A builder has told how he quit his day job because he knows earns more from his social media success posting TikTok videos online.
Nick Smith has racked up almost two million followers by sharing hilarious videos of him and his family.
The 33-year-old, shares clips of the family’s everyday lives from sweet personal moments, to sketches, and pranks in south east London.
“People like to see the wacky stuff we get up to”, he told MyLondon.
“We do a lot of pranks and silly content but also do a lot of anti-bullying. We don’t have one set thing, it’s just whatever we’re up to that day.”
Nick, who has ADHD, said during lockdown he found it very hard to keep focused, so was posting about 15 TikToks a day to keep him in a routine.
'Best year of our lives'
He claimed he now earns enough to step away from his building business to focus on social media full time - with their presence on Facebook alone paying more than he was earning through his building work.
“It’s more enjoyable to be at home with my family”, he said.
“So instead of having a bad year we’ve probably had the best year of our lives."
He added: “It kept me from having to think of new things to do with the kids during lockdown, and kept it solid at home.”
On the family TikTok account @thesmithyfamily, Nick regularly posts videos of himself along with his partner Jess Farthing, 30.
The couple have two daughters, Amelia, 6, and Isabella, 9, and have another child on the way in June.
Jess’ half-brother Jack, 16, is a regular feature in the family's videos, as is Nick’s son Ben, 13, who lives with the family some of the time.
Nick joined TikTok back in December 2019 after his daughter said he was 'too embarrassing' and told him he was not allowed to do TikToks with her anymore, so he started his own account.
Since then the account has grown massively and the family are now sharing their lives with 1.9 million followers.
“The kids love it”, Nick said, “it’s glued us as a family.
“Two years ago I was so deep in work and worried about trying to make sure everyone was alright, make sure money was coming in, and working seven days a week. And now I’m at home and we’ve bonded as a family again.
“It's done the world of good for us as a family.”
Nick also revealed that he is in the early stages of creating an 11,000 square ft 'content warehouse' where he, and eventually other creators, can film in.
He intends for the space to have a filmset-style house, a massive ball pit, ziplines and an electric go-kart track and by available for charity days.
Follow the family on TikTok: @thesmithyfamily and Facebook: @thesmithyfamily.
