The American Dream Revival Podcast with Hayley & Doug

Ep 19: ZERO to FULL TIME Taking Photos For Bloggers!? How this Mom did it!

• Hayley & Doug Johnson • Season 1 • Episode 19

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Finding a way to make money from home especially as a stay at home mom is the goal for many. There are several ways my students monetize their hobbies or interests, but this one is particularly interesting because you don't need a social presence to get started! Today I'm interviewing Shannon of Virtual Career Academy on Instagram about how she was able to go full time and bring home her husband by taking photos and selling them to bloggers. Hope you enjoy!

Follow Shannon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/virtualcare...

Get on the waitlist for Shannon's program: https://www.virtualcareeracademy.com/...
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Sign up for our FREE 100k in 12 months challenge! Learn how to start from ZERO and earn a full time income online in a year here: http://digitalincomefamily.com/100k-12-months-challenge-registration-pod

Free masterclass on how we earn a full time living online here:
https://digitalincomefamily.com/ica-masterclass-registration-hp-yt

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Our camera, lights, and filming set up links & recommendations here: https://kit.co/dougdoesdigital/youtube-setup

Hayley Johnson:

Hey guys, and welcome back to the Digital Income family podcast. I am so stoked to be here with you guys. Because we're actually bring on our very first ever podcast guests. And her online. They work and live amongst their family, their kids, everything is sort of like hopefully in a harmonious, I don't know, like way. And we want to just show that type of lifestyle, what people I heard of what she did, when she onboarded, as a student, I think last year, I was blown away, because I didn't even know this niche was a legit thing and existed. So what Shannon actually does need that bloggers specifically have for creating imagery to go alongside their blog posts. So she has obviously retired her husband from this, they do this exclusively 100%. And you know, through interview. Hey, guys, so I am here with Shannon from a virtual career academy. And yeah, she's our first podcast guests are so excited.

Shannon:

I'm excited to be here.

Hayley Johnson:

Yeah. But basically, Shannon is in one of the most interesting niches niches I always set wrong. Apparently, it's niche, I don't know. And we wanted to interview her I did really because I know that like, for you have to I think tiny kids, how old are your kids? You know, my man

Shannon:

They are two and six.

Hayley Johnson:

Oh, okay. That's a good age gap. Yeah, so but it's still like you have your hands full. So, yeah. And today's contest? Yeah, we wanted to talk about work life balance, like how in choose, because it feels impossible with small kids, you know, right. Oh, yeah. But yeah, anyways, I have some questions for you. So the first one is, can you tell us about now that I've like talked to

Shannon:

So what I started out with was freelancing. So I have freelance now for eight years. And I started as a general virtual assistant, and then I niched down as a content creator for bloggers. content to their readers and their audience. So we're kind of like the behind the scenes, creative support for bloggers.

Hayley Johnson:

Yeah. Okay. How in the world, like, I know, you said, like your virtual assistant, but how did you get there? Because

Unknown:

I didn't even know. I started. I'm sorry. I didn't know that was a thing. No, most people don't. I started as just a general virtual assistant, but at the time, my sister was a blogger, and wouldn't recommend that to any of my students. But, um, yeah, she got me into it. She introduced me to it and then I started doing it and I was like, Okay, I'm making so much more money because I've

Hayley Johnson:

And obviously now you teach people how to do that, you know, so that is so cool. Okay, so how do you get in touch with a bloggers like I don't know, I'm just interested in this

Unknown:

no. So I have built up a list over the years. But most of what I have done to do that is through selling communities set up for bloggers and content creators to pay for content creators, myself out of the whole sales process that way. Yeah, that is

Hayley Johnson:

so interesting. It's this is sort of a tangent, but we also have another student, and she teaches people how to, you know, like small shops, like if there's like a well you have boutique shops. But there's like huge kid with the interesting part. And like, the similarity is just I just didn't know any of this existed. So there's like huge communities on Facebook, where This is like the same type of thing. It's like, unless

Unknown:

you know, somebody's already doing it, you probably would never even like discover it. Because it's not like a mainstream thing. Oh,

Hayley Johnson:

yeah. That's why, you know, I wanted to talk about like, what you do online, because people think oh, side hustles are just basic things, you know, like selling printables on Etsy, or, now you're a photographer, and then you bottle them together? Do you also write the blog posts?

