In a Threads post, Maite Bates bluntly explained the reality she now faces. She wants a job at Target.
“No, not the creator program,” she wrote. “The store.”
The digital marketing expert and influencer revealed that she is in a place where her financial goals have made a side job necessary.
“I am willing to sacrifice a lot of my time in this season in order to reach those goals,” Bates explained.
For many, like Bates, a dream career can also be followed by a cloud of economic uncertainty. As the cost of living continues to rise, it’s not always easy to make ends meet. Earning extra, as Bates is attempting to do to pay off debt, is an even more difficult task.
“I have some debt to pay off, six months worth of living expenses to save, and a car I want to pay off.I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” Bates explained on Threads.
Post by @maitebatesView on Threads
A Decline in Opportunities
Bates has been a content creator and influencer for close to 13 years.
“However, it was about 2 years ago when I became a full-time content creator and earned well over six figures,” she told 21Ninety.
Despite her years of dedication and undeniable success, Bates found herself in a landscape that was shifting. The once-lucrative opportunities were growing scarce.
“With the wave of creators now emerging, brands are not willing to pay the higher rates and are going with smaller creators that are willing to accept lower pay,” she revealed.
Pride Aside for Side Jobs
Faced with mounting financial pressures and a growing sense of responsibility, she made the decision to take on extra work. It’s a decision that speaks volumes about Bates’ character—a willingness to set aside ego and embrace humility in pursuit of her goals.
“I do believe that pride and embarrassment can affect someone’s decision making when it comes to getting a job that isn’t paying a salary or has benefits because of what society has deemed to be a downgrade of a job,” she shared. I’ve come to a place in my adult life where I am no longer living for the applause of the spectators and viewers. My family comes first and I’ll do whatever I have to do in order to give my family the best future possible. “
She’s not alone. Women in the comments of her thread started opening up about their own decisions to take on side jobs either to make ends meet or to pay down debt.
“I just finished a 2 month bid at Dollar Tree. We do what we gotta do Sis!” one commenter wrote.
Another commenter shared her relief for finding Bates story.
“Im so grateful this thread found me. I am working three jobs to accomplish my goals. We going get it done,” she wrote.
As a mother of two toddlers, Bates understands the sacrifices required to secure a better future for her family, transcending societal expectations and redefining success on her own terms.