From Rock Bottom to Digital Growth: How I Learned to Get Leads Online and Built a Future from Scratch
Before this moment, I wasn’t happy.
I felt low.
I didn’t see a future for myself.
But everything changed the day I made a promise to myself:
“I will learn something.”
At the time, I didn’t have the answers. I didn’t have money. I didn’t have a plan. But I had a decision — to learn: web design and online lead generation. These skills sparked a transformation I never could’ve predicted.
Step 1: Learn a Skill
Once I learned to build websites, I realized that learning a skill wasn’t enough — I needed to turn it into income. So, I taught myself how to sell. I began selling websites to businesses that wanted more leads online.
That opened a bigger question:
How do you get leads online?
This question led me down the rabbit hole of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). At the time, very few people truly understood it, and even fewer knew how to do it well — especially for local businesses.
So I focused on becoming great at local SEO. Not chasing a huge global niche, but dominating one area. People said, “Find a niche.” I said:
“Ireland is my niche.”
Step 2: Stack Your Skills
In just a few months, I had a stack of valuable digital skills:
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1. I could build websites
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2. I could sell
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3. I knew how to get leads online through SEO
That became my first real offer — and local businesses wanted it.
Step 3: Use What You’ve Got
Back then, I worked behind the bar in South Dublin. One night, I built a website for the bar I worked in — The Family Business. That was my proof of work. I didn’t waste it.
I used that live example to pitch website and SEO services to business owners who came in for a pint. Within weeks, I had a portfolio. Within months, I had momentum.
For 2–3 years, I juggled:
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Bartending
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Freelance web projects
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Learning and applying new skills
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Building a brand and business from scratch
This wasn’t a quick win. It was the long game.
Step 4: Test and Prove Your Value
Eventually, I took a job in sales — selling water — just to stay close to business while I grew my side hustle.
I offered to rebuild that company’s website. Once I did, they went from zero to 10–20 high-value online leads per week.
That was my proof of concept.
Six months later, I left the job and went all-in on my agency.
Step 5: Charge Based on Value, Not Time
At first, I charged €400 per website. But I learned fast:
You don’t charge for work.
You charge for value.
I moved from flat project fees to hourly rates, and over time, I scaled my rates as I delivered better results.
Eventually, I could:
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Hire a smarter team
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Rent a proper office
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Build the lifestyle I once dreamed of
But none of that happened overnight.
The Truth? It All Started With Learning
Sitting still for five years leads to nothing.
Doing small things every day leads to everything.
This journey built my confidence, my business, and ultimately — my freedom.
Not because I had resources.
But because I became resourceful.
Your First Step? Learn Something.
If you’re here wondering what your next move should be — start simple:
✅ Learn a skill
✅ Commit to it
✅ Stack it with others
✅ Build from it
That’s how you grow.
That’s how you win.
That’s how you build a future — one small step at a time.
Let’s Grow More Together.
#NotFinancialAdvice