1. Today I used some of my Steem earnings to file for state paperwork 'Ember Creative LLC', thanks to you guys!

I have been writing up a storm the past few weeks and have earned a good little chunk, on top of coins I have purchased I guess you could say I had an itch to put some of this hard earned crypto to a good use, and what better thing to fund with my earnings, than file for my new business license?! I was driving home thinking; hmm I really need to file these paperwork so I can open a bank account for it (total ew, I know...) but have been putting it off due to the cost being a little over $300, well it just so happens the website I was going to use to file the paperwork to avoid the 3 hour drive to the state capital had sent me $20, so it seemed like it was yet another sign to get this taken care of; the only question left was how do I pay for it?

Then I realized I had been earning all week on Steemit from my posts the week before and had plenty to cover the few hundred dollars in fees to get this taken care of. So I guess you could say Steem saved the day, per usual.

Boom Done. Business paperwork filed. One more stress off my shoulders, thanks guys!

2. I have been a Web Designer/Marketer for a little over 12 years, and am finally starting my own Design, Development & Marketing business!

Remember back in high school when they asked you what you wanted to every Tuesday at 9:00am? We'll it just so happens that I always knew I wanted to work under myself, for myself, on projects I chose to work on... mainly due to the nature of ADHD this environment is ideal for me, which I came to realize later in life. I have been learning things online since I was 14 years old and have been self teaching everything from Web Design & Graphic Design to Search Engine Optimization, Marketing, Social Media Management and so on, knowing that one day I would need to have all of these skills to effectively run a business, and while I most likely could have done this much sooner in my life, now seems like a better time than any.

Well, a little over 2 months ago I quit my day job for a hybrid career of Ember Creative, Crypto & Cannabis Consulting... and it's been the best, most profitable, and easy going 2 months of my life. I have had all the clients a new business could ever ask for, my bills are no longer an issue for me, and I have the free time in my life to do what I want, when I want, as long as I get it done. I already need to hire employees, which is yet another learning curve coming my way...

3. Steem & Crypto currencies opened up the possibility to not worry about my day to day finances and 'hourly jobs' and just go for broke and start a business, mostly Steem honestly... and a bit of good timing on PIVX and others.

I have lived most of my life from pay check to pay check, even while I was a kid that is the life I knew. My parents were always able to provide us with the essentials and make sure we got to school healthy, safe and happy, but we were by no means in the middle class for most of my later years until I moved out and even after that I was always shackled by crappy hourly jobs at places such as Mervyn's, Target, The Tux Shop, Office Depot and so on until I landed my first career job as a web designer at 19 working for a company managing car dealership websites. But even then, I always knew I wanted to one day be the guy who had the balls to start his own business and see it through to success, and while it may have taken me longer than I had hoped to get where I am today, I would say I'm doing pretty good for myself, only time will tell though.

I've gotta be honest, without crypto currency, without Steem I would most likely still be working a job 9-5 every single day and hating it. Sure I may make a decent paycheck with my career choice but the creativity is gone, the passion is gone & most of all, the reason I got into my career seems to take a back seat to pushing out mid tier work for maximum price, Steem is much more than a social media platform, Steem is a freedom platform. I'm proof!

4. My lesson learned here? Never stop trying or growing, because one day it all starts to become clear and all the hard work really starts to feel like its paying off. 

I've always sort of been the type of guy to expect quick results and get frustrated when things don't go my way right off the bat, simply because I feel I put so much effort into things and try my very best to ensure all the details are covered, I's dotted, T's crossed, but yet sometimes no matter how prepared I am things just have a way of being difficult, but thats life. As long as you can focus on the goal at hand long enough, you will eventually accomplish it, only when you quit or give up does failure become a reality.

Which brings us to Steem: Blog, Comment & Vote everyday, even if you make just .05 today, $10 this entire week or even $50 in a month, growth over time is what really counts. The more consistent you can be, the longer, the more followers you will accumulate and the more wealth you will build over time.  

A Big Thanks to everyone who has ever upvoted, shared or resteemed me! You are part of the reason I am now a self employed business owner! Wish me luck!

//Did you see my other posts from this week?

Post 420:Why Steemit should have a Cannabis focused step child, a YUGE opportunity awaits the right team! 

https://steemit.com/cannabis/@decentralizd/why-steemit-should-have-a-cannabis-focused-step-child-a-yuge-opportunity-awaits-the-right-team-ooh-post-420

Should I (or you) go to Steemfest 2017? (November 1st-5th - Lisbon, Portugal) The answer is yes.

https://steemit.com/steemfest/@decentralizd/should-i-or-you-go-to-steemfest-2017-november-1st-5th-lisbon-portugal-the-answer-is-yes

Don't forget to follow, upvote and re-steem!