From Hedge Fund Trader to Entrepreneur

Just a few years ago, Dickie Bush was working as a hedge fund trader at BlackRock, making a high six-figure salary. But despite the lucrative paycheck, he quickly realized that the corporate finance world was not for him. Dickie wanted more control over his output and the ability to scale his efforts.

So in 2020, at the age of 28, Dickie made the bold decision to leave his Wall Street job and pursue a career as an entrepreneur. His goal? To build a portfolio of writing-based businesses that could generate $1 million in monthly revenue by the end of the year.

Discovering the Power of Writing

Dickie's journey into the world of online writing began with a simple internal newsletter he started at BlackRock. He would summarize market insights and share podcast recommendations with his colleagues, quickly gaining the attention of senior-level executives.

Inspired by this initial success, Dickie decided to take his writing public. In January 2020, he launched a weekly personal newsletter, sharing what he was learning and reading. While it didn't immediately generate income, this newsletter laid the groundwork for the opportunities that would soon follow.

From $0 to $10,000 per Month in 9 Months

In November 2020, Dickie's writing career took a significant turn when one of his newsletter subscribers approached him with a unique request. The subscriber wanted Dickie to write a private, in-depth summary of the subscriber's ideas and teachings. Unsure of how to price the project, Dickie decided to do it for free, asking the subscriber to simply pay what they thought it was worth.

To Dickie's surprise, the subscriber sent him a $5,000 payment. This single project broke Dickie's brain, as he realized the true earning potential of his writing skills. Over the next 9 months, Dickie was able to grow his ghostwriting income to $10,000 per month, all while still working his full-time job at BlackRock.

Scaling to 7-Figures with a Portfolio of Businesses

Dickie's initial success with ghostwriting was just the beginning. In 2021, he decided to take his writing business to the next level by launching a 30-day writing challenge called "Ship 30 for 30." The challenge, which cost participants $99, quickly gained traction, generating over $30,000 in Dickie's first cohort.

From there, Dickie continued to expand his portfolio, adding a SaaS product called Type Share, a premium ghostwriting coaching program, and a paid newsletter called "Write with AI." By the end of 2022, Dickie and his business partner, Nicholas Cole, had grown their combined businesses to generate over $500,000 to $600,000 in monthly revenue, with a clear path to reach $1 million per month by the end of 2023.

The Power of Consistent, Valuable Content

Dickie's success is a testament to the power of consistent, valuable content creation. By committing to writing a newsletter every week for 52 weeks, Dickie was able to build an audience and attract new opportunities. And by experimenting with different content formats, from Twitter threads to email courses, Dickie was able to identify the most effective ways to engage and monetize his audience.

But Dickie's approach goes beyond just creating content. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding sales psychology and crafting compelling offers. Whether it's a ghostwriting project or a paid course, Dickie focuses on addressing the specific needs and pain points of his target audience, and then presenting a clear, irresistible solution.

Lessons for Aspiring Writers and Entrepreneurs

Dickie's story is a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, skills, and strategy, anyone can build a successful writing-based business. Here are a few key lessons from his journey:

• Embrace the power of writing: Writing is a versatile and lucrative skill that can be applied to a wide range of online business models, from ghostwriting to email marketing to content creation.

• Start small and experiment: Dickie didn't quit his job right away. Instead, he started small, building his writing skills and audience through a personal newsletter. This allowed him to test different approaches and identify the most promising opportunities.

• Focus on value and psychology: Dickie's success is not just about the quality of his writing, but also his ability to understand his audience's needs and craft compelling offers that address those needs.

• Leverage technology and automation: Dickie's team uses a range of tools and software to streamline their operations, from email marketing to project management to content creation.

• Build a portfolio of businesses: By diversifying his income streams, Dickie has been able to create a more stable and scalable business model, reducing his reliance on any single revenue source.

Whether you're an aspiring writer, a budding entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to take your career to the next level, Dickie's story is a powerful reminder that with the right mindset and strategy, anything is possible.