From Barista to Writer: Building a Business out of Thin Air

posted 20th October 2011    Written by: Dusti    CATEGORY: All Posts, Dusti, Job/Career/Work, Season 5

I never had any intentions of being an entrepreneur. Really I didn’t.

I thought I was just starting blog. Harmless, really. Then, it was a month-long course on blogging. No biggie. Then, I made my first affiliate sale. Oooh, that was pretty exciting. Then, I was writing and marketing an ebook.

Okay, so it was a slippery slope.

Who am I kidding? I showed all of the telltale signs of the would-be entrepreneur.

The inability to stay at a job I couldn’t stand and couldn’t change. (Seriously, I’ve had 36 jobs.) I had to stop participating in student council, because I blew a fuse or ten when I realized all they did was fundraise for parties and dances. So much for wanting to get the curriculum updated and get the school more active in the community. That may have also been why I was voted most likely to be a politician… in 8th grade.

I joke about it, but honestly, stepping into this new role has changed my life in ways I struggle to describe.

Let’s jump back to the summer of 2010. I was working at a Starbucks, slinging coffee out a window to people more or less unhappy with their lives. (The only notable exception to this was Phil Knight and his wife, two of our regulars.) Life was okay. Except that I knew I was handing a false answer to their problems out the window.

When I wasn’t making coffee, I was online. I’d started blogging in my spare time, downsizing my life, and doing more of what I loved. And what did I love? Writing. Sharing. Even when only an hour of my day could be devoted to this secret passion, it lit me up like the 4th of July.

When I first got started, I did it all for the love of writing. All of these thoughts and ideas had been building up with nowhere to go, and when I started blogging, it was like the floodgates opened. My heart soared every time I penned something. Little pieces of me scattered online and throughout the world.

Now it’s October 2011, and I have built myself a job and the makings of a business. In the past year, I’ve written about half a million words. No exaggeration. Between college, writing for pleasure, and writing for business, the flow of words has been more akin to tsunami force than that of the steady river metaphor I had considered using there.

With no qualifications, I wrote ebooks that real people bought. I offered my services as a branding coach and a copywriter – and real people paid me with real money. Danielle LaPorte says the universe speaks in cashflow, and it certainly did to me. The whole thing still blows my mind.

It’s amazing on so many levels, but entrepreneurship is not easy, especially if you’ve got workaholic tendencies. It feels like your work is never done. There’s always this inner conflict going on. How should I be spending my time? How much time with my daughter is enough? How many hours a week should I work? How many would I like to work? How many do I actually have to work to pay my rent?

We take the structure a workplace provides for granted. The thing with being the one calling shots is just that – you’re the one calling the shots. There’s no one else to blame. It’s all on you. Every decision you make about your schedule, your rates, everything. I’m a fan of bootstrapping, but now I dream of the day I can hire my very own virtual assistant. (I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure the heavens will open up and angels will sing.)

Have you considered starting your own business? I’d love to hear about your ideas, and if you have any questions about how I made the transition, I’m happy to answer them! (Molly and Hannah, I want some input here from you guys, too!)

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Comments (14)

14 Responses to “From Barista to Writer: Building a Business out of Thin Air”

  • imlivinginadream Says:
    October 20th, 2011 at 10:22 am

    I totally feel the same way about blogging, and writing in general. Sometimes I feel like school makes it too much of a chore- I wish I could just make what I do online into some sort of full-time career. I'd love to have more time to be creative & maybe become a published novelist. I know I'm still young and this is still very likely for me in the future… I just kinda wanna do it right now hehe :)

  • Dusti Arab Says:
    October 20th, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    So do it! :)

    Okay, easier said then done, big time, but knowing that you love it already is a huge win for you! I didn't even realize writing was my passion. *facepalm*

  • Annienygma Says:
    October 20th, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    You rock Dusti! I never dreamed when I started writing online that I would end up able to live on my online income. It totally kicks butt to be able to work for yourself! I look forward to reading your next book!

    Peace,
    Annie

  • laurenne_s Says:
    October 20th, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    Good for you! I hear you on the 'work is never done part though too.' Eeek! It's 10:40, and I have no end in sight. work work work! As long as we stop to smell the entrepreneurship once in a while, we're good.

  • Kenya Says:
    October 21st, 2011 at 7:20 am

    i have been blogging for about a year and am currently in a competiton for a book contract. I also (two days ago) got fired from my job… so I really needed to see this today. However, I would like a few more specifics. Please help me with "affiliate sale." I am not familier with that.
    As an entrepreneur, I would love to be a life coach and to make personalized gifts for people. I know those seem a world apart but I like the idea of sharing myself wih people in ways both intangible and tangible. My issue is (or as been) a constituency. How did you build yours?

  • Dusti Arab Says:
    October 21st, 2011 at 7:22 am

    Thanks Annie! It really is amazing. And then helping other people to do it, too?! It's the best feeling in the world.

  • Dusti Arab Says:
    October 21st, 2011 at 7:23 am

    Haha, right? The end is where we say it is, damnit! :)

  • HannahD Says:
    October 21st, 2011 at 8:24 am

    Isn't it funny that owning your own business means you can make your own schedule…You can work whatever 90 hours a week you want. :)

  • Courtney Elizabeth Says:
    October 21st, 2011 at 11:32 am

    Thank you for this! It's so easy to find excuses to not spend life doing what we love. You rock :D

  • Dusti Arab Says:
    October 22nd, 2011 at 9:57 am

    Building a tribe isn't rocket science. First, make sure you are crystal clear on the person you are selling to. If you know that person inside and out, it's a lot easier to identify first tangible needs then into the less tangible areas later.

    Second, get off your website. Guest post like a fiend. Be seen everywhere.

    Third, network. Wash, rinse, repeat. I never go looking for business, because 90% of my clients are referrals.

    Hope this helps!

  • Dusti Arab Says:
    October 22nd, 2011 at 9:57 am

    EXACTLY. Good lord.

  • Dusti Arab Says:
    October 22nd, 2011 at 9:57 am

    Thanks Courtney! Glad it helped. :)

  • erinmakesitwork Says:
    October 25th, 2011 at 7:33 pm

    Oh darlin', I am right with you on all of this. I have been freelancing for two years and I certainly feel like my work is never done, or that I am not doing enough. Its definitely hard to find that balance…and to find what truly drives you. At 28, I am just now starting to figure it out.

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