Joel Young is a 40-year-old from Cincinnati, Ohio, who has transformed his passion for storytelling into a thriving business.
As a professional voice actor and the founder of JumpStart Video, he has created over 15,000 animated explainer videos in the last 12 years.
Today, his company brings in between $750,000 and $1 million each year, proving that a simple idea can truly flourish into a successful enterprise.
How it all started
Just over six years ago, Joel Young found himself in a tough spot that many American families know all too well: he was struggling with significant debt and juggling an unpredictable job while trying to support his young kids.
As a pastor, Joel's income was inconsistent, and his family was constantly on the move, relocating for each new church assignment. He and his wife Jenna often brainstormed ways to tackle the $50,000 they owed from credit cards, car loans, and medical bills.
One day, after hiring a voice-over actor for a church project on Fiverr for just $10, an idea struck him: why not try doing voice-overs himself? It seemed like a great plan. In a quick chat with Jenna, he realized, “I already have all the gear I need!” He had a spare microphone from a band he used to be in and a MacBook — basically all the tools required to get started.
Fast forward 18 months, and Joel had not only paid off the family’s debt but also made over $1.5 million on Fiverr since selling his first service in February 2013.
“To be honest, it’s kind of snuck up on me,” he admits about reaching that million-dollar milestone.
“Treat your gig like a real business,” he says. “If people are paying for your skills, that’s important!” his approach helped him manage his business alone for about five years. As demand increased, he eventually hired a personal assistant to help with the growing workload.
From side hustle to full-time hustle
Initially, Joel Young was uncertain whether his side gig would take off.
With a knack for public speaking and a reputation as “the kid that was always talking growing up,” he still had no experience in voice work. “But I had zero experience in voice work, so I thought, who knows if this will even work?” he recalls.
He thought he might earn an extra $40 or $50 a month by charging $5 for services like reading scripts for commercials or narrating audiobooks. To his surprise, the first month brought in $400!
After paying off their debt, a new idea sparked: What if this could be his main gig? “We kind of set some preliminary goals where we said, ‘Well, if we can get the monthly income to do this, maybe we could start thinking about moving on to this as a full-time job,’” Young says.
But the road to full-time success wasn’t easy. He worked on his Fiverr services after his day job, often staying up until 1 or 2 a.m. As demand grew, he expanded into animated explainer videos, responding to clients who wanted visual content alongside his voice work. “I learned on the job, basically,” he shares. He started with low rates until he honed his skills.
Within six months of setting his goals, Joel was close to matching his pastor’s income. “We made a plan, we made sure it was smart, we saved up a little emergency fund, and eventually when those paychecks kind of equaled each other, we decided we were close enough to make the jump,” he says. In 2015, he left his full-time job and embraced his side hustle as a full-time career.
Today, Joel’s Fiverr profile showcases a range of voice-over services, including a “radio quality” voice-over priced at $5 for every 50 words, with a minimum order of $30. For video projects, his rates range from $350 to $750 for 30 to 90 seconds, and he often takes on assignments that reach into the thousands. The average customer spends over $500, and he typically produces more than 50 videos each month. He’s worked with major companies like Comcast, Lowe’s, Home Depot, State Farm, and even the U.S. Navy, along with various colleges and universities.
Effective marketing strategies
Joel’s marketing strategy has been smart and resourceful. Initially, he relied on the organic reach of Fiverr. By carefully optimizing his sales pages and delivering outstanding customer service, he amassed a treasure trove of positive reviews. “Because I’ve maintained good reviews over the years and have increased the quality of my services, the marketplace brings the clients to me [through] algorithms they’ve developed to connect quality buyers and quality sellers,” he explains, highlighting the importance of reputation.
As his business expanded, Joel created his own website and explored paid advertising through Google AdWords and social media. However, he quickly found that the return on investment wasn’t always worth it. Interestingly, most of his new clients come through referrals — an organic result of his commitment to quality work. “When clients see the videos we create, they often ask, ‘Who made that?’” he shares, emphasizing how visual work naturally attracts attention.
Thanks to his high standards and excellent service, Joel has built a loyal customer base, with 40-50% of his clients returning for more projects. This loyalty stems from the consistent quality he delivers, ensuring that satisfied clients keep coming back.
You need to treat selling on Fiverr as a real business because it is one. It’s a way for you to earn money, and people are paying for your services. No matter how much it is, if you can show someone the value of what you offer — whether it’s your artistic skills, talents, or time — then it matters. Always keep that in mind. Check out this video where Joel Young shares his top tips for making money on Fiverr!
A simple and profitable business model
JumpStart Video operates on a simple business model: selling individual videos. Joel charges $300 for every 30 seconds of video, covering everything from scriptwriting to voiceovers and animation. This clear pricing structure makes it easy for clients to understand exactly what they’re paying for and why it’s valuable.
Looking to the future, Joel plans to strengthen relationships with long-term partners who need regular video content. By cultivating these connections, he hopes to create a steady flow of work that will continue to sustain and grow his business.
Today, JumpStart Video’s revenue falls between $750,000 and $1 million, with expenses typically around 20-30%. Joel has maintained a small team of 3-5 people, keeping monthly expenses between $10,000 and $20,000. This lean operation allows him to focus on creativity while ensuring that the business remains profitable.
Valuable tips
Joel Young has valuable lessons for aspiring online entrepreneurs. One of the most important? Don’t underestimate your skills.
He talks about the “curse of knowledge,” where you might think everyone knows what you know. “I thought talking into a microphone was easy — who would pay for that?” he says. But the reality is, many people need those skills.
To discover your own valuable abilities, ask friends or coworkers what they think you excel at. This can reveal opportunities for income.
Adaptability is also key. “The skills I’m learning today weren’t even on my radar five years ago,” Joel explains. With resources like YouTube and Google, there’s nothing you can’t learn. “If you don’t master the skill of teaching yourself new things, you’ll be left behind.”
Even if you feel unprepared, don’t let that stop you. “In the early days, my work wasn’t perfect, but I was still providing value,” he notes. Starting somewhere is better than waiting for the perfect moment.
Finally, stay aware of market trends and listen to your customers. Joel’s success with explainer videos came from responding to client needs.
“I believe in making things happen for yourself,” he says, hoping to inspire his kids with the same entrepreneurial spirit. “We’ve enjoyed a great life because of my business.”
Conclusion
If you want to learn more about Joel’s work and see the animated videos he produces, check out JumpStartVideo.net for a look at his portfolio. You can also visit JoelYoung.me for his voiceover services. Joel’s story isn’t just about achieving financial success; it’s about the joy of creating, the thrill of innovation, and the fulfillment that comes from building a thriving business from a simple idea. By recognizing the value of his skills and responding to market needs, he transformed a side hustle into a multi-million dollar business. Joel’s story encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace their talents, stay open to learning, and take that crucial first step toward their own dreams. With determination and the right mindset, anyone can turn their hustle into a rewarding full-time career.
