Everybody online is promising you’ll replace your income in 30 days. Here’s what actually happened when I started UGC two weeks before my second baby was born — and what it really takes to land that first paycheck and keep going.
Related blog article → How Long Does UGC Really Take? My Honest Timeline from Zero to First Paycheck
Timestamps
00:00 Starting out in UGC
05:01 Starting with network marketing
07:32 Preparing for a big business shift
11:05 Transitioning from network marketing to UGC
13:43 Starting out and key lessons
19:06 Starting your UGC journey
19:53 Wrapping up and staying connected
The Reality Nobody Talks About: There’s No Perfect Time
I Started UGC the Week of My Due Date
When I started UGC, I was two weeks away from having my second baby — and planning a home birth. My baby was a week late, so I was literally ticking down to a 42-week deadline while boxes of UGC products were showing up at my door. The same day I gave birth at home, boxes were arriving on our doorstep. The security camera footage was something else.
I share that not for a “go, Maren” moment — but because there is no perfect time to start. There’s always going to be something going on. The longer you wait, the longer you put off making money. And in today’s economy, waiting isn’t helping your situation.
Getting Reps In (Imperfect Ones Count)
In those early postpartum weeks — newborn, toddler, all the things — I kept creating content. It wasn’t perfect. But I was practicing, testing, and figuring out what brands actually wanted. You’re not going to get better by waiting. You get better by doing.
“You’re not going to get better by waiting. You just get better by doing. And that’s where a lot of people really get stuck.”
My First UGC Paycheck (And Why $15 Meant Everything)
Context: I Came From a $1M+ Network Marketing Business
Before UGC, I was in the top 0.01% of my network marketing company — with over a million dollars accrued in my first business center and weeks where I was making $5,000–$6,000. So when my first UGC job paid me $15 for a photo, you might think that was humbling.
I looked at it differently. That $15 proved the model worked. Brands actually pay people to hold a supplement and take a picture — and I can do this. Once you have that proof, everything shifts.
Moving Fast Without a Perfect Plan
Within a month of giving birth, I created my first UGC course — completely on a whim, run through Telegram, no email funnel, no big launch. I knew that Beachbody was going to close its doors and there would be a flood of people who needed a sustainable income path that didn’t involve recruiting. I moved quickly because it mattered, not because it was perfect.
“What actually made the difference wasn’t luck. It was clarity in my messaging, consistency, and speed.”
The 3 Things That Actually Moved the Needle
1. Clarity in Messaging
Brands knew exactly what I offered. I applied for jobs that were in line with who I am as a person, which made building a portfolio straightforward. No guessing about who I was.
2. Consistency
Even when life was chaotic — newborn, postpartum, toddler — I kept showing up. I was creating content, talking about it in my stories, and making sure brands saw someone they could rely on.
3. Speed and Reliability
I responded quickly, delivered quickly, and made it easy to work with me. The creators who get rehired are the ones who are reliable, full stop. That reputation compounds over time.
Why UGC Works for Anyone (Yes, Really)
If You Can Operate Your Phone, You Can Do UGC
This is the honest difference between UGC and network marketing: if you know how to use your phone, take a picture, and make a video — you can do UGC. My boomer parents help me film content. My 4-year-old has been in my videos. There’s no recruiting requirement, no downline to manage, and no skill ceiling that shuts people out.
Now, are there editing tools to learn? Yes. Is ChatGPT helpful for prompts? Absolutely. But the barrier to entry is genuinely low.
Former Network Marketers Have a Head Start
If you spent years in network marketing creating content — even content that didn’t always convert — you already have reps. You know the apps, the hooks, the trending sounds. That experience translates directly. It’s a big part of why I found early success. I had almost 11 years of content creation behind me when I started.
“Your first UGC paycheck is a lot closer than you think. Stay in it.”
What My Students Are Seeing
I’ve had hundreds of students go through my program. One of them — a former Beachbody coach who had real trauma from network marketing and later went through major health complications — recently sent me a message. She said: “Still working with that one brand in Australia. I often think of you — thank you, Maren, for introducing me to this. Honestly, it’s so easy. And to think of what I had to do in Beachbody to make the same money makes me want to cry, vomit, or punch someone.”
That is why I teach this. And her experience isn’t unique. The common thread with every student who gets results? They started. And they didn’t stop.
In network marketing, I had maybe a quarter of my personally-sponsored coaches find real success. With my UGC students, that percentage is close to 100%. It’s repeatable — and that’s the difference.
Action Steps
- Start now, not when it’s perfect. The reps you need only come from doing the work.
- Get clear on your messaging so brands know exactly what you offer and who you are.
- Show up consistently — brands rehire reliable creators, every single time.
- Get in front of brands sooner. Waiting won’t get you paid. Action does.
- If you want a step-by-step path, check out the UGC course linked in the show notes.
Bottom Line: Your timeline might look different than mine — and that’s okay. What matters is that you’re showing up, improving, and learning what works. Your first paycheck is closer than you think.
