Bloggers, Entrepreneurs, and Dreamers - Introduce Yourself!
By Christine OKelly | September 16, 2007
My name is Christine OKelly and I am an internet entrepreneur. I work for myself entirely online through I variety of different ventures. I’m not exactly where I want to be yet, but am light years away from where I started.
Just over 2 years ago I was an operations manager for an internet start up company working 12 hour days, addicted to my Blackberry, ignoring my family, and becoming a shell of a person. My body required 10 shots of espresso per day, 1 Rockstar energy drink, and several Vivarin’s to remain functional. I was a superstar at work and unavailable to my own self and my family.
Today, I support my entire family while working around the things that are important to me. I walk my kids to and from school every day - they think I’m a stay at home mom. But it’s quite the opposite. I work when my energy is at it’s peak instead of sitting behind a desk just to fill a chair all day. I take breaks when I’m not into it. I love “working” because its a challenge and a form of creative expression.
I love talking to other people about their entrepreneurial journeys and their quests to escape the cubicle. My hope is that this blog serves as a place for like-minded , entrepreneurial free thinkers to meet and share advice and stories with one another.
Introduce Yourself!
I’ve introduced myself, now it’s your turn! Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit? Have you made the leap to working for yourself and pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams? Introduce your blog and/or your business - I look forward to meeting you!
Topics: Networking |
I just wanted to say Hello, Ms. Self Made Chick!! I’m looking forward to reading more about your professional online adventures as I have already subscribed to your feed.
My name is Shana Albert and I too work out of my home and support myself and my children from what I do online. I am a Web Designer and Webmaster. I’ve never designed websites for others… I’ve fallen in love with all the websites I’ve made and couldn’t part with them. So, instead I’ve made them for myself and run them myself. You can take a peek at all of my websites by going to http://www.shanaalbert.com/ . I have all of my websites listed there.
Welcome, Self Made Chick… I’ll be back.
Shana
I’m Mark “Wizzer” Wilson. I’ve been caught in that same trap as Christine but my own business rather than someone else’s. I’ve run several successful “real” world business and started looking at an internet based opportunity a year or so ago. I committed to online success in May 2007 but for now it has to be alongside my existing business so time is at a premium.
I’ve worked at home for over 12 years, pre kids and now with the challenges they bring and I fully understand the benefits and drawbacks of this lifestyle. But no, I wouldn’t change back for the world. I need to stay in control and frankly, I couldn’t take the office politics and poor management of a job anymore!
To your success.
Hello Shana - It’s wonderful to meet you! I love to hear about others who are making it working from home - congrats! You’ve got so many incredible websites and products!
I have a few friends that are really into preparing a home learning curriculum for their kids and will definitely point them to your websites - great stuff!
Thanks for sharing Mark! You’ve got my curiosity peaked about the 6M Profit Method… on your blog, you say “it’s far more than a course, it’s a community bordering a lifestyle is the foundation for my success” - how does it work exactly?
C
Hello:)
It has been a pleasure reading this blog and I even forwarded it to my project manager who I feel certain can use your solid advice.
When my wife was 9 months pregnant with our first son I informed her I had quit my job and would be working from home and “self employed” lol that was 24 years ago when self employment was just another word for un-employment in the vast majority of the people’s mind set…
Now days, and from what I gather, that self employment thing really turned into something:)
Anyway, thatks again for the great advice and wish you the best… I sure hope one of those projects of yours really takes off so you can enjoy a little free time.
Wow Bob! Funny how perceptions change over time… Now when I tell people that I work from home they are completely jealous! I’m glad that you had the nerve NOT to listen to the nay-sayers and to go into business for yourself - otherwise, the world would be without this incredible jewelry! Great to meet you!!!
Christine
well I think it has a lot to do with this stubborn german blood:)
once you get on a path you have to stay on it no matter how difficult it gets… like setting and making your “policy”… once you make a sound decision, don’t divert from it…
I liken my “policy” to the raging river on one side of the path and a rocky, steep, wet and slippery cliff on the other side…
a good policy will keep you from getting off your path:)
or, could be just plain ol stubbordness..?
anyway, that’s for the welcome and for the visit:)
Hi Christine!
