Do you make a full time living off SEO?
Yes and no. I started selling SEO services but then I found the perfect business model for me: finding companies who were already making money but, with an in-house SEO, they could make a lot more. So, I founded my first company with a great guy, mi first mentor. He had a company in that niche and was making a very good living out of it. Good cars, good apartments (the plural is not a misstake) and long vacations. I created this whole portal from scratch (not literally me, I hired a designer and a programmer). He putt all the money, cause I have already shown him how good I was.
The company took 1 year to start making money but, today, I almost don't do any work. I have this "symbolic" USD400 salary and all the budget I want for SEO (but, with a VA, some fiverrs and two providers from here, It's pretty cheap). I dedicate 1 day of my week to the company.
Every time we split revenues, I get good amount. So that's my passive income and all I need to live well. So I can concentrate in other stuff. So, I think we can say "yes, it's from SEO".
I founded my SEO company to start selling services to businesses. Soon I realized that was a good business if you sell to BIG companies, who are ready to spend a lot if the results are great (and they are). I'm living in a country where competition is low, so I'm one of the best around here. AND, I'm a really good seller. The key to this is networking, networking, networking. That and being good at what you do.
Now, I'll create my first startup. That's what I really want to do. Nothing SEO-related. I wake up every morning thinking about it. And I love it.