Illustrator Martha Williams set out to