I stumbled upon your blog and was hooked from your post about how you made $100,000 in minutes’ worth of work with $0 investment.
I’m a 24-year old internet marketer, self improvement info-entrepreneur, part-time teacher and mentor.
I have never worked full time for any employer before, although now I am volunteering for a local welfare organisation for which I get paid part-time income to supplement my full-time work-at-home ventures.
I’m working towards 100% freedom and having that 2-hour work week.
Hello Christine.
Great posts so far. I really liked your can’t vs won’t post.
I created http://www.quotationcollection.com as a way of piling up all the inspiring, funny, and insightful items I read and hear. I bet you find something you like there.
Great posts so far..I really can smell the positive attitude you have towards life.. you are in my google reader now.. Will read your upcoming posts..I am a 26 year old aspiring entrepreneur Living in London.. will definately be looking for people like you to be my mentor..
I am a dotcompreneur, web designer, and internet marketing consultant.
I too make my living online and I look forward to reading more on your blog!
Hey
I am a 32 year old guy and yes I am tired of doing what I do for a living.I am a plumber and have been doing it for 17 years atleast. I have worked in every feild there is and it is time for a change in my life big time.Last friday I was home all day and was doing alot of work on my blog, and comming up with content idea’s and working on the final idea’s for my contest and I have some other great plans for it but getting the traffic I need is dame near imposible.
How long did it take you to get high traffic?
Hi Christine,
Really enjoyed your blog and everything I have read. Very similar story for me. I simply decided to work for myself and walked away from the cube farm. I worked for a company that did online lead gen for technology companies. I saw that tech companies often need more than just leads to get deals going and thought up a business around the idea.
Even though I started out with practically no money in the bank it has been nearly a year, and the bills have remained paid.
I will look forward to reading your blog again for new ideas.
Kindest regards
Matt
Hi Christine (SMC), I am in Thailand and I’m trying to get enough going that I can afford to live here for a long time without teaching. I saw you on my blog - aimforawesome.com and wanted to see what your site was all about. VERY cool stuff here and I know I’ll spend hours reading it over next few days.
I’ll grab your feed too.
I am looking for some SEO writing jobs. If you have any suggestions that jump out at you - let me know! I can write at a lower rate maybe than others since Thailand cost of living is so affordable.
Thanks for popping into AfA! - Best of life, Vern
Hi Christine!
I was led to your site via Dr.Mercolas article about “the one word that can change your life” linked in his newsletter today. There are some 4 weeks left before finishing my studies in psychology and the “true working world” awaits me. For long I’ve been thinking about starting a blog and the idea of passive income fascinates me very much. Your blog motivates me to make that dream and maybe one of a 4 hour work week a reality.
Also reading about your adventures when out on the road.
Reading about that feeling of freedom makes me inhale deeply and exhale and feel a bit of that freedom. So all in all thank you for just writing how you do because it radiates that kind of freedom and enthusiasm and inspires others (eh, well, in this case me) to “bite the bullet” as you say and take back responsibility for my life.
Best regards,
Erik
Hi Erik! Thank you so much for stopping by and for the kind words. I am so excited for you with so many options open to you right now - this is truly a turning point in your life where you can choose to make your life whatever you wish!
To your success ~
Christine
Hi-
I love this website! I am fairly new to the internet and am exploring my options at this point. I have a degree in Marketing, considerable copywriting experience and just recently got a BS in Nursing, so that I can pursue my wellness passion.
Somewhere in all of that, I got divorced after 16 years, and in feeling the isoloation that divorcing people do, and seeing the lack of ability to find friends, I have been in the process of creating a website for finding friends. My problem is that I am stuck looking for a direction to take it, and like many others–procrastinating on writing the content–as well as figuring out how to generate money from it.
I am finding your experiences very helpful indeed!
Thank you for your insight.
