About

Welcome to Freelance from Scratch: From Teaching to Thriving Online – a space where dreams meet determination and shiny objects become practical tools for success. This blog chronicles my journey from a teaching career to building a thriving online presence, with the ultimate dream of achieving financial freedom and helping others do the same.
Why I Created This Blog
The pursuit of becoming a millionaire is about more than money. It’s about growth, learning, and creating a life of purpose and abundance. Along the way, I encountered countless “shiny objects” – programs, courses, and strategies promising quick success. Rather than being overwhelmed, I decided to dive in, explore, and share the most valuable resources right here.
This blog exists to:
- Document the Journey: Share lessons learned, wins, and failures as I navigate the world of online entrepreneurship.
- Empower Beginners: Provide actionable insights, tools, and tips to help others get started and succeed in the digital space.
- Curate Resources: Highlight the best courses and strategies for blogging, affiliate marketing, and more.
What You’ll Find Here
At Freelance from Scratch, my focus is on helping others thrive online through:
- Blogging: Practical tips and strategies to grow your blog into a profitable venture.
- Affiliate Marketing: Insights into building passive income streams by promoting products you believe in.
- Digital Entrepreneurship: Exploring tools, courses, and systems to create sustainable online income.
- Personal Growth: Reflections on the mindset shifts and habits needed to achieve success.
Who This Blog is For
Whether you’re a teacher looking for a career change, a side hustler seeking financial independence, or someone ready to take their first steps into the online world, this blog is for you. My goal is to make the process of building an online business accessible and achievable for everyone.
Join the Journey
Freelance from Scratch is not just about my story – it’s about empowering others to create their own. Together, we can turn dreams into reality, one step at a time. Let’s embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories, and build something extraordinary in the digital space.
About Me

I’m Gemma
Hi there! I’m the creator of Freelance From Scratch — a platform dedicated to helping freelancers navigate the dynamic world of freelancing, whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your business. I wear a few hats: I’m a teacher, facilitator, blogger, entrepreneur, and a freelancer with over seven years of experience in the field.
Freelancing has been more than a career path for me; it’s a journey of self-discovery, growth, and freedom. Through Freelance From Scratch, I aim to share practical advice, personal stories, and insights that empower you to build a thriving freelance business from the ground up.
How It All Started
When I first started blogging — in June 2007 — I wasn’t focused on creating a business or building a community. In fact, my blog was a simple corner of the internet where I could share my personal stories, reflections, and thoughts. My first blog was called “From Glasses to Contacts to Back,” and in 2012, I changed its name to “World of Thoughts.” At the time, it was less about strategy and more about journaling — an outlet to process my experiences and put them into words.
Writing quickly became a therapeutic process.
As I documented my journey, challenges, and lessons learned, I noticed a pattern: other people resonated with my stories. So, I started another blog called Pinoy Teacher’s Stories, where I share my experiences and stories as a teacher in the US.
This blog became an outlet to connect with fellow educators and reflect on the unique challenges and joys of teaching abroad.
In 2017, we launched Teach-USA, an employment facilitation agency where we help international teachers teach in the US with J1 or H1B visas. Pinoy Teacher’s Stories was the perfect platform to share guides, tips, and educational content aimed at helping teachers on their journey to teaching in the US.
This was my “aha” moment. I realized that sharing my journey wasn’t just beneficial for me; it was helping others too. By the end of 2024, I decided to create another blog, Freelance From Scratch, as a resource for teachers who are in the same boat as me — a teacher, online marketer, blogger, and freelancer — who want to do more with their time. This blog is for those who aspire to inspire, motivate, and lead beyond the classroom setting.
With Freelance From Scratch, I created a place where I could teach, inspire, and connect.
I hope my musings on freelancing, personal growth, and navigating the highs and lows of self-employment strike a chord with others walking a similar path.
The Mission Behind Freelance From Scratch
At the core of Freelance From Scratch is a simple mission: to help you build a sustainable and fulfilling freelance business.
I believe in sharing real, honest, and practical insights that I’ve gained through my own experiences. Whether it’s overcoming self-doubt, finding clients, or managing your time effectively, I’m here to guide you through it.
Freelancing isn’t always easy, but with the right tools, mindset, and support, it can be one of the most rewarding career choices out there. My goal is to show you how to take those first steps (and the next ones) with confidence.
Thank you for being here, for reading my story, and for being part of this incredible community. I’m excited to continue learning, sharing, and growing together with you!
Let’s connect and create something amazing — from scratch.
Gemma
Founder of Freelance From Scratch