Finding consistent work is a challenge for military families constantly on the move. For Emily Reagan, this challenge was compounded by frequent relocations and the demands of raising a family while her husband served overseas. Yet, what began as a necessity for flexible work soon blossomed into a thriving six-figure e-learning business that empowers thousands of women.
Emily began with freelance work in content marketing and virtual assistance, roles that offered the flexibility she needed while leveraging her journalism and business degrees. By 2024, Reagan had transformed her freelance marketing career into a thriving e-learning empire, generating an impressive $275,000 in gross revenue - and still growing. This remarkable transition, which began in 2018, demonstrates the potential of the e-learning industry and the impact of well-executed business strategies. Let's walk you through Reagan's journey, exploring the challenges she faced, the strategies she employed, and the lessons she learned along the way.
The beginning: Freelancing as a lifeline
Emily Reagan's professional journey began amidst the unique challenges of being a military spouse. With frequent relocations every one to three years, finding stable and meaningful employment was a constant struggle. Despite having degrees in journalism and electronic media, as well as an MBA, the transient nature of military life made it difficult for her to secure long-term, well-paying positions. The necessity to adapt quickly to new communities and prove her worth to potential employers became a recurring obstacle.
"I felt like I was always back at square one," Emily recalls. "It was hard to build a career when we kept relocating."
In 2007, while serving as a Public Relations Director, Emily stumbled upon freelancing by accident. Initially, she began writing press releases for local businesses, a side hustle that soon blossomed into a full-fledged career. By 2009, freelancing had become a viable solution, allowing her to leverage her diverse skill set in marketing, content creation, and public relations, regardless of her location. This flexibility provided the stability she needed, eliminating the constant need to restart her career from scratch with each move.
Emily’s freelancing services quickly became in demand. Her unique combination of writing, graphic design, and technical skills set her apart from the typical administrative virtual assistants in the market. Her ability to handle complex tasks such as website updates and integrations made her a valuable asset to both brick-and-mortar and online businesses. Her client roster grew rapidly, and soon, she found herself turning down clients due to her limited availability.
Transitioning to an e-learning business
Emily's journey took a pivotal turn when she realized the potential of training others to replicate her success. Her freelance business had reached a point where she could no longer accommodate the growing demand. In response, she began training other military spouses, many of whom were struggling to find flexible, meaningful work. She transformed her one-woman operation into a micro-agency, training eight women to assist her. These women, hailing from various professional backgrounds, were able to dust off their skills and apply them to new marketing roles.
"I realized there was a huge demand for people with these skills," Emily says. "And I knew I could help even more people by teaching them online."
The demand for Emily’s services continued to grow, prompting her to explore new avenues. She decided to scale her impact by creating an e-learning business. This venture aimed not only to help business owners find reliable, marketing-savvy contractors but also to provide military spouses with the skills and opportunities to build flexible, high-paying careers.
In January 2019, Emily launched her first course, the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School. With an initial email list of just 60 people, she managed to enroll 20 students in her beta course. The success of this initial launch validated her business model and set the stage for future growth. The course was designed to help women master essential marketing skills, such as email marketing, SEO, social media management, and website updates. By equipping her students with these skills, Emily ensured they could confidently offer valuable services to clients and carve out successful careers as marketing assistants.
Growing the business: Emily’s strategies
Emily's e-learning business, Emily Reagan Public Relations & Marketing LLC, quickly gained traction. Her signature course, the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School, became a cornerstone of her success. This course, available both as a self-paced program and a live cohort, empowered women to become competitive marketing assistants. The comprehensive curriculum covered a wide range of topics, from email marketing and social media management to website updates and community management.
One of the key differentiators of Emily’s course was its focus on practical skills and real-world application. Unlike many virtual assistant courses that merely touched on business setup, Emily’s program delved into the intricacies of performing marketing tasks effectively. This hands-on approach enabled her students to hit the ground running and provide immediate value to their clients.