Catherine
Hi Catherine,
If you want to continue to pursue your wellness passion I think I just might have something you would be interested in. It takes about an hour of your time to see what this company is all about. I was entroduced 2 1/2 years ago and I’m so thankful. I feel better and it makes me happy to be able to help others not only feel good but if they choose to can have financial freedom. This is not a fly by night company it’s been an Inc. 500 Company five times, the owner and CEO has been given a number of awards for the ethics he runs his business by and this company is debt free and keeps on growing every year for the last 21+ years. If your interested let me know. If not that’s ok too. I wish you much happiness in whatever you do. You will get through this difficult time and make new friends. Get out there, don’t ever give up, you have places to go and people to meet. Don’t ever give up!!!! God Bless
Hi Sally that is so wonderful of you to reach out. Feel free to give your website or email so that other may contact you to learn about what you are doing to succeed in your venture!
Catherine - We have a lot in common! These turning points in our lives can really be empowering! As far as blogging - I would say start with something you love and you will find a way to turn it into something profitable. It may be two years down the road, but blogging will help you to make the connections you need with the right people when the time comes.
And - if you write about the things that you are passionate about, I have no doubt that you will find many, many friends. Through the comments and the questions you receive on your blog, you will also have the unique advantage to discover exactly what the “needs” are in your niche and then find creative ways to fill them.
You are going to be awesome. I can tell already because you are so honest with your own needs, wants, and hangups to getting there. Start taking action on something and the rest will unfold
Thanks for stopping by and for your very kind words ~
Hi Christine
I found your blog over on MindPetals - your nickname “selfmade chick” caught my eye and I clicked over to read your post, then another one, and another one….You are truly inspiring. I think what really got me hooked was your story about hitch-hiking across the US - that’s been a fantasy of mine since I was a teenager (30 years….) Glad to hear you lived it and that it changed your life!
I write a blog called MoreThanWEKnow, providing information, inspiration and support to Women Entrepreneurs - its predicated on the idea that as Women Entrepreneurs WE know more than WE believe WE know, contribute more than WE really know and make a difference to the world more than WE can ever know.
To me you are an embodiment of that sentiment. I’m definitely subscribing - don’t want to miss a post!
Take care and good luck on your journey.
Liz
Wow Liz - Thank you! I just visited your blog and fell in love with it right away! I am very glad to have met you and look forward to reading your blog on a regular basis
Hi, Thanks for sharing your experiences, thoughts, and Ideas. Your blog is smart also… When I first got here, a small box was at the top suggesting maybe I would like to subscribe by RSS. I read a couple posts, subscribed and that box went away, very cool.
I was at the same retail Grocery job for 7 years, when we learned that 34 stores were closing in our area. Quite a shock. My girlfriend and I got into Real Estate(vacant land). I bought a domain name, and used the webhost’s site builder for some added exposure. Well it would not let me make the site like I wanted it to be. While searching the Internet to solve that my eyes are opened to a whole new world.
In the past 5 months I have: Launched a classified ad site - A site & blog with Real Estate information for consumers - And now I am re-doing the site that started it all.
I am going to send my sister this way, she is one of the few that believed in me when I told her what I wanted to do. Hope you do not mind the long comment.
Thanks Albert! Isn’t that a cool plugin? Jonathan suggested and added this one and I think it has helped tremendously! You can read more about the plugins he added here: http://selfmadechick.com/2007/10/27/how-i-drastically-improved-my-blog-stats-with-a-few-tweaks/
This plug is called “What Would Seth Godin Do?” Here’s a link to learn more about it and to download it:
http://www.richardkmiller.com/blog/wordpress-plugin-what-would-seth-godin-do
Hello Chick!
Very inspiring and informative reading what you have here. Oh yeah, I’m Adrienne Zurub, an author/speaker/comedian/actor/writer/pOet/RN and yet undiscovered others.
In 2004, I too, took a plunge and degraded my work schedule and hours to write, author a book (coming January 2008!!!) and just live in the moment of this life. It has not been easy, but it also has not been too hard. I tend to spend less on ‘things’ and refocus my efforts and valuable time and attention. Yes! My time and what I give my attention to IS very VALUABLE! (echoes of Tim Ferriss)
I’m glad I found you today. I had a rough patch over the weekend…I felt overwhelmed. I’m back on course.
