You’ve most likely heard the saying “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
This isn’t always true: setting up a new business is HARD. It will feel like work when you’re learning the ropes, when you’re struggling to get your first client, or when you’re working with a difficult client…
BUT if you love what you do, the positives will far outweigh the negatives. Your passion for what you do will push you through the difficult times and keep you motivated.
And it feels damn good to earn money doing something you love!
Amy was searching for a side hustle that would allow her to stay home with her five boys. After looking into several options, she found the right fit with proofreading. Her love of words and reading means it often doesn’t feel like work to her.
Read on to find out more about Amy’s story!
Q: Welcome to the blog, Amy! Tell us a little about your background. What did your life look like before you crossed paths with PA?
Before PA, I was a stay-at-home mom of five boys. My marriage was on its last legs, and due to my multiple life-threatening allergies, I needed to find a way to earn a part-time income from home to supplement my other income. After scouring the internet, I stumbled upon Proofread Anywhere, and I just knew it was for me.
Q: Sounds like you had your hands full! Kudos to you for seeking out PA to make money from home. When did you start proofreading, and what made you decide to learn how to proofread?
I started proofreading in March of 2018. I’d looked into several different WAHM side hustles, but none seemed to be the right fit. I needed something that didn’t require listening to audio or making phone calls since I had three active little ones in the house at the time. Proofreading, for me anyway, has been ideal because I love words and reading and language, so it doesn’t often feel too much like work. There’s nothing like earning money doing something you love!
Q: Amen to that! What was the most challenging part of getting started?
The most challenging part of working through the modules in the Transcript Proofreading course was getting around my own fear of not being good enough. Sometimes, it was just disciplining myself to stay on track. But once I acknowledged those weaknesses, I was able to push through and get it done. The most challenging part of running my own business has been marketing. I am generally very introverted, so putting myself out there can be uncomfortable.
Q: What was the most valuable thing you learned during the course?
I know this sounds super cheesy, but I learned that I can do anything with hard work and determination. The only one standing in my way is myself.
Q: Not cheesy at all! Lots of our students feel the same way. How long did it take you to find your first client? And how many clients do you have now?
I got my first job within a month of marketing and had several others here and there, but I didn’t find my first real client until my second month. I currently have four clients, and I’m ready to start marketing for a few more.
Q: How long did it take you to recoup the cost of the course?
It took me about three months to earn back the money I invested in the course.
Q: What advice would you give anyone thinking about enrolling in the course to learn how to proofread? Is it worth the money?
My advice is to just dive in. If you’re not sure this is the right fit, take the first module and go from there. It is definitely worth every penny when you consider how much it costs to learn a new skill in trade school.
Q: That’s great advice! You won’t know what’s a good fit until you try it. What does your life look like now as a working freelance proofreader?
My life isn’t too much different now than it was before PA, and that’s a good thing. I’m still a stay-at-home mom! As a single parent, you can’t put a price on the blessings that come from not having to worry if you’ll get fired because your car broke down or one of the kids is sick. Another way my life has changed is the way I see myself. The accomplishment of completing the course and running my own business has given me confidence and a courage I never had before.
Q: I’m so glad the course has given you peace of mind and boosted your confidence! Anything else you’d like to share with the PA community?
Just don’t give up on yourself. Don’t worry about how many times you may fall down, just keep getting back up. You can do this! And when you do, you’ll have the support of all of us grads to help whenever you need it.
Our Take
I LOVE how proofreading has given Amy newfound confidence and allowed her to earn extra money while still being there for her kids. Doing something you love makes the extra hustle a whole lot easier!
Your Turn
If you’re looking for a way to earn extra income from home, why not check out our free 7-day intro course to see if proofreading is the right fit for you!