When I started the Solopreneur Life segment, I wanted to highlight people who’ve escaped the traditional 9-to-5 in favor of a more flexible, fulfilling lifestyle.

Colin Graves is one of those people.

Once a burned-out bank manager stuck under a toxic boss, Colin reinvented himself as a successful freelance writer and editor. Today, he earns around $12,000 per month doing work he loves—all while enjoying more time with his wife, family, and creative passions.

In our conversation, Colin shared his journey from corporate frustration to solopreneur freedom, the practical steps he took to build a business, and advice for others looking to follow a similar path.

The Breaking Point

Colin spent over 15 years in the banking industry. He liked the company, but everything changed when a toxic new manager arrived. The emotional toll and lack of autonomy pushed Colin to rethink his entire career.

“I realized I had given one person way too much control over my well-being,” he said. “I knew I had to create another path.”

It wasn’t a leap into the unknown overnight. Colin started exploring side hustle ideas while still holding his full-time job.

Starting on the Side

Colin began by launching an anonymous personal finance blog. He also experimented with music production and other creative ventures, but none felt scalable.

Eventually, he had a lightbulb moment: While his blog didn’t earn much money directly, the skills he gained—writing, SEO, WordPress, content strategy—were in high demand.

That realization led him to explore freelance writing.

Becoming a Freelance Writer

Colin’s background in banking and personal finance gave him credibility. His blog gave him writing samples. Before long, he landed his first paying gig.

Still, he didn’t quit right away. It took four years of side hustle work—often 50 to 60 hours a week—before he could comfortably leave his day job.

His turning point came at FinCon, a financial content creator conference, where he hoped to land one more client. Instead, he came home with four or five new clients—enough to fully replace his income.

“I told my wife Laura, ‘I think I have to quit,’” Colin recalled. “And she said, ‘It’s go time.’ That support was everything.”

If you're curious how I made my own leap from corporate to solopreneur, I share everything in my post The 10 Steps I Took to Quit My Job and Become a Solopreneur.

Life After the 9-to-5

Today, Colin works with 8–9 clients on average, writing and editing personal finance content for major publications and fintech brands.

His freelance writer income now averages around $12,000 per month.

While he puts in over 40 hours a week, his time is flexible. He spreads work across his day, takes breaks to walk or bike with his wife, and even took a spontaneous cross-country trip with his mom—something that wouldn’t have been possible in his old job.

“It’s not about working less. It’s about working on your terms,” Colin told me.

Smart Tools for Solopreneurs

One of Colin’s favorite tools as a freelance writer is Wise (formerly TransferWise). By switching from PayPal to Wise, he saved hundreds of dollars per month in transaction and foreign exchange fees.

He also uses ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner. He doesn’t rely on it to write client content, but it helps him save time generating ideas, summarizing blog posts, and drafting social media blurbs.

“In a way, ChatGPT is like my virtual assistant,” he said. “It saves me hours every week.”

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Freelance writing comes with ups and downs. Six months into his solo journey, Colin lost one of his highest-paying clients with no warning.

“I had no leads. I had no pipeline. It was a mistake to get too comfortable,” he admitted.

Since then, he’s made prospecting a regular part of his routine. It was a tough reminder that even successful solopreneurs need to stay prepared.

What New Freelance Writers Can Expect

For those starting out, Colin says it’s absolutely realistic to earn $1,000/month within 6 months and $2,000/month within a year, while still working a full-time job.

Even smaller numbers can be impactful.

“$500 a month doesn’t sound life-changing, but think about how long it would take you to get that kind of raise at your 9-to-5,” he said. “It could take years.”

The key is to lean into your niche. Colin focused on personal finance because it matched both his career and his interests. He encourages others to explore areas where they already have experience—like healthcare, education, or tech.

Redefining Retirement

Before solopreneurship, Colin used to dream of early retirement and financial freedom. Now, as a happy freelance writer, his mindset has shifted.

“I love what I do. I still want financial independence, but I don’t see myself fully retiring,” he said. “Maybe I’ll just slow down.”

It’s a powerful reminder that when you love your work, you’re not rushing to escape it.

Helping Others Escape the 9-to-5

Now that Colin has found success, he’s helping others do the same. Through his website, newsletter, and Facebook group (The 9 to 5 Escape Project) he shares stories, strategies, and community for aspiring solopreneurs.

You can find all of that at colingraves.com.

Final Thoughts on Colin Graves and His Solopreneur Life

Colin Graves is proof that becoming a freelance writer can be both profitable and deeply fulfilling. More importantly, his story shows that it’s possible to design a life centered around what matters most—family, freedom, and meaningful work.

You don’t need to leap overnight. You just need to start. One blog post, one freelance client, one step at a time.

If you're ready to begin your own solopreneur journey and want some guidance along the way, I’d love to help. Schedule a free solopreneur coaching call with me and let’s design a one-person business that supports your life, not the other way around.

Carpe diem.

What do you think of the advice and story of Colin Graves? Are you considering a solopreneur life as a freelance writer?

Please let us know in the comments below.