Pete Codes Quit His Job: Earns $10K/Month with NO Experience!
Hello Tribe!
Welcome to another exciting edition of Moneymint! We're more than just a newsletter—we're a community of go-getters, dreamers, and doers.
Today, let’s see how Pete Codes, who wasn’t even interested in business, built No CS Degree from scratch after quitting his boring job.
Pete expanded into newsletters, job board templates, services, and courses as part of his ghostwriting work, earning $5,000-10,000 a month.
Get ready—this could give you an idea for your next big opportunity!
Leaving the Job for Good
Pete never had any interest in building a business, but in his 30s, when he was unhappy with his job, he decided to become an entrepreneur.
He said, "I had a string of 9-to-5 jobs that were very repetitive. I wasn't developing professionally or learning new things."
He recalled his worst and last job experience was in 2019, when he was working at a bookie.
Pete said, "It was just the worst job imaginable. Aggressive customers, rude staff, drunk people passing out, people smoking crack cocaine in the toilets."
He left this job when a customer threatened his boss.
The Liberation of Having Nothing to Lose
Most people would be terrified of leaving a steady job. But Pete saw it differently.
"I didn't have anything to lose. In a way, that was liberating."
Not earning a six-digit salary actually made his decision easier. No golden handcuffs meant total freedom.
2019: Building No CS Degree
In July 2019, Pete took the leap. With only $5,000 in the bank, he set an ambitious target: make at least $1,000 per month within six months.
Pete's approach was simple but effective:
Create a Ghost blogging account
Start No CS Degree website
Focus on consistent content
The Breakthrough Moment
By the third month, something unexpected happened. A founder sponsored his newsletter for several months - helping him hit his income target.
But Pete wasn't content with just one project. He believed focusing on a single business could get boring.
2021: Expansion Year
In July 2021, he took his No CS Degree platform to new heights with a YouTube channel and podcast.
While connecting with people and expanding his network was a huge win, Pete quickly learned that these ventures were tougher to manage than his blog.
That same month, Pete unveiled Remote Companies and High Signal.
His strategy? Enter competitive markets where demand is already buzzing—no need to worry about finding customers!
High Signal: A community for serious entrepreneurs who’ve proven their revenue potential.
Pete saw a gap in the market, with many online communities feeling either spammy or shallow. For just $39 a month, High Signal offers real connections with inspiring folks like Andrew Kamphey, Amar Ghose, and Lachlan Kirkwood.
Remote Companies: After seven months of tweaking and fine-tuning, Pete finally perfected this project, designed to make finding remote work opportunities easier.
2022: Ghostwriting Focus
The Ghostwriting Chapter Begins
By March 2022, Pete pivoted again, diving into Twitter ghostwriting for companies and founders. Here’s how he helps them shine:
Writes tweets and threads that grab attention.
Engages with accounts to boost visibility.
Provides strategic advice on gaining more followers.
Come July 2022, Pete decided to focus even more on his ghostwriting work, bringing his creativity and expertise to social media every day.
2023: Reaching $10,000 Monthly Revenue
In 2023, Pete rebranded his founder community as Indie Friends and paused new member entries in May. By July, he finally crossed the $10K monthly revenue mark!
He kept expanding High Signal with fresh interviews, continued Twitter ghostwriting for founders, and ramped up interviews on YouTube.
2024: Launch of the Job Board
In early 2024, Pete decided to focus primarily on ghostwriting, while still working on No CS Degree and High Signal. By June 2024, he launched a no-code job board template on Webflow.
Takeaway
You don't need a massive war chest or a perfect plan to start. Sometimes, all you need is the courage to begin.
Choose one strategy, test it out, and see what works for you. Pete's journey proves that entrepreneurship is less about perfection and more about persistent iteration.
Key Business:
Pete had built multiple sources of income:
Twitter and LinkedIn Ghostwriting Service: Founders pay Pete to create and execute a tailored social media strategy, where he ghostwrites content that boosts their online presence.
No CS Degree Newsletter: Pete shares inspiring interviews with self-taught and boot camp-trained developers, alongside a dedicated job board for tech roles.
Newsletter Courses: Video courses where Pete teaches how he built and monetized his newsletters.
Speedy Job Board: A Webflow template that allows users to quickly set up their own job boards
In the words of Pete, balance needs to be maintained because running multiple businesses simultaneously and pushing yourself too hard is not smart.
Where Does the Income Come From?
Pete’s main income source is ghostwriting, followed by newsletter ads and sales from his job board template. He initially got into ghostwriting after spotting a social media assistant job ad on Indie Hackers, which he took as a way to stabilize income and reduce risk for his other ventures.
Reflecting on this move, Pete shared, "I was inspired by a post on Indie Hackers that said most indie hackers earn less than $2K/month and recommended reducing financial risk with a job or contracting."
Though ghostwriting started as a short-term plan, it turned out to be more profitable than his other products. Pete notes, "That’s the great thing about entering a crowded market—competition is validation."
Key Strategies Pete Used for Growth
Cold Emails and Social Media
Pete relies on cold emails and social media to connect with clients and customers. Here are his tips:
Cold Email Tips
Personalize each email to avoid spam filters and make a real connection.
Keep emails short and focused on the recipient's needs, not a list of your achievements.
Write “you-centered” emails that address the recipient's problems and how you can help.
Pete’s advice:
"You don't need to list everything you've ever done. No one cares that you came 3rd on Product Hunt or that you have a bronze swimming certificate for the 200m."
Social Media Tips
Pete grew his following by sharing his journey and insights openly, which helped boost his High Signal newsletter and attracted new clients, including through Twitter.
Build in public to create transparency and trust.
Share valuable content—Pete’s top-performing posts focus on success tips and business advice.
Key Takeaways
Embrace Flexibility: Be ready to pivot and explore unexpected opportunities
Build in Public: Share your journey authentically
Validate Through Competition: A crowded market can be a positive signal
Diversify Income Streams: Don't rely on a single revenue source
Haven’t Created Anything Yet? No Problem!
It’s never too late to start, and you don’t need to be an expert to make an impact on social media.
The most powerful growth strategy is authenticity. Sure, expertise helps, but simply sharing your learning journey or cool things you discover can be just as valuable.
Yes, it works!
Even sharing a funny meme can help you grow. It’s all about experimenting to find what clicks with your audience. Just keep it genuine—make sure it feels like you.
Golden Tip: Focus on just one social media platform at a time. Hook readers with an attention-grabbing first line, or they’ll scroll right past!
Find the Money: Know Your Customers
Focus on selling to people who have money—especially businesses. As Pete says, "Whenever I've sold to businesses, it's generally gone well. Whenever I've sold to consumers, it's generally gone badly."
Pete's hard-earned wisdom: Sell to businesses, not consumers.
Ghostwriting at $1,000 > E-book at $5
Pete’s insight? It’s easier to sell a $1,000 ghostwriting service than a $5 e-book.
And watch out for clients with unrealistic expectations (big red flag!). If you spot them, it’s best to run!
Your entrepreneurial journey begins with one authentic step. Don't wait for perfection—start now.
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Thank you for reading. See you next time.