The Journey from College Dropout to $18,000 a Month: My Path to Passive Income

A Tough Decision: Dropping Out of College

Back in 2007, I found myself at a crossroads that many young adults face: continue down the traditional path of higher education while accumulating a staggering $50,000 in student loans, or take a leap of faith and carve my own way in the world. I ultimately made the difficult decision to drop out of college.

It wasn’t a decision made lightly. At the time, none of my friends who had graduated were landing jobs, and I realized I would need to incur even more debt to complete my degree. Surprisingly, I had already begun to thrive in an entry-level role as a public policy assistant, gaining invaluable experience even without that coveted diploma.

But starting my career on such shaky financial ground was daunting. The societal pressure to earn a degree weighed heavily on my conscience. I initially thought my best option was to simply work harder at my job, suppressing my unease about quitting school.

Finding My Passion: The Birth of a Hobby

Fortunately, amidst this uncertainty, I stumbled upon something that reignited my excitement: video creation. Capturing moments and telling stories became my escape, and I discovered YouTube—a platform that allowed me to upload videos for free and share them with friends and family.

Simultaneously, social media started gaining traction with platforms like Facebook and Twitter emerging in popularity. I quickly discovered I had a knack for navigating these digital landscapes, finding joy in what others seemed to struggle with.

Little did I know that these hobbies would significantly alter the course of my life.

An Aha Moment: Realizing My Skills Were in Demand

A couple of years after my decision to leave college, a friend pointed out the skills I was developing through my passion. She gently encouraged me to consider turning my talent for video and social media into a professional endeavor. This was my “aha moment”—the realization that my side projects were not merely pastimes but were cultivating valuable skills that were increasingly in demand.

What started as a hobby soon blossomed into a side hustle. With no formal training, I branded myself as a one-woman show, helping small businesses grow their online presence through effective social media marketing. I dedicated evenings and weekends to this venture, harvesting the fruits of my creativity while still employed.

Transitioning: From Employee to Entrepreneur

By 2010, after working tirelessly on my side hustle, I made the leap of faith and quit my full-time job to focus entirely on my fledgling agency. I used my video editing skills to market my business, sharing tips and tricks around social media marketing. I went all in on offering valuable content through tutorials, resource recommendations, and strategic insights.

One month, when revenue from my agency was alarmingly low, I decided to take a chance on something new: creating an online course that taught businesses how to produce their own videos. I pitched this idea to my modest email list, offering an exclusive pre-launch price for early sign-ups, and was overwhelmed by the response. In fact, I earned approximately $1,000 in a single day just from that one email.

The taste of success fueled my ambition; I organized a series of live webinars over six weeks, and upon completion, I had a digital product to sell.

Building a Sustainable Income: The Evolution of My Brand

Fast forward fifteen years, and that fun hobby has diversified into a sustainable career generating around $18,000 a month in passive income. My foray into education inspired me to self-publish three books through Amazon’s print-on-demand and audiobook platforms. Each took about three weeks to write and months of design work. Together, they have sold about 40,000 copies.

Inspired by my first book, "Good Morning, Good Life," I created my first non-book product: a planner helping people streamline their morning routines. That single product has generated over $140,000 in sales, showcasing how the right tools paired with creativity can lead to success.

Today, my passive income stems from a variety of sources: YouTube advertising revenue, affiliate marketing, brand sponsorships, and sales of digital products. I’ve learned that when you focus on serving others and delivering tremendous value, amazing opportunities arise—including financial success.

The Takeaway: Crafting Your Own Path

Reflecting on my journey from a college dropout to a successful entrepreneur, I’ve realized that following my passion was undeniably worth it. The initial fears and doubts I grappled with were overshadowed by the excitement of discovery and self-empowerment.

Whether you’re currently in a college program or contemplating a career shift, embracing the skills and passions that bring you joy can lead to unexpected opportunities. So, consider your unique path and the potential it holds. After all, as I experienced firsthand, sometimes stepping off the beaten path may ultimately lead to the most rewarding journey.

If you’re interested in earning extra income outside your day job, consider exploring various avenues for passive income. For a deeper dive into this topic, you can check out CNBC’s online course, "How to Earn Passive Income Online," which provides tips, strategies, and real-life success stories to help you navigate your own journey.

Here’s to turning passions into profits!