Unknown:

I don't, but some content creators do blogging and do the photography and do the whole works that I personally don't? Yeah, I haven't mostly my main focus is on recipes. And I also do

Hayley Johnson:

yeah. And how long would you say it takes you to do this kind of work?

Unknown:

So, like, one content package would probably take me about three hours or so it really depends on what I'm creating. But I say on average, three hours.

Hayley Johnson:

Okay, cool. And I know we're jumping around here. But you said you became a virtual assistant eight years ago, right? Yes. Okay. And were you doing that? How long did it take you to go

Unknown:

So at the time, when I was like a general virtual assistant, I was also working at a company outside my house at the same time, so I was just kind of doing both. And then when I niched pregnant with my first daughter, and I, I left that job. And I just went all in on content creation for books, and I've been doing that ever since.

Hayley Johnson:

Yeah. So I think now I want to talk about like, I hate to use this word, but it's like work life balance for me. And I'd like to get your opinion on it. We'd have no balance of life. That doesn't mean like neglect your family or kids. But well think about that, like for your own life, like you've been able to do this amazing business and grow it. How has that been with kids?

Unknown:

I mean, I completely agree with you, there is no balance necessarily when you are an entrepreneur and when you have children, I mean, you kind of just work your work into your life. Um, like plan out my day tomorrow and get to bed because I get up at like between five and six in the morning and I start my day that's my time where I have like, focus time where my girls are still that's time when most people would be like, maybe scrolling arthrogram. Yeah. And just sitting there, you know, doing mindless activities. And I've really learned to, like refocus my attention

Hayley Johnson:

you know, yeah, further. Yeah.

Unknown:

I mean, it's for my business. But mostly, I think most people have more time in their day than they even realize we kind of waste a lot of time on things like that. And we just,

Hayley Johnson:

yeah, totally. I mean, it becomes apparent when you look at your screen time, like on your phone, and I think, yes, the average screen time for you was like, eight hours. I read that

Unknown:

I mean, yeah, we work on our phones, too. It's like one of the first things I do for my students, like the very first task I get them when they join the content creator lab is I have a creation, business, and

Hayley Johnson:

like, going forward. Yeah. So I mean, this all sounds like amazing, right? It's like, well, should they probably anyone that's watching is like Shannon's a go getter. Like I have like that? Because, like, how do you get your motivation? You know, like, well, I guess my question is, like, what is your why? Because life is sometimes hard, especially I don't know, I just turned especially with tiny kids in that season of life. So, like, what? What motivates you to not mindlessly scroll on your phone and work instead?

Unknown:

I mean, there's a couple of different things. You know, I feel like you have to have it kind of burned in your brain where you see your future? Yeah, like, what do you want in your future that done, then I know I can move on to the next. But I think it's more than just motivation. I feel like it's discipline. Most people aren't naturally just motivated people every single day, most still have to get up the next day and work. And it's like, but, you know, like I said, I've got like, my goals in my mind. And I, that's what I work towards, and myself do it even when I don't

Hayley Johnson:

it necessarily, totally, totally. And I'm definitely not perfect. There are nights where I stay away till one o'clock, because it's just like, I do nothing. Because I can't I'm not a you, Shannon is you have like a standard for your life. So I think most people their standard, and I don't want to put it low, because, you know, that's not really what I'm saying. But their standards

Unknown:

well, and I also see like, you know, there's like and I think in your ICA, you talk about like the Sprint's and like those times in your life where you're like super busy and super focused. super focused. And yeah,

Hayley Johnson:

and I think nowadays, like it's easy to feel like I've been talking a lot about this on my mom account, but it's it's easy to feel like a victim especially when you're trying to run a So to do that you Yeah, when I

Unknown:

think back to the time, you know, before I started freelancing, I worked in corporate world for almost 10 years. And it was like, you know, I would be sitting in my office, and I'd be done

Hayley Johnson:

Yeah. And I think like, one of the hardest things for people is even having that initial success. Because once you have a taste, as I tell my students on it, once you have a taste will do whatever it takes to not have to be told what to do. But people haven't experienced that. And they feel like it's not real or possible for them. But yeah, that's so cool.

