I built a six-figure remote business and walked away from the 9 to 5 at age 46. Every Tuesday, I email a story, tip, or idea to help you climb down the corporate ladder and live life on your terms.
I built something to make starting easier
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Hi Reader, If you’ve ever thought about starting a freelancing side hustle or business, even casually, you’ve probably felt this at some point: You want to build something, but you have no clue where to begin. So you read, watch videos, save ideas. And somehow… nothing actually happens. I’ve seen this over and over again, both in my own journey and with the people I talk to every week. The problem usually isn’t motivation. It’s the lack of a clear starting point. That’s why I created something new: The 30-Day Freelancer Launch PlaybookIt’s a 13-page, simple, practical roadmap designed for people who want to turn skills, experience, or expertise into income, without quitting their job or overcomplicating things. This isn’t about building a brand, chasing followers, or “finding your passion.” It’s about:
I’ve made it available for $9 as a low-pressure way to get momentum. 👉 Check out the 30-Day Freelancer Launch Playbook here If freelancing isn’t the right path for you right now, no worries at all. But if you’ve been wanting more freedom, flexibility, or control over your work, this is a solid place to begin! Best, Colin P.S. If you’re not sure whether freelancing fits you, you can also take my free 2-minute Side Hustle Quiz to get clarity first: |
9-5 Escape by Colin Graves
I built a six-figure remote business and walked away from the 9 to 5 at age 46. Every Tuesday, I email a story, tip, or idea to help you climb down the corporate ladder and live life on your terms.
In the 9-5 world, your career trajectory is largely out of your control. It hinges on your manager’s bias, corporate reorganization, and higher-ups' opinions of how well you fit. You can do everything right, and still push against the invisible walls of politics, quotas, personality conflicts, and decisions you have no say in. When you work for yourself, those walls disappear. There are still challenges, of course. Clients cancel, plans shift, and the work isn’t always glamorous. But the...
Hey everyone, I want to share something a little personal this week. Partly because I think it can help some of you, and partly because it’s something that took me longer to figure out than I'd care to admit. Most of you know I’m a writer, editor, and coach. What you might not know is that I’m absolutely terrible at self-promotion. I have about 250 Instagram followers, no TikTok account, no podcast, and no YouTube channel. Almost no social media presence whatsoever. And yet, somehow, I turned...
Here’s the real difference between an amateur and a professional: Amateurs work when they feel inspired. Professionals work because they said they would. Escaping the 9-to-5 doesn’t mean escaping professionalism. If anything, it means doubling down on it. When I was still in my banking job, I built my writing business the same way I handled my day job: I showed up Even when I was tired. Even when I didn’t feel creative. Even when it would’ve been easier to shut the laptop and watch Netflix or...