Why I Began Freelancing in 2022: A Business Owner’s Story of $0 to $10k Months

Here’s the breakdown:

In 2022, I made $7,300.
In 2023, I made $27,664.
In 2024, I’m set to make $137,000+

It’s not all about the numbers. But I believe the numbers tell a story. Money is a confirmation of value.

We use money to assign value. “Yes, I think this is valuable so I will pay for it.”

When I started focusing and growing myself, those close to me (namely, my clients) grew too.

Year over year my business has grown nearly 5x each year. In forecasting, 2025 is no exception.

For context, I incorporated in May 2024. Today is December 2024. Six months later the business continues to grow.

But why did I begin freelancing?

To earn more money

I quit a good $50k/yr job with good health and retirement benefits. On all accounts, it was a good job, and perfect for what my family needed at the time.

Then, we needed more money, because, you know, inflation and kids. Life got more expensive and the compensation wasn’t matching.

So, I started freelancing in 2022 for side money (see numbers above). I started with social media content and webpage content.

I started hourly (don’t do this!) to earn about $500/mo.

Now, I’m doing $10,000+ months, with this month (December 2024) at just about $14,000.

You can do this too. When you follow specific principles, you can easily grow a business from the ground up. Sign up to get the specifics:

Oh, and I want to 5x again in 2025…to $250,000+ in the year.

Stay tuned about that.

To manage my own schedule

I craved more control over myself, my future, and my family’s future — and I believed (and still do) that owning a business would help me achieve this.

I’m drafting this from my couch in the livingroom at 1:00pm while my children sleep (or should be sleeping even though one is shouting, and the other is playing with magnatiles). I worked some this morning but am now home this afternoon.

Before? This didn’t happen. I was at work all afternoon like a “normal” employee. I guess I didn’t want normal anymore. I wanted better.

To be more flexible in My Schedule

It’s been 6 months since incorporating my LLC.

In that time, my family has had sick days, days off, and pretty weather days.

I choose when I need to change my schedule.

Wow! What a freeing experience it’s been to not to tell anyone that I need off for the day or afternoon. I just…do it.

Take a sick day? Yeah, and I don’t get docked a sick day (or reduced pay).

It’s pretty outside? Hustle for an hour and soak up the sun on a hike.

Need an off day because, “why not”? Move calls or tasks around and relax.

I now have the flexibility I crave.

To be more flexible in a Working Location

Freelancing allowed me to choose where I want to work.

I very much try to not work when with family or on vacation. It’s tricky because building something excites me.

But choosing where I work can spark creativity, passion, and motivation — sometimes all at once.

To Work with People I want to Work With

There are some people I didn’t want to work with in my W-2 position. Nothing against them, just our work ethics didn’t always align.

But working for myself allowed me to choose the people I want to work with.

Now, there’s still workplace dynamics in my company, but at the end of the day, I can choose to continue to work with them, or not.

More so, I get to choose the clients I want to work with.

I technically never had to fire a client, but I have let the project run out and then not renew with them. It’s an easier disconnect overall.

To Open Other Opportunities

I started putting away 10% of profits away for seed money, investments, or to start another business (got something in the works).

I want my money to work for me.

Maybe the term is “passive” income. But still, it takes money to make money

To Support Worth-While Causes

What’s my purpose? I’m still exploring that. But I do know that I’m passionate about a few local non-profits.

How cool is it to have the time and money to support organizations like these as a business owner?

To Have a Future Plan

Being a business owner comes with heavy winds and waves, but I get to set the sails and direct the rudder.

There’s virtuous pride in this realization. It’s a “come what may” or “sink or swim” mentality.

There’s not turning back. Do or die. Sink or swim.

It’s invigorating.

Skies the limit.