Faceless Nick makes 1 Million a year!

4 min read

I came across the story of Nick Buzz, a designer who went from being an immigrant to earning over $1 million a year while remaining completely anonymous. His journey began in India, where his family did not initially support his decision to pursue design. Like many others in similar circumstances, Nick faced opposition from his father, who believed design would not provide financial security. Against this backdrop, Nick left India at just 17, determined to prove himself. He felt he had to prove to his father and himself that he could make a living out of design.

Nick's journey was not easy. With no specific plans upon arriving in Canada, he found himself in a new country without a clear path. While many would have doubted themselves at this point, Nick remained focused. He initially participated in hundreds of logo design contests, working tirelessly to establish himself. Despite these efforts, it took six months before he finally won his first contest. This moment, earning around $200, marked the beginning of his freelance design career.

After this small win, Nick continued working, sharpening his skills and eventually securing a few freelance clients. By the time he was attending university, he had landed a major client, enabling him to earn a substantial income, around $80,000 to $90,000 per year. Yet, this success came with personal costs. Nick worked long hours, often up to 20 hours a day, with little time for social activities or a personal life. Despite the financial progress, he still struggled to balance his work, personal life, and long-term goals.

Nick's journey then took an unexpected turn when he secured an internship at Facebook. This marked a significant step in his career, as it provided him with both financial stability and recognition in the design world. However, despite the prestige, Nick soon realized that the corporate environment at Facebook did not align with his creative aspirations. He felt restricted and yearned for more freedom. Encouraged by his wife, Nick made the bold decision to leave his job at Facebook to pursue his own business ventures, despite having only two months of savings and a baby on the way.

Nick's next move was to Twitter, where he began sharing his design work while remaining anonymous. This allowed him to maintain his personal privacy and focus on his creative projects without the pressure of public recognition. Through a combination of roasting design posts and offering design services, Nick slowly built an audience and a business model that allowed him to thrive financially. His approach attracted clients, leading to the launch of a design subscription service, which eventually generated significant recurring revenue.

In just a few months, Nick and his partner scaled their business to over $100,000 in monthly revenue. They hired additional freelancers, expanded their operations, and finally reached a level of financial security that allowed Nick to solve problems simply by "throwing money at them," as he described. The success of his design agency enabled him to achieve the work-life balance he had always sought.

Looking back, Nick's father apologized for doubting him, acknowledging the success Nick had achieved in a field he once dismissed. Despite the early opposition, Nick remained focused on his passion, and his story is now one of perseverance, dedication, and entrepreneurial success.