Meet Ashleigh, a Sydneysider who was determined to make her work at home dreams a reality – and she did! After she left a bad job suddenly, she eventually became a digital marketer/web designer. Check out her interview below…
1. Please introduce yourself
Hi, I’m Ashleigh!
I’m a digital marketer/web designer. I live on the Northern Beaches of Sydney with my partner and 2 crazy cats!
2. When did you start working from home? What inspired the change?
I started working from home 2.5 years ago after quitting my day job at a digital agency.
I guess I have always felt that there was more to life then a 9 – 5 job slaving away behind a desk and being forced to work with people I disliked!
Prior to the corporate world, I worked in the disability industry for 6 years – I started working there when I was 18. This was a kind-hearted world where people didn’t walk all over you and treat you like rubbish.
After graduating and travelling the world, I came home to find myself a job and kick start my career in the industry. I finally landed what I thought would be my dream job that turned into the job from hell working for a small business where the owners were constantly at each other’s throat! I am one to avoid conflict and was totally not used to being screamed at and used as someone to take your anger out on. After many tearful nights I decided I just couldn’t do it anymore. The misery my job was causing was affecting my whole life! I went in on a Friday and resigned.
I had no back up plan just that I knew I wanted to work for myself. I studied a Bachelor of Communication, although marketing and web design fell into my lap and I thrived off of it. I love getting lost in this world – creating amazing strategies and kick ass websites.
3. What different ways have you tried to earn an income working from home? What do you do now to earn money?
When I first started out I thought I would be a freelance writer although I found I didn’t enjoy this as much as marketing and web design. I started building up my client base and my hours. I am in the transition at the moment of branding myself and my business as all my current work has come through word of mouth.
4. How long did it take you to earn enough money to quit your day job?
I quit my job before I started earning money. I was lucky enough to have a supportive partner who would rather me jobless and happy than working a job I hated.
5. What tips would you give yourself if you could go back in time to when you first started working at home?
I would tell myself that you have to show people how to treat you in life, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. I would also tell myself that you can’t expect it all to happen over night, you have to keep working at it and be patient and consistent.
6. What has been the secret to your success?
I would say a really clean website that is built to capture leads. Also showing people who you are and not being afraid of putting yourself out there. I didn’t put myself out there for the first 2 years of business.
7. What mistakes have you made along the way?
Definitely not setting boundaries from the very beginning of a client relationship.
8. What is the best part about working from home?
The best part of working from home is that I can do whatever I want, set my own schedule and be with my cats! I love that I can go to the gym in the middle of the day and hang out with my friends some afternoons.
9. What is the worst part about working from home?
The worst part is not having people to quickly bounce ideas off.
11. What advice do you have for anyone starting out?
- I would say do what makes you happy, make sure you have figured out who your ideal client is and that what you’re selling is something that they actually want.
- Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and tell the world who you are.
- Don’t build a website until you are sure of what you want and need.
