Kevin O'Connell
My 2021 Goal: Mental Health - My Story of ...

Because the last several months have been some of the most difficult for me. I truly would describe it as surviving instead of thriving.

My main goal for 2021 isn’t to train for some brand new Ironman race or achieve some lofty professional or financial goal. While I have set some fitness and financial goals for myself, they are the top of the priority list.

To get it out there in the open my main goal and top priority next to being a husband and father: my mental health.

Right before the holidays I was officially diagnosed with depression with a side of anxiety and mounting, overwhelming life stressors.

Just how bad was it?

My 2021 Goal: Mental Health - My Story of Depression and Anxiety 
Kevin O'Connell, small business, Entrepreneurship, life advice
Kevin O'Connell
Goodbye 2020: My Year of Changes, Transitions, ...

As we take time to reflect on this past year, with all its ups and downs, we want to thank you for continuing to support us and for showing up for your community. Because of you, we were able to fund our first ever scholarship program, and we awarded four Black Creative Students scholarships to students from all over the country. This year, we were also able to publish 26 new blog posts, had 10,400 page views, added and featured 4 new contributing editors, hired and on-boarded a super creative new social media, Greer Blount, and offered our first writing internship to Maggie Barbour who created and published 10 posts in less than 12 weeks.

It's been an eventful year for out team, and to close it all off, TNM founder Kevin O'Connell is sharing his thoughts on 2020, dealing with change and transitions as a new dad and entrepreneur, and finding new approaches for 2021. Keep reading for Kevin’s end-of-the-year message!

Goodbye 2020: My Year of Changes, Transitions, and Identity
Entrepreneurship, Jaylene Perez, Kevin O'Connell, Maggie Barbour, small business, career advice
Maggie Barbour
Best Tools and Resources for New Freelancers

Working freelance may sound glamorous at first, but those who've been doing it for a while know it takes hard work. Getting your business off the ground isn't easy and sometimes it means juggling various projects all at once, but it also has it's benefits - I mean you are your own boss after all!


This week, writing intern Maggie Barbour asks The Niche Movement's Editor-in-Chief Jaylene Perez and founder Kevin O'Connell, both of whom have experience in freelancing, what it really takes to make it work.

Read on for Jaylene and Kevin's best practices when it comes to finding clients, marketing your services, settings rates, and more!

Best Tools and Resources for New Freelancers
career advice, Maggie Barbour, Kevin O'Connell
Maggie Barbour
Top Skills Every Creative Needs

For all those in pursuit of professional development, this week we're taking a look at which skills you'll want to brush up on depending on your specific industry. Whether you're a freelancer, marketer, entrepreneur, or work in another creative role, you'll want to read up on what will make you and your work really shine.

Tap below for the full post!

Top Skills Every Creative Needs
Maggie Barbour, Greer Blount
Maggie Barbour
How to Job Search During a Pandemic

Job searching is a tough task on its own, and job searching during a pandemic... well we know it's not easy. You'll have to be flexible, know how to network and market yourself, and really hone in on what it is your looking for as you search for the right fit.

To find out what can help you land your dream job, keep reading!

How to Job Search During a Pandemic

Kevin O'Connell

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Networking 101: How to Build Your Network Online

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Networking 101: How to Build Your Network Online

Whether you love it or hate it, networking is a necessary step when it comes to boosting your career. And just because most things are virtual right now, doesn't mean that networking is off the table!

This week writing intern Maggie Barbour and TNM founder Kevin O'Connell discuss the ways you can build our network online, how to take make the most of virtual events, and how to master the art of the cold call (or cold message in this case).

Keep reading if you want to learn how to stand out and make meaningful connections that can propel your career forward!

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How to Start (And Grow) a Side Hustle

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How to Start (And Grow) a Side Hustle

A side hustle is a great way to take your interests, passions, or hobbies to the next level -- and make some extra cash on the side, of course. Maybe a side hustle for you means starting an Etsy shop, a blog or podcast, or even an internship or volunteer experience.

The skies the limit, and eventually your side hustle can become your own full-time business or at the very least an awesome resume builder. It's the perfect way to showcase your skills while doing something you love!

This week, writing intern Maggie Barbour shares the best way to start and grow your side hustle.

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Is Grad School Really Worth It?

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Is Grad School Really Worth It?

According to Sacramento State University's economics professor David Lang, college applications are expected to rise as more and more students and recent graduates grapple with the uncertainties brought on by the current pandemic.

It's not an uncommon trend to go back to school during an economic downturn, but how do you know if it's really the right choice for you?

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What Does It Take to Become an Entrepreneur?

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What Does It Take to Become an Entrepreneur?

This year, TNM founder Kevin O'Connell is celebrating six years of taking a leap of faith to build his own business. In honor of that, our writing intern Maggie Barbour sat down (virtually, of course) with Kevin to find out what made him want to start something on his own, as well as what it takes to make a business work.

As Kevin talks through his journey from starting as an intrapreneur in college to becoming a multi-passionate entrepreneur, he offers plenty of advice for anyone else interested in pursuing their passion and building a business or side hustle from the ground up.