We see and share a lot of Internet marketing success stories because we need to learn by example and motivate ourselves to move further.
However today’s list is not just another one of that kind. The people featured today have much in common:
- They are 100% self-made independent entrepreneurs who have built their businesses from the ground;
- They never received any funding from outside: all they have earned is 100% theirs;
- They have never been taken over by larger corporations and their projects haven’t been bought by third parties: they have chosen to be independent and continue building their businesses on their own;
- Lastly, they are very successful and provided the three points above, that’s truly inspiring!
So who are they?
1. Kyle James
Site: Rather-Be-Shopping.com, coupon codes aggregator
Making money: Through affiliate marketing
Kyle is an online entrepreneur working on his site since 2000. Kyle has managed to grow the resource into the huge business that generates over 6 million a year in sales for the stores listed on my site. Rather-Be-Shopping.com has been mentioned on MSNBC.com, The Detroit Free Press, Washington Post Holiday Shopping Guide (2001), Reader’s Digest, and L.A. Daily News to name a few publications.
Secret of success: Providing high-quality useful content (While most owners of coupon code directories use affiliate data feeds and little to no original content, Kyle focuses on hand-picked deals and coupons and writes unique descriptions for each retailer he features on the site)
Best articles:
Interview: 10 Questions with Kyle of Rather Be Shopping and Search Engine Journal Interview of Kyle James, Owner of Rather Be Shopping.
2. Aibek Esengulov
Site: MakeUseOf.com, the daily blog sharing cool websites, software and Internet tips
Making money: Through blog ads
Aibek Esengulov has started MakeUseOf back in 2006 and developed into the huge resource with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, 114, 000 Facebook fans and over 22, 000 Twitter followers. Without any funding from outside, MUO has grown into the huge competitor of powerful blogs like Life Hacker and TechCrunch. MakeUseOf has been recommended by several mainstream sites and mentioned in hugely popular publications such as Telegraph, Fast Company, the Washington Post, and PC Magazine, including their Top 100 Websites for three consecutive years.
Secret of success: Persistence:
As an entrepreneur, I think the single most important lesson or the quality I would suggest to someone is persistence. For the first two years, I would work every day on MakeUseOf without seeing anything back in return. It was really easy back then to give up and start something else. I think persistence helped me here. I had a goal to make a popular website and stayed on it.
Best articles:
3. Onibalusi Bamidele
Site: YoungPrePro.com, Internet Marketing Advice from a 17-year-old kid
Making money: Providing services
Onibalusi Bamidele did an astounding journey from a poor Nigerian kid to a successful Internet Marketer. He started learning Internet Marketing in 2009 and is now one of the most successful bloggers online.
Secret of success: Trust in his own powers:
Yes. I am special. Not everybody has all the above traits and all the other traits that helped me become a successful blogger
Best posts:
Interview: Interview: Onibalusi Bamidele
4. Jill Smokler
Site: ScaryMommy.com, An honest look at motherhood
Making money: Through writing gigs
ScaryMommy.com averages over 500,000 page views monthly. It has been recognized with numerous blogging awards, including lucky number 13 on Babble’s “Best Mom Blogger” list. Her Scary Mommy Society provides a forum for other “scary mommies,” blogging newcomers, and smart people with something important to say to share their stories in a community setting.
Secret of success: Unique style: ScaryMommy features a unique style combining humor with in-depth insight. Definitely, Jill’s successful due to her writing talent.
Best posts:
Interview: Interview with a not-so-scary Scary Mommy
Note: For more fearless blogging mompreneurs check out and possible take part in the X Factor Awards by Home Loan Finder
5. Gary Arndt
Site: Everything-Everywhere.com, Around the world travel blog
Making money: Through sponsorships
Gary is special: he is successful without actually sacrificing anything. He lives a dream life of a travel blogger and enjoys his time while still being a solo entrepreneur. Gary Arndt launched his blog soon after he began traveling in 2007. Today, Everything-everywhere.com reaches hundreds of thousands readers a month! It was featured in Time Magazine, CNN and many other highly authoritative online publications.
Secret of success: Authenticity: Gary writes about what he experiences: he travels and blogs about what he sees.
Best articles:
Interview: An Interview With World Traveler Gary Arndt
Note: When it comes to traveling, here’s the list of more travel start-ups and entrepreneurs to follow (via Sell My Timeshare blog)
Any other self-made people that deserve the honorable mention here? I am sure there are many people we can feature here: let’s discuss!
Ann Smarty is a newbie self-built entrepreneur behind MyBlogGuest, the large, still independent community of guest bloggers. She have had a lot of choices in her life but decided to stay independent and follow her dream. Join MyBlogGuest to find awesome guest contributors for your blog or start guest blogging on your own!
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I am always looking for success stories like this to keep me motivated. Thanks for sharing!
Stacy would love you to read ..Keurig vs Tassimo Comparison
Twitter: apsbusiness
July 31, 2011 at 1:55 am
I’m inspired much by Onibalusi Bamidele and Aibek Esengulov. Because i am doing exactly what they are doing. Blogging and making money from blog ads (adsense and others).