Unknown:

Once you have that knowledge, it's like you don't ever have to go back. It's getting a knowledge so that you're set up to know how to make money on your own. And then regardless of what

Hayley Johnson:

totally. So how does your husband feel about you? Does he work online? Like what does your husband do? I don't think about that.

Unknown:

No, he is, I actually retired my husband, as a content creator. When he wanted to get out of his job. He was a physical therapist for many, many years. And after COVID, and like there was creation business. And then several months later, joined ICA and got started on my program. So he actually has been super supportive. Um, you know, he loves us. He knows this is something that I've somewhere else. But

Hayley Johnson:

yeah, that's so cool. I honestly, like it's the best thing to have a supportive spouse, you know, I mean, absolutely.

Unknown:

It makes a world of difference. And he's a super like, go getter, high achiever. So I feel like that has like rubbed off pushes us always like super disciplined myself.

Hayley Johnson:

Yeah, totally. So how was that transition? bringing him home? I mean, he was a physical therapist for probably a long time. Like, I know, yeah, I know, when Doug came home, it was

Unknown:

not to worry about that with Brad with my husband. He is like, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, yeah. So many hobbies. He goes to jujitsu, like five days a week, and he teaches classes. And Okay, today, I need to focus or I have calls or I have this. So I need to make sure like, you're with the kids today. So I have that dedicated time. So yeah, so yeah, it's been good. And he's loved

Hayley Johnson:

I was just saying, I don't know, one of my last YouTube videos, Doug and I were talking about men and women and working together. And we said, like, men love things. And women love you I mean, I know you're using social media for years, but you kind of like just started your online presence. How was that? Like, we're, I'm sure that most people that start are nervous. Like

Unknown:

So I, um, before joining ICA, I like basically had the impression that I had to just create content all the time and try to build an audience. And you kind of taught me differently, but I not natural for anybody and I'm super private. Like if you go on my private Facebook account, it's I've never done a story on my private Facebook account and I'll post like a couple pictures of my

Hayley Johnson:

I totally agree. I mean, I don't think people think that suddenly, but I'm like an extreme. Well, maybe they would. I'm an extreme introvert. I don't know about you, but I've always

Unknown:

I am like a homebody. And I just like, Yeah, I'm pretty private. I like people. But yeah, I'm, I'm kind of on the fence.

Hayley Johnson:

Yeah. It's funny, because lately, I've been getting questions like, Well, can I start a course if I don't show my face? And I'm like, I mean, it'll be way harder

Unknown:

to earn that like trust factor with people. Yeah. And you know, it's just like, with all of us, like, when we get to know somebody, we're more likely to give them our money than if we just see

Hayley Johnson:

know people. Yeah. People buy from people, you know, that's, like people. That's right. Yeah. And it's just funny, because I think people assume that you have to be some like,

Unknown:

Yes, I'm kind of the same way. I'm kind of the same way. I think most people that know me would never suspect that I have, like, any kind of online presence, or that I would ever do like a

Hayley Johnson:

Yeah, totally. So what are your plans for the future? So you're, you obviously have a program teaching people to do this. But where do you see your business going, you know, just with

Unknown:

at this point, I have my course. And I'm also freelancing. So eventually, I want to move out of freelancing and just be able to focus on my course full time and teaching students and I feel learn, like, the more I'll be able to grow it and focus on it. So

Hayley Johnson:

yeah, that is so cool. I don't think I've ever told you this. Maybe you see, but that was actually how I quit my first job as I did something like you like what you're doing like

Unknown:

Yeah.

