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Let’s Talk Money: How to Make It, Keep It & Grow It

💥 Revenue vs Profit – What’s the Difference?

So when someone asked Aami on Shark Tank if she was profitable, she was like, “Yeah… no debt, money in the bank…” But turns out, that’s not quite it.

Here’s the truth bomb:

Revenue = every dollar that comes in
Profit = what’s left after you pay for everything

If you sell something for $100, you might only walk away with $10–$20 once you’ve paid for your product, shipping, packaging, marketing, Shopify fees, and alllll the rest.

The secret? Know your unit economics – aka, how much it actually costs you to make and sell one thing.

💡 Revenue Models That Actually Work

Let’s break down the 4 most popular ways to bring in the 💰 (and how to pick the one that suits your business best):

Transaction-Based (OG style)
→ One-time purchases, like buying a nappy or a face oil.
Subscription Model
→ Monthly deliveries of what people need on repeat (toilet paper, skincare, coffee).
Marketplace/Commission Model
→ Sell through platforms like Etsy or Amazon—they take a cut, you get exposure.
Retailer Model
→ Sell wholesale to shops, who then sell to customers.

✋ Don’t try all four at once! Start small, master one, then build from there.

🛍️ How to Find Customers Who Come Back

Your best customer isn’t the one who spends $100 once. It’s the one who comes back 15 times. That’s your $1,500 customer 👏

Tips to find & keep them:

Spoil them – early access, VIP perks, loyalty rewards.
Use surveys and polls to ask what they want.

Track who’s leaving reviews and ordering again. That’s your tribe!

🔥 Aami’s Quick Wins for Early Revenue

Bundles: Create starter kits to boost cart size.
Pre-orders: Let customers fund your next launch.
Upsells: Offer matching accessories at checkout.
Limited Drops: Create urgency with “limited edition” vibes.
Listen Hard: A single 1-star review is feedback GOLD.

Aami Mills

I’m the founder of Mimi & Co – Canberra’s very own reusable baby and period care brand. I’m passionate about helping founders like you build sustainable businesses that don’t just make money – but actually work.