It’s determination, and it’s slow.

Here’s my story of building a multi-million dollar SEO agency.

Started a car enthusiast website out of a hobby for cars.

It grew to a few thousand members.

Wanted to make it better, so learned design.

As it continued to grow, wanted to learn about monetizing it, so learned SEO basics.

Beat the billion dollar ABC media company in outranking their Bachelor show with a website I threw together after my wife couldn’t find info on one of their Bachelors. 😆

Looked into SEO more seriously after that.

Over those years, had been doing design on the side.

Eventually had enough side clients to pay the bills so I quit my day job.

A design client asked about SEO. Told them I knew enough to probably help them, but not enough that I felt comfortable charging them. But I also didn’t want to work for free.

Proposed a deal where I’d work for free if/until I hit a benchmark. If met, they’d pay me retroactively AND start a retainer moving forward.

Hit the goal in 2-3 months.

Liked the process and offered it to a second design client.

Hit the goal, again.

At that point, went all in on SEO.

I don’t do PPC. Don’t do social media. Don’t do anything other than SEO.

That was almost 17 years ago, and have stayed focused and in that lane ever since.

Determination and time beats luck any day. Definitely beats fancy equipment and flashy stuff. Usually beats skill, too.