Kelly Rocklein’s journey from community college dropout to successful content creator proves that traditional education isn’t the only path to financial success. The 30-year-old Oregon entrepreneur now earns up to $20,000 monthly creating user-generated content (UGC) for brands, working just part-time hours.
Rocklein dropped out of community college in 2014 after realizing formal education wasn’t aligned with her passion for content creation. Raised in a single-parent household where money was tight, she worked three jobs during her senior year of high school to afford one semester. Instead of continuing, she gave herself one year to make content creation work.
From $25 to $175 Per Hour
Her gamble paid off spectacularly. Within eight months, Rocklein landed her first major contract worth $30,000 for a quarter’s work with Proctor Gallagher Institute. She started charging around $25 hourly but now commands $175 per hour, with rates dropping to $150 for clients committing to 10 weekly hours.
By 2022, Rocklein was earning six figures from her UGC side hustle while simultaneously making $160,000 in a corporate creative director role. She worked just 10-15 hours weekly on her business, serving three main clients plus occasional projects.
Building UGC Pro
Rocklein founded UGC Pro in 2022 when user-generated content exploded on TikTok. She noticed widespread misinformation about the field and created the platform to train aspiring creators and strategists. Her students include Gen X creators who’ve built six-figure businesses, with some earning six figures monthly through TikTok Shop.
Today, Rocklein focuses primarily on one lucrative contract while developing UGC Pro. Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: gain real-world experience, build a strong portfolio, and keep persisting despite obstacles.