The 5–9 Creator Guide: How I Grew a 6-Figure Side Hustle in a Year
how i started, what i learned, and how i'd do it again
One year ago, I started an Instagram account because I wanted to test a few side hustle ideas and “build distribution".
On October 18, 2024, my Instagram account had 235 followers.
Two weeks after that, I grew the account to 1,259 followers.
About a month later, I (went viral and) grew to 50,000 followers. Pics for proof!
Now, I have over 130,000 followers on several platforms. I’ve made six figures from my content business and helped thousands of people grow their careers, while working 9-5. I got several job offers from posting on Linkedin.
It wasn’t fast, linear, or easy. There were months when nothing grew, when I thought my first viral post was beginner’s luck, when I felt like I was on a hamster wheel chasing engagement instead of building something real.
But over time, it became a business that didn’t depend on follower count or viral views — one rooted in community, systems, and value that compounds. And one that complemented, rather than conflicted with, my full-time tech job.
Everyone’s version of building a business looks different, but here’s exactly how I started, what I learned, and how I’d
approach it now.