Emily's commitment to her students' success extended beyond the initial training. She created the Digital Marketer’s Workgroup, a monthly membership community that provided ongoing support, advanced training, and job leads. This community became a valuable resource for freelance marketers, helping them navigate the challenges of freelancing and achieve their career goals. The collaborative and supportive environment fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual growth among its members.
Achieving financial independence
Emily’s e-learning business generated impressive revenue, with gross earnings reaching $275,000 and steadily growing. Her income was derived from two main sources: the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School and the Digital Marketer's Workgroup membership. Despite her success in the e-learning space, Emily continued to take on marketing project work and consultations to stay connected with the industry and enhance her teaching.
Her success was not just measured in financial terms. Emily's business had a profound impact on the lives of her students, many of whom were military spouses or women seeking flexible work opportunities. By providing them with valuable skills and a supportive community, Emily enabled them to achieve financial independence and build sustainable, profitable businesses.
Overcoming challenges
Emily's journey was not without its challenges. Balancing her role as a business owner with the demands of being a mother was particularly difficult. As a mother of four, Emily often found herself struggling to juggle her responsibilities and maintain a work-life balance. The frequent relocations associated with military life added another layer of complexity to her entrepreneurial journey.
Despite these challenges, Emily remained focused and determined. She understood the importance of delegating tasks and building a capable team to support her business. Over time, she assembled a team of six part-time contractors who handled various aspects of her business:
- A customer service and affiliate manager
- A marketing assistant
- A podcast and YouTube editor
- A community manager
- A membership program coordinator
- An email tech specialist
This support system allowed her to focus on strategic growth and continue expanding her e-learning business.
One of the most significant turning points in Emily’s journey came when she realized the need to differentiate her brand. After encountering a legal issue with a competitor who had copied her course name, Emily spent several months refining her messaging and defining her unique value proposition. This period of introspection and strategic planning culminated in the rebranding of her course as the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School, which became a pivotal moment in her business’s growth.
Keys to success
Several key factors contributed to Emily’s success in building a thriving e-learning business. First and foremost was her commitment to her mission. Emily was driven by a deep desire to provide financial stability for her family and empower other women to achieve the same. This intrinsic motivation kept her going through the toughest times and inspired her to continually improve and expand her business.
Emily’s success also stemmed from her determination and consistency. She showed up for her audience regularly, providing valuable content and support. This consistency helped her build trust with her students and establish herself as a reliable and knowledgeable authority in her field.
Another key factor was Emily’s focus on differentiation. By positioning her course as a comprehensive training program for marketing assistants, she set herself apart from competitors who offered generic virtual assistant courses. This clear and distinct value proposition resonated with her target audience and helped her build a loyal customer base.
Emily also recognized the importance of building a supportive community. The Digital Marketer’s Workgroup provided a platform for her students to connect, share experiences, and support each other’s growth. This sense of community fostered a collaborative learning environment and enhanced the overall value of her e-learning business.
Emily Reagan
Future plans and advice for entrepreneurs
Looking ahead, Emily aims to transition her course to an evergreen model, allowing women to start their training at any time rather than waiting for a specific launch date. She also plans on taking her message to a broader audience, inspiring women to achieve financial independence and pursue meaningful careers.
For other entrepreneurs, Emily’s journey offers valuable lessons. She emphasizes the importance of getting help and building a team, as well as the need to focus on building a strong, distinctive brand. Her advice is clear: don't be afraid to invest in your business, develop a unique value proposition, and consistently show up for your audience.
Conclusion
As the e-learning industry continues to boom, stories like Emily's highlight the enormous opportunities available for those willing to take the leap. Emily's experience gives helpful insights and motivation for anyone trying to grow their freelance business or coming up with a wonderful concept for teaching others.
Remember, Emily started with just 60 people on her email list and 20 students in her first course. Now, she's running a $275,000 business that's still growing. Her success isn't just about making money – it's about creating something meaningful that helps others while providing the freedom to live life on her own terms.
So, what's your big idea? What skills do you have that others might want to learn? Emily's story shows that with hard work, persistence, and the right approach, you too can turn your expertise into a thriving online business. The world is waiting for what you have to offer – it's time to take that first step and start building your own success story.
