"I Quit My Day Job" Success Stories

**Hylith** · 10:45 AM

I saw some stories of inspiration so I thought I would give my own.

Let me begin by stating that I am a Caucasian-Canadian living in China, and I was tired. I was tired of working my butt off in Canada and tired of chasing rich brats in China around tables, while they pretend they can't understand a word I am saying (although not always bad).

I came up with an idea. China's cost of living is so much lower than western countries that I could live an extremely comfortable life here at making even $1000 American a month. But how?

An online business seemed to make the most sense, it would follow me whereever I go and connect me to unlimited customers. Excellent, now I need a service or product. It must be something I love, because I know I needed something to motivate my butt out of bed in the morning... haha...

I have always loved art and creation. I could draw and paint but my graphic design skills... were non-existent. No one could teach me here, my Chinese isn't good enough for that. So it looked like I will have to teach myself. I taught myself how to use Photoshop and Illustrator and how to build a website from scratch. I started off small, just learning and making a little bit of money here and there.

Finally, I said to myself, I can make a living off this if I try hard enough. I told everyone around me I could do it. Most didn't believe me or simply didn't care. I told myself this is MY DREAM, no one can see it but me. I needed results fast and furiously.

That was the beginning of this year. From then until now I have won numerous logo contests with cash prizes (the highest being $300.00). I have many clients who become my friends and great business contacts. I have done tutorial articles for cash and I have won bids for complete website designs and as it stands now I am making around $2000-$3000 USD a month and rising.

My cost of doing of starting all this? A lot of time, a lot of blood, sweat and tears. How much money, about $60. That was a high part of my goal, maximum earnings with lowest possible cost.

Anyways, I am not trying to brag but I just wanted to tell everyone out there that you CAN DO IT. But don't do it for the money, do it because you need the freedom and because you would love it, do it for you.

If you need some advice or if you need some designs for your new business venture online contact me.

Sorry it was so long, but that's my story

**dial5** · 06-06-2009, 01:32 AM

When i see these type of stories,i get much motivated.

I am planning to quit my day job.

**AlexisPetrov** · 06-07-2009, 03:38 AM

Awesomeness

I hope to build up my own website selling informative guides and ebooks for all kinds of people, and my blog reviewing work from home sites, often exposing them as scams - your story inspired me a lot

**AlexisPetrov** · 06-07-2009, 03:38 AM

Oh, also, I now feel motivated to move to China.

XD

**Forex Leader** · 06-27-2009, 09:22 PM

Nice story Hilith,

Thanks for sharing. But could you expand on how you got to 2 or 3 k /month? Certainly not just by winning prizes (although I congratulate you). So, how are you doing it?

Thanks again,

**ShellyintheCity** · 06-28-2009, 12:41 AM

I just wrote a blog about dream jobs... after reading your messages I believe its possible but I don't know where to even begin...

Shelly in the City

Check out my blog about it...

**Joe3000** · 06-28-2009, 04:17 PM

Well done.

So were you targeting the US/Western market from China? Were you charging Chinese prices but giving a 'Western' service so to speak? Or where you working with clients from China?

Just interested to know how you went about getting clients.

Cheers.

**emofree** · 07-13-2009, 03:25 AM

Dang I feel motivated by your words maybe in matter of 2 years I might quit my job and follow in your foot steps to earn a wonderful living.

**andr112** · 07-24-2009, 08:43 AM

That's really challenging! Such stories always inspire me!

**cindyfowler** · 08-03-2009, 07:24 AM

i always think so,dream is so important to young man,but when we enter society,we must chang myself on many aspects.we do our best ,but nobody see,nobody notice.one day we give up dream ,we back to reality .

**arsenal09** · 08-07-2009, 08:06 AM

You inspire me, Thanks ofr sharing

**Digmen1** · 08-07-2009, 09:36 PM

Yeah how easy is it for a westerner to move to china ?

**digitalstyle** · 08-09-2009, 06:41 AM

Whenever I read this type of stories..i get confidence..I already left my job and doing online web design business..

Hylith , thanks for your sharing this story with us..

**John Abraham** · 08-15-2009, 06:06 PM

that is the same reason i want to learn how to design website, it is very profitable and you can work at your own phase of time and at home. Your site is very impressive.

**Oxuro** · 08-28-2009, 07:51 PM

I want to thank you Hylith for posting your story.

It’s really motivating and I have to admit that your story is an extra reason why I should follow my own dreams.

It may not be that easy at the beginning but in the end every effort you put into it will pay you back the double and even more.

(By the way , is it really that easy to move to China nowadays ? )

**Hylith** · 08-29-2009, 01:01 PM

Thank you all for you comments, I am quite happy to hear that I have inspired some people to follow their dreams.

@Forex Leader - Some of it comes from searching out people looking for a designer using forums, social networks or even the people I win contests from come back for repeat business. If you do a good job people will usually return.

@Joe3000 - I target western countries and China, but mostly western countries then just convert the money. My girlfriend helps me out if the translating becomes too tough.

@Oxuro - Yeah that's true. It's not easy... just remember that factor. It's convenient so many people want to try their hand but few will succeed. It requires hard work and many extra hours, but in return you get freedom and all the rewards. It's not that easy to get to live in China without having a Z visa. I can provide more information on this if anyone is interested.

Just an update for anything who is interested, I am currently starting a new project and have been quite successful in my designing company. I am starting a website called EnglishMeet to help Chinese use their English and meet people abroad. Also to help westerners find jobs in China and learn about it's great culture. www.Englishmeet.com It's all planned out and set to go soon.

Remember that you HAVE to make things happen, sometimes you have to get the customers and not just let them find you when you first start out. You can't sit around and rely on google or yahoo, it's best to go out there and hunt down your clients and enter contests to showcase and improve your skills.

Take care and good luck (although that has little to do with success).

**sassy.grrr** · 08-30-2009, 02:21 AM

The reason to get up is always be a motivation for me - daily.

**Joe3000** · 09-02-2009, 05:16 AM

What does that mean?

**Leszek Krzywon** · 09-02-2009, 09:15 AM

Next great and motivation story! Good job

**orionoreo** · 09-04-2009, 06:55 PM

this is exactly what's happening to me right now except i'm not pursuing a design/development job.. I'm doing my own site. Same thing, people discourage or doesn't care about it but like you said, as long as we try... and try hard enough results will show

congrats... I'll join u in joy... hopefully soon