Three days ago, I handed in my thesis. With that big task behind me, I’m now looking ahead. Without the weight of academic work, I’m ready to dive into projects that really speak to me, both on a personal and professional level.

I’ve worked as a Business Development Manager, Sales Representative, and Account Manager for quite some time. But in 2013, inspired by many of my peers holding Bachelor’s degrees, I decided to jump into higher education myself.

I first got my Bachelor’s in Psychology. Now, some might wonder why, given my job titles, but I felt that understanding how people think and purchase or engage online would be valuable in the long run. By 2017, having grasped the complexities of the human mind, I felt a pull towards the digital space. That led me to take up an online MSc in Digital Media and Design. I should note, I did have a stint with international business studies back in 2001, but that wasn’t at university level, so in 2013, I felt the need to step it up academically.

Now, with a mix of education and experience under my belt, I’m gearing up to launch a website to earn some extra cash. I’ve thought about this for years, but it’s time to make it real. A recent purchase, a new laptop for 898 euros, marks the start of this new chapter.

Online shopping is where it’s at these days. My plan? Craft cool digital content in my free time and turn it into a steady side income. And here’s the thing, I want to share my journey with you all — every bit of it, even the earnings — so anyone reading can take a leaf out of my book.

I’ve signed up for Udemy to pick up some skills and have access to LinkedIn Learning from my uni days. Whether it’s figuring out dropshipping, selling products, or offering services, these platforms will be my guide. I expect there’ll be some hits and misses along the way, but that’s all part of the journey.

I’m already familiar with tools like Miro, Adobe, and Figma, but there’s so much more to learn, especially when it comes to online marketing and e-commerce. And as I learn, I aim to teach, helping others get the most out of these digital tools.

To save on costs, I’ve often gone with free tools or open-source software, but every once in a while, I’ll spring for the paid versions when needed. Right now, I’m putting about 25 euros each month into Udemy and LinkedIn Learning. I’ll be sharing more about these tools and the courses that have shaped my journey in upcoming posts.

I don’t expect my blog to blow up overnight. But as I work towards my goal of earning my first 10,000 online, I hope to share every step with you. My dream? To help others take their own steps in the digital world.