9 Income Streams You Can Build as an Employee, According to Codie Sanchez

Introduction

Let’s face it—depending on a single paycheck in today’s unpredictable world feels like walking a tightrope with no safety net. That’s where Codie Sanchez comes in. A former Wall Street powerhouse turned financial freedom advocate, Sanchez has become a household name for anyone even remotely interested in entrepreneurship, passive income, or making money without quitting their day job.

Her mission? Bold and brilliant: “To create 1 million financially free humans through business ownership.”

With nearly two decades of high-stakes experience in finance, she has turned her insight into practical advice for everyday employees who want to earn more—without needing an MBA or millionaire’s bank account. In her YouTube video, she shares 9 real-world income streams that anyone can start while still working full time. It’s not fluff; these are strategies she’s personally used.

The best part? You don’t have to be a tech genius, social media influencer, or startup founder. Whether you’re a teacher, nurse, accountant, or customer service rep, there’s a path for you in this list.

So grab your coffee. Let’s break down the 9 income streams Codie Sanchez swears by.

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#1 – Your Corporate 9-to-5: The Ground Zero of Income

Before we dive into side hustles and passive income, Codie reminds us of a hard truth: your job is your first investor.

Think about it—your 9-to-5 is more than just a way to pay rent. It’s the seed capital that funds your other ventures. And Codie doesn’t just toss this advice casually. She breaks down how her early income from Wall Street was structured:

• 20% Salary
• 30% Carry (ownership in the company)
• 35-40% Bonuses
• 10-15% Commission

If you’re working a corporate job, chances are you’re sitting on similar leverage, but most people only focus on their salary. Codie urges us to shift our thinking. Use your job not just as a paycheck but as a launchpad. Your salary should cover your basics and provide the cash flow to invest in other streams.

Tip: If your company offers stock options, 401(k) matching, or performance bonuses—maximize them. These “invisible dollars” can add up quickly and act as fuel for your next income move.

Action Step: Track how your current compensation breaks down and find out where there’s room to optimize. Can you negotiate bonuses? Take on high-commission tasks? These tweaks compound fast.

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#2 – Launching a Service Business: Trading Time for Dollars

Let’s talk about the most underrated way to earn more money—a good old-fashioned service business.

According to Codie, one of her first entrepreneurial plays was starting a service that helped connect businesses in Latin America to opportunities in the U.S. And get this—it didn’t cost her anything but a few hours after her 9-to-5 and a willingness to send cold emails.

Her logic is simple: If you have time and a useful skill, you’re already sitting on a business.

What can this look like for you?

• Tutoring
• Virtual assisting
• Social media management
• Event planning
• Copywriting
• Translation

The list goes on.

Why this works:

• It’s fast to launch
• It requires little to no upfront capital
• You can scale it or keep it part-time

This is where the magic of “trading time for money” shines. It might not be passive, but it’s cash flow. And that matters, especially when you’re building toward something bigger.

Codie’s Pro Tip: Don’t overcomplicate things. Package your service simply—hourly rates, retainer offers, or per-project pricing. Keep it clear and focused on results.

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#3 – Consulting: Monetizing Expertise

Let’s say you’re really good at your day job. Maybe you’re the go-to person when something breaks, a new hire needs help, or a tricky client shows up. That expertise? It’s worth money.

Codie says consulting is one of the highest-leverage income streams available to employees.

Why? Because companies are already paying you for your knowledge. Someone else will too—just in a different format.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Identify your niche – What’s your zone of genius? What problems do you solve regularly?
2. Create a basic offer – Something like: “I help small businesses streamline their hiring process” or “I teach marketers how to reduce ad spend and boost ROI.”
3. Start offering free sessions – Give value, collect testimonials, and sharpen your pitch.
4. Charge per hour or package deals – Once you’re confident, go pro.

Platforms like Clarity.fm or even LinkedIn can help you attract your first clients. And the best part? You don’t need 10 years of experience. Just be one step ahead of the person you’re helping.

