{"id":143140,"date":"2021-10-29T16:28:24","date_gmt":"2021-10-29T16:28:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=143140"},"modified":"2021-10-29T16:28:24","modified_gmt":"2021-10-29T16:28:24","slug":"this-25-year-old-quit-her-full-time-job-to-pursue-her-7000-per-month-side-hustle-now-shes-tripled-her-annual-income","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/business\/this-25-year-old-quit-her-full-time-job-to-pursue-her-7000-per-month-side-hustle-now-shes-tripled-her-annual-income\/","title":{"rendered":"This 25-year-old quit her full-time job to pursue her $7,000-per-month side hustle. Now she's tripled her annual income"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just days before the pandemic hit in March 2020, I started my first full-time job as a marketing coordinator at a dental office in Columbus, Ohio, where I had an annual salary of $34,500.<\/p>\n

Every day, the office was booked with clients looking to get teeth whitening and veneers. But as the pandemic intensified and mask mandates were enforced, I remember thinking: Why are all these people scheduling cosmetic work for their teeth, when their smiles are now hidden behind masks?<\/em><\/p>\n

It became clear how significant of an impact the upper part of our faces have on our expressions. I found myself fixated on reading people's emotions, particularly through their eyes and brows.<\/p>\n

So I began researching microblading, a semi-permanent brow-enhancement procedure where small strokes \u2014 in the shape of individual hairs \u2014 are tattooed in the eyebrow areas.<\/p>\n

When I wasn't working a dentistry shift, I attended microblading classes. For months, I practiced for several hours each day.<\/p>\n

Eventually, what started as a hobby turned into a lucrative side hustle. I was seeing roughly five clients a week, and making at least $7,200 per month.<\/p>\n

In June this year, after three months of juggling both jobs, I decided to quit my day job and turn my microblading side hustle into a full-time business. I named it Columbus Cosmetic Ink.<\/p>\n

Today, I bring in about $8,750 per month in sales, including tips \u2014 triple what I earned at the dental office job.<\/p>\n

Of course, there are challenges that come with running your own company. But at 25, I know there's so much more to learn as I grow my business. The most important thing is that I'm the happiest I've ever been.<\/p>\n

Here are my top tips for anyone looking to start a side hustle or a full-time business:<\/p>\n

1. Create a business plan first<\/h2>\n

Before building a website and registering Columbus Cosmetic Ink with my county, I created a business plan.<\/p>\n

You don't need a business degree to make one. Mine wasn't perfect, but it was a way for me to stay on top of crucial components such as customer demand, start-up expenses, financial projections and marketing strategies.<\/p>\n

I also kept track of my competitors and trends. Taking my side hustle full-time was a risk, but having that business plan helped me feel more confident and prepared.<\/p>\n

I currently work on my clients out of a small suite in a salon, which is much cheaper than leasing an entire storefront. It also gives my business exposure to other clients who come to the salon.<\/p>\n

Rent for a suite in my area can range anywhere from $200 to $300 per week. As my business grows, I plan to rent a much larger space of my own.<\/p>\n

2. Consider temporarily working for free<\/h2>\n

One of the hardest parts about getting a side hustle rolling is attracting clients. I knew I was a talented microblading artist, but other <\/em>people didn't know that. So to earn their trust in my craft, I needed to build a portfolio.<\/p>\n

I used Nextdoor, an app\u00a0for neighborhoods where you can share local tips, to start marketing my services. I posted "Models Wanted: Free Microblading," and ended up getting a lot of attention and interest.<\/p>\n

I helped people achieve the eyebrows of their dreams in exchange for getting the word out, and gave each person a $100 gift certificate to give to a friend.<\/p>\n

Temporarily working for free was something I had anticipated, so I also saved as much money as I could prior to quitting my job. If you can't afford to work for free, consider charging a small fee to cover part of the supply costs.<\/p>\n

Once I had enough clients to post pictures of on my website and social media, more customer bookings poured in. That's when I began charging the full price, which vary depending on specific procedures.<\/p>\n

The biggest seller is my signature "Coco Brow," which costs $450. It includes a complimentary touch-up and lasts about 1.5 to 2 years.<\/p>\n

3. Love what you do, and keep mastering your craft<\/h2>\n

I've always been enthusiastic about all things beauty-related. Even when I was in college, I freelanced as a makeup artist.<\/p>\n

I also had experience working at Ulta Beauty, a cosmetic retailer, where I learned to color-match clients, as well as how to complement different skin types and facial structures by using different shapes, colors and techniques.<\/p>\n

My clients are the main reason I'm excited to go to work every day. Believe it or not, good eyebrows can give you confidence and change your life.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to work on a breast cancer survivor who lost all her eyebrow hair due to chemotherapy treatments. After I completed her brows, I handed her the mirror and she burst into tears.<\/p>\n

Emotional moments like that make my job even more rewarding.<\/p>\n

4. Prepare to work hard and make sacrifices<\/h2>\n

Creating your own work hours offers plenty of freedom, but it doesn't necessarily mean working less.<\/p>\n

When I had my full-time dental office job \u2014 and Columbus Cosmetic Ink was still a side hustle \u2014 I was working 60 to 70 hours per week. At times, I had to sacrifice my social life, sleep, lunch breaks and leisure time.<\/p>\n

More importantly, I had to cut back on groceries, shopping and dining out. I needed to know that I'd have enough money in my savings to cover expenses such as supplies, taxes and my suite rental.<\/p>\n

I don't regret any of the risks or sacrifices it took to get here. Starting my own business had long been a pipe dream, yet there was always a lingering voice in my mind telling me it was unrealistic.<\/p>\n

For me, the silver lining of the pandemic was that it made me realize that life is too short to not do something just because it "sounds like a lot of work." Sometimes, you can't just wait for an opportunity to arise \u2014 you have to create it.<\/p>\n

Emily Jump<\/strong><\/em> is the founder of <\/em>Columbus Cosmetic Ink<\/em>. Follow her on Instagram <\/em>@columbuscosmeticink.<\/em><\/p>\n

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