How Losing My “Dream” Job Turned Me Into a 6-Figure Freelancer —Benas Leonavicius | Ep 103

How Losing My “Dream” Job Turned Me Into a 6-Figure Freelancer —Benas Leonavicius | Ep 103

In today’s episode, I sat down with Benas Leonavicius, a freelance SEO specialist who’s built a six-figure online business—all while keeping things lean and low-stress. We dug into his journey from writing articles for pocket money to creating real stability and freedom as a solo operator. We talked honestly about the tough parts, the infamous feast and famine cycle, and how Benas escaped it by switching to retainers and niching down, all while building a business that works for his lifestyle. We also covered practical stuff: building a portfolio, landing better clients, and why a strong personal brand isn’t just for influencers. My hope is you come away inspired to stick with your path, get intentional about your offers, and remember you don’t need a massive agency to create real income and freedom online. Thanks for joining me on this journey—let’s keep growing together! Connect With Benas Website: https://avium.vip/ Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@benasleo Chapters 00:00 Batching Content and Freelance Beginnings 00:25 Wisdom Journey Podcast Introduction 00:50 Introducing Benas Leonavicius & His Freelance Business 01:52 Benas’s Start: Writing for Pocket Money 02:12 Experimenting with Digital Marketing and Finding SEO 03:44 Discovering the Value of SEO 04:35 Shifting Freelancing from Side Hustle to Career 06:44 Early Financial and Mental Struggles in Freelancing 08:06 Sticking With Freelancing Through Difficult Times 11:57 Escaping the Feast and Famine Cycle 15:35 Transitioning from Hourly Work to Retainers 19:35 Retainers vs One-Off Deals 21:39 Practical Math Behind 4-6 Client Model 23:12 Framing and Selling Results-Based Offers 25:52 Niching Down and Overcoming Fears 29:26 Building Proof Without Faking Authority 33:01 Turning Every Project Into Portfolio Proof 35:52 Replacing Cold Outreach with Referrals 39:18 How and When to Ask for Referrals 41:19 Client Acquisition Strategies That Don’t Work 42:44 A Week in a Lean Solo Business 44:11 Organizing Work and Moving to Notion 45:51 Why Build a Personal Brand as a Freelancer 48:14 Balancing Client Work and Content Creation 49:46 Where to Connect With Benas and Closing

How to Build a Media Company from Scratch — Ben Olmos | Ep 102

Today on Wisdom Journey, I sat down with Dr. Ben Olmos—a true veteran in business, media, and education. We got real about what it takes to build something from scratch when nobody knows your name, spilling the ups and downs of launching his own media company after decades in the corporate world. Ben shared the hard lessons behind execution, persistence, and why practical frameworks matter more than just inspiration or hype. We dug into why trust and communication are the real foundations of any successful business (or life!), and he opened up about balancing the daily grind with big-picture strategy. I hope as you listen, you’ll feel inspired to own your journey, start small, build your own routines, and stay patient—even when it’s tough. Remember, nobody skips the line; we all start at zero. Keep building, friends! Connect with Ben Olmos Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/benolmos/ Website : https://benolmos.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDailyPitchNews I’m building an online business in public — sharing every win, setback, and “I can’t believe that happened” moment along the way. If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to start from scratch, come along for the ride. Join the journey at https://wisdom.beehiiv.com [https://wisdom.beehiiv.com/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:21 Lessons from 30 Years in Consumer Packaged Goods 04:12 The Entrepreneurial Shift: Defining Moments and Inspiration 07:29 From Corporate Structure to Startup Chaos 09:27 Surprises and Challenges of Building from Scratch 12:01 Brand, Content, and the Role of Persistence 13:47 Balancing Consistency and Personal Workload 16:11 First 90 Days: Focus and Lessons Learned 19:01 Managing a Startup While Working Full-Time 19:45 Work Routines and Prioritization for Founders 21:09 Execution Over Inspiration: The Power of Frameworks 25:05 Diagnosing Execution Issues in Organizations 26:31 Accountability in Practice: Startup as a Person 29:56 Exciting Projects: The Book, Podcast, and YouTube Growth 34:24 Connecting and Following the Journey 35:45 Closing Remarks and Takeaways

Building a Data-Driven Financial Independence Plan – Daniel Rogers | Ep 101

In today’s episode, I sat down with Daniel Rodgers—a financial independence strategist who retired at 43 after building a data-driven plan to make work optional. We got real about his journey from growing up in poverty, accumulating debt, climbing the corporate ladder at places like Microsoft and Google, and then realizing he wanted something different. Dan opened up about how tracking his numbers, facing tough sacrifices, and tuning into both the math and the emotions shaped his unique path to freedom. We broke down the importance of having a solid plan (and why most fail!) and actionable steps—no matter where you’re starting. I hope you walk away inspired to define your own “freedom number,” get clear on what matters most to you, and believe it’s possible to design your life on your terms. Let’s keep moving toward our own wisdom journeys—together! Connect with Daniel Rodgers Website: https://escapetheclock.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danrodgers/I’m building an online business in public — sharing every win, setback, and “I can’t believe that happened” moment along the way. If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to start from scratch, come along for the ride. Join the journey at https://wisdom.beehiiv.com/ [https://wisdom.beehiiv.com/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Wisdom Journey and Daniel Rogers 00:42 Daniel’s Early Career and Financial Struggles 02:49 Data Tracking and Financial Self-Awareness 04:33 Leveraging Data for Financial Progress 08:12 Paycheck Allocation and Financial "Hacks" 10:08 The Plan to Retire Early at 43 15:38 Sacrifices and Tough Decisions Along the Way 17:45 Lifestyle Choices and Living Below Means 19:22 Why Most Financial Plans Fail 20:55 Building a Resilient, Flexible Plan 22:48 Preventing Plan Failure and Managing Risk 26:18 Calculating Your Freedom Number 31:52 Reality Check: Hitting and Surpassing the Number 34:54 The Hardest Mental Shift: Leaving Full-Time Work 39:41 Systems for Starting Out in Business or Side Hustle 41:07 Ensuring Your Money Works For You 42:33 Resources, Book, and Connecting with Daniel 43:54 Closing and Final Thoughts

