An entrepreneur who treats his wife to six holidays a year has opened up about the real price of success, including the personal sacrifices it demands.
Karl Hudson, a Newcastle native, attributes his achievements to a relentless work ethic.
Now pulling in seven figures annually from his investments and business ventures, including his personal website (www.karlhudson.co.uk), Karl enjoys a life of luxury, but it hasn’t come without challenges.
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The 33-year-old admits that his demanding work schedule has taken a toll on his relationship with his wife, Charlotte, also 33.
The couple, who still reside in Newcastle, often struggle to find balance as Karl finds it difficult to disconnect from work.
His days sometimes stretch to 18 hours, and his laptop is always by his side, even on their delayed honeymoon.
Karl, who grew up in council housing in a tough neighborhood, believes that success in business requires unwavering dedication.
“My non-stop working definitely causes issues and leads to arguments,” Karl said, who tied the knot earlier this summer.
“But my wife understands that this is the price we pay for the lifestyle we enjoy now.
“This year alone, we’ve gone on six holidays, exploring destinations like Thailand, Poland, Vietnam, Spain, and the Philippines.
“Yet, the work never stops. If I need to hop on the laptop while we’re away, I’ll do it. The money earned during that time means the next holiday will be even better.
“My work provides us with a life of luxury, and Charlotte certainly appreciates the benefits.
“I don’t plan on changing.”
Karl and Charlotte have been together for eight years, but he’s not just her husband — he’s also her boss.
Charlotte works as a content manager at one of his companies, Searcharoo (https://searcharoo.com), which focuses on backlink building.
The pair live in a £350,000 house with their two Yorkshire Terriers and are currently enjoying a four-week honeymoon in Australia and Bali, following their July wedding.
While Karl reinvests most of his income back into his ventures, he occasionally treats himself to a few luxuries.
His latest splurge? A £35,000 Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
Meanwhile, Charlotte drives a £55,000 BMW X5, a gift from her husband.
This lavish lifestyle is a far cry from Karl’s humble beginnings.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Karl said, “Growing up in a rough neighborhood in a council house has kept me grounded.
Despite our circumstances, my childhood was great, and my interest in SEO actually began in that house.”
He explained that his journey into the world of SEO started at the age of 14 when his father, who worked as a life coach, needed help building a website. Being a tech-savvy teen and a gaming enthusiast, Karl took on the challenge.
“Back then, it was a lot of trial and error, mostly error, but it was the perfect way to learn,” he added.
So how did Karl transform those early experiments into a thriving business?
“When I started, you didn’t need much financial backing. I launched my first website from my parents’ bedroom,” he explained.
Over the years, Karl has been involved in numerous businesses, helping investors improve their website rankings. Searcharoo, which launched in 2018, has been a key part of his success.
“SEO has changed a lot since I began. You could once get away with spamming, and things would rank easily,”
Karl said. “The biggest challenge now is keeping up with Google’s algorithm changes and figuring out what works, as they don’t give you the answers. Networking, testing, and sharing ideas with others has been crucial to staying ahead.”
A significant part of Karl’s success, he believes, is his refusal to quit, even when faced with challenges. It’s a mindset he feels the younger generation struggles to adopt.
“I’ve had days where I’ve worked 18 hours straight, but it doesn’t bother me. I can’t switch off because I genuinely love what I do.
“I’m not the type to show off my wealth, though — I’m actually quite reserved. But I’ve learned that the more effort you put in, the more you get out.
“Sadly, technology has made things too easy, and I think today’s generation lacks that same drive. Gen Z expects everything to be handed to them, but life doesn’t work like that. You only get back what you put in.
“Most young guys wouldn’t even consider working during a holiday. But if they want a lifestyle like mine, they’ll have to accept that it’s part of the hustle.”
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