How to Start a Business by Learning Everything Online

We are living in a golden era where you can learn almost anything online today, but it isn’t about taking online courses for the sake of it. It’s about turning your passion into something real — something that earns, inspires, and grows.

If the only thing holding you back from starting a business is a lack of time or knowledge, welcome to the new world. Today, you can learn almost everything online — from anywhere, at any time, and often for free.

However, there’s a catch: you must start with what truly excites you and structure your learning around it.

I have been utilizing online sources for more than a decade now and have built successful businesses. In 2013-2014, I took an online health coaching course from the world’s largest online nutrition school from New York, IIN. In 2023, I launched my first book publishing company (today, more than 10 books on Amazon) by learning everything online. My journey continues with the expansion of my media company, which includes the lifestyle brand Elegant and Driven.

Step 1: Start with Passion, Not Pressure

So many people chase what’s trending — AI, crypto, coding, data — not because they love it, but because it seems like the “smart” thing to do.

But building a business is a long game. If you’re not deeply interested in the topic, you’ll burn out fast. That’s why the most important question is:

What are you actually passionate about?

In my case, I always loved writing. I loved publishing. I am passionate about health and wellness, and I am a certified health coach. I also have a background in fashion design, product development, and managing creative teams. So I asked myself, ‘How do I make that work?’

I didn’t just start publishing random books. I created and published in areas I live and breathe every day: high-protein, high-fiber nutrition, gut health, and emotional intelligence. These weren’t just niches — they were parts of my real life.

If you naturally seek more profound knowledge in healthy lifestyle, wealth management, fashion, decor, beauty, parenting, finance, productivity or anything that you are passionate about— there’s a space for you. But it starts with honoring what excites you.

Step 2: Take Inventory — What Do You Know, and What Don’t You?

Now that you’ve identified your focus, it’s time to audit your skills. Grab a notebook and make two lists:

What I already know: These are strengths you can build on.
What I don’t know yet: These are your gaps — and your roadmap.

For me, I had the writing part down. But I had no idea how to publish a book, design a digital product, or set up the backend of a business. So, I focused on those specific skills and learned. One skill at a time.

Step 3: Begin with Free — Then Go Deeper with Paid Courses

You don’t need to sign up for expensive coaching programs or pursue an online MBA. Some of the best business education today is free. Start with YouTube. Watch videos. Follow creators who’ve built what you want to develop. I did that for marketing, self-publishing, and even investing.

But here’s the thing about YouTube: it’s a goldmine, but it’s chaotic. You need time, curiosity, and good organizational skills to connect the dots.

That’s where structured platforms come in.

Courses on sites like Udemy and Skillshare are like long-form, well-organized versions of YouTube content — with steps, lessons, and lifetime access. I took several Udemy courses nearly a decade ago, and I still refer back to them. They’re efficient, and you can learn almost anything: self-publishing, SEO, email marketing, bookkeeping, Etsy setup, Coding, Web design, and more.

If you’re not a natural “dot-connector,” start free, then invest in a few well-reviewed courses to solidify your learning.

Step 4: Learn the Backend — Not Just the Fun Stuff

This is where most new entrepreneurs get stuck.

You love creating products, building brands, and talking to customers. But then — taxes, legal structure, accounting, inventory, and fulfillment — it all feels overwhelming.

Good news: you can learn this too.

You don’t have to do it all yourself forever, but you do need to understand how things work. YouTube and Udemy both offer excellent beginner-level guides on:

Registering your business (sole prop vs corporation)
Setting up online payment systems
Budgeting and expense tracking
Hiring freelancers
Managing digital files, calendars, workflows

Once you understand the basics, you can make smarter hiring decisions and avoid costly mistakes. I hire freelancers on Fiverr for many of these tasks, but I first learned the basics.