Six-figures to minimum wage: a year later

With this tweet a year ago today, I left behind my 15-year, corporate Information Technology career. I also left a chunky paycheck, hence the pithy post title, but I seriously wouldn't change a thing. This year has been one of the most enjoyable in my working life. This has been an interesting "leap of faith". Many of you expressed support and well wishes when I finally came out of the closet and announced myself as a full-time blogger. For that kindness and the many supportive remarks over the past year, I sincerely thank you.

There's also no way I could have taken this path without Barb's support. She helped me devise a two-year plan so I could make this attempt and she's shouldering more of our financial burden as I find my way. When we both had steady paychecks, we split the home expenses 50-50, but it's been more like 70-30 this past year. I've operated in the red each and every month, but slowly and surely the amount of red is decreasing. Since so many people have asked me privately, I should point out that I funded this attempt on my own. In essence, I "bet on myself", by taking some funds from retirement and channeling them into my business account. If it doesn't pan out, I have other retirement vehicles and of course, it will be back to the job pool. I'm hoping of course, that doesn't happen.

Thanks again to all of you, because without the readers and the conversation here, I wouldn't have a personal anniversary to celebrate today. As I've said to a number of folks via e-mail: without the readers, my writing has no purpose; it's just a bunch of words at that point. My sincere gratitude goes out to you all! Thanks too to James for allowing me to participate with him on a topic that we're very passionate about.

Aside from the humbling feeling knowing that I get to be a small part of so many people's lives, I hope you can find some strength, hope and resolve to take risks in your own life. Don't wait around and let life happen to you: go live it!

Comments

[GobbleGobble]

sounds like a plan, now i just need to go find me a rich wife also!

Kevin = Big Pimpin' ?

i think you should ask James for a pay raise.. oh wait dont do that, he's an oil man from Texas so he might hire an illegal immigrant to work for cheap.

[Brian]

Can understand completely. The best of luck to you and yours.
I'm a middle aged guy in my fourth year as a freshman at UCLA, ooops, err, fourth year of a long term project jump into a new industry as well. Could not have done it without the wife and on the other side of she expects to be able to do the same. While tough, the few bright spots have kept us closer to sane. On top of that, she is looking more towards that which we've learned from the experience as against simply counting cost.
The importance of an pen optimistic outlook cannot be overstated.
This type of opportunity is being taken by more people and the trend might represent a return to pursuits as they were as against things as they have been within a well protected bubble.
Again, all the best.
Brian

[Jeff_R]

Just wanted to congratulate you on making the leap, Kevin, and on a great first year! Well done.

And let me echo the "take a chance" sentiment; I left a cushy corporate IT job about ten years ago to follow my love of filmmaking. Now I'm a producer/director/screenwriter with a three picture deal and a thriving film company.

Take a chance, folks. If you feel the call, do it! It might work, it might not. But life is about chances. At least if you try, you won't feel the "what could have beens" on the other end of life. And you might capture your dream, but regardless, you'll learn a lot about yourself, and perhaps discover dreams you didn't know you had.

[PJ]

Thanks, Kevin, for your hard work. Will always be one of your faithful reader. Your articles and videos are the reason why I'm writing this comment via my Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium. =D Looking forward to more of your (and James') informative & enjoyable blogs and videos.

[Toby]

Good stuff Kevin.

[Jon M]

I want to say that I appreciate your site and everything it has to offer. I usually do not find a technology blog that I like because of the writing and the fact that those blogs digress as you stay linear. Your site not only reviews products, but uses them day after day for a while; where others review it move on and never speak about them again. I find your blurbs regarding how you use your equipment helpful and allows me to get a perspective on the product to form a better more informed decision (aside from straight out jealousy and drooling) for purchasing as well as different perspectives of usability.

I remember the first time I stumbled on your site ... it was when I first purchased my Samsung Q1 Celeron. I had bought a 1 GB stick of RAM to upgrade it but did not find any info on the upgrade procedure anywhere but on your site. After that, your purposeful incites regarding "Sammy" has helped me understand and become a believer in Tablet PCs.

Thank you Kevin, I salute you and wish you the best as you move forward.

[Lardo]

Inspirational.
I truly wish you the best of lucks. :)

[James Kendrick]

Kevin, you have my complete support as I hope you know. I enjoy working with you very much and know in the bottom of my heart that you will be successful in this as you have been in other things in the past. Let's start an empire, how about it?

[Lorie Ghamy]

Thanks a lot, Kevin !