My book, ‘Notes From the Mothership The Naked Invisibles’ is a book I thought of when I was 12. Then, I promised myself I would one day have a book on The New York Times Bestseller List. This is that book!
Whew! I’m writing a dissertation here. I’m just excited, and scared, and excited, and feeling accomplished, and ‘knowing’ that this book is my most attentive moment.
I guess, I needed to steady myself here with you being the catalyst.
Thanks for being here.
Adrienne Zurub
(overachiever,Aries,moody,actor,i>u,speaker,striving,oldest of 9 kids,i=u,comedian,longing,afraid,BOLD,cardiacbitch,spoken word pOEt,iconoclast,disturbed,awesome,writer,quietly LOUD,seeking,grrl,AUTHOR,grown-azzed WOMAN!)
Christine,
I’m becoming a big fan of your blog as I am trying to get away from the cubicle life to be my own boss. I am an art director for a small 5 person advertising agency and feel like a slave to the system. I see the amount of money being pulled in and the little that comes my way when I do 80% of all the work.
I have also started a clothing line that I am trying to get off the ground and plan on applying some of the techniques you’ve outlined in your blog.
Keep up the great work, interesting blogs and motivation.
Tom
I am a writer and life coach. I write for my blog, Gratitude Magic
I used to work as executive admin, and at that time I liked it. I wasn’t really planning to be on my own — it just worked out this way. And I love working on my own and planning for my business. I feel so free and empowered. I love helping people uncover their power within, and reach their goals and beyond.
I love your blog, and will be checking in often.
Greetings and salutations! I’m *trying* to be an internet entrepreneur, just trying to figure out how to get started. I’m more of an idea’s person, and living breathing *think tank* if you will. I’m a genius when it comes to online website and application development but starting a business… not so much. Anyway, there’s my $0.02.
Can’t remember now how I found your blog but I’ve really enjoyed it. And loved 17 Lies, etc. that you recommended. I started consulting part-time 16 years ago when my eldest was born, then full time after a divorce 10 years ago. At one point when I didn’t have enough paying work, I started a web site on how to save money on your food budget and it eventually became a nice source of extra income, although I started it just for fun. For those looking to get into making money online, I’d definitely say “do what you love” and figure out how to monetize it after you figure out what you have to share.
I started African Life Art Imports about to years ago. I actually just posted something like this on my blog entitled What Is Your Line of Work?
To make a long story short a trip to South Africa changed my life. I always wanted to sell original African paintings and that trip made it possible. You can find me at www.africanlifeart.com and nourishyou23.etsy.com
Thanks for the great site and for the awesome ebook.
I have just embarked on a journey that will transform my life. My passion for web development and for helping small businesses and independent consultants succeed has now become Brain Noodle, a web development and internet strategies company.
Thank you for the inspiration.
I’m very glad I found your blog and I enjoyed getting all caught up!
I’ve been working at home with kids underfoot for just over 2 years since launching my company, Tender Cargo baby gear. I love working for myself and smashing through my goals.
I’m very happy to have found & read your blog. I’ve been self employed for almost a year now and am always seeking to grow my business. I enjoy exceeding my previous goals and ravenously seek out information on how I can do so. You have a very informative blog. Thanks!
I know this is a late posting, but I thought I would begin to network with Christine, and those that read her blog, and why not start here?
My name is Matthew Pritchett. I am 21 years old, engaged to be married, and in my Senior year of college. I am studying Youth Ministry, because I seek to become a church planter (those two don’t seem to fit, do they?). I am heading to Peoria, Illinois in January of 2011 with my soon to be bride, and we are starting up a church plant. I have worked for several years in the web/ graphic/ IT industry, and decided to go freelance in November of last year (2009). I started Mr. P Design in January 2010 with no money, no clients, and no marketing skills. I haven’t looked back! I am loving the freelance line of work, and lifestyle! I am hoping this year to make enough to not only support myself, but save enough money for moving and startup expenses for the church plant! Christine, your advice has been the start of a revolution in my life and in my business!