Thanks for sharing this inspiring post.
Abhijit….
Abhijit would love you to read ..Right Keyword Selection Can Boost Up Your Website Ranking
Twitter: bestinstatenisl
July 27, 2011 at 4:04 am
Success stories will always inspire the little guy. This is the power of marketing we want what we do not have and so we chase. The results of that pursuit is even more marketing and commerce. I mean don’t get me worng all of these things are good for the country but it is how it goes.
Twitter: rfamat
July 20, 2011 at 3:03 am
I am inspired with these web entrepreneurs. I hope I will achieve their achievements too.
Twitter: sltey49
July 16, 2011 at 12:32 pm
All of these regular peoples’ stories are extremely inspiring and they prove anybody can be successful in the Internet business if they have the persistence and will to do it. I visit Onibalusi Bamidele’s blog for help with my Internet business and it’s always a treat for me.
SandraG would love you to read ..Job Application for Mcdonalds – Apply the Smart Way
Twitter: prohackingtrick
July 7, 2011 at 11:29 am
people thinks blogging is very easy. Not until they venture into it. Blogging is like another other offline business. it takes time to crawl with its belly, walk with its knee and hands, walk with its two legs, jug, run and then fly. And that is just the beginning, you now have to craft strategies to remain at the height you are or even keep going higher.
The hard work still continues, there is no time to relax.
Ifeanyi Emeka would love you to read ..Facebook Unveils Video Calling Powered by Skype
Twitter: y8zone
June 21, 2011 at 7:21 am
This is a very inspiring story for people who wants to start their own blogging career eventually raise to the top and earn a decent income…
I’m inspired with what Aibek Esengulov said about not getting anything in return within 2 years of hardwork. Most people actually think that online opportunities are very easy to start. What they don’t really know is if they want to be successful online, they need lots of hardwork and patience in order to succeed.
Adrian would love you to read ..DIY Chicken Shed Plans
Twitter: onlinemoneybuzz
June 17, 2011 at 1:26 pm
I have not heard of any of these people before but thanks for the share. It’s great to read these kinds of posts and see people that are doing well on their own.
Meka would love you to read ..10 Different Ways to Make Money From a Blog
Twitter: Shadowthemes
June 14, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Out of these 5 Web Entrepreneurs i have read only 1 person.Thanks for letting me know of others
[If you use the @ symbol instead of | between your name and keywords only your keywords will be linked. See How to Use KeywordLuv for details.]
TheShadow would love you to read ..Summer at Dusk theme for Nokia C3 and X2-01
This is an awesome list. Hopefully I’ll be on that list someday
Twitter: everywheretrip
June 14, 2011 at 6:58 am
Thank you for the mention, from the Yukon Territory of Canada!
I’m not sure I’m a success yet, but I’m working on it.
Gary Arndt would love you to read ..Daily Travel Photo – Lana’i- Hawai’i
Twitter: pc_prima
June 14, 2011 at 1:56 pm
Hi Gary!
I wanted to let you know how happy I am that I read this post and came across your blog; I’m really excited to have a closer look at some of your posts! I noticed you were recently in Istanbul? How did you like it? Of all of the places I’ve seen, it’s by far one of (if not my most) favorite!
-Petra
Petra would love you to read ..PC-Prima- Für Cyberkriminelle stehen jetzt härtere Strafen vor – http-owly-5hA8C
Twitter: myblogguest
June 19, 2011 at 2:21 am
Hey Gary, thanks for stopping by to comment!
asmarty would love you to read ..Searching Google… by Author!
Twitter: makemoney4web
June 13, 2011 at 4:10 am
Nice Post.
I am Inspired by these entrepreneurs especially bamidele onibalusi because he is a very blogger and successful at that.
Emmanuel Uduezue | How To Make Money Online would love you to read ..Hello world!
It shows you what can be achieved if you persevere, these people are an example to all of us!
ManieE would love you to read ..Traffic Tidal Wave – A Free Gift
It shows what can be done! Persevere….
ManieE would love you to read ..Traffic Tidal Wave – A Free Gift
Twitter: teeballbaseball
June 10, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Onibalus has a great blog that I learn something every post. Great picks overall.
It’s nice to have such examples to look up to. They remind me that it’s possible to get there if you work hard enough.
Thumbs up for Onibalusi Bamidele.
Antonia would love you to read ..The Power Of Conversational Hypnosis Review
All these people are successful with their personal efforts and are cause of learning and progress for us.
This is a great list and always nice to see actual faces of people who make it. I haven’t seen any of the bloggers previously mentioned but now I just have to check it out.
Jason Mitchev would love you to read ..Virginia Beach Dentist Choices Guide
Twitter: twitter.com/pczonenow
June 8, 2011 at 3:58 am
Interesting article and was surprise to see a comment coming from Aibek of Makeuseof.com, inspiring at least for new starters like myself. Thanks.
Charleston would love you to read ..iOS 5 a New Beginning with 200 New Features for iPhone- iPad and iPod
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