From $50 To Six Figures: The Rise Of Carter Osborne's College Application Consulting

Carter Osborne's side hustle, which centers around assisting high school seniors in crafting their college application essays, has yielded him substantial financial rewards and highlighted the potential of specialized expertise in today's gig economy.

Genesis of the Venture

As reported by CNBC, Osborne's journey into this niche began in 2017 during his master's studies in public administration at the University of Washington. Drawing from his educational background and personal experience seeking guidance for his Stanford University application, he felt poised to mentor others. Capitalizing on his network, he contacted his former consultant, who introduced him to three clients.

Exponential Growth

From its inception, Osborne's endeavor saw remarkable growth. In 2021, he mentored 40 students, amassing an impressive $113,550. To strike a balance between work and personal life, he trimmed his client list the subsequent year, yet managed to earn $77,120, surpassing his full-time public relations salary.

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Minimal Investment, Maximum Returns

With a modest initial outlay of roughly $50, Osborne's primary expenditures were subscriptions to platforms such as QuickBooks, Squarespace and Zoom. His clientele expanded purely via word-of-mouth, negating marketing costs. Despite the lucrative returns, the endeavor demands significant time, especially during peak college application periods.

More Than Mere Editing

Osborne's role transcends mere essay editing. He immerses himself in understanding the students' backgrounds, goals and talents. Serving as a brainstorming partner, he aids students in conceptualizing their essays. A notable instance involved a student's enthusiasm for fantasy football. Osborne adeptly transformed this into a compelling narrative about skill acquisition, aiding the student in securing a spot at his dream institution.

Maintaining Equilibrium

While the side gig has been fruitful, it's also emotionally demanding. Osborne often finds himself available during unconventional hours, providing support during the stressful application phase.

Recognizing potential burnout, he recently scaled back, especially after a promotion in his primary job and a home purchase.

Osborne's narrative underscores the potential of side gigs, but he emphasizes equilibrium.

“I think a lot of people that have side hustles embrace the struggle,” says Osborne. “I don’t want to glorify that. It’s just that sometimes, you got to do it ... If I’m up until midnight on a call with a student and the outcome is it helps them, that makes it worthwhile,” he adds.

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This story is part of a series of features on the subject of success, Benzinga Inspire.

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