From burnout to breakthrough With HighLevel certification

Success in the HighLevel ecosystem doesn’t always happen overnight. For many, the path is filled with ups, downs and plenty of lessons learned along the way. But what matters most isn’t how many times you stumble, it’s how you get back up.

Just ask Certified Admin Jonathan Schoenberg. His journey proves that persistence, paired with the right foundation, can turn frustration into breakthrough opportunities.

Chasing the dream and hitting roadblocks

Jonathan’s HighLevel journey began back in 2021 when he left his corporate job to chase the dream of building his own SaaS. The allure of recurring revenue was strong, but what he didn’t anticipate were the recurring costs that came with it.

For three years, Jonathan chased every path he could find.

He built custom AI chatbots using HighLevel and ZappyChat. He launched cold email campaigns, tested Facebook ads and even started a YouTube channel teaching automation.

Each idea sparked hope… and then fizzled.

Leads came in, but not enough to keep the lights on.

Eventually, the savings dried up. Jonathan packed his things, moved back in with family and started to wonder if the dream was over… or if he just hadn’t found the right door yet.

Finding a turning point in certification

Then came the low point… and the spark.

Scrolling through community posts one night, Jonathan noticed something different about the Certified Admins. They weren’t just using HighLevel, they were mastering it.

He took the leap. And then failed his first exam.

Most people would’ve stopped there. Jonathan didn’t.

He regrouped, studied harder and came back determined to prove he belonged. That decision, not the certification itself, was the real turning point.

“Honestly, that was the turning point,” Jonathan says. “Certification gave me credibility, confidence and an actual way to earn by helping others with the skills I had built.”

Passing the certification didn’t just validate his skills; it opened the door to real, paying opportunities.

Turning certification into opportunity

Almost immediately after getting certified, Jonathan began landing projects through the Certified Admin Directory. At first, they were smaller jobs like nurture campaigns, pipeline setups and basic automations. But soon, bigger opportunities started coming in.

Within two months, Jonathan was able to quit his part-time job and go full-time as a Certified Admin.

The real breakthrough? Landing a large agency client who needed a custom ZappyChat AI bot rolled out across 30+ sub-accounts. That relationship grew into a monthly retainer worth tens of thousands , enough to completely transform his business and lifestyle.

Jonathan’s advice for future admins

Jonathan’s story is one of persistence. His advice to anyone considering certification or going visible in the Directory?

“Stop stopping. Don’t switch lanes every time things get hard. Stick it out, take on projects you know you can deliver and be upfront if you’re unsure. Overdeliver for your clients, ask for reviews and build momentum. The certification gives you the skills and credibility, the Directory gives you visibility, but it’s your persistence that turns that into success.”

Why this matters now

Jonathan’s story is a mirror of what’s possible for anyone in the HighLevel ecosystem.

The Certified Admin Program isn’t about a badge or a test. It’s about turning skill into opportunity and community into momentum.

That’s why these stories matter: they remind every builder, every dreamer, that it’s not too late to turn your burnout into a breakthrough.

And there’s no better place to see this in action than LevelUp 2025, happening this October in Dallas. With 1,000+ like-minded entrepreneurs, agencies, freelancers and Certified Admins in one place, the opportunities are endless:

• Panels and breakout sessions with real-world strategies

• An exclusive Certified Admin networking event

• Party nights like Bingo Loco and Gala Night for unforgettable connections

If you want to see what’s possible, Jonathan’s journey is proof: the right foundation + persistence + community can change everything.

Hire, connect or discover… All in one place

Whether you’re looking to hire a Certified Admin to scale your team, connect with an expert for a project or simply find the right partner to guide your growth, the Certified Admin Directory is the place to start.

Browse the Certified Admin Directory