Back in 2007, I made the unconventional decision to drop out of college, despite owing about $50,000 in student loans. At the time, none of my friends who had graduated were landing jobs, and I knew that finishing my degree would require me to go even further into debt. However, I had already secured a great position as a public policy assistant, which made the decision to leave school a bit easier.
Although starting out on shaky financial ground was far from ideal, I soon discovered a passion that would change the course of my life. I found joy in creating videos, capturing moments, and telling stories. This led me to explore platforms like YouTube, where I could share my videos for free and connect with others who shared my interests. Additionally, as social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter gained popularity, I realized that I had a talent for understanding and utilizing them effectively.
Little did I know that these discoveries would be game-changers for me. Fast forward fifteen years, and my hobby has evolved into a lucrative career, allowing me to earn approximately $18,000 a month in passive income while working only four hours a day.
One pivotal moment came a couple of years after I dropped out of college when a friend recognized my skills in video content creation and social media management. This realization sparked a new direction for me, as I began to see the value of the skills I had been developing. I decided to leverage these skills by starting a side hustle, where I helped small businesses with their social media presence and brand awareness.
After working tirelessly on my side hustle for over a year, I took a leap of faith and quit my full-time job to focus on my agency. To promote my new business, I used my video editing skills to create content around social media marketing, which attracted clients and helped me grow my agency.
During a challenging period with minimal revenue for my agency, I decided to create and sell a course teaching businesses how to create their own videos. The response was overwhelming, and I made about $1,000 in revenue in a single day from one email. This success fueled my passion for creating content and sharing knowledge, leading me to develop more courses and products that generated passive income for me over the years.
Today, my passive income portfolio includes self-published books, a paper planner, YouTube ads, affiliate revenue, brand deals, and other products. On average, I earn about $18,000 a month in passive income, thanks to the skills and experiences I gained from pursuing my passion outside of traditional education.
In conclusion, my journey from dropping out of college to building a successful career in video creation and social media management is a testament to the power of following your passion and leveraging your skills. By taking risks, embracing new opportunities, and continuously learning and adapting, I was able to turn a hobby into a thriving business that provides me with financial stability and fulfillment.
