10 Things I Wish CNA's Knew Before Turning their Experience Into a Business

You already work hard caring for others—but what if your CNA experience could also help you build a business that pays you outside of your shifts?

Over the years, I’ve helped healthcare workers, including CNAs, transition their skills into online businesses—some earning extra income, and others turning it into their main source of revenue.

If you’re a CNA and you’re thinking about blogging, selling digital products, offering caregiver guides, or starting your own brand, here are 10 things I wish more CNAs knew before they got started. This is the kind of advice I give to clients all the time to help them avoid mistakes and start strong.

1. Your CNA experience is marketable—if you package it rightToo many CNAs think they need another degree to teach or share what they know. That’s not true. You just need to package your experience in a way that helps others. A basic caregiving checklist, mini-course, or ebook for new caregivers can become a paid product.

2. You don’t need to show your face to build a brandMany CNAs I’ve helped worry about showing their face online. Truth is, you don’t have to. You can build your brand around your caregiver knowledge, with visuals that reflect trust and compassion. Canva and Fiverr Pro are great for this.

3. Blogging is a long game—but a powerful oneStarting a blog with Bluehost gives you a home base. Your blog helps you build trust, rank on Google, and earn affiliate income over time. But it doesn’t happen overnight. If you're willing to commit a few hours a week, it can pay off big.

4. Use email from day oneA blog or website is great—but your email list is what makes it a business. Constant Contact helps you grow a list of people who care about your tips, products, and updates. You can launch offers to your list and make money without ads or algorithms.

5. Your personal story mattersDon’t underestimate your own caregiver journey. What you’ve learned on the job can help others going through the same thing. Your story builds trust—and trust sells. Share how you stayed organized, dealt with difficult patients, or managed stress.

6. Your first product doesn’t need to be perfectI’ve seen CNAs sell $9 caregiver cheat sheets, $27 mini-courses, and $49 email templates for home care businesses. Done is better than perfect. Launch small, then upgrade later. Use Square to securely accept payments.

7. You don’t need 10K followersYou just need the right audience. A targeted Pinterest strategy, blog content, and email list of 100 people who trust you is more valuable than thousands who scroll past. Focus on connection, not vanity metrics.

8. Fiverr isn’t just for hiring designers—it’s a growth toolMany CNAs I work with don’t realize they can list their own services on Fiverr. If you create checklists, guides, or caregiver forms, you can sell them as digital downloads or templates.

9. Most CNAs wait too long to get startedThey think they need more time, more ideas, or more experience. In reality, the best time to start was yesterday—the second-best time is today. Start by claiming your domain with Bluehost and building a basic landing page.

10. You’re more prepared than you thinkIf you’ve been a CNA for more than six months, you already know more than someone just getting started. That makes you qualified to teach, guide, or inspire others. You don’t need permission—you need a plan.

Quick-Start ChecklistTools You’ll Need:

Website: Bluehost

Email marketing: Constant Contact

Design help or template creation: Fiverr Pro

Payments and checkout: Square

Your First 5 Steps:

Pick your business idea (blog, digital product, coaching, etc.)

Buy your domain and set up your site with Bluehost

Create your freebie and set up an email list in Constant Contact

Use Fiverr to create your brand visuals or design your lead magnet

Promote it using Pinterest or caregiver Facebook groups

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Adella Pasos has over 35,000 subscribers on YouTube. This Entrepreneur and Marketing Expert has shared her passion for growing brands from the ground up. She’s worked with Startups, Small Businesses, Fortune 500 Corporations and Entertainment Talent to help them recognize the value of marketing, and give her clients the ability to access their niche market via online, social media, mobile, merchandising, and events.

She hosts the What’s Your Game Plan TV show features: Free Expert Advice, and Growth strategies for Business Owners Across the Globe. Access thousands of FREE Tips, Trends & Tools to Move Your Business Forward!

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📢 Business Resources You Can Use

✔ Get your website name — Bluehost

✔ Branding Services — Fiverr Pro

✔ Create a New LLC — MyCorp

✔ SEO & Market Research Tools — SEMRush

✔ Logo & Brand Design Services — 99designs

✔ Best Email Marketing Tool for Beginners — Constant Contact

✔ Accept Credit or Debit Cards — Square