Sanchez’s Words of Wisdom: “Take the thing that someone pays you for in your salary, and do it one-off by the hour.” Simple. Smart. Scalable.

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#4 – Sit on Boards: Get Paid for Your Experience

Ever thought about sitting on a board? No, not the stuffy executive-only roles at Fortune 500s—there are hundreds of smaller businesses and startups that would benefit from your brain.

Codie swears by this tactic. It’s the perfect combo of credibility, low time commitment, and recurring income.

Here’s what she suggests:

• Tap into your network: Know a founder or business owner? Offer to sit on their advisory board.
• Bring connections: Be the person who solves a problem with a well-placed intro.
• Show up with insight: Help with strategy, hiring, or operations.

A seat on a board can pay in cash, equity, or perks—and positions often require only a few hours per month.

Insider Tip: Start by building relationships with incubators, coworking spaces, or VC-backed startups. Many of them are actively looking for advisors who’ve “been there, done that.”

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#5 – Speaking Events: Turn Knowledge Into Influence and Cash

Public speaking isn’t just for TEDx or motivational gurus. It’s for people like you—yes, you. Got a story? A lesson? A skill others want? Then you can get paid to speak.

Codie nailed it when she said, “Find a specific niche, especially one where other people make money or draw big crowds.”

Think about conferences in your industry, online summits, or company workshops. They all need speakers. You can share how you improved customer experience, led a team remotely, or hit record-breaking sales. Real-world stories sell.

How to get started:

• Build a simple one-pager bio with your talk topics
• Film a short demo video or record a workshop
• Reach out to local groups, schools, meetups, or niche conferences

Eventually, speaking can pay $500 to $5,000+ per gig. Bonus? You get exposure, credibility, and often, travel covered.

#6 – Info Product Site: Build Once, Sell Forever

This is where things get really interesting—creating info products. Codie Sanchez says this stream is for those who constantly get asked for advice or how-to guides. Instead of answering the same questions over and over, why not monetize the answers?

What is an info product? It could be:

• An eBook
• A video course
• A downloadable template or checklist
• A private podcast
• A masterclass

These are things you create once, and sell over and over again. The ultimate in semi-passive income.

Codie’s Framework: Cash + Curiosity + Crowd

1. Cash: You don’t need much. Maybe $50-$200 for design or software.
2. Curiosity: Pick a topic you’re passionate and knowledgeable about.
3. Crowd: Find where your ideal audience hangs out—Reddit, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook groups.

Here’s a real-life example: If you’re a project manager, create a course on “Trello Hacks for Team Efficiency.” If you’re in HR, maybe “How to Write Job Descriptions That Actually Attract Talent.”

Selling Tip: Use Gumroad, Teachable, or even Notion to house your product. Then promote it through a free newsletter, blog, or podcast appearances.

This income stream builds credibility, reach, and recurring revenue. It won’t make you a millionaire overnight, but it can snowball with time.

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#7 – Newsletter Affiliate Sales: The Power of Words

Newsletters are booming—and Codie knows this game well. She used her content and personality to drive affiliate sales straight from her email list. Here’s how you can too.

Start by sending out a weekly or bi-weekly newsletter that delivers real value—industry insights, career tips, business hacks, or deep dives into a niche topic.

Once your audience starts trusting your voice, you introduce affiliate offers. These could be:

• Software tools you actually use
• Courses you’ve taken
• Books you’ve read and recommend
• Productivity products or digital subscriptions

The key? Authenticity. Codie emphasizes that your affiliate strategy should feel natural and helpful—not spammy.

Where to begin:

• Use Substack or Beehiiv to launch your newsletter.
• Sign up for affiliate programs (Amazon, ConvertKit, Teachable, AppSumo, etc.)
• Track what your audience clicks on—then give them more of it.

Sanchez’s Questions to Help You Find Your Niche:

• Where do people ask for your opinion?
• What would you do even if no one paid you?
• What are your hobbies and guilty pleasures?
• What skill do you have that feels “too easy” for you?

