- Barefoot Consultants® Portable Income
- Posts
- They Did It — So Can You!
They Did It — So Can You!
This week’s real success stories show it’s possible — next week’s live demo shows how to manage it like a pro.
Greetings Portable Income Earner!
Next Tuesday, we’ll roll up our sleeves for a live demonstration on How to Bid and Win Project Management Jobs on the Networks.
Many of us have been managing projects our entire careers — we just never called it that.
Whether you organized contracts, coordinated staff, or kept a service launch on schedule, that’s all project management.
With today’s remote world, this skill is more valuable than ever. Project managers are the glue that holds everything together — and clients know it.
We’ll show you how to identify your hidden PM experience, translate it into Upwork language, and confidently bid on real jobs.
I’ll even walk you through live examples — from simple coordination gigs to technical projects that pay over $400 an hour.
You might be surprised how much of this you already do.
👀 Don’t miss it! If you haven’t attended before, REGISTER NOW

🌟This Week’s TNC Recap — Real Success Stories from Portable Income Earners 50 +
This week we celebrated five remarkable members who turned experience into action — proving that momentum, not magic, builds results.
Dr. Gail reframed her medical background into health education writing — turning decades of clinical insight into marketable content.
Dia combined video experience and AI curiosity into a thriving editing sideline.
Kathy used her passion for gardening and project management skills to carve out a role that funded her travel dreams.
Irwin moved from IT management and digital consulting into content writing, leveraging what he already knew — and adding flexibility he never had before.
Rae Ann proved that even with minimal computer skills, persistence and coaching work: she found, bid, and won her first two jobs within weeks.
The common thread? They didn’t wait for the “perfect” project or skillset. They took what they already had and shaped it to meet today’s demand.
If you take one thing from this week, let it be this: you don’t need permission to start — just a first step.
Now here’s the news from the Barefoot Consultants’ world,
FEATURE SECTION
💡 Success Snapshot: Start Small, Grow Big
When Dr. Gail, a long-time physician, started freelancing, her first job paid just $5 — but that “tiny” project became the foundation of a thriving health-writing career.
“That first little $5 job that feels like nothing? It’s your diving board. Start small, learn the form, then climb higher.”
Heidi added:
“It’s not a small job — it’s a smart one. A $5 job teaches you far more safely than a $5,000 one.”
Now, Dr. Gail’s crossed the $10,000 milestone and built ongoing client relationships showing that every step forward counts.
💭 Takeaway for You:
Start with manageable wins. Treat each one as a practice rep. You’ll gain skills, confidence, and a rhythm that compounds fast.
JOB OF THE WEEK
💼 Job of the Week: The $2,400 Grocery Story
This week’s spotlight job came from BC member Robert B., and it’s a good reminder that not every Upwork job happens in pajamas.
An event called the Progressive Grocers Impact Conference in Orlando is hiring a journalist to cover its annual gathering — writing up 600-word stories, grabbing speaker quotes, and capturing key insights for the event’s news site.
👉 Pay: $800 per day × 3 days = $2,400 total
👉 Bonus: Some gigs even cover travel expenses — and this one might.
As Winton said: “Sometimes you travel, and sometimes that means the fees get a whole lot higher.”
This gig isn’t just about writing—it’s about networking with decision-makers. Those grocery-store CEOs?
They all need content for websites, newsletters, and social media. One job could turn into five follow-ups.
💡 Takeaways:
Think beyond “remote.” Travel jobs often pay more — and open more doors.
Ask for forgiveness, not permission. If a listing says “U.S. only,” but you’re a perfect fit from Canada (or anywhere else), apply anyway.
Leverage your background. Even a few years of relevant experience—like Winton’s teenage grocery-store stint—can make your proposal shine.
Always look for the spin-off. Every contact can lead to a referral, repeat work, or long-term clients.
And, as Heidi reminded us, if you time it right, maybe you can slip in a quick trip to Disney World while you’re at it. ✈️✨
🎯 Curious what portable income could look like for you? 👉 Book a free 30-minute strategy session with Heidi and walk away with game-changing ideas, tailored to you. No pressure. No fluff. Just traction. | Not Sure Which of Your Skills Transfer Online?Coach Heidi can help—and she’s got the track record to prove it. A UC Berkeley grad and globe-trotting freelancer with 20+ years in marketing, real estate, and business development, Heidi has a knack for spotting profitable skills you didn’t even realize were in your toolkit. From training champion show horses to leading real estate marketing teams, she now helps 50+ professionals spot their most marketable skills and turn past experience into freelance traction—without burnout or starting over.
|
We’ve got some fantastic workshops kicking off in January — all designed to help you start strong in 2026.
👉 Portable Income Kickoff Accelerator — a fast-start track for anyone ready to land those first “starter jobs” and get moving quickly.
👉 Dr. J’s 50+ Energy & Focus Workshop — a must for anyone juggling remote work, travel, and life balance. (It’s helped more than a few of us sharpen focus — and maybe even grow a little hair back.)
And of course, we’ll also be hitting the road!
Catch us at the International Living Conferences — perfect for exploring what it’s really like to live, work, and thrive abroad:
Fast Track Panama 📍 Panama City, Panama | Fast Track Europe 📍Sheraton Rome, Rome, Italy 🎤 Winton’s Workshop: Friday, April 10 |
If you’ve ever dreamed of testing your portable income life in a new country, these events are the perfect excuse to go a few days early, stay a few days late — and see what your next chapter could look like.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
🎙️ The After Party — Real Talk, Real Wins
The Barefoot After Party keeps getting better — and last week’s Freelance Feud Round 10 proved it!
Congratulations to Irwin, who took the top spot in a fast-paced, laugh-filled game that mixed AI insights, freelancing smarts, and pure quick thinking.
We even tested a new Zoom quiz tool — and thanks to a little help from AI, the results were instant, accurate, and entertaining.
Between rounds, the conversations sparked big takeaways about how freelancers are already using AI tools to work smarter and win more jobs.
💬 Why you’ll love the next one:
It’s your hour to connect with other Portable Income Earners.
Ask Winton anything — from strategy to mindset to money.
And yes, we’re bringing back Freelance Feud Round 11 with all-new questions and prizes.
🗓️ Make sure you’re registered and mark your calendar: Tuesday, November 25 — right after the Tuesday Night Call.
Grab your spot, join the conversation, and be part of the laughter, learning, and lightning-round energy.
⭐️ Until then, |








