Monetize Your Knowledge

I often get asked how I became top 1% of all Upwork freelancers in such a short amount of time. The truth? It wasn’t some magic formula or overnight success. It was pure hustle and tons of trial and error.

From 2007 – 2020, I worked multiple 9-5 office jobs (customer service, building websites, graphic design, etc..), whatever it took to pay the bills and fuel my recording studio dreams. E-commerce and advertising were foreign to me when I first started my last office job, but nobody at the company knew how to grow brands- cue in me accidentally becoming the e-commerce expert, mastering Amazon and every other Ecom platform out there.

I was getting by financially, but was far from hitting my true potential. Then COVID hit! Office? Closed. Recording studio? Shut Down. Wedding coming up? Still happening. Bills? Not taking a break for pandemics. Will never forget that feeling of helplessness.

Desperate for income, I stumbled upon Upwork. This would change my life forever! My first gig? $15/hour. Even at that rate, I knew I would never work a 9-5 again. The reality of earning money from home was evidence enough for me. Today? I’m charging $200/hour for my skills and $400/hour for business consultations. Living proof that IMPOSSIBLE is Fiction!

Here’s the thing – I’m no genius. I saw an opportunity, hustled, learned from my mistakes, leveled up, and never gave up. So, if you’re feeling stuck, remember: there are other options out there. Get creative and monetize your skills. No skills? learn one, master it, and keep hustling like your future depends on it (because, well, it kinda does).