We are all childs of this spirit of new technologies era... Not always a quiet stream.

Best regards from Paris (France).

[Taxman]

Kevin, I love what you write and it shows that you love writing it. The videos, the podcasts, it's all first rate entertainment. (and it costs less than a Kindle). As long as you and James do what you do, you can count me among your readers/listeners/viewers. Congrats on your first of many anniversaries.

[Rick77]

Congratulations Kevin.
I just wanted to say that I enjoy reading jk OnTheRun, and it has steadily risen on my favorites list.

[Bill]

Kevin,

jkontherun.com is my favorite blog because both James and you are "real" about the technology you write about.

I am perhaps at the point myself where a career switch may be in order; thanks for helping me to think about that again.

Bill

[jhall]

Do you have a PayPal account set up for donations. I would like to give every so often. I just want to make sure you recieve some money for your work. I know some blogs try to get a sponsor. I think mobility today can't keep one. You can tgalk about a product without alot of trash talk. Give pros and cons. Thanks for keeping it real.

[Allan Boegild Pedersen]

All rhe way over here in Denmark i allso enjoy reading jkontherun daily, you two do a fantastic job. i might not allways agree with you, but the ammount of articles and the different topics covered is fantastic.

[Jake Ludington]

I routinely get blank stares when I tell people I 'm a full time blogger. The follow-up is always something like, 'people actually make money doing that?' if you can stick it out for 18-24 months of hard work and obscurity, then in most cases, the answer is yes.

Keep up the great work! This remains one of my favorite blogs.

[Kevin Lim]

I've been reading your blog for a while and I must say that the enthusiasm you have does show you're happy with this new gig you've got going. I wish you all the best jk!

[tfserna]

Congratulations for the leap of faith Kevin.

I enjoy very much this blog, I find it informative and useful. Always at the top in my daily RSS list.

In my little experience, a rewarding life/professional life doesn't just happen... Ending up working in a field you are passionate about and doing exactly the kind of work you want within it is something people dream of.

You seem to be headed for that, as a direct consequence of your planning, work and willingness to take the risk. And we readers can only be too happy about it.

Fond regards from Spain.

[Philip Ferris]

Kevin your leap of faith is definitely inspirational.

Here's to your continued and ever increasing success.

Ardua per ad astra (Through difficulty to the stars.)

[Dean]

Kevin, you are outstanding and what you do! I admire you for the big decision you made to become a full time blogger. A very insightful person once said.. "our success in life is determined by how much uncertainty we can comfortably live with" Right now you are a little head of your time.. but as your field of expertise evolves, I believe in the next couple of years you will be quite a large name in the tech industry (thats said you pretty well known now).

Even though, I dont always agree with your reviews or opinions you are by far the most charistmatic blogger/ writer that is currently on the internet .

The number of coments to this posts indicates that I am not the only one who shares this belief.

Well done Kevin for your total commitment to your passion.

kind regards

Dean

[Kevin C. Tofel]

I just arrived at my Dad's house for his FiOS install, so I'm essentially "just waking up" online today. I feel very humbled and honored by the many kind thoughts here. The reader support here exemplifies why I enjoy doing what I do. Thanks for helping me out along as I find my way: you folks keep me honest when you can and more often than not do it in a gracious way. Thanks!

[Nate]

Thanks for taking the financial hit for us Kevin. You've certainly made an impact on my daily life.

I had sworn off subnotebooks, after the dismal experience known as the C1MV. When I saw you and your son's Eee Pc video, I decided to give it another go 'round.

Now, here I am with my second subnotebook purchase in six months (Mini-Note), and I'm a very happy camper. People who lug around large laptops just don't know what they're missing.

Please excuse any typos. I posted this from my Wii.

[Adrian]

Get stuff Kevin!

Doing the same think year in, year out, really drains. Its a rat-race...everybody needs a break.

Two years ago I felt the same, so like you, left my full time software job in the UK to move to Thailand to do something completely different - helping a childrens home, while spending more time on my own software project.

They key is being your own boss! It is so releasing to just drop everything and go watch my kids sporting event, listen to your great podcasts, head into the mountains to visit the home or farm project, without having to ask the boss and give a weeks notice...

Keep up the great work and blogging

Adrian
Chiang Mai, Thailand

[Reggie]

Kevin,

you're a good man with a good heart. you're an inspiration to me and to everyone here. keep up the good work and may God bless you always!

Reggie
Singapore/Philippines