Hayley Johnson:

Anyways, so. Yeah. So how do you explain to your kids like what you do like my kids, they they think I'm a teacher. So which I am, but my kids do, too,

Unknown:

when I'm in like, you know, content creator mode. They think I'm just, you know, obviously they see me taking pictures. So they think I'm a photographer, which I mean, I am yeah, I wouldn't, make money online like Mommy does. Yeah, they think that's really cool. Like my oldest daughter, she thinks that's really neat. She likes to ask questions. Yeah. Mommy being a teacher.

Hayley Johnson:

Yeah. So how many hours a week do you work? Do you think? Ah, less than 20? Less than 20? Do you have I know, this is a strange question. But lately I've been debating I mean, this that's like the biggest thing because obviously I know men want to be there for their families. They don't necessarily want to work 100 hours a week but at least in my own experience, I won't speak for

Unknown:

guilts Yes, I do. But on the other hand, I feel like it's good for my girls to see mommy going after her goals and tell myself that my life like I have goals not that there's anything wrong you know want to achieve their goals and go after it no matter what.

Hayley Johnson:

Yes, I tell myself that

Unknown:

you know, the mom guilt I mean, when my husband is taking the girls and I know I have work to do I'm sometimes missing out on things but you know, it's also doing something amazing for our

Hayley Johnson:

totally the way I look at Yeah, and I whenever I tell my own parents cuz they're obviously their 60s and retired like the hindsight 2020 Right, so they like know, everything they like, suck it up, you know? Like, I know, I know. But this is what I know. You know, this is like, all I know. So

Unknown:

but it's like, that was the way it was and your way. So that's like your scheduled time away. That's your work time at home and you're, like, intermingle. And you can see like the family

Hayley Johnson:

totally Yeah, right. Yeah. And I think it's like, lately, I've been trying to have a mindset shift or whatever. Like I say, you know, because you can't be guilty for working, you know, you know, money is good. And it's abundant. You know, all those things. But, yeah, so lately when we work, we don't, you know, like, we make sure that we don't make sure it's not ideal, but it's okay, lot of questions. And I think she kind of likes seeing it. Usually we don't do that, you know, but probably find it really interesting. I mean, we're talking to passive income ideas. So but she's

Unknown:

probably more interested in like the whole setup and what the camera what you're talking about.

Hayley Johnson:

Totally, totally. Yeah. Yeah. So I don't know, what would you say to people that feel like they don't have what it takes to do something? You know, they, because I have a lot of

Unknown:

No, I have the tiniest audience if I think I have I have less than 600 people on my Instagram. Yeah. And if most people who like have that idea, probably look at my account and think

Hayley Johnson:

yeah, no, the case. No, like, No, I mean, it's just funny, because I know, seven figure earners with like, 1000 followers, 2000 followers, just depends on like, what you're selling, followers. So they equate the two. Yeah, right. But yeah, so you know, what would you say if like, people feel like they don't have a skill, like, I know, you had virtual assisting, or whatever you

Unknown:

as a more obvious skill, but I mean, even things like hobbies, or interests, or things that you know, about, it's like, and you know, what, even if you spend six months learning something that ahead of that person. You don't have to teach somebody from A to Z, you can just teach them what you know, as long as you're a step ahead of them. You can always find something I teach about, yeah,

Hayley Johnson:

totally. Okay, well, where can people find you? And then also, could you feel free to talk about like what you offer, and we're going to provide links, depending because we put this

Unknown:

So you can find me at virtual career academy.com and on Instagram at Instagram at virtual career academy. But on my website, I have details about the content creator Lab, which is my program content. So I'm actually setting you up with the bloggers you don't have to go and look for clients amazing. Yeah, the whole process. It's all there. And my students, my goal for all of my students is

Hayley Johnson:

I have a question because I know people have do you do you have to be like a good photographer because people will say I'm not that good. But honestly my iPhone is real good. And

Unknown:

photography. No phones are amazing. These days. No, I'm most of my students don't have any photography experience. So everything that you need to know is in the course how to style and you

Hayley Johnson:

Okay. That's amazing. Yeah. Well, thank you so much, Shannon. It was such a good chat with you. So that's pretty much it for today's interview. I hope you guys liked it. If you did,