A few years ago, my life looked very different. I wasn’t running my photography business full-time, and the dream I’d been chasing for so long still felt out of reach. Instead, I was juggling a demanding 9-to-5 job while trying to build my photography side hustle. And looming over it all was a massive obstacle: $70,000 in consumer debt. Yes, you read that right—seventy. thousand. dollars. 😱
At the time, that debt felt like an impossible mountain to climb. But here’s what I’ve learned: paying off that debt wasn’t just a financial achievement. It became the foundation that allowed me to finally pursue my dream career. That journey of financial discipline completely transformed my life, and today, I want to share how it all unfolded—and how it might inspire change in your journey, too!
How Paying Off $70K in Debt Helped Me Launch My Dream Career
My Journey to Full-Time Entrepreneurship
I’ve been exactly where you are right now! For seven years, I wore way too many hats. During the day, I worked full-time as a Personnel Assistant in County government. Early mornings, late nights, and weekends? That was reserved for my side hustle as a wedding and portrait photographer. And through all of that, I was also a mom raising four little kids! My dream had always been to take my photography business full-time, but somehow, it just never felt like the right time.
Every year, I would tell myself, “This is it—this is the year I quit my job!” But every year, life would keep rolling along, and nothing would change. I felt completely stuck. I wanted to make it happen, but I didn’t know how.
Then everything came crashing down. I found myself in a season of severe depression and anxiety. I was barely keeping up with my jobs, I wasn’t spending nearly enough time with my family, and I was just exhausted—physically, mentally, emotionally. The juggling act had gone from hard to downright impossible. Something had to give. For my family, my marriage, and my own mental health, I knew I needed to make a change.
That time in my life became a turning point because it forced me to find my “why.” Why did I want to leave my government job? Why did I want to go full-time in my photography business? For me, the answer was simple: my kids. I didn’t want them to grow up seeing their mom constantly stressed and overworked. I didn’t want them to face the same financial struggles we were battling. My “why” gave me the clarity and courage I needed to take those first steps toward real change.
How It All Started
My husband, Ben, and I came into marriage with totally different financial mindsets. Ben grew up on a farm, started earning money young, and was taught to save for the things he wanted. He worked hard and knew the value of a dollar. I, on the other hand, grew up with parents who were financially successful and provided for all my needs—and most of my wants. While we both had strong work ethics, neither of us was taught how to manage money. And that quickly became a problem.
When we got married in 2013, we thought we were fine financially. Our income covered our bills, so we figured we were doing okay. But looking back, we were living paycheck to paycheck without even realizing it. We had no savings, no financial cushion, and plenty of debt. And then we made a big decision: we bought an 18th-century farmhouse that needed a complete renovation.
It wasn’t long before the credit cards started piling up. We maxed them out, borrowed from family, and took on more loans to finish the renovations. By the time we were done, we had over $70,000 in consumer debt and a $90,000 mortgage. We were completely normal—but normal wasn’t working for us anymore.
How Paying Off $70K in Debt Helped Me Launch My Dream Career
The Turning Point
One day, during yet another conversation about our finances (and yet another overdraft in our bank account), I remembered hearing about Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover. I decided to order it for a trip we had planned to Italy (that was purchased on a credit card, mind you!). At that point, we were barely keeping our heads above water financially, and we were desperate for a change. Little did I know, that book would change our lives forever.
Ben, who hadn’t read a book in years, picked it up on the flight and was instantly hooked. He started reading passages out loud to me, and it was like a lightbulb turned on for both of us. We spent the entire flight talking about our finances, dreaming about what life could look like if we didn’t have debt hanging over our heads. By the time we got home, we were ready to tackle our debt head-on. For the first time, we felt hopeful about our financial future.
We followed Ramsey’s Baby Steps, starting with a $1,000 emergency fund and then attacking our debts using the debt snowball method. It wasn’t easy. We worked extra jobs, cut back on spending, and even made sacrifices like skipping out on vacations or eating out. I became obsessed with tracking our progress, updating our spreadsheet every time we made a payment. Ben picked up more side projects as a carpenter, and I booked as many photography sessions as I could manage. Every extra dollar went toward our debt.
To keep ourselves motivated, we celebrated every little milestone. Paid off a credit card? Dinner date! Finished paying off the car loan? A special family outing! These small celebrations gave us something to look forward to and reminded us of how far we’d come.
Month by month, we started to see real progress. Within the first eight months, we had paid off our lawn mower, credit cards, and student loans. At twelve months, we tackled the car loans. And finally, after 15 months of hard work and discipline, we made the final payment on our $70,000 in consumer debt. I’ll never forget how it felt to hit “submit” on that last payment. We went out to celebrate with a steak dinner, and for the first time, we felt the freedom of being debt-free. It was as if a massive weight had been lifted off our shoulders, and we could finally breathe again.
