looks like: Some months I'm doing consulting work almost every day or 3-4 times a week. Other months, when I don't have the capacity and energy, I only take 1-2 days a week.
The challenge: This is still very dependent on me being "on." I can't completely flow when I have active consulting clients. That's why I need other revenue streams to balance it out.
For example, right now I'm working with a founder on their go-to-market strategy. That requires 2-3 calls a week plus async work. If I was in a deep flow season, I wouldn't have taken this project on. But I'm in grind mode, so it works.
3. Community Building (Medium Energy, still figuring out)
I'm still in the process of learning how to do this well. Initially, I set up a community that was more public and cohort-based. I found a lot of joy and fulfillment in doing it, but there weren't huge financial returns. It did provide monthly recurring revenue though, which was valuable.
Why I'm investing here: Community sits in that sweet spot - it's not purely transactional like done-for-you services, but it's also not completely passive. It allows me to be present but boundaried.
Energy level: Medium - requires presence but can be structured
What I'm changing: Now I'm exploring building a more private, closer-circle community where the investment is higher but the retention will be longer. I'm excited to build this, but it will take a few months.
4. Digital Products (Low Energy - future focus)
This has never been my top priority, but now that I have other forms of consistent revenue, I'm able to explore this idea. From my consulting work, community, and agency services, I know what people are constantly looking for. I can build digital products (templates, guides, courses) that solve those problems. This takes significant upfront effort and won't replace consulting income immediately. But it's an investment in future freedom.
Energy level: Low ongoing energy (after high upfront investment)
Why this matters for energy seasons: Digital products work while you sleep. They're perfect for flow seasons when you don't have the capacity for high-touch client work. You build them during grind season, they generate income during flow season.
5. Content Creation & Brand Partnerships (Low Energy - exploring)
This isn't a priority for me right now. I don't aim to monetize content creation very soon, but it's definitely something I can look into in the future.
Energy level: Low to medium, depending on the partnership
Why I'm mentioning it: It's on my radar as I build my personal brand. But it's not a priority until other streams are more established.
How this matches my energy seasons
Let me break down how these revenue streams support different phases:
During Grind Season (Masculine Energy):
Ramp up consulting work (3-5 days a week)
Take on new agency clients or projects
Build digital products and content
Launch new offerings or communities
Do business development and networking
During Flow Season (Feminine Energy):
Reduce consulting to 1-2 days a week
Let agency team handle operations while I do light oversight
Community engagement (less draining than 1-on-1 work)
Digital products continue generating income passively
Focus on learning and strategy for the next grind season
The beauty of this is that I'm never completely "off" financially, but I'm also not required to be in full grind mode all the time. Different streams activate at different intensities based on my energy.
For example, last month I was in full grind mode - 4 consulting calls a week, onboarding new agency clients, and building out my community framework. This month, I'm in more of a flow phase - I've scaled back to 1-2 consulting days, my team is executing on agency work, and I'm focused on content and learning. But my revenue hasn't dropped significantly because different streams are picking up the slack.
What I'm learning about building
Lesson 1: You can't build everything at once. I didn't wake up one day with five revenue streams. I started with agency services, added consulting when I had capacity, then slowly explored community and digital products. It's taken years. Start with what you have energy for now. Add strategically.
Lesson 2: Some streams need grind season energy to set up. Digital products require upfront effort. Systems for your agency require upfront effort. Community building requires upfront effort. You can't build these during flow season. Use your grind seasons to set up the infrastructure that will support your flow seasons.
Lesson 3: Not all revenue streams are created equal. Consulting brings me the most income per hour. Agency work is the most consistent. Digital products have the most potential for scale. Community brings the most fulfillment. Each serves a different purpose. Don't chase revenue alone - think about sustainability, meaning, and energy fit.
Lesson 4: You need both big and recurring. Have a source of revenue that gives you bigger payouts and creates runway (for me: consulting projects). But also have sources that give you monthly recurring revenue for predictability (agency retainers, future community). The combination gives you both security and flexibility.
Your homework: Audit your revenue streams
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. If your business requires you to be in grind mode 365 days a year just to keep the lights on, you're one burnout away from everything falling apart. Start thinking about your revenue portfolio. You don't need to build everything I've built. But you do need to think strategically about creating options for yourself.
Here's what I recommend you do.
Step 1: List all your current revenue sources
Write them down. Be honest about what's actually bringing in money vs what you wish was bringing in money.
Step 2: Rate each by energy requirement
High energy (requires you to be fully "on"): 8-10
Medium energy (requires some presence but has systems): 4-7
Low energy (mostly passive or hands-off): 1-3
Step 3: Calculate your dependency
What percentage of your revenue requires high energy from you? If it's 80%+ you're at high risk for burnout and you can't afford to flow.
Step 4: Identify the gap
What's missing? Do you need more passive income? More recurring revenue? More freedom during flow seasons?
Step 5: Choose ONE new stream to explore
Not five. One. Based on:
Your current energy season (build during grind, maintain during flow)
Your revenue gaps (need recurring? need passive? need higher ticket?)
Your zone of genius (what do you already know that others need?)
Step 6: Set a timeline
Don't just identify what you want to build - decide when. If you're currently in flow season, you might research and plan. If you're in grind season, you might actively build. Give yourself a realistic timeline (months, not weeks).
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Hi, I’m Mikee Federizo, entrepreneur and consultant making content around business, balance and self-development.
If you found this post helpful or have questions, DM me and let’s connect on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeefederizo
I’d love to hear what you’re building, let me know in the comments!
