7 Things No One Tells You About Making a Million Dollars

READ BEFORE CONTINUING:

Okay, two things before we dive in.

1. First—this is for you if you’re already making $5K/month and you’re trying to break that next-level income plateau. If you’re still in the early stages, I have other resources that’ll be more helpful.

2. Second—I’m about to get real and vulnerable about money, success, and the things people don’t tell you about hitting 7-figures. It takes courage to pull back the curtain like this, so read with an open mind.

Let’s go.

1. Making a Million Dollars Isn't What You Think It Is

When I tell people I run a 7-figure business, they assume I’m rolling in cash, buying luxury cars, and living that “laptop lifestyle” on a beach somewhere.

But what they don’t see? Overhead.

The truth is, there’s a big difference between making a million dollars in revenue and actually having a million dollars in your bank account.

In the coaching world, most businesses are 45-60% profitable (and that’s if you run things really well). Some people have crazy-low expenses (like that one guy making $750K/month with just one VA). Others have way too much overhead because they try to fix every problem by hiring more people instead of fixing their systems.

So yeah—hitting a million doesn’t automatically make you a millionaire. But it does put you on your way.

2. Taxes Will Smack You in the Face If You’re Not Ready

   
   

No way around it—when you make more, you pay more in taxes.

I wasn’t prepared for it, and let me tell you—it cost me.

I dragged my feet on finding a tax strategist, and because of that, I paid way more than I should have. The reality is, once you hit 7-figures, you need a financial structure in place, or the government is going to take a huge chunk of what you earn.

Here’s something wild: I paid more in federal income taxes this year than Jeff Bezos did in 2017. Let that sink in.

So, if you’re scaling? Get your financial house in order. Find a tax expert. Set up the right structure. Don’t wait until the IRS comes knocking.

3. The “Survivor’s Guilt” Hits Harder Than You’d Think

   
   

No one tells you about this part.

Making good money changes your life—but it also makes you question a lot.

I’ve had moments where I felt guilty about my success. Like… why me? Why do I get to have this level of financial freedom when I know so many people who are struggling?

The world makes you feel like wealth is a bad thing, like you’re selfish for wanting more.

But here’s what I remind myself:

• Making money isn’t wrong.

• Money is neutral—it’s just a tool.

• Good people should make good money.

Because when good people make money? They do good things with it.

I’m not saying the guilt disappears overnight. But if you’re feeling it—just know, you’re not alone. And it’s something we work through, not something that holds us back.

4. You Stop Worrying About Money in a Way That Feels… Strange

   
   

You know that feeling when you’re at the grocery store, and you check prices before putting something in your cart?

Yeah. That goes away.

I don’t say that to sound out of touch—it’s just the reality.

Unless it’s a major purchase, I don’t check prices anymore. Instead of asking, "Can I afford this?", I ask:

✔️ Do I love this?

✔️ Is it quality?

✔️ Will I love it in 5 years?

If the answer is yes, I get it. Simple as that.

It still feels surreal because I didn’t grow up like this. I didn’t come from a wealthy background. But that’s the thing about wealth—it shifts your entire relationship with money.

5. You're Debt-Free… If You Want to Be

   
   

When I first started making serious money, I did what most people do—I paid off a ton of debt. And that felt amazing.

But now? My view on debt has shifted.

Some people see debt as bad. Others see it as a tool—a way to leverage money to make more.

At this stage, I have options:

• I can be completely debt-free if I choose.

• I can leverage money wisely to grow even faster.

The difference? Choice. And that’s what financial freedom is really about.

6. Talking About Money Online Feels Insanely Weird

   
   

Let’s be honest—people have weird reactions to money.

Some friends and family are super supportive. Others? They get awkward. Some don’t say anything at all.

And talking about actual income numbers online? That’s even weirder.

I get random comments like:

• “Why do you talk about money so much?”

• “Must be nice.”

• “Shouldn’t you be more humble?”

But here’s the deal:

The women in my world need me to show up and talk about this. They need to see what’s possible. No one prepared me for the weird comments, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter.

What matters is why I do this.

7. Only 1.7% of Million-Dollar Businesses Are Owned by Women

   
   

That number blows my mind.

One day, my team and I tracked how much of my work was truly “Jolien-only” work—tasks that only I could do.

The answer? Four hours.

If I wanted to, I could work four hours a month and still keep my business running.

But I don’t. I work a lot more because this matters.

Because I want more women to know how to build this kind of life.

Because I’m proud of what I’ve built.

Because I know I had advantages that helped me, and I want to open doors for others.

Because this number—1.7%—needs to be higher.

Final Thoughts (And How to Take Action)

Making a million dollars isn’t what you think it is.

It’s not just about the money—it’s about the choices, freedom, and responsibility that come with it.

And if you’re reading this thinking, "I want that too."—then I want to help you get there.

That’s why I created The $27 Course on Getting Sh*t Done.

Because honestly? Most people don’t need more information—they need a plan and accountability.

If you’re ready to scale up, stop procrastinating, and start taking action—grab the course now.

You in? Let’s do this.

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