This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cara Torchia, a 25-year-old actor and UGC creator based in New York City. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
In four months, I went from earning nothing from freelance user-generated content (UGC) work to fully supporting myself, which allowed me to forgo traditional employment. I used to be a nanny for a family on the Upper East Side. I’m also a performer.
I was drawn to UGC for the flexibility and financial freedom it offered as I pursued a creative career, and I’ve since focused on building my business full-time.
I started making content in January and had my first…
