Chapter 1: A New Chapter Begins

The moment has finally come—earlier than expected!

Image courtesy of author

Just a few days ago, I submitted my resignation for the last contract tied to my previous business. This marks the beginning of my journey as a full-time YouTuber and independent content creator. I'm experiencing a whirlwind of emotions: fear, excitement, and above all, immense joy. My hope is that my experiences can provide guidance to those facing similar transformative decisions.

Background: My Professional Journey

For nearly 18 years, I dedicated myself to a single company. Starting at the age of 21, I was uncertain about my career path. This company was a small software development firm focused on creating applications for the hospitality sector. I began in customer support, moved to installations, and eventually transitioned into sales. My journey culminated in a role as the Sales and Marketing Director.

Throughout those years, I gained invaluable experience and faced significant challenges, some of which left lasting memories. After leaving in 2015 to pursue freelancing, I aimed to create content—initially through writing, and later incorporating video and audio—for small and medium enterprises. This venture proved successful, even leading my former employer to collaborate with me.

In a surprising turn of events, the company I worked for was acquired by a global firm, which led me to partner with their marketing team. This contract is the one I’ve just terminated. Over the past few months, I've been gradually reducing my other commitments to prepare for a full-time dive into YouTube.

The Initial Plan: A Calculated Move

Ending this contract wasn’t easy; it accounted for a significant portion of my income and provided a sense of financial security. However, it was consuming too much of my time. My daily schedule was often filled with back-to-back meetings, disrupting my productivity and forcing me to work late into the night to maintain my YouTube presence.

Until now, my YouTube brand has only received partial attention, resulting in content that felt rushed. Despite this, the beginning of 2022 saw the Mark Ellis Reviews brand steadily growing its income streams, with a solid financial reserve and a recently rented studio. My audience also surpassed 100,000 active monthly viewers, signaling that it was time for a change.

Initially, I intended to wait until 2023 to sever ties with my legacy business. However, after reconsideration, I decided to make the leap in July, coinciding with the start of my financial year.

A Shift in Perspective: Embracing Change

A mentor advised me to rethink my approach: "You're not sacrificing 50% of your business; you're reclaiming 50% of your time." This resonated deeply with me, especially as I prepare to become a father in June. The thought of giving up a substantial income at this pivotal moment might seem illogical, but I realized that I’m not jumping blindly into uncertainty.

I have financial backing, a growing audience, and a well-established brand. All signs point to taking this leap now rather than later. Time is precious, especially with a baby on the way, and I want to be fully present during this new chapter of my life.

What This Transition Means for Mark Ellis Reviews

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my YouTube journey thus far, but I’ve often felt constrained by time. This may sound surprising given that I’ve amassed over 50,000 subscribers in just 18 months, but YouTube is only part of my larger vision. I also engage audiences through Medium, Skillshare, my website, and a thriving Discord community.

Each of these platforms deserves my focus, and this transition will allow me to allocate time more strategically. While the essence of my content will remain, I’m already seeing improvements in the quality of my videos and blog posts since deciding to go full-time.

I’ll also expand my Skillshare classes, sharing insights from my journey, and collaborate more with AppleInsider, which is surreal for me as a long-time reader. There are additional projects in the pipeline that I'm excited to unveil soon.

You can’t buy time, but you can create more of it by concentrating on what truly matters. That's the essence of this leap.

The Inspiring Read

In preparation for this new phase, I've absorbed countless podcasts and audiobooks. One book, Courage Is Calling by Ryan Holiday, has profoundly impacted me. With its tagline "Fortune Favors the Brave," it's an essential read for anyone facing significant life changes.

One quote that resonates particularly well is: "You have to realize that you are not average. You are one of one." It’s a reminder of the extraordinary journey each of us embarks on, and it inspires me to move forward.

Let’s embrace this journey together!

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