Making Money, Making a Difference

Business as a Force for Good: How a $27 Product Became a Grassroots Fundraiser for Gaza

Earlier this month, I created a new digital product for yoga teachers: the Make More Money Toolkit. On the surface, it was a straightforward low-cost offer—$27 for a PDF workbook and accompanying video training with ten practical ways to earn more income without burning out. But what unfolded became a meaningful, grassroots fundraiser that raised over $2,100 for humanitarian aid in Gaza. In this post, I want to share the behind-the-scenes story—not just what worked, but why I did it, and what I learned along the way about community, generosity, and values-based business.

The Idea: A Clear Need in the Market

The inspiration came from a simple social media poll I ran. I asked yoga teachers what their biggest business struggles were, and the overwhelming response was: money. Not enough of it. Not enough clarity around how to make it. Not enough confidence in asking for it.

That led me to do some light research. The average yoga teacher in Australia earns just under $40,000 a year. In many cases, that’s below minimum wage. For a profession that requires extensive training, certification, and ongoing education—not to mention the emotional and physical energy of teaching—this felt unjust.

I also reflected on my own journey. Over three decades, I’ve built multiple six-figure businesses in the wellness space. I’ve opened and managed yoga studios, run teacher trainings, led international retreats, and created a suite of online offerings—all while raising five children. I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve learned a lot about what works. I knew I had something of value to offer.

The toolkit emerged from that space. It wasn’t going to be a high-ticket course or a long training. It would be short and actionable—something a time-poor teacher could complete in an afternoon and walk away with real, implementable ideas.

A Shift in Purpose: Adding the Fundraising Layer

Just as I was preparing the toolkit, the humanitarian situation in Gaza was escalating—particularly for women and babies. I had been following the work of several grassroots organisations offering food, medical supplies, and direct aid to families on the ground. Like many of us, I felt helpless and heartbroken watching the news unfold.

I sat with the idea this business project could also become a fundraiser. A way to align income-generating education with tangible giving.

So I made the decision: for one week, 100% of profits from the toolkit would be donated to grassroots efforts in Gaza.

I chose two recipients:

1. Help Palestinian Farmers Rebuild and Feed Their Community: a GoFundMe led by Palestinian farmers, focused on rebuilding infrastructure and providing sustainable food support.
2. Emergency Baby Formula Distribution: an Instagram fundraiser providing direct baby formula and mother-baby care supplies.

Both initiatives were small, direct, and community-led. I wasn’t interested in sending funds into a bureaucratic void. I wanted the donations to land quickly and impact immediately.

The Launch: Simple, Fast, and Intentional

I didn’t overthink it. I used Kajabi to set up the product and checkout page, wrote a few heartfelt emails, and posted on Instagram. I didn’t run ads. I didn’t build a funnel. I just told the story plainly and invited people to join me.

In less than 48 hours, donations started pouring in.

Some people told me they were buying it just to support the fundraiser. Others said the toolkit came at exactly the right time—they’d been feeling stuck or under-earning and needed a clear way forward. The offer met both needs: generosity and practical value.

By the end of the week, 79 people had purchased the toolkit, and we raised $2,133 in total.

Where the Money Went

Every dollar was split equally and donated directly to the two causes listed above. I didn’t hold the funds or delay the giving—I made the transfers as soon as payments cleared. I also shared receipts and transparency updates with buyers, so they could see their contribution in action.

The idea wasn’t to virtue-signal or self-congratulate. It was about business as service—about doing what we can with the tools and platforms we already have.

Lessons Learned: Business, Generosity, and Community

This project reinforced a few things I’ve long believed, but saw again in real time:

• Small offers can make a big impact. You don’t need a massive audience or a flashy product to create change. A clear idea, positioned well, with authentic intent can go a long way.
• People want to give—but they also want value. This wasn’t a charity drive. It was a win-win: support for the buyer’s business and support for someone else’s survival.
• Ethical business is possible. You can build revenue, meet needs, and act on your values all at once. You just have to be willing to get a little creative.
• Grassroots matters. Sometimes we’re told we need to wait for permission, funding, or scale. But local, fast, community-led responses are often the most effective. That’s true in business too.

What’s Next?

I’ll be continuing to offer the Make More Money Toolkit as a low-cost, evergreen resource for yoga teachers who want to build a more financially resilient practice. The fundraising component is now complete, but the spirit of the project remains: practical help, accessible pricing, and a bigger sense of purpose behind the work.

I’m also exploring more ways Bhakti Business can serve as a bridge—not just between yoga and business, but between business and giving. Because when we treat income generation as an act of service—not just to ourselves, but to the communities we care about—everything changes.

Thank you to everyone who supported this offer, shared the link, or donated during the fundraising period. I’m deeply grateful.

And if this story sparked something in you I encourage you to act on it. You never know what might unfold when you do.

With appreciation,
Katie Rose

Explore the Toolkit HERE