How I Started My First Business With $37.98 with No Experience, RetiredMy Husband From Stanford & Built Software Company
A Thread
A Thread
In 2009, After being laid off with a background in Consumer Finance, I was unemployed and pregnant.
Since most people aren’t looking to hire very pregnant women, my husband and I moved to a more affordable area so we could live off of his salary.
Since most people aren’t looking to hire very pregnant women, my husband and I moved to a more affordable area so we could live off of his salary.
Bored as hell, I needed something so I became a mom blogger.
I signed up for a free service called Blogspot. Learned a little HTML and designed it myself. This free hobby turned profitable after I started using social media.
I signed up for a free service called Blogspot. Learned a little HTML and designed it myself. This free hobby turned profitable after I started using social media.
I started building an audience by posting funny graphics on a FB page and motivational quotes on Twitter.
The more I posted on social, the bigger audience I had, the more traffic I drove to my site.
Sponsors started reaching out to get in front of my audience.
The more I posted on social, the bigger audience I had, the more traffic I drove to my site.
Sponsors started reaching out to get in front of my audience.
My first sponsor was a hair brush company, Spornette. It was a blog post in exchange for some products (which I still have)
More sponsors reached out and I started pitching companies daily. The larger the audience I had, the more sponsors I received.
More sponsors reached out and I started pitching companies daily. The larger the audience I had, the more sponsors I received.
This was influencer marketing before that was a thing.
Eventually I started getting actual money. I worked with Disney, Mattel, Walmart, to name a few.
Companies paid me to write about them, promote them on my blog AND social.
Social was a BIG part of this.
Eventually I started getting actual money. I worked with Disney, Mattel, Walmart, to name a few.
Companies paid me to write about them, promote them on my blog AND social.
Social was a BIG part of this.
Fellow bloggers, friends, and business owners began asking me to do for them, what I was doing for my blog.
Here’s where it gets interesting
I said to my husband one night, “I think social media…is a JOB”
Here’s where it gets interesting
I said to my husband one night, “I think social media…is a JOB”
Then, I made the investment.
$11.99 for a domain
$6.99 / mo for hosting
$19 for a website theme
$37.98 total.
This investment changed my life.
$11.99 for a domain
$6.99 / mo for hosting
$19 for a website theme
$37.98 total.
This investment changed my life.
I ended up learning wordpress, installed the theme myself and designed the website. It wasn’t pretty, but it worked.
I decided to offer social media services. Like any good hustler, I put an offer for my services on craigslist, advertising my blog & social media skills.
I decided to offer social media services. Like any good hustler, I put an offer for my services on craigslist, advertising my blog & social media skills.
Within 48 hours, I had 4 clients signed.
I said yes to EVERY opportunity no matter the pay.
I did A LOT of free gigs because I needed the experience.
I was a baby making factory during these the services phase, and decided to go back to school to complete my BA degree.
I said yes to EVERY opportunity no matter the pay.
I did A LOT of free gigs because I needed the experience.
I was a baby making factory during these the services phase, and decided to go back to school to complete my BA degree.
I already had an AA in Business Software.
So to recap, I had too many clients, was doing tons of free work, 2 babies under 2 and was going to college full time at night.
So to recap, I had too many clients, was doing tons of free work, 2 babies under 2 and was going to college full time at night.
I’d do work + homework during naps & short periods of time where mickey mouse clubhouse entertained the babies. At night I’d go to class from 6-10, and I’d do client work from 10:30 - whenever I was done.
I ended up graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Bible & Theology.
Clients went from small businesses, startups, and bloggers to celebrities, pro athletes, best selling authors, even an NBC TV show.
Clients went from small businesses, startups, and bloggers to celebrities, pro athletes, best selling authors, even an NBC TV show.
After a while, services was killing me as a 1 person team and I was building an audience of people who wanted to know more about social media.
I eventually stopped offering services, pivoted to online education, built @mrktgsolved
I eventually stopped offering services, pivoted to online education, built @mrktgsolved
I was able to retire my husband from his corporate career at Stanford, and together we built our software company, with zero outside funding @Get_Tassi
That's a story for another day.
That's a story for another day.

I know people are struggling right now, especially financially so I wanted to post this to encourage them by showing how a small investment can make a really big impact.
Building businesses with social media has never been easier so if there's something you're good at...
Building businesses with social media has never been easier so if there's something you're good at...
Consider becoming a freelancer or an entrepreneur.
I have nothing to promote here, just wanted to share.
If you read this thread, THANK YOU! I'm here if you need anything.
I have nothing to promote here, just wanted to share.
If you read this thread, THANK YOU! I'm here if you need anything.
