By Paige Oldfield

Copyright dailyrecord

A mum who walked away from her 9-5 job to chase her side hustle now earns almost twice as much and finally has the freedom she always dreamed of. Jade Zammit was working part-time while raising her two children, Charles and Senna, aged nine and five, when the stress of juggling it all began to take its toll. Her daughter’s struggle with sleep had left her exhausted until she decided something had to change. After seeing how much expert advice helped her own family, Jade was inspired to start training as a sleep coach herself. What began as a small side hustle soon grew into a thriving business and before long, Jade was earning more than she ever had in her old job. “I was so sick from stress that I collapsed,” she told What’s The Jam. “It was clear my body couldn’t take any more. “Handing in my notice to focus on my side hustle has been the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m making more money than ever and get to spend more time with my children. I’d tell anyone to take that leap of faith.” Jade says it all started during maternity leave with her youngest daughter. The 36-year-old, who had been working as a test analyst at the time, struggled with her baby’s sleep for months , feeling completely drained and overwhelmed. Nights were full of frequent awakenings and restless hours, leaving her running on caffeine and sheer adrenaline just to get through the day. The exhaustion began to affect everything her mood, her focus and her health. After reaching out to a professional sleeping coach, the mum-of-two became fascinated by how much difference expert advice could make. Watching her daughter finally settle into a proper sleep routine was life-changing, and Jade realised that countless other parents must be going through the same struggle. It sparked a new idea and a whole new career . Jade, from Edinburgh , said: “We thought we knew a thing or two about babies and sleep by then, but we couldn’t have been further from the truth. We struggled so much with her changing sleep patterns and frequent awakenings I just didn’t know how to help her. “One day, my husband said, ‘I think we need to speak to a professional about her sleep.’ That was the moment I decided that I wanted to be that professional. It allowed me to understand and solve my daughter’s sleep challengers without using harsh methods. It allowed me to become the parent I wanted to be. “I knew there must have been other parents going through the same feelings of isolation and sleep deprivation. That was when I started looking into the top training academies and qualifications . Before I knew it, I was undergoing a whole new career change. “I handed in my notice instead of returning to work and started up my own business, Beyond The Stars – Jade Zammit Sleep Coaching, in July 2021. I was very busy, very quickly.” Soon after quitting her role, Jade was headhunted by another local company looking for a test analyst. She decided to take the position since it felt less toxic and more refreshing than her old workplace, and it gave her a steady income while her business grew. At first, she tried to balance both her new position and her business, keeping her side hustle as a safety net. But as her client list grew, the late nights and constant juggling became impossible. Jade would spend her days working her corporate job , then stay up until midnight writing sleep plans for clients. Her health began to suffer, she was missing out on time with her children and felt permanently on edge. She said: “I decided that juggling both roles was manageable and a safe, stable choice, earning at least £1,600 per month. I enjoyed working with them; it was a refreshing take on testing and the staff were great. Our first project was a lot of fun and hard work. “However, after a change in team dynamics , the pressure suddenly increased. Life at home was also becoming more difficult. Running a business alongside home and work demands just wasn’t sustainable anymore. In January 2023 I fell poorly with tonsillitis for the second time. My body just wasn’t recovering. ‘A few weeks later, my husband found me collapsed in the shower one morning ` my body simply wasn’t coping anymore. “That was when I decided to hand in my notice and go full-time in my sleep consultancy business. It was a really scary decision to make, but the best one I’ve ever made.” Two years later, she’s never looked back. Jade has helped more than 200 families transform their nights and now earns around £3,000 a month almost double her old income of £1,600. Alongside the financial boost , the biggest reward has been flexibility. She said: “Now, almost two years into running my business full-time, I have gone from strength to strength supporting families through sleep challenges. I’ve worked with over 200 families on a 1:1 basis, and many more through courses and programs. I’m now earning almost double what I was as a Test Analyst. “Beyond finances, it’s the flexibility that means the most. I don’t need anyone’s permission to attend my kids’ sports days or school shows. “I’m there for every drop-off and pick-up, for everything they need me for. Managing my time around my children is truly a blessing. If my kids get sick, I don’t have to panic trying to juggle work, care, and stressful deadlines. “I can still support other families while taking care of my own. Flexibility is truly key. If you’re considering leaving a corporate position to pursue your passion do it. Passion always trumps, and it creates income. “When you’re passionate about something, you give it your all. Plan it out, get proof that people need what you’re offering, and jump all in. I have zero regrets .”