Client work can feel like a hamster wheel: you’re always moving, but you’re never done.
A product-based model changes the deal. Instead of trading hours for dollars, you build something once and sell it many times. That creates breathing room—more time to think, more time to improve, and fewer “ASAP means yesterday” moments.
Why products reduce burnout
- Fewer interruptions: You’re not living inside someone else’s inbox.
- More repeatable work: Systems beat reinvention.
- Clearer boundaries: Support has a shape. Client work expands forever.
A simple way to start
Pick one thing you do repeatedly for clients and package it:
- a checklist
- a template bundle
- a mini-audit
- a small tool
- a starter kit
Build the smallest version first, then improve it based on real use.
This was part of what drove me to build DobieCore Suite. I was running myself ragged trying to keep up with client demands. But beyond that, the pride in having something tangible that I have built makes it worth it.
If you’re tired of the grind, products aren’t “passive income.” They’re predictable effort—and that’s the point.