I quit corporate and turned my side hustle into a 6-figure dream career — here's how

• Jason Nelson, a musician in Hoboken, earns $175,000 a year by performing at weddings and events.
• Nelson transitioned from email marketing to full-time entertainment in October 2020.
• He leverages social media for bookings and plays high-profile events and destination weddings.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jason Nelson, a 29-year-old musician and entertainer in Hoboken, New Jersey. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I'm a saxophonist, pianist, and business owner with a marketing degree and a certificate in recording arts. I earn around $175,000 a year in revenue playing events. I don't pay a manager, but I have limited business expenses related to gear, marketing, and transportation.