Notes from Chris

Episode 1156

Ten years ago Brian Sonia-Wallace was living in a medieval Scottish village researching eco-conscious living. A year later he graduated and moved back to a United States in economic turmoil. This was right after the Global Financial Crisis and there were no jobs in the eco-space which was just a fledgling industry at the time.

He took a job fundraising for a local non-profit—but it didn’t last long. He was laid off and spent the next six months looking for work, with limited success. Eventually, he turned to a contract job in grant writing to make ends meet.

In an effort to improve his well being and afford to pay rent elsewhere, he began frequenting poetry slams at night. A poetry slam is a spoken word competition where poets perform for a live audience. He found listening to the stories helped him feel less alone during his time of isolation.

In fact, Brian enjoyed them so much that, being somewhat of a writer himself, decided to undertake a challenge: to figure out a way to pay his rent for an entire month using only his poetry skills.

Although his situation was dire, he wasn’t hoping to set the world on fire. He was just determined not to be beat, so he took to the street.

He bought himself an old typewriter for twenty dollars, drove to a busy intersection and sat down with a sign that read “Give me a topic, I’ll write you a poem. Pay me what you think it’s worth.”

Brian was well aware he looked like a total weirdo just sitting out there, typewriter at the ready. But as they say, every movement needs a leader and at least one follower … and Brian soon had his first disciple. A woman with a buzz cut walked up to him and said “I don’t have any money.” Brian responded with “That’s OK” and offered to write for free—and something amazing happened. She started opening up, telling him the story of her father, a truck driver who was always on the road, working to provide for his family.

Brian clanked away at his old typewriter, starting with the woman’s name and the words, ‘For You.’ Soon enough he’d produced a one of a kind poem. As he read it out loud, she began to cry. She then rushed off to an ATM and paid Brian for the poem he was happy to do for free. He used the money to buy a burrito.

The moment he knew this concept could be taken beyond the street was during a poetry session at Venice Beach near Los Angeles. A big, burly realtor came up to him, gave him his number and invited Brian to be the ‘writer in residence’ at their upcoming corporate party.

A week later, he was sitting next to the bar at a swanky party typing poems for the staff and their guests. After that night, Brian’s future looked bright.

He met the challenge, successfully paid his rent for the month, and kept at it after that. The poetry side hustle was going to be his main project.

He began receiving referrals and was hired by everyone from Google to Macy’s, Mall of America to Amtrak, and even the National Parks Service. From time to time, he’d pick up some media coverage through one of these events and that led to more referrals.

At times he’s felt like throwing in the towel and moving on. But then a unique opportunity comes along that keeps him engaged. That happened recently when he was approached by a publisher for a book deal. “The Poetry of Strangers: What I Learned Traveling America with a Typewriter” will be available in the summer of 2020.

It began with a struggle, it seemed impossible … but RentPoet.com is now unstoppable!

 

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  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Learn more about Brian and his business, RentPoet.com.

SEE ALSO:

• Managerial Accountant Earns $1,000/Month Hosting Poetry Slams: The road to riches may not be paved with poetry, but this Dubai accountant earns a healthy side income teaching workshops and producing performances.
• Freelance Writer Starts School To Help Writers Start Side Hustles: After answering the same questions over and over, this freelance writer opens an online school to help others break into the business.
• Writing Duo Makes a Vow To Improve Wedding Speeches: Two freelance writers use their wit with words to write wedding vows for tongue-tied brides, grooms, and sometimes even the best man.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

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