I know a lot of you “hate” your day jobs. Trapped into something that drained your soul, and energy. Crushes your spirit every day and leaves you thinking about a life less ordinary.

You are tired of your day-to-day life and wondering if there is a way out to quit your job. If there’s a way to find a more fulfilling path.

Then I have a story for you that might be the inspiration you need today to start your journey towards financial freedom.

The story is about Pete Codes, the founder of No CS Degree. He turned his life around after deciding to quit his job what he called “the worst job imaginable.”

Pete’s story is not just about quitting a job; it’s about reinventing himself, building a thriving business, and proving that you don’t need a Computer Science (CS) degree to succeed in the tech world. Could Pete’s journey from “the worst job imaginable” to running multiple successful ventures inspire your own transformation? Let’s dive in and see how he did it.

When Enough is Enough, Quit Your Job – “Pete”

Pete wasn’t always an entrepreneur. Like many of us, he spent years navigating the corporate landscape, until he decided it was time to quit his job and finally follow a path that ignited his passion. Unfortunately, his reality was a far cry from the ideal. He cycled through a series of unfulfilling office jobs, each one draining his energy and enthusiasm.

Many of us can relate to the feeling of dissatisfaction with a job. According to a 2023 Gallup poll, a staggering 57% of American workers are either “disengaged” or “actively disengaged” from their jobs.  

For Pete, this dissatisfaction reached a boiling point when he found himself working at a bookie’s office.

Working as a bookie, every day feels like a battle for him. He had to face Rude customers, the constant threat of violence, and a sense of fear every day. For Pete Codes, this was reality. This wasn’t just a bad day, it was his everyday nightmare.

But as the saying goes, sometimes you need to hit rock bottom before you can push off and swim to the surface. One particularly harsh incident became the catalyst for change. Pete decided, with unyielding determination, that “enough is enough.”

Instead of sinking into despair, Pete took a bold step, walked away from his job, and turned his life around in ways most of us only dream of.

Quitting His Job: The Birth of No CS Degree

With only $5,000 in savings and a burning desire to quit his job for something more meaningful. In July 2019, he launched No CS Degree, a blog dedicated to self-taught developers. But this wasn’t just another tech blog—it was Pete’s lifeline, his ticket out of the betting shop and into a world of possibility.

The premise was simple: you don’t need a Computer Science degree to succeed in the tech world. Pete’s blog featured interviews with successful developers who had taken unconventional paths to tech jobs.

Starting a business is never easy, especially when you’re pivoting from a completely unrelated field. Pete faced numerous challenges:

1. Limited technical knowledge
2. No established network in the tech industry
3. Fierce competition in the oversaturated world of online content

But Pete had something that no amount of formal education could provide: the raw determination of someone who had seen the bottom and was ready to climb.

At first glance, the idea might have seemed niche, even too narrow. But Pete had stumbled upon a growing movement of individuals who were breaking away from traditional education paths and thriving in the world of software development. The timing was perfect, as more and more people were questioning the necessity of formal degrees for tech roles.

In no time, No CS Degree started to gain traction. The blog resonated with people who felt disillusioned by the belief that a CS degree was their only way into the tech industry. Pete had tapped into an underserved market, and soon, the blog became a go-to resource for aspiring developers.

But Pete didn’t stop there.

Diversifying Income Streams and Building an Empire

After quitting his job to focus on No CS Degree, Pete knew that relying on a single income stream wasn’t enough. Successful entrepreneurs often have multiple revenue sources, and Pete was no different. He quickly began to branch out, creating additional ventures that complemented his blog.

Here are some of the ways Pete diversified his business:

1. Ghostwriting Services: Pete leveraged his growing expertise to help businesses craft compelling social media posts and strategies. This not only provided a steady income but also sharpened his own marketing skills. Ghostwriting is often an overlooked service, but for businesses with the funds to pay for quality content, it’s a lucrative market. Pete discovered that targeting businesses rather than individual consumers allowed him to charge more, making ghostwriting one of his most profitable ventures.
2. Newsletters: Recognizing the power of direct communication, Pete launched newsletters sharing startup news and interviews with developers. Pete’s newsletters became a hit, offering valuable insights and practical advice. These became a vital touchpoint with his growing community.
3. Courses: Recognizing the need for hands-on advice, Pete started offering courses on how to grow newsletters and engage audiences. Online courses are a billion-dollar industry, and Pete’s expertise in building his brand made him the perfect candidate to teach others how to do the same.

With these ventures, Pete wasn’t just making a living—he was thriving. His various businesses brought in between $5,000 and $10,000 a month, a significant leap from his days at the bookie’s shop. But perhaps most importantly, Pete had found a way to build a business around his passion.

The Secrets Behind Pete’s Success

The Power of Personalized Cold Email

One of Pete’s most powerful tools in building his business was something many of us dread: cold outreach. But Pete didn’t just spam inboxes with generic pitches. He understood that the key to breaking through the noise was personalization.

Pete’s approach to cold emails was simple yet revolutionary:

1. Research the recipient thoroughly
2. Find a genuine point of connection
3. Craft a message that speaks directly to their needs or interests

“It’s like making a connection with a friend,” Pete explains. “You wouldn’t start a conversation with a friend by trying to sell them something. You’d ask about their life, their interests, their challenges.”

This human-centric approach yielded remarkable results. Businesses that might have ignored yet another sales pitch were intrigued by Pete’s genuine interest and tailored solutions.

Pro Tip: If you’re diving into cold emails, consider using tools like Instantly or Lemlist to help personalize your outreach. But remember, no tool can replace genuine human connection. Avoid the temptation to rely on AI-generated content—authenticity is your greatest asset.

Social Media Mastery: Sharing the Journey

While cold emails opened doors, social media became Pete’s stage. Social media also played a significant role in Pete’s success. He focused on a single platform—Twitter—where he shared his journey, successes, and failures. By being authentic and transparent about his experiences, Pete attracted a loyal following.

Through Twitter, Pete was able to build a community around his brand, further solidifying his status as an authority in the tech and entrepreneurship space. He didn’t just use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to broadcast his services—he shared his journey, his successes, and yes, even his failures.

Pete’s social media strategy was built on three pillars:

1. Authenticity: He shared real struggles and victories, not just polished highlights.
2. Value: Every post aimed to teach something, whether a coding tip or a business insight.
3. Consistency: Regular posting kept his audience engaged and his brand top-of-mind.

For those looking to build their own social media presence, Pete advises starting with one platform and mastering it before expanding. “It’s better to be excellent on one platform than mediocre on five,” he says.

The B2B Gold Mine: Selling to Those Who Can Pay

As Pete’s business grew, he made a crucial discovery: selling to businesses is often more lucrative than targeting individual consumers. This insight led him to focus more on services like ghostwriting for companies, which commanded higher rates than individual-focused offerings.

This shift in focus brought several advantages:

1. Higher profit margins
2. More stable, long-term client relationships
3. Opportunities for larger, more impactful projects

Lesson Learned: Sometimes, the key to increasing your income isn’t working harder—it’s working smarter by targeting clients with bigger budgets.

Building a Community: The Ultimate Win-Win-Win

Perhaps the most profound aspect of Pete’s success story is the community he built along the way. No CS Degree isn’t just a blog or a business—it’s a thriving ecosystem of self-taught developers, career changers, and tech enthusiasts.

Why is community so powerful?

1. Shared Learning: Members learn from each other’s experiences and mistakes.
2. Network Effect: As the community grows, so do opportunities for all members.
3. Emotional Support: Career transitions can be lonely—a community provides much-needed encouragement.

Pete’s advice for aspiring community builders is simple: “Focus on giving value. The more you help others, the more the community will grow and thrive.”

From Struggle to Success: Lessons for Your Journey

Pete’s transformation from a miserable bookie to a successful tech entrepreneur offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to make a career change or start a business:

1. Embrace Discomfort: Sometimes, hitting rock bottom is the motivation you need to make a change.
2. Start with What You Have: Pete began with just $5,000 and a lot of determination.
3. Diversify Your Income: Multiple streams provide stability and growth opportunities.
4. Personalize Your Outreach: Whether in emails or social media, genuine connections matter.
5. Target the Right Audience: Sometimes, shifting your focus to B2B can dramatically increase your earnings.
6. Build a Community: Creating value for others can lead to unexpected opportunities for yourself.

Your Turn: Quit Your Job & Start Today

As we wrap up Pete’s inspiring journey, it’s time to turn the spotlight on you. What’s holding you back from making your own career leap? Whether it’s fear, lack of knowledge, or simply not knowing where to start, remember that Pete faced all these challenges and more.

Here are some actionable steps you can take today to start your own success story:

1. Identify Your Passion: What skills or interests could you turn into a business?
2. Start Small: Begin a blog, newsletter, or social media account focused on your chosen field.
3. Learn Continuously: Take advantage of free online resources to build your skills.
4. Network Authentically: Reach out to others in your desired industry with genuine interest.
5. Embrace Failure: Remember, each setback is a lesson that brings you closer to success.

Final Thoughts: What’s Next for You?

Pete’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to quit your job and change your path. Whether you’re stuck in a job you hate or looking for a way to break into a new industry, there’s always a way forward. The key is to take that first step, just like Pete did when he quit his job and launched No CS Degree.

So, what’s stopping you? Could you be the next Pete Codes, transforming your passion into a thriving business? Start building your community, diversify your income streams, and most importantly, believe in your ability to create something meaningful.

So, what will your first step be? Will you start that blog you’ve been thinking about? Reach out to a potential mentor? Or maybe just spend an hour researching your passion?

Whatever you choose, know that you’re not alone. There’s a whole community of self-starters and career changers out there, ready to support you. And who knows? Maybe one day soon, it’ll be your success story inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Ready to start your journey? Check out No CS Degree for more inspiration and practical advice on breaking into tech without a traditional background. Your future self will thank you for taking that first brave step today.

Remember, in the words of Pete Codes himself, “The only way to fail is to never start.” So, what are you waiting for? Your success story begins now.

Inspired? Then more success stories are waiting for you to get more business ideas here.