That journey wasn’t just about the money. It taught us discipline, teamwork, and the importance of having a shared vision for our future. We grew so much, not just as individuals but as a couple, learning to communicate better, align our goals, and support each other in ways we hadn’t before. Looking back, it was one of the hardest things we’ve ever done—but also one of the most rewarding experiences that brought us closer together.
And that transformation didn’t just end with us becoming debt-free. It was the foundation for so much more—including pursuing the dream life we had always talked about.
How Paying Off $70K in Debt Helped Me Launch My Dream Career
How Debt Freedom Opened the Door to My Dream
Becoming debt-free didn’t just change our financial situation—it gave us the freedom to start dreaming big again. For years, Ben and I had been so focused on just getting by that we hadn’t allowed ourselves to imagine what life could look like beyond survival. Once we paid off our debt, everything felt possible.
We finally had the space to focus on what we truly wanted. We built a fully-funded emergency fund that gave us peace of mind, saved for retirement, and created an owner’s compensation fund so I could confidently pay myself when I left my 9-to-5. Each of these steps felt like reclaiming a piece of our future.
In May 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, I made one of the scariest—and most exciting—decisions of my life. I left my government job to become a full-time photographer and stay-at-home mom. Leaving behind the steady paycheck felt daunting, but the financial freedom we had created made it possible to take the leap with confidence. And let me tell you, it was worth every ounce of effort.
Since making that transition, so much has changed for our family. I’ve been able to:
- Book more weddings and senior portrait sessions than ever before!
- Double my income and support our family on my paycheck alone (something we once thought was impossible!).
- Spend more quality time with my kids and create a schedule that works for our family.
- Build a six-figure photography and education business that I absolutely love.
And perhaps most importantly, I discovered my passion for helping other creatives achieve the same freedom.
Here’s the thing: personal finance is 80% behavior and 20% head knowledge. Once you realize that—everything changes! We live in a culture where car payments, credit cards, and student loans are seen as a normal part of life. Want to buy something? Put it on credit. Want to go to college? Take out loans. But you don’t have to live that way. You can choose differently.
For us, choosing differently meant committing to a shared vision for our family and business. It wasn’t always easy—there were moments of doubt, tight budgets, and tough choices—but looking back, it’s clear that the sacrifices we made were absolutely worth it. Becoming debt-free gave us more than financial stability; it gave us hope, a renewed sense of purpose, and the confidence to chase our dreams.
That’s why I created The Entrepreneur Blueprint. After living through this journey myself, I wanted to create a program that could guide others on a similar path—because I know just how transformative this process can be.
How My Journey Can Help You
The Entrepreneur Blueprint is the exact framework I used to leave my 9-to-5 job and build a life I love. In this program, you’ll learn how to:
- Set yourself up financially for a smooth transition to full-time entrepreneurship.
- Leverage your current job to fund your dream without taking on more debt.
- Create a budget that supports your business and personal goals.
- Overcome the fear of leaving your steady paycheck and finally step into your dream career with confidence!
- Set up your business for long-term success with strategies for marketing, creating routines, and managing growth effectively.
This isn’t just another program—it’s a roadmap built on real-life experience. It’s about giving you the tools to break free from financial stress and step into a life that aligns with your values, passions, and goals. I know what it feels like to dream about more and wonder if it’s even possible—but let me tell you, if I can do it, I know you can too! Together, we’ll take the steps to make your dream a reality.
Your Dream is Within Reach
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, I want you to know this: your dream career is closer than you think! I know firsthand how hard it can feel when the next step seems unclear or unattainable. A few years ago, I was in your shoes—feeling stuck in a job that didn’t align with my passions and unsure how to move forward. But here’s the truth: with the right plan, the right “why,” and the right tools, you can build a business and a life you absolutely love. I’m living proof that it’s possible, and I truly believe it’s possible for you too!
That’s exactly why I created The Entrepreneur Blueprint. It’s not just a course—it’s your guide to transforming your dream into reality. This program will equip you with actionable strategies, a roadmap to success, and the encouragement to overcome the fears that may be holding you back. Whether it’s setting yourself up financially, designing a business that aligns with your values, or simply finding the confidence to take the leap, I’m here to help you every step of the way.
I can’t wait to share everything I’ve learned and walk alongside you as you create a life you love. 💛 Let’s make it happen together!
Want to be the first to know when The Entrepreneur Blueprint launches? Join the waitlist today!
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