How to Build Multiple Streams of Online Income – Tom Antion | Ep 100

What does it really take to build a multimillion-dollar online business—without ever having a job? In this episode of Wisdom Journey, I sit down with Tom Antion, widely known as the “King of KaChing.” From flipping a $20 car as a teenager to generating $30,000 weeks online, Tom breaks down the exact systems, mindset, and strategies that helped him build a scalable digital empire. We dive deep into: * The 3-pronged system behind every successful online business (and why it still works today) * How Tom turned the early internet into a money-making machine * The power of automation, email marketing, and simple tools to multiply results * Why you should build multiple income streams (even from hobbies) * Smart ways to turn everyday activities into tax advantages * Practical automation hacks that can save you millions of keystrokes—and hours of time * The biggest financial mistake Tom made (and what it teaches about staying in your lane) * What he would do if he had to start from scratch today This episode is packed with timeless principles, unconventional ideas, and real-world strategies you can apply immediately—whether you're just starting out or looking to scale. Connect with Tom Antion * Download Tom’s FREE automation book: https://screwthecommute.com/automatefree [https://screwthecommute.com/automatefree] * Join the launch team for The American Entrepreneur documentary: https://screwthecommute.com/launchteam * Listen to his podcast: https://screwthecommute.com [https://screwthecommute.com] I’m building an online business in public — sharing every win, setback, and “I can’t believe that happened” moment along the way. If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to start from scratch, come along for the ride. Join the journey at https://wisdom.beehiiv.com/ [https://wisdom.beehiiv.com/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Wisdom Journey and Guest Tom Antion 00:29 Tom’s Entrepreneurial Origins and Family Influence 01:44 First Money-Making Experiments and Early Hustle 02:34 Discovering Scalability with Internet Marketing 04:07 Building Online Streams: Products, Programs, and Sites 07:12 Tom’s Three-Pronged Approach to Seven Figures 09:12 Physical vs. Digital Products and Income Streams 10:03 Diversification: Real Estate, Royalties, and Tax Strategy 11:15 Turning Hobbies and Life Expenses into Deductions 13:34 Home Office, Vehicles, and Payroll Considerations 14:48 Automation and Online Business Systems 16:04 Practical Automation Tools for Entrepreneurs 19:33 Automating Email and Leveraging Spam for Insights 23:35 Adopting New Tools to Optimize Time and Results 24:09 Biggest Financial Mistake and Lessons Learned 25:44 DIY Mindset: Saving Millions with In-House Skills 27:59 Delegation, Contracting, and Avoiding Common Pitfalls 29:29 Learning, Teaching, and Planning New Ventures 30:45 Starting Over: What Tom Would Do in 90 Days 33:03 Membership Models and Recurring Income 34:51 How to Access Tom’s Resources and Stay Connected 36:28 Episode Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts

How to Discover Your X Factor for a Fulfilling Career – Paul Comfort | Ep 99

In this episode of Wisdom Journey, I sat down with Paul Comfort—author, leader, and all-around expert on finding your “X factor.” We unpacked what it really means to align your work with who you are, and why just following your passion isn’t always enough. Paul shared stories from his incredible career, his missteps, and the quiet clues that helped him pivot toward real fulfillment. We dug into how to spot your own unique blend of abilities and interests, and why it’s so important to live—and work—on purpose. If you’ve ever felt a disconnect between external success and internal peace, this one’s especially for you. I hope you walk away feeling encouraged to reflect, lean into your gifts, and craft a life that truly fits. Thanks for listening, and keep walking your wisdom journey! Resources & Mentions * Book: Find Your X Factor by Paul Comfort (preorder available online, launches August 11) * Free X Factor Assessment: findyourxfactor.ai [https://findyourxfactor.ai] I’m building an online business in public — sharing every win, setback, and “I can’t believe that happened” moment along the way. If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to start from scratch, come along for the ride. Join the journey at https://wisdom.beehiiv.com/ [https://wisdom.beehiiv.com/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Paul Comfort 00:20 Reaching the Top But Feeling Misaligned 01:56 The Cost of Achievement Without Alignment 03:41 Passion vs. Abilities—Finding the Intersection 06:46 Discovering the X Factor 07:54 Recognizing Life Patterns and Early Clues 10:23 Free X Factor Assessment and Taking Action 11:06 Looking Back: Life Patterns and Hidden Clues 13:42 Traps of Titles and Public Success 16:04 Pivoting Without Burning Down Your Life 17:34 Self-Actualization in Everyday Life 19:39 Risks of Staying Misaligned 21:46 Final Thoughts and Resources