'I work just 4 hours a day': This 29-year-old's side hustle brings in $2 million a year—a look at her typical day
Miss Excel founder Kat Norton shares how turned her side hustle into a lucrative career, and how she organizes her time.
Fransebas
Teaching Microsoft Excel on TikTok was my ticket out of corporate America. I posted the first video on my account, Miss Excel, in June 2020.
At the time, I was living at my parents house and buried in student debt. But within a few weeks, the video went viral and I gained 100,000 followers.
That November, I started selling an online Excel course on my website, and just two months later, my passive income earnings were more than my monthly paycheck as a full-time management consultant.
Mike and I are intentional about balancing work and life. Our work days always include meditation, exercise and time in nature.
Photo: Kat Norton
I quit my job in January 2021 to become a full-time entrepreneur, and created nine more courses that teach different career skills. And in October 2021, I crossed a major milestone: I made $100,000 in sales — in just one day.
Today, at 29, I've built Miss Excel into a business that generates more than $2 million a year.
My boyfriend, Mike, quit his corporate sales job and became my chief financial officer and vice president of sales in April 2022.
The best part is that I work just four hours a day. Here's a look at my typical day:
I prioritize personal wellness in the morning
Meditating in the morning keeps me calm and centered, so I start my day with a virtual meditation group on Choices + Outcomes at 7:00 a.m. Mike, my parents and some members of the Miss Excel community all join in.
After meditating, Mike and I make breakfast together, usually oven-baked oatmeal, and plot the day over coffee on our balcony. It is one of my favorite activities.
I start my day meditating for 25 to 30 minutes with Mike and my parents.
Photo: Kat Norton
Later, my personal trainer comes to the house, or I do hot yoga at a local studio. Mike and I meet back up after for a quick swim and sauna session at home before getting ready for the workday.
I work three to four hours a day
I start working around noon. My house is equipped with fast Wi-Fi, an office and a content recording studio, which makes it an incredible place to work remotely.
I tend to film content on Tuesdays, so I can get it all done at once and spend my other days brainstorming and strategizing.
Photo: Kat Norton
I organize my days based on the tasks I am doing, so I am not constantly flipping back and forth from a creative project to a more analysis-based activity.
On Mondays, for example, I do more creative activities like setting goals and brainstorming business strategies and content ideas. I'm always thinking about how I can grow my business and make more of an impact.
On Tuesdays, I crank through a to-do list with tasks like filming content, editing social media posts and hosting 60-minute Excel trainings for my corporate partners.
The views from my house inspire me, so I like to strategize and ideate in this room.
Photo: Kat Norton
I make sure to schedule breaks in between tasks to reset myself. This helps me be more efficient and work only 15 to 20 hours per week.
I spend my evenings learning and doing what I love
By 3:00 p.m., Mike and I like to be off-roading on our four-wheeler or hike local trails with friends. Being in nature keeps me grounded, calm and creative, so it's a priority for me.
Living in Sedona makes spending time outside easy. Off-roading is a fun way to connect with nature and boost my creativity.
Photo: Kat Norton
After spending quality time outdoors, Mike and I eat dinner. We love trying new recipes at home or going out to local restaurants. One of our favorite spots right now is an Italian cafe in Sedona called Vespa.
Then, we'll either read or watch documentaries. Some of my favorite topics are mindset, meditation, energetics and quantum physics. I'm currently reading "Close Your Eyes and Get Free" by Grace Smith.
If we're not out at a local restaurant, you can find Mike and I eating a home-cooked dinner on our balcony.
Photo: Kat Norton
We always try to be in bed by 9:30 p.m. so we can be well-rested for meditation the next day.
My business has helped me live my dream life
Mike and I have the best time working on Miss Excel and traveling the world together. We've taken seven trips so far this year.
In March 2022, I bought my first house with the money I made from Miss Excel. My dream home in Sedona, Arizona is complete with 270-degree views of the Red Rock mountains.
Earlier this year, I bought my dream house with a hot tub, pool and 270-degree views of the Red Rock mountains.
Photo: Kat Norton
Miss Excel has also made it possible for me to support the people in my life. I always wanted to help my mom retire early, and this year, with my financial support, she was able to quit her medical receptionist job.
Miss Excel has changed my mom's lifestyle, too. Earlier this year, she retired from her receptionist job.
Photo: Kat Norton