If you can write even decently and have something to say—this stream is calling your name.

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#8 – Sponsorships: Let Brands Fund Your Passion

Sponsorships can feel like the “holy grail” of content monetization—but Codie clarifies it’s not just for influencers with millions of followers. You just need a clear message, an engaged audience, and some consistency.

She says sponsorships come in many flavors:

• Podcast ads
• Newsletter plugs
• Branded Instagram posts
• YouTube shoutouts
• Co-branded events or webinars

Even if you have only 1,000 subscribers or followers, if your niche is tight (and profitable), sponsors will notice.

How to attract sponsors:

1. Define your brand—Who are you? What’s your unique value?
2. Create a media kit with audience stats and past examples
3. Start with outreach—email companies you already use and love

Sanchez notes that the first few deals might pay in free products or discount codes, but that’s okay. It’s a stepping stone. Build your case studies and grow your rates as you grow your reach.

Pro Tip: Don’t promote anything you wouldn’t personally use. Your trust with your audience is more valuable than a quick paycheck.

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#9 – Airbnbs and Laundromats: Physical Assets That Work for You

Let’s step into the real world—bricks and mortar, baby.

Codie’s final recommendation is investing in semi-passive physical assets like Airbnbs or laundromats. These may require a bigger financial outlay upfront, but they can become dependable revenue streams if handled right.

Why Airbnbs?

• Low operating costs with high nightly returns
• You can automate 90% of operations using platforms like Guesty, TurnoverBnB, and dynamic pricing tools
• You still own an appreciating real estate asset

Why Laundromats?

• Cash-based, low-maintenance business
• People always need clean clothes
• Recession-resistant and steady

Sanchez’s Smart Move: Partner with operators. If you’ve got the cash but no time, find someone who’s good at running day-to-day operations. Create a win-win agreement where you fund the deal, and they manage it.

Start-up Path:

• Use platforms like Roofstock or LoopNet to find turn-key laundromats or short-term rentals
• Consider REITs or fractional investing apps (like Fundrise or Arrived) if you want exposure without ownership headaches
• Learn from YouTube or niche communities like BiggerPockets

The beauty of this stream? You get the power of ownership and cash flow, while still working your day job. It’s the real estate version of “earn while you sleep.”

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Conclusion: Your First Step Towards Financial Freedom

There you have it—nine real, tested, and doable income streams straight from the playbook of Codie Sanchez. These aren’t just vague ideas or get-rich-quick gimmicks. They are grounded in expertise, leverage, and, most importantly, action.

If you’re still relying on a single paycheck, you’re walking on a tightrope in a windstorm. Building multiple streams—even if each starts small—gives you options, confidence, and freedom.

Here’s a quick recap:

1. Use your 9-to-5 as seed capital
2. Trade time for money with service businesses
3. Monetize your expertise with consulting
4. Lend your brain to boardrooms
5. Speak and get paid for your insight
6. Sell knowledge through info products
7. Earn commissions via newsletters
8. Partner with sponsors who align with your mission
9. Invest in Airbnbs or laundromats for long-term wealth

You don’t have to do all nine. Pick one. Go deep. Then stack another.

Codie’s advice is clear: Start where you are, use what you have, and build your way to freedom.

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FAQs

1. Can I really start these income streams without quitting my job?
Yes! Codie Sanchez emphasizes building while employed. Most of these ideas can be done on nights and weekends, with minimal startup capital.

2. Which of these is best for someone with no money to invest?
Start with service-based businesses, consulting, or newsletters. They require time and skills—not upfront cash.

3. How long does it take to see real income?
Depends on the stream. You can land a consulting gig in weeks, while info products or real estate might take months. Consistency is key.

4. What’s the most scalable option among these?
Info products and newsletters scale the fastest because they aren’t tied to time. You can earn from one product thousands of times.

5. Where can I learn more from Codie Sanchez?
Check out her YouTube channel, podcast appearances, and her book “Main Street Millionaire.” She’s full of tactical, real-world advice.