Bravo!

[GlamorousDrinks]

Wow! Thank you so much @JenMilam Jen! Good luck to you also in all your endeavors!! I really appreacitae you taking the time to read my story and cheer me on! I'm here as your cheerleader too! Let's get all the business we can this year!

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@JenMilam wrote:
@GlamorousDrinksJaNae, that was not boring at all! I could read stories like yours all day long!
So excited for what you have created and all of the ambition you still have to create even more success. Keep pushing yourself and you won’t ever be disappointed ;0).
Congrats on all of your success!!

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[vaughn]

I was working at a big retailer and on my way to climbing across the corporate ladder, but even when I succeeded at my job, I never once felt fulfilled. I’d come home often and realized playing music was the only thing that kept me happy and learning kept me on a constant path for growth. While I was in college, I had the idea of becoming a guitar instructor when I friend of mine commented on my teaching skills during a calculus tutorial session. I never once acknowledged teaching as a skill because I always viewed it from a lens of authority vs subordinate (perhaps a victim of our not so perfect public school system like some of y’all). Regardless, I took what was said to heart and realized I needed to change many things in order to be at peace. I left my corporate job with not much in savings and worked 2 jobs through other digital apps while I built my roster through thumbtack. When I started 4 years ago, I had 3 students during my first two months. Today I am teaching anywhere from 48 to 60 per week while managing talented employees. It was incredibly difficult to convince my parents I wanted a music career when A.) they’re not a native to the country I was born in
B.) they’ve sacrificed everything they could to be here

But we all make sacrifices. They too needed to understand that in order for me to be the man I want to become, they had to let me take the measured risks. Never forget where you came from, but don’t lose sight of the big picture either! It’s all about today and right now because that’s how bright futures are cultivated.

[DustiO]

@vaughn I love your story so much. Having met you in person - it is obvious you were born to teach. Thanks for sharing!

[Steve_Fanning]

First I congratulate all of you for becoming a Top Pro! I know how much dedication and perseverance it took for you to be where you are. I also know those attributes alone are not enough. You have to be good, really good, at your work.

My wife Cecily and I sold everything and moved from Texas to Hawaii in 2014. I brought my 36 year reputation as a professional photographer and video producer with me but soon learned it was basically worthless. Saying you're a photographer in Hawaii was like saying you're an actor in LA. At age 55 I was starting over.

To be very brief, in the past 4 years I nearly died from a bicycle accident and had my 4th back surgery last April. My wife had DBS brain surgery 10 months ago due to her inherited Cervical Dystonia and is on long term disability. (Like the joke says, "Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?:)

Sometimes you just have to laugh but seriously, God has brought us through as more than conquerers and we are eternally grateful. And Thumbtack, thank you for being there for me! For a long time the work you brought my way, I mean, literally put food on our table. You were and are the platform, the pulpit, and the spotlight that helps reveal to my community the gifts and talents I have to offer.

Like many of you, the road less traveled really has made all the difference. There are many words we live by. One is a quote by me I wrote in my book "Who is Clay?"

"It is better to fail at the extraordinary than to succeed at the ordinary because the extraordinary at it's worst is better than the ordinary at it's best." - Stephen Fanning

Thank you again and if you're ever on Oahu in Hawaii say hello. For a "Hawaii fix" some of my landscape photography is on my Instagram @4u2chawaii.

God bless, Steve

[DustiO]

@Steve_Fanning What an amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing. It's so incredible to hear what people have overcome to find success. You truly are an inspiration.

[Steve_Fanning]

First I congratulate all of you for becoming a Top Pro! I know how much dedication and perseverance it took for you to be where you are. I also know those attributes alone are not enough. You have to be good, really good, at your work.

My wife Cecily and I sold everything and moved from Texas to Hawaii in 2014. I brought my 36 year reputation as a professional photographer and video producer with me but soon learned it was basically worthless. Saying you're a photographer in Hawaii was like saying you're an actor in LA. At age 55 I was starting over.

To be very brief, in the past 4 years I nearly died from a bicycle accident and had my 4th back surgery last April. My wife had DBS brain surgery 10 months ago due to her inherited Cervical Dystonia and is on long term disability. (Like the joke says, "Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?:)

Sometimes you just have to laugh but seriously, God has brought us through as more than conquerers and we are eternally grateful. And Thumbtack, thank you for being there for me! For a long time the work you brought my way, I mean, literally put food on our table. You were and are the platform, the pulpit, and the spotlight that helps reveal to my community the gifts and talents I have to offer.

Like many of you, the road less traveled really has made all the difference. There are many words we live by. One is a quote by me I wrote in my book "Who is Clay?"

"It is better to fail at the extraordinary than to succeed at the ordinary because the extraordinary at it's worst is better than the ordinary at it's best." - Stephen Fanning

Thank you again and if you're ever on Oahu in Hawaii say hello. For a "Hawaii fix" some of my landscape photography is on my Instagram at 4u2chawaii.

God bless, Steve

[SweetKreations]

I actually started out making cakes as a hobby, which I would donate to charitable events, children's homes and church events. Individuals attending these events would always ask me for my business card. When I told them that I do not have a business, that this is a hobby and donation, they would always encourage me to make it a business and a career.  

My passion for baking started at the early age of 6 years old when I made my first cake, standing on a little step-stool in the kitchen with my Mom.  I can still remember, it was an orange flavored cake.  It was wonky and wobbly but I felt like a 'Pro' 🙂  

I found Thumbtack while searching the internet for advertising options for my business.  I'm currently a home-based business and my goal is to have my storefront within the next year.  Yes, I live and breath cake everyday and that's all I want to do  🙂  

Thansk Thumbtack!

[DustiO]

@SweetKreations a fellow cake maker! I love it. It does take a great deal of passion. And I'm so inspired by the way you got your start. I look forward to seeing how your business unfolds!

Dusti

[SweetKreations]

I need some guidance on Instant Match.  This is a my second time trying it and it seems again that I am receiving less leads using IM.  What am I doing wrong?

[DustiO]

Hi @SweetKreations if you'd like to direct message me the email address that you use for your Thumbtack account, I'd be happy to look in to it for you!

Otherwise, I would just suggest really diving in to your settings and making sure you have everything set up the way you want it.