Chapter 1: A New Path

In this narrative, names have been altered to protect both the innocent and the guilty. The events recounted are true to my best recollection.

After tasting initial success, I sought other avenues to generate business. It quickly became clear that freelance platforms like Fiverr were not viable; they were merely a race to the lowest price, and I couldn't compete with those willing to work for mere pennies. I recognized that I had to venture into the real world to find clients face-to-face. Considering that Yale was just a half-hour drive away, I saw it as a prime location to seek out opportunities, particularly among affluent students looking for help with their essays.

I created flyers featuring a cheesy joke and my contact details, distributing them across the Yale campus. As I returned to my car, I stumbled upon a tutoring service that caught my interest. Inside, I discovered they were looking for someone to assist students with their writing skills. This business primarily catered to wealthy Chinese students aiming for admission into American prep schools and colleges, many of whom struggled with English. After giving the office manager my business card, he connected me with a counselor who would provide a writing sample for review.

Leaving New Haven, I felt invincible, akin to Alexander the Great. I had secured two potential clients, both of whom could provide consistent work. However, my luck dwindled after that, with only sporadic projects coming my way. Yet, those two connections were sufficient to sustain my modest lifestyle post-graduation, which revolved around drinking, smoking, gaming, and visiting my girlfriend in the city.

In the following days, I crafted a blog post for Brett and his new company. I delved into SEO principles and learned how to structure blog posts effectively, focusing on keywords, word counts, and subheadings to enhance visibility on Google. The content was a compilation of interview tips I sourced from various online resources, all woven together with my unique voice.

Brett was thrilled with the outcome. To be fair, I believe he would have appreciated anything I produced; he wasn't exactly skilled in writing and seemed relieved to have offloaded this task. I was equally eager to take on the work, having researched my pay rate beforehand. I settled on 20 cents per word for blog writing, 15 cents for copy editing, and $20 an hour for consulting. A typical blog post was at least 300 words, meaning I could earn a minimum of $60 per post in under an hour of focused writing—a fair deal that Brett agreed to.

In exchange, Brett asked me to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)—a first for me. I skimmed through the dense legal jargon, understanding only that revealing any "trade secrets" I learned during my time with him could result in a lawsuit. I signed it and returned it without much thought, believing that our friendly rapport made such legalities unnecessary.

Once the NDA was in place, Brett arranged for me to meet his business partner at Café Atlantique. This time, I felt more excited than nervous. I was engaging with another young entrepreneur, one who had achieved greater success than I had. My unemployment benefits were sustaining me, and I had savings to fall back on if needed. Optimism was my companion.

Upon arriving at the café, I found Brett conversing with an older gentleman who looked old enough to be our father. Brett introduced him as Phil Mager. He was stocky with a shaved head and a hearty grin, his gravelly voice adding a unique charm to his presence. Despite his rough appearance, he radiated a friendly vibe, resembling a jovial uncle.

After shaking hands and sitting down, I recalled his last name. I asked if he had children, learning he had a daughter named Joy and a son named Derick, who was dating a friend of my younger sister. This familial connection eased any potential awkwardness, paving the way for an engaging conversation.

Phil began sharing his experiences as a recruiter, while I listened attentively, prompting with questions when necessary. When it was my turn, I detailed how I could contribute to their business growth. At the time, I perceived it as a job interview, but in retrospect, it felt more like they were trying to pitch their company to me.

Our conversation meandered between business and casual anecdotes. Brett mentioned a recent baseball game where he met the world record holder for the most foul balls caught. He managed to convince this individual to endorse their company in a video, which he presented to me in its shaky, grainy form.

This sparked an idea in my mind. I suggested writing a blog post featuring this person as a role model for job seekers, outlining key points and eagerly soliciting their feedback. Brett and Phil exchanged glances, with Brett approving the concept and encouraging me to write it up.

Over the next few days, I meticulously crafted the article, adhering to the SEO guidelines I had researched. Once completed, I sent it to Brett, informing him it was ready for the company's blog. He replied, indicating he would set up an account for me to directly upload my work, as he was too busy to manage every detail of posting on WordPress. This arrangement suited me fine; I preferred to handle my submissions independently.

With my login details, I was in full swing. Brett and I agreed on a commitment of two to three blog posts per week, a substantial income for me at the time. I invested some of my savings into forming an LLC through LegalZoom. Unfortunately, my lack of experience led me to overspend on unnecessary services, such as a tele-accountant and a "registered agent service" that was little more than a mailing address.

While I could manage financially thanks to unemployment benefits, I began to question the ethics of receiving such aid while also freelancing. Once my work with the Chinese international students began to flourish, I made the regrettable choice to stop accepting unemployment benefits to avoid potential legal complications. Brett, who had taken on a mentorship role in my life, advised this decision. Although he was technically my boss, I viewed him as more of a peer; we were both small business owners collaborating to grow.

While my earnings were lower than my previous temp job, I still made enough to survive in far less time, and that freedom was invaluable. After all, can a price be put on the ability to wake and sleep on my own schedule? If I chose to be lazy or procrastinate, who would hold me accountable? While not everyone can thrive under such freedom, I found that I could.

However, this situation was not without its challenges. Living in a state of constant uncertainty was stressful. Although I had health insurance through my parents, my 26th birthday loomed, and I lacked the income to secure even the most basic plan. There were no paid vacation days, sick leave, or retirement benefits. If I required tools to enhance my work, I had to find, install, and pay for them myself. The highs of freelancing were exhilarating, but the lows could be profoundly disheartening.

The first video illustrates the importance of monitoring error budget burn rates in a business context, offering insights that can help startups navigate challenges effectively.

The second video provides a comprehensive overview of the Abyss in Minecraft, detailing everything players need to know for Chapter 2 in version 1.16.5.

Click here to go to Chapter 3.