Over the past two decades, Dr. Jenny Woo, a Harvard-trained educator and EQ researcher, has embarked on a diverse range of side hustles, transforming them into successful ventures. Dr. Woo, also the founder and CEO of Mind Brain Emotion, has explored various avenues such as selling card games on Amazon, creating online courses, delivering talks on emotional intelligence at corporations, lecturing at prestigious universities, and engaging in impact investing. Her journey highlights the importance of a clear profitability plan for anyone considering starting a side hustle.
Dr. Woo first ventured into the world of entrepreneurship by creating and selling card games. Her signature product, "52 Essential Coping Skills," was launched through a Kickstarter campaign with a modest goal of $1,500. The game quickly gained traction and became a commercial success, selling over 400 units and reaching over 50 countries. This initial success laid the groundwork for her future endeavors.
In pursuit of scalability and efficiency, Dr. Woo pivoted to selling her products on Amazon. By leveraging the automated Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service, she could streamline logistics and focus on expanding her reach. This strategic move allowed her to achieve greater scalability, aligning with her broader goals of securing contracts with renowned companies like Accenture and Google.
Despite her achievements in selling products online, Dr. Woo faced challenges along the way. She initially opened an Etsy shop but had to close it due to slim profit margins. This experience taught her valuable lessons about opportunity costs and profitability. Upon re-opening her Etsy shop, she significantly raised her fees to ensure that her efforts were adequately compensated.
Dr. Woo's journey into the realm of emotional intelligence extended beyond product sales. She developed an online course offering insights into emotional intelligence, leveraging her expertise as an EQ researcher. Her ability to speak at companies about emotional intelligence further solidified her reputation as a thought leader in the field.
Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, Dr. Woo developed a more expansive definition of profitability. She emphasized that while financial gains are crucial, they must be balanced with opportunity costs and personal fulfillment. With this holistic approach, she successfully navigated the complexities of managing multiple income streams and side hustles.