The First Step

Ethan woke up with a new sense of purpose coursing through his veins. The idea that had sparked the night before wasn't just a fleeting thought anymore—it was a fire that refused to be ignored. He needed to figure out how to make money without sacrificing the little time he had for his studies. The grind of traditional jobs wasn't going to get him anywhere. He had to think differently.

He skipped breakfast again, not because he wasn't hungry, but because his mind was already racing. In class, he tried to focus, but his notebook quickly became a canvas for ideas. He jotted down his skills, potential resources, and any gaps he could spot in the market. The more he wrote, the clearer it became—he needed to create something of his own.

After the lecture ended, Ethan wasted no time. He headed straight for the library, but instead of diving into textbooks, he spent the next couple of hours scrolling through websites and forums. Freelancing? Too competitive. Dropshipping? Too risky. Tutoring? He didn't have the time to teach effectively. But as he continued his search, a pattern started to emerge—digital services. Things like web design, online marketing, content creation. Services that didn't require a huge upfront investment, just skills and the willingness to hustle.

He glanced down at his old laptop—sluggish and outdated, but functional. Maybe it wasn't the best tool, but it could still be his ticket to something bigger. If he could land just a few gigs, he could build on them.

That evening, rather than heading straight to his shift at the convenience store, Ethan made his way to the computer lab. His fingers flew across the keyboard as he signed up for several freelancing platforms. His profile was bare, just the basics—graphic design, writing, data entry—nothing impressive, but enough to start making connections.

Later, as he worked his shift, he couldn't help but check his phone every few minutes, hoping for a message. Nothing. No offers, no orders. His heart sank a little, but he forced himself to stay calm. Doubt crept in, but he pushed it aside. This was just the first step. He had made the move. Now it was time to keep moving.

This was only the beginning.