Meet Doug Cunnington, PMP | Podcaster, YouTuber, Writer, Course Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Doug Cunnington, PMP and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Doug, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
What began as a casual side project, something I did just for fun, quickly evolved into my main source of income after an unexpected turn in my career.

Back in 2013, while working a full-time corporate job, I stumbled upon a podcast discussing ways to make money online. Initially skeptical due to the plethora of scams out there, I was relieved to find that the business model discussed was not only legitimate but also quite promising. Motivated, I dived into the world of affiliate marketing, search engine optimization, and creating online courses. Within just six months, I was fully immersed in these new ventures.

My shift to full-time entrepreneurship was catalyzed in 2015 when I was unexpectedly laid off. Although my side hustle hadn’t yet replaced my corporate salary, the success I had achieved gave me confidence. I realized that entrepreneurship, unlike traditional employment, offered limitless earning potential—there were no glass ceilings here, no bureaucratic ladders to climb or restrictive corporate structures to navigate.

This realization wasn’t just liberating—it was transformative. Pursuing entrepreneurship full-time not only challenged me to expand my abilities but also to redefine what I considered success.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is tailor-made for me—I designed it that way. Currently, it comprises:

– Three podcasts each with their own YouTube channels.
– Two active online courses.

The core philosophy behind my business structure is prioritizing free time. This not only enhances my day-to-day life but also allows me to take extended breaks, like the month-long sabbaticals I enjoy, with only minimal check-ins required.

I take immense pride in having nurtured my business from the ground up. My growth channels—blogging, podcasting, and YouTube—have been fundamental in this journey. The revenue primarily comes from my own products, which gives me the freedom to be selective about the companies I partner with for advertising or collaborations. Having built everything from scratch, I had the unique opportunity to sculpt my daily tasks based on past experiences and preferences. My decade in the corporate world taught me well about what I didn’t want to do, and I’ve been deliberate in avoiding those elements in my entrepreneurial life.

Creating podcasts and YouTube videos is the heart of my work, involving conversations with my friends 90% of the time. It’s not just my job; it’s a joy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Longmont, CO and there are many really great breweries close by. Many of them are right off the St Vrain Greenway. So, I’d create a brewery tour with some biking on the Greenway. Some of my favorites are: Lefthand Brewing, Oskar Blues, Wibby, Longs Peak Pub, and 300 Suns.

My social circle revolves around the Mr Money Mustache HQ Coworking Space. Mr. Money Mustache is a local and happens to have one of the biggest, most popular blogs in the Financial Independence niche. We often have happy hours and social gatherings with 10-50 people. People come from all over the front range and beyond.

We’d spend time in Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park. We’d definitely head to Trail Ridge Store, next to the Alpine Visitor Center. We’d stop and check out the views along the drive on Trail Ridge Road. It’s a special place for me. I worked in Trail Ridge Store for two summers in college, and we lived in an old motel in Estes Park. It’s absolutely beautiful and I have this great connection with the area.

I’m also a big Shining, Stephen King, and Dumb and Dumber fan, so we’d check out the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I got started when I discovered podcasts in the online marketing space, so I have to give those podcasts credit! Smart Passive Income with Pat Flynn is the podcast that kicked it off. I heard an interview on Smart Passive Income with Spencer Haws, and he had his own podcast, Niche Pursuits. Both shows are still alive and publishing new shows, but the topic areas have shifted over the last decade.

Website: https://milehighfi.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dougcunnington/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-cunnington-pmp-a850435

Youtube: http://youtube.com/@DougCunnington/

Image Credits
FinCon & Doug Cunnington