Let Me Be Straight With You
You landed on this page for a reason.
Maybe you’re tired of the hustle that gets you nowhere. Maybe you’re curious if there’s more to life than just working to survive. Or maybe, just maybe, you’re ready to build something real something that belongs to you.
If any of that rings true, you’ll want to read this.
My Story: A Shift from Grief to Growth
Back in 2023, I hit a moment that changed everything.
I lost someone I loved deeply. Someone I used to share stories with about Bigfoot and the paranormal. And when the silence hit… I started writing. Just raw thoughts in Google Docs. Nothing fancy just me trying to figure out where I was and where I was going.
Before I knew it, those thoughts turned into a book. Then five.
I didn’t plan to become a writer. I was a long-haul trucker with zero experience in publishing. But something inside me shifted, and I knew I had to keep going.
So I looked up how to get my books on Amazon. I found KDP, and then discovered Reedsy, a platform that helped me format and publish. I uploaded my books and thought, “Amazon will do the rest.”
Man, was I wrong.
Affiliate Disclosure And Invitation
Welcome to Just Me, Built With Dreams On this website, you’ll find links that lead to Wealthy Affiliates a powerful platform where you can learn how to build your own online business from scratch.
That link is completely free to check out, and you’ll get a 7-day free trial to explore everything they offer.You’ll also find some of my other brands right here on this page, proof of what’s possible when you just start.
Each one shows a different path you can take if you’re ready to build something of your own.Some of the links across these sites connect to affiliate products. If you decide to purchase through one of those links, I may earn a small but fair commission and that’s how affiliate marketing works.It’s really that simple:
Build something. Drive traffic. Earn from it.
it’s free to try.So enjoy exploring the site, and who knows maybe I’ll see you on the inside!
People Also Ask
This lets you talk about the increasing value companies place on diverse perspectives and real-world experience, making your journey from “truck to laptop” a genuine asset, not a hurdle.
How do I transition from a trucking career to a tech job?
- This question is highly relevant and allows you to discuss specific steps like identifying transferable skills, choosing a tech niche (coding, IT support, etc.), and the different paths to education (bootcamps, self-study, college).
What are the most important transferable skills a truck driver has?
- This is a great chance to highlight the value of skills often overlooked, such as logistics management, time management and scheduling, problem-solving under pressure, and self-reliance.
Is it too late to learn to code and change careers in my 30s/40s/50s?
- People often worry about age. Your answer can be an encouraging ‘No,’ backed up by statistics or anecdotes about successful career changers, emphasizing the high demand for tech roles.
How much does a career change from trucking to a tech field cost?
- This addresses a major concern. You can break down the costs of different paths: self-study (low cost), bootcamps (mid cost), or a full degree (high cost), and discuss financing options or grants.
Reality Check: No Sales, No Traffic, No Plan
Here’s what they don’t tell you on YouTube:
Publishing a book doesn’t mean people will see it. I had books, but no readers. I had stories, but no traffic. I even joined author groups and forums trying to get reviews but nothing worked.
My books sat there… untouched.
I started to panic. I had put my soul into these books, and they were vanishing into the digital void.
Then one night, I saw a video that mentioned building your own website to promote your books. That one idea led me to a platform called:
Wealthy Affiliate
At first, I wasn’t sure. But they offered a 7-day free trial, and I figured I had nothing to lose.
On day six, I knew I’d stay. I upgraded to the first month for $49 and haven’t looked back since.
That’s when everything changed.
Fast Forward 17 Months Later…
- I now run 6 full websites (2 of them are already earning income)
- I’ve published 13 books all selling monthly and many more I’m writing.
- I’ve built a brand from scratch around the Wildfoot name
- I’ve been featured, followed, and even hit 1M+ views on social media
- And I’m still just getting started
All of that began with one decision: learning the skills to build and promote my OWN platform.
That’s what Wealthy Affiliate taught me:
✅ How to build a website
✅ How to write blogs that get traffic
✅ How to rank in Google
✅ How to get eyes on your books, products, or ideas
✅ How to create a real brand that YOU own
This Isn’t Magic It’s a System That Works
You don’t need to be a tech expert.
You don’t need to have a business degree.
You just need to be willing to learn, and Wealthy Affiliate has every step laid out in a real training environment, not hype.
Here’s what it can help you do:
- Build a real online business in a niche you care about
- Promote Amazon books, Etsy shops, digital downloads, or affiliate products
- Create traffic from blogs, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube you name it
- Use AI to speed things up and scale once you’re ready
And yes, you can build from your truck, your living room, your phone, or anywhere you are.
Ready to Learn Exactly What I Did?
If you’re serious about turning your idea into income, you need to stop guessing and start with the right tools.
🟣 Tap into the exact same Wealthy Affiliate training that helped me go from confused to confident:
Wow, what an inspirational story and I am so glad you eventually found the platform in Wealthy Affiliate that helped you to get your books sold eventually. Just shows, you didn’t give up like most people would, and look how far you have come.
Just interested to know how long it took you from the time you started your first website to selling your first book, as it is interesting to get a timeline, as I know it does take time to build out a website.
Hey Michel, thank you so much for the kind words really means a lot, my friend. I gotta say, it’s been one heck of a ride getting from the bush roads to building brands online. I started my very first website right around the time I began writing, which was early 2025 after going through a hard personal loss. That’s when the shift really began.
