Seth Carrington, Founder of Survey Plug, Finding Prosperity Through Surveys
On this episode of the Very Necessary Decisions podcast, Seth Carrington, the founder of Survey Plug, sits down with Jerlisa “Juju” Fontaine, to discuss how he went from working as a city government employee to building a full-time online business teaching people how to make money through paid surveys and market research. His story is not just about financial success but also about overcoming obstacles, recognizing untapped opportunities, and creating an impact by helping others.
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From Government Job to Entrepreneurship
Before launching his business, Seth worked as a government employee in procurement, handling contracts and business dealings for vendors and suppliers. While the job was stable and provided financial security, he wasn’t passionate about it. Like many, he viewed his job as a means to an end, covering bills but lacking long-term fulfillment.
His transition into entrepreneurship wasn’t planned. Instead, his business journey began out of necessity and curiosity. His story is relatable because many entrepreneurs don’t come from a background where entrepreneurship was modeled or encouraged.
The Turning Point
In 2022, Seth was involved in a car accident that left him out of work for six months. During this time, he needed extra income but couldn’t work a traditional job. He turned to paid surveys, something he had casually done in college but had never considered as a primary source of income.
To his surprise, he made $2,500 in three months just from taking surveys. His experience showed him that this could be a viable income stream. The paid market research space is lucrative because it provides an option for anyone to make more money in less time. All well-known brands such as Nike or Adidas participate in market research by tapping into the market they are selling to. By gathering knowledge on how to sell a product or improve the sales of a product they are able to generate profits.
When tax season came, he received a 1099 tax form on his earnings, which made him realize that he had made enough money for it to be considered taxable income. That realization solidified the legitimacy of survey income, prompting him to explore ways to teach others how to maximize their earnings.
Building Survey Plug
Seth had a conversation with a business coach who challenged him to turn his experience into a business. The coach gave him a simple 30-day challenge:
- Get an LLC.
- Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number).
- Open a business bank account.
- Set up a payment system (Stripe or Square).
After setting up his systems, Seth tried to figure out how to get his first paying clients. Without a website, marketing budget, or prior experience selling, he turned to social media. He made a simple Instagram story post stating that he was going to teach people how to make money from paid surveys. He scheduled a free Zoom call, in which he walked 40 people through a presentation on how they can make money in this space.
Scaling Up: Building a Legitimate Business
Seeing the growing demand, Seth took a three-month break to professionalize his business. He built a website, set up email automation, and created a structured course instead of manual onboarding.
On March 24, 2023, he officially launched Survey Plug as an online platform. Since then, he has worked with over 250 students, helping them earn additional income through surveys.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Seth recommends not to overthink and start your business. Entrepreneurship is a journey that involves constant learning. He states that 95% of businesses help people or help solve a problem. His own journey is packed with valuable lessons for anyone looking to start a business. He saw a unique opportunity to teach others how to make money from surveys. Here are his key insights:
1. Identify a Skill You Can Teach in Your Sleep
Everyone has something they’re naturally good at. If it’s a skill that has helped you make money, there’s a market of people who would pay to learn it. Seth had years of experience casually doing surveys and turned that into a profitable business.
2. Get the Basics in Place First
Many people overthink starting a business. Seth kept it simple:
- He got an LLC, EIN, and bank account before doing anything else.
- He didn’t waste time building a perfect website. Instead, he used free tools like Instagram and Zoom to attract customers first.
3. Use Social Media as a Business Tool
Before launching Survey Plug, Seth mostly used Instagram for entertainment. His business coach challenged him to talk about his business the same way he shared funny videos. That simple mindset shift made all the difference.
If you’re active on social media, start using it to promote your skills, knowledge, or services.
4. Build Trust Before Selling
Many of Seth’s first customers were friends and acquaintances who already trusted him. He provided real proof (screenshots of his survey earnings) and explained the process in a clear, relatable way.
If you educate and provide value first, selling becomes much easier.
5. Expect Challenges, But Keep Moving Forward
Seth’s first major sales pitch ended when Zoom capped his call at 40 minutes. He explains he turned the situation around by reaching out to all 40 participants and apologizing for the mishap. He still made $1,500 overnight from that call. Instead of panicking, he adjusted and found a solution.
Entrepreneurship isn’t always easy, and income can fluctuate. But if you keep showing up and solving problems, you will grow.
The Impact of Survey Plug
Beyond making money, Seth is helping others do the same. His students have used their survey income to:
- Pay off debt.
- Fund businesses.
- Cover unexpected expenses (like emergency flights).
One of his most inspiring stories is from a pregnant student who needed extra income but couldn’t work a traditional job. Using what she learned from Survey Plug, she made nearly $8,000 in a year, which helped pay for baby-related expenses.
Final Thoughts
Seth Carrington’s journey from city employee to full-time entrepreneur proves that you don’t need to be a serial entrepreneur to start a business. If you have valuable knowledge and a willingness to share it, you can build a profitable venture.
His story is a blueprint for anyone transitioning from a job to self-employment. Whether through surveys or another monetizable skill, success starts with taking action.
Ready to generate an additional stream(s) of income? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay updated when the next episode is posted here.
Check out Seth Carrington’s work here:
Instagram: instagram.com/thesurveyplug
Website: https://thesurveyplug.com/
Norhan Ahmed
Norhan Ahmed is an Egyptian American multi-passionate writer, poet, speaker, community builder, and entrepreneur. She is originally from Brooklyn, NY. She has worked in the HR industry for the past couple of years and has now switched her career to copywriting/content writing. She enjoys writing for women-owned brands and businesses that are focused on spirituality. In her coaching practice, she helps clients heal physical and emotional pain by addressing the mind-body connection. She does this by using psycho-spiritual tools and methods to heal chronic ailments from the inside out. These tools realign your mind and body to achieve overall mental and physical wellness by getting to the root of these issues. When she is not online trying to beat the algorithm, she’s binge-watching Gossip Girl (again) or reading a book.
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