Been a while. I’m in the midst of a financial revolution, you guys. Mainly, I have decided I resent having to pay my student loans and registration fees for conferences and swing dance events out of pocket, and I want to do something about it. While my side book business is bringing in marginal amounts each month, I can’t control what readers find interesting and worth buying.

Which, by the way, if you’re interested in a sample of my work, I just released a new short story that is free for Amazon Prime members, under my pen name. Otherwise, it’s $1.99. Would love to get your reviews on Amazon if you happen to read it! Reviews are so key for authors to reach more readers.

All that said, I’m becoming serious about forming a side business that brings in consistent work and funds. It’s something I’ve always planned to do (following my father’s example). The idea that I rely on one source of income is, frankly, terrifying. Who knows what might happen, what if I can’t work at my normal day job for some reason? What if I decide one day to have children, and I don’t want to pay for daycare? Can I set up a business now so that if I want to leave my day job, I have that as a backup?

So I’ve begun to put my feelers out there. I have an account on Fiverr.com where I promise to sketchnote some things for you. I’ve already got a couple bites, which is encouraging. I’ve also put up a mini-critique on Fiverr.com as a user experience designer. The idea is I would gather testimonials so when I begin to charge clients for more realistic amounts, I have customer credibility.

I also bit the bullet and enrolled in the Earn 1K course by Ramit Sethi. The lovely Veronica Erb  pointed me in Sethi’s direction a month or so ago. He’s a personal finance expert who understands that it can be difficult and/or impossible to change spending habits. So, if you know your habits, what you need to do is generate more income to cover those habits. Anything you can automate in generating that income is highly encouraged.

This isn’t to say I’m not making enough money at my job. I suppose I am, especially since I’m situated in the midwest. I’m more concerned that with all my activities, I want to get rid of my student loans as soon as possible. But I don’t want to use my paycheck because I already have the majority of that budgeted out. I’m doing my best to be responsible with my monies, and hopefully, profitable.

So if you know someone who is looking for a sketchnoter, an eBook formatter, or a website critique, send them my way. I’ll keep you updated on this crazy journey of entrepreneurial life.