As for that first book sale it took a few months. I think I saw my first real sale maybe 3–4 months after publishing, but I didn’t know what I was doing at the time with SEO or traffic. Once I got into the Wealthy Affiliate training, things started to click. I built better sites, learned how to bring in real traffic, and now I’ve got 12 books up all selling monthly across different brands.
It’s a process, but man is it worth it. Timeline-wise? From that first website to a working sales system I was proud of I’d say about 6–8 months of building, failing, adjusting, and learning every day.
Appreciate you asking, and if you’re building something, I’d love to hear where you’re at in the journey!
To our success,
Shawn
The transition you describe from trucking to building an online business is a fascinating shift, especially since it highlights how skills and persistence can transfer across very different worlds. One thing I’m curious about is how you kept yourself motivated during those long stretches when your writing didn’t bring traffic or recognition; was there a particular mindset or routine that helped? I’d also love to know if you found any parts of trucking life that actually gave you an edge when you moved into online entrepreneurship. Finally, as you now manage multiple websites, how do you decide which ideas are worth developing further and which ones to let go?
Hey Slavisa, really appreciate you diving deep with your comment those are powerful questions, and honestly, I’ve had to wrestle with each one at some point.
When I was in the thick of it trucking full-time, writing at truck stops and on break, with zero traffic and no recognition what kept me going was the why. I’d been through some personal loss, and writing became a way to process all that. It felt like something bigger than just a blog or a book. I’d say the biggest mindset shift was learning to fall in love with the process, not the numbers. Some nights I’d write just for me no audience, no stats, just getting my story out
As for trucking giving me an edge absolutely. Long-haul life teaches you discipline, patience, and grit. When you’re 60km down a bush road in a snowstorm, you learn how to adapt and stay calm under pressure. That same mindset helped me push through tech headaches, slow growth, and endless trial-and-error online.
And when it comes to managing multiple websites and choosing ideas I use a gut-check method. If an idea sticks with me for more than a few days, if I find myself thinking about it while driving or falling asleep, it usually means it’s worth exploring. But if it feels forced or like I’m chasing a trend that doesn’t fit my story or brand I let it go. I’d rather build slow and real than fast and hollow.
Thanks again for your thoughtful comment I’m cheering you on, wherever you’re at in the journey!
Shawn
The “Reality Check: No Sales, No Traffic, No Plan” section really stood out to me because it highlights the honest, often-overlooked side of starting an online business the part before success, when hard work meets silence. I appreciated how transparent the story was about those early struggles with publishing and promotion. It made the later breakthrough with Wealthy Affiliate feel even more meaningful and achievable. The way the author turned frustration into fuel, learning real skills to create traffic and build a brand, is deeply motivating for anyone starting from scratch. It’s proof that persistence truly pays off when guided by the right system. How long did it take before the first website started earning income? And what strategy proved most effective for driving consistent traffic early on?
Hey Ravin really appreciate the thoughtful comment, and thanks for taking the time to read it.
To answer your questions directly:
How long did it take before the first website started earning income?
For me, it took a few months before I saw the first real signs of life. Nothing huge at first just a couple clicks, a couple small commissions but it was enough to prove the process was working. The turning point came around the 4–6 month mark, when the content I’d been building finally started ranking and pulling consistent traffic.
What strategy worked best for driving early traffic?
Hands down: SEO-focused blogging paired with internal linking.
Nothing fancy. No ads. No tricks. Just:
Writing helpful, beginner-friendly content
Targeting low-competition, long-tail keywords
Linking my posts together so Google understood the structure
Staying consistent even when it felt like nobody was reading
Once that foundation was built, everything else became easier Pinterest, Facebook, and email all worked better because the website already had authority.
So if someone’s just starting out, that’s the formula:
simple, targeted SEO + consistency + patience.
Thanks again for the great questions, Ravin.
What a powerful and inspiring read. Thank you for sharing your incredible journey with such honesty. Your story is a brilliant reminder that there’s no single “right” path to a fulfilling career and life. The way you connected the grit of the truck to the focus needed for coding was so insightful. Wishing you all the best as you continue to build your dream!
Hey Cian really appreciate that, and thanks for taking the time to comment.
I’m glad the story landed with you. There really isn’t one “right” path, and that’s the whole point I wanted people to see you can come from a truck cab, a kitchen table, or anywhere in between and still build something real online.
The discipline from the road definitely carried over into writing, building websites, and learning the digital side of things. It’s all just focus, grit, and sticking with it even when the progress feels slow.
Thanks again for the encouragement means a lot.
Well, this is certainly a different take on how to start an online business with Wealthy Affiliate. I like how you’ve structured everything, and I find your story to be particularly inspiring. When it comes to blue collar working-class people, the truck driver is at the top of that food chain, because if truckers aren’t driving, nobody gets what they need. What I also found intriguing is the way you drew on your experience as a trucker to help launch your online business. Keep it up!
Hey Adam really appreciate the comment, and thanks for taking the time to read it.
I’m glad the perspective hit home. Coming from a blue-collar world definitely shapes how you approach online business. When you’re used to long hours, problem-solving on the fly, and doing whatever it takes to keep things moving, that mindset transfers straight into building a brand.
And you’re right trucking teaches you a lot. Focus. Routine. Discipline. Getting the job done even when you’re tired or the conditions aren’t ideal. All of that became fuel when I started building online.
Thanks again for the encouragement means a lot.