Overcome Your Fears, Create a Brain-Based Business, & Earn Extra Money

“I didn’t become a professor because of the money, but this is ridiculous.”

  • Are you frustrated that you don’t earn more?

  • Wouldn’t it be nice to use your education to help people who really appreciate it?

  • Are you tired of seeing your students graduate & instantly earn more than you?

  • Do you wish you could get paid for all the experience & expertise you have?

I earned tenure … but didn’t get a raise (not a penny)

I earned tenure in the midst of the Great Recession and didn’t receive a raise for 5 years — including when I became an Associate Professor. In the meantime, our family went from 2 to 4. Something had to change.

But I didn’t want another job

I knew I could find a side-job. But I did NOT want to lose my autonomy, wear out my body, or have to hustle to earn peanuts. I had spent years to become an expert in my field. I wanted to take that investment in myself and use it to create a brain-based business that would pay me well for my expertise. (Cover Art: Epic Records)

So I started a side business …

I read a lot of books and made a lot of mistakes. But eventually I figured things out. And instead of spending months on conducting research that no one would see or articles that would be rejected, I started writing, speaking, and creating resources that would help people — and got paid for it. (Image: Cover of my first product)

And it took off

Within a couple of years, my side business provided as much income as my professor salary — but I didn’t have time for both. So I resigned from the college and we moved away. I now work less and make about 2.5x more than I would have, and I’m my own boss. I can work from wherever I want and set my own goals, hours, and prices. (Image of the Blue Ridge Mountains)

“How did you do that?”

When I started my side business, my colleagues were confused (and perhaps a little dubious). But after I resigned, they became curious. They started asking me how I got started and wondered if they could do it too. Over coffee, I would share my story and give advice on how to get started. And then I realized …

Maybe I could help others

After being self-employed for 7 years, I now feel confident in teaching others what I’ve learned. So, it’s time to write the book I wish I had when I got started. When will it be released? I don’t know. But I’ve written 25,000, 50,000, 65,000 words and I’m making good progress. (Join my list of people to be notified first).

You don’t have to quit

Just because I resigned, doesn’t mean you have to. Perhaps you just want some extra money to pay down student loans, take a nice vacation, save for retirement, or help make ends meet. Maybe your grant money was cancelled or you’re tired of teaching summer classes. A side business allows you to stay in control and choose your own path.