A PR Director Edited College Essays on the Side — It Made $114,000 in a Year, So He Quit
3 min read · RealCase summary
Carter Osborne began editing high-school seniors' college admissions essays in 2017, while he was a graduate student. He kept doing it after starting a career in public relations, and clients came entirely through word of mouth, according to CNBC Make It.
In 2023 — the same year he was promoted to director at his PR firm — the side gig brought in more than $114,000 from 52 clients, and he had to turn others away. Running both jobs meant working about 70 hours a week.
Before leaving his job in January 2024, the 29-year-old calculated six months of household expenses, including his mortgage, business insurance and weekly spending, as a buffer. With 24 clients that spring, he expected to work 40 or more hours a week in the busy summer and fall seasons. 'I've found more success, and frankly, more love for the craft,' he said.
Key takeaways
- ›Started editing college admissions essays in 2017 as a grad student
- ›More than $114,000 in 2023 from 52 clients, all by word of mouth
- ›Worked about 70 hours a week across both jobs
- ›Saved six months of household expenses before quitting in January 2024
Original source
Read the original (CNBC Make It via NBC DFW)
Next story →
She Launched an Etsy Shop on Maternity Leave — Now Digital Planners Bring In $10,000 a Month
More Side Hustle stories
A Chef Borrowed a Camera and Learned From YouTube — His Food Photography Brought In $133,900 Last Year
Winnipeg chef Sean Audet started food photography in 2018 with a borrowed camera and Fiverr gigs, earning $8,403 that year and $133,900 (USD) in 2022, now charging $1,000 to $17,500 per shoot.
A Ford Mechanic Started Answering Car Questions Online for $500 a Month — Now He Makes $170,500 a Year
Transmission technician Chris Pyle began answering repair questions on JustAnswer in 2006, quit his $75,000 Ford job in 2012 when the side income passed his salary, and made $170,500 on the platform in 2023.
On a $40,000 Salary, Dog Walking and Freelance Writing Helped Her Pay Off $102,170 in Six Years
Mandy Velez graduated in 2013 with $75,591 in student loans; by stacking dog walking, cat sitting, babysitting and freelance writing on a $40,000 starting salary, she paid off $102,170 including interest by 2019.