Hello and thanks for stopping by!
My name is Vladana, and I am a graphic designer and brand and business strategist. Over the years I helped over 5000 small business owners develop their unique brands and successfully market and sell their products. When I was 18 I decided to start developing my online empire and I was doing that ever since. After years of making money online from many different sources and developing multiple successful businesses, I decided to start this blog to help others achieve that too.
I had to learn so much to become a successful girl boss and I read A LOT from many resources. I created this blog so I can help others do the same, as making money online from home and being your boss truly is life-changing. My goal is to make your life easier by having all of the helpful information in one place from first-hand experience.
When I first started learning how to make money online, back in 2013, I was so scared and I didn’t believe that I will make it. I felt I was alone and that I am trying something that will not work no matter how hard I tried. Boy, was I wrong! I built my multiple successful businesses from scratch and I managed to buy my own house at the age of 23 while living a comfortable life, and I want to help other people out there start their online businesses and do the same thing.
My Story
I thought for a long time if I should write my personal story or not. After all, I am here to support and help other people with useful tips and not to write my memoirs, but then I realized that for my readers to understand why I want to help, they should hear my story and hopefully that will inspire them.
My journey of making money online began after I finished high school. Let’s say that my story began then and money-making came a bit later. I was artistic throughout my childhood, I was drawing things, making comics, and writing poems, so naturally, I enrolled in Art high school. I was the best student because my mom was too, so I wanted to be just like my mom and make her proud. I was very ambitious from a young age and I always thought I will archive great things in life.
When it was time for me to enroll to Art academy due to some problems (including money problems) I couldn’t. I was at a point in my life where I didn’t know what to do. I felt I was nothing, that I have no purpose in life and I fell into a deep depression.
I remember that since I was a little child I always dreamt of having my room, but because of the money problems my family had that wasn’t archivable.
Every day I watched my parents struggle with their 9-5 jobs, where bosses disrespect them and they were also late with their salaries. I saw how much stress that was to my parents and our family. But I was too young to do anything. I was 17. After I couldn’t enroll in the Art academy I spent time at home doing nothing and feeling bad about myself. I always thought that I will be a successful young lady especially when I put so much effort into being a straight-A student, but it looked like my dreams were shattered. I felt like that was all for nothing, and that I am not worth it as a person. I got into an even deeper depression, sometimes I was even afraid to go outside in case I meet some of my high school friends or teachers who will ask me what I am doing in my life.
The Butterfly Effect
Then one small thing happened which changed the course of my life for good. I have a cousin who was born and lived far away from my city so we never had any relationship. One time he was visiting my city and he called me to go to a party with him and my other cousins. He was there for two days only but we had a great time and he asked me to come with him to his town when he gets back, so I can spend time with my family members there. I agreed and we drove off.
While I was there he told me that I should meet one of his friends who is artistic too so he can give me some pieces of advice. He also told me that he is making money for a living as a freelancer. I was like: what?! How is it even possible to make enough money online to be able to support himself? That was strange to me at the time. I talked with that guy and he suggested me some freelance websites.
Once I got home from the trip I started exploring. After some time I was able to earn my first $25 from two small projects at the age of 18. I know that $25 is nothing, but I was SO HAPPY. I remember I was drawing a turtle. That is all I can remember, but I made my first $ online from the comfort of my chair. It was hard but it was worth it. When you are 18 and without any money of your own $25 is a lot.
I included my family in my business
In the first few months I was earning only about $100-$200 per month and to be honest I didn’t know anything I know now. After one year I was earning enough to make a living for myself AND my family. My parents were still working 9-5 jobs and were struggling and it was hard to watch.
I remember one night my dad came back from work very upset and nervous. He is normally a very calm person so that was so strange for me to see. He was very mad and when I asked him what is all about he started complaining about how his boss is humiliating him as a person just because he can. At that point, I got one crazy idea. I asked him if he would consider quitting his job after some time, and I will teach him how to be a graphic designer and we will both make money from my freelance job. I will look out for the projects and then we will finish them together and share the profit. Quitting a “real” 9-5 job, as most people would say, takes guts, especially when you are a middle-aged man like my dad was then and when you are pretty sure that you will not have another chance to find a so-called “real job” again if you quit.
My freelance job was still young but after some time of working together, he decided that he will take the risk and quit his job. For some time my dad and I worked together and I was teaching him new things as I learned them, and my freelance job became pretty solid. My mom started helping as well. I couldn’t be happier, my family is the most important thing in my life, and being able to work from home and for them to also quit their jobs and get rid of the stress was the most rewarding thing. They were happy, we had enough money to live normally. One time I bought something for the house (I can’t remember what) and my grandma was telling me to not spend money and for the first time in my life I told her: “It is ok, grandma, we have it now.”
My life after this journey
I was only 21 when I was able to support myself and work with my family. I was 23 when I paid off my own house. I was finally able to have my room (or should I say rooms) and the huge backyard I always wanted. I also got two dogs and three cats (since I wasn’t able to get any before because our family lived in a very small apartment). I also spend some time living in Spain and traveling around Europe by working from home.
After all that happened in the past years, I decided to create a blog where I will share my experience and tips for how to make money online by doing what you love. I hope that my story will inspire other people to do the same because ANYTHING YOU IMAGINE CAN BE DONE, you just have to believe in yourself and work for it, that is what my mom always says and she is my ultimate inspiration.