Line BreakAuthor: Steven Aitchison (399 Articles)
The owner of this blog. Proud father, doting husband, blogger, hire me as freelance writer, and addiction worker
This weeks Sunday Siesta is all about bloggers who have managed to quit their day job to become professional bloggers. I have been reading a lot about this lately since I will be doing it soon. I thought it might be interesting to look at a few bloggers who have turned pro and link to their stories of how they managed to quit their day jobs.
9 10 Bloggers Who Have Quit Their Day Job and Turned Pro
Jonathan Mead
IlluminatedMind.net – So I Quit My Day Job, Dear Boss: You’re Fired – I like Jonathan’s story of how he managed to go from working as a file clerk to managing an employee recognition program to finally giving up his day job, ’stop renting out his mind’ and go solo. You can download his free ebook ‘The Zero Hour Work Week’
Leo Babuata
ZenHabits.net - So I Quit My Day Job – Holy Cow! I Took the Plunge – I love Leo’s story and it really couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. He quit his day job with U.S. military veterans for the Guam Legislature in January 2008 after a meteoric rise with his blog, which has around 130,000 subscribers. He is now a published author: ‘The Power of Less’, has written a best selling ebook: ‘Zen To Done’ and has done so much more since he started blogging in 2007. His story is a fantastic one and is well worth a read.
Caroline Middlebrook
CarolineMiddlebrook.com – About Caroline Middlebrook – I remember Caroline at the very beginning of her blog and I even remember writing a piece on her called ‘The woman who quit her day job’ Caroline did it the hard way and quit her job as a software developer and started the blog from scratch. She now has over 11,000 subscribers, has written several eBooks and has become very successful in the blogging world.
Tina Su
ThinkSimpleNow.com – Dream to Reality: How I Quit My Day Job – One of my favourite personal development bloggers. Tina Su really is an inspiration to many and she has done so much in such a short space of time. She has a loyal following and is well thought of in the blogging community.
Daniel Scocco
DailyBlogTips.com – Make Money Blogging – Daniel is another blogging hero of mine. Not because he has quit his day job, but simply because he has great advice on his blog about blogging. he gave up his job at the age of 22 and has never looked back since. He is now a successful consultant and professional blogger.
Yaro Starak
Entrepreneurs-Journey.com – One Day In A Life – One of the best business bloggers on the net and one of the first blogs I sat up and paid attention to and thinking blogging was possible as a career. I love Yaro’s podcasts as they are always insightful.
J.D. Roth
GetRichSlowly.com – Quitting the Day Job: Finding the Guts to Pursue Your Dreams – I haven’t read much of the blog from JD but have read his story and read a few interviews from him. His blog is all about fiance and is geared toward the american market however there are great articles about attitude to money. JD is another inspiration to me and when you read the story you will understand why.
Steve Pavlina
StevePavlina.com – Blogging for Money – Steve’s blog was the blog that started it all for me back in August 2006. I soaked up his writing and listened to the podcasts and thought WOW! this is what I want to do. I am not so keen on Steve’s stuff now but his older material is still amazing and I often listen to his podcasts.
Darren Rowse
Problogger.net – Becoming A ProBlogger – Save the best for last 
Darren is perhaps one of the best known bloggers out there. The former Minister turned pro in 2005. Read his story it’s brilliant.
Celestine Chua
CelestineChua.com – Celestine Chua’s Story – I totally forgot about Celestine and she has been in my circle for some time now. Celestine left a fortune 100 company to start a coaching business and start her blog and she has been very successful starting her School of Personal Excellence
I know I have missed a few famous bloggers out but hopefully if you are looking to becoming a blogging professional it will give you some inspiration as it has me and countless others.
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Darn! I knew these.
I was hoping to find some new people that have done this.
http://celestinechua.com/blog/ – is another that quit her job to pursue blogging and her own path.
Jonathan Mead is the most recent person I’ve heard about. It’s nice to see something very recent because most others have been in the “game” for some time. So as we get more and more bloggers going, who is leaving their job in 2009? Who started blogging recently and is close to leaving?
Any super recent escape artists would be killer to know.
Scott Webb´s last blog ..Put Your Wallet Away – Free Photography For Your Blog
Hi Scott, thanks for the reminder. I have added Celestine to the list as she is such an inspiration. I can’t believe I forgot about her being pro, however I think her coaching is her main business and not her blog but I have added her.
Great list, Steven! It is a great and inspirational list of stories for all aspiring probloggers. Thanks for collecting them all.
Marko Saric´s last blog ..My review of WordPress 2 iPhone App for mobile blogging
No problem MarKo, I love to read stories like this and thought the readers would enjoy it to.
I have followed both the advice and careers of several of these bloggers and they truly are an inspiration to someone looking to expand there place in the blogosphere, either as a full time blogger or just to advance there message.
Nice spotlight.
Rupert Alistair´s last blog ..The Innocents (1961): Spectres of Complexity
Hi Rupert, thanks for visiting. They really are an inspiration and give so many people a sense of grounded hope.
All these bloggers are indeed such inspirations. Each with their own unique story. Am gonna check the ones I dont know out as yet.Thank you for this list. I have plans of doing this professionally…but never knew there were so many all ready to give their advice on how they did it
Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..Possibilites&Individualities {Inspirational Quote}
Hi Zeenat, there’s a lot more people doing it than this. These are just some of my personal favourites. I know you will be doing it someday and look forward to writing a piece on you
Hey Steven, this list was great…and very inspirational for sure. I would love to earn a full time living solely through blogging. I know if one creates value for readers and most of all, sticks with it, the money will come in time if done correctly.
Thanks again
Dayne
Dayne | TheHappySelf.com´s last blog ..How To Love The Things You Hate
Hi Dayne, I think the key is sticking with it. I have been doing it for 3 years and only now can see that I might be able to turn pro, however that is through other stuff related to the blog, i.e. freelance writing etc.
I have quite my day job with the exception of taking a few yoga classes a week – only because I own a yoga studio and love teaching. My true passion right now is blogging and finding the right success/life coach for the right person. The bloggers you mentioned here are quite extraordinary – and i have taken a few courses with them. Yaro and Leo – have helped me drive traffic to my Blog and I have learned to build an email list that continues to grow each day.
Steve you have an amazing blog here and I would love to do a audio interview with you in the near future. Thanks for the wonderful content.
Jai, that’s brilliant about quitting the day job I didn’t realise you had done that. Would love to do an interview with you mate, drop me an email and we can discuss it, I think I should be interviewing you
Thanks for this list
John Samuel ´s last blog ..Create a Free Logo for your Website
No problem John, thanks for visiting, I appreciate it
Thank you for these Steven! This should be really great. It’s something that I’ve thought of doing along with my book writing. And I know nothing about it. So I hope to learn something new here. Appreciate it.
)
Robin Easton´s last blog ..When I Die I Want…
Hi Robin, I know your writing so I know that you are already a huge success, and I know you can get whatever you set your sights on. Anything at all I can do to help just let me know.
Nice this Steven. It’s great to have people to look up to. These people have all made the impossible possible. Thanks for this and it is a great inspiration for all bloggers who someday wish to quit their day job.
Tristan Lee´s last blog ..The Illusion of Success
Hi Tristan, their stories really are inspiring and I am glad you enjoyed them.
Don’t forget to make room on that list for my productive and successful friend Steven Aitchison.
Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills´s last blog ..11 Simple Steps to Greater Happiness Now
Hi Jonathan
thanks as always for your support. I’ve taken the project 1 step further, I’ll write to you later about it.
My goal is to be on that list one day Steven. And by that time, I’ll be sure to ask you to edit this article. ;p
Karlil´s last blog ..Apple Case Study: The Making Of Devoted Followers
Nik, I think a few of us from the blogging bootcamp will be on the list and I am counting on you being there alongside me
Me too! I want to be on that list too:) Thanks for the list Steven and inspiration!
Hi Steve,
Great compilation! It is definitely inspiring to see people who had done it. I’m going to work hard to made it into that list too. Thanks for the article.
Cheers,
Vincent
Vincent´s last blog ..Why Bankers Only Lend Money To The Rich?
Great article! I think they are all great writers, but they allowed enough time to pass before giving up. I highly respect all of them.
Oscar – freestyle mind´s last blog ..Habit #5 – The Do Habit
Sadly one of the traits many of these people have in common is even if they see this post they will not take a sec to say thanks. I haven’t worked for anyone but myself for two years but I don’t fit in with the suck up to each other crew nor do I need to.I reached out to many of these people and you have VERY few on there who are actually cool people or would go out of their way for anyone but themselves sadly. Me I keep my hand out Blog do follow and bank HARD and heavy with affiliate marketing.It amazes me sometimes why people look up to and sweat some of these Goofs oh well there are many weird things about life
Peace didn’t mean to sound so harsh the post is great it’s just hyping people that in reality ain’t sh*t LOL 
See you at the TOP
I can bet who comes by and say thanks ? easy money
and if someone links to me or gives me a shout out I ALWAYS say thanks
stumble RT etc. Maybe I should STOP all that and be on the next list ? LOL
thanks I love the header pic very true
Part of successful blogging to me is helping new people linking to other bloggers and looking out for each other not getting a little success and turning into a JERK LOL
John Sullivan´s last blog ..What’s your passion ?
Great list of blogs.
Alex´s last blog ..Kid’s Coat Tree – Cleaning Can Be Fun!
Thanks for creating this list Steven. It’s so inspiring to see people work hard and achieve their goals. I know that it takes time and a lot of hard work. But I believe that taking action we can all get there.
All the best,
Eren
Eren Mckay´s last blog ..How to cure severe anxiety & get rid of it
Thats a lot of great inspiration and enough for me to keep my goals on track
Anthony Feint´s last blog ..Eight Ways to Save Time