2 Years In (Almost): The Highs and Lows of Building Simply Sound Advice

When I launched Simply Sound Advice in March 2023, it wasn’t about chasing clicks or trends—it was about building something real. I wanted to create a space where people could find trusted, practical advice rooted in experience, not manipulation or hype. I didn’t have a blueprint or a big budget, but I had a vision: to carve out a corner of the internet that values authenticity and meaningful connection.

Two years later, the journey has been both humbling and transformative. Along the way, I’ve celebrated milestones, faced moments of doubt, and learned more about myself and this work than I ever imagined. This is the story of Simply Sound Advice: its highs, its lows, and what keeps me moving forward.

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Why I Started Simply Sound Advice

When I began this project, the first thing I had to decide was the name. It wasn’t just a branding exercise—it was about distilling my purpose. I didn’t want to be boxed into a single niche. Personal development is expansive, touching on every aspect of life: our health, our finances, our relationships, and our habits. I wanted to explore it all.

That’s how I landed on Simply Sound Advice. It captures exactly what I wanted to provide: advice that’s simple, trustworthy, and actionable. From the beginning, I knew I didn’t want to follow the status quo of online creators. No clickbait. No empty promises. Just honest guidance built on the foundation of my experiences.

But it wasn’t just about the name—it was about my values. I believe you shouldn’t write about something unless you truly understand it. My work is rooted in what I’ve lived:

• Healthcare: My CNA certifications and years processing health insurance claims give me a deep understanding of wellness and navigating healthcare systems.
• Finance: My time in the credit card industry taught me the importance of financial literacy and smart money management.
• Volunteering: From the Salvation Army to Alzheimer’s clinics, my volunteer work shaped my empathy and commitment to helping others.
• Family: As a husband and father, I’ve navigated the ups and downs of relationships, parenting, and personal growth firsthand.

I started Simply Sound Advice because I wanted to share what I know in a way that could genuinely make a difference.

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The Journey of a Million ‘Aha’ Moments

Building this site has been a constant learning curve. My ADHD often makes me act before I plan, which can be messy, but it’s also what keeps me moving. I don’t sit around waiting for the perfect strategy—I dive in and figure things out along the way.

The journey hasn’t been defined by one big breakthrough. Instead, it’s been a series of small victories. Like the first time I saw my traffic hit 1,000 monthly visitors. Or when a reader emailed me to say my advice helped them through a difficult decision.

These moments are the fuel that keeps me going, reminding me that Simply Sound Advice is more than a website—it’s a space for connection, clarity, and growth.

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Why I Believe the Internet Is Broken

Let’s face it: the internet is rigged. It’s designed to reward the loudest voices and the biggest budgets, not the most meaningful content. Search engines prioritize billion-dollar corporations. Algorithms push clickbait that overpromises and underdelivers. Funnels exploit people’s pain points, turning audiences into dollar signs.

As a small creator, I’ve felt this imbalance every day. Competing in this environment feels like shouting into a void while giants dominate the conversation. But that’s exactly why I started Simply Sound Advice. I wanted to create an alternative—a space that prioritizes trust over tactics and real solutions over empty hype. It’s not the fastest path to growth, but it’s the one that aligns with my values.

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The Highs: Milestones That Keep Me Going

While the journey has been challenging, there have been incredible moments that remind me why I started:

1. Reaching 1,000 Monthly Visitors

For months, I stared at my analytics, watching traffic trickle in painfully slowly. Hitting 1,000 monthly visitors was more than just a number—it was validation that people were finding value in my work.

2. Building Real Connections

The first time a reader emailed me, I felt something shift. They told me how an article I’d written helped them navigate a tough week. That message reminded me that the work I’m doing matters, even if it’s only for one person at a time.

3. Creating Tangible Tools

From calculators to eBooks, I’ve built tools that help people take actionable steps toward personal growth. These aren’t just ideas—they’re resources designed to make change possible.

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The Lows: Moments of Doubt

Of course, it hasn’t all been easy. There have been moments when I wondered if I could keep going.

When SEO Felt Impossible

Early on, I spent hours trying to figure out backlinks, keywords, and meta descriptions. It felt like I was stumbling in the dark. But over time, I realized that SEO isn’t about perfection—it’s about understanding what your audience needs and creating content that delivers it.

The Emotional Toll of Doing It Alone

As a solo website owner, I’ve had to juggle every role—writer, designer, marketer, coder. Some days, the workload felt insurmountable. I remember one night when a coding error crashed my site. I stayed up until 3 a.m. fixing it, all the while questioning if I was wasting my time. But the next morning, I received a comment from a reader saying, “This was exactly what I needed to hear today.” That moment pulled me back from the brink.

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Lessons I’ve Learned

1. Dream Big, Act Daily Progress isn’t about leaps—it’s about small, consistent steps. Show up every day, even when it feels like nothing is working.
2. Write What You Know Stick to your lived experiences. Your authenticity will resonate far more than chasing trends.
3. Focus on Connection It’s not about reaching millions—it’s about making a real difference for the people who do find your work.
4. The Process Matters The growth isn’t just in your analytics—it’s in the skills you develop and the person you become along the way.

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A Quiet Invitation to Join the Journey

If Simply Sound Advice has resonated with you—if it’s offered clarity, encouragement, or even just a moment of reflection—I’d love for you to be part of this journey.

You can support this mission in simple ways:

• Subscribe to stay connected and receive more tools and stories.
• Donate to help keep this space alive. Every contribution—big or small—helps sustain this work.

Thank you for being here. Together, we can create something meaningful in a noisy, crowded world.

Related Content:

• Why the Internet Is Broken: How We Can Fix It Together
• Rebuilding the Internet: Empowering Users and Creators for a Fair Digital Future
• Support Simply Sound Advice: Every Contribution Makes a Difference
• Discover the Best Free Tools on SimplySoundAdvice.com
• How Much Money I Actually Make from Simply Sound Advice (and Why It’s Not the Point)
• Why I Chose to Go Against the Grain with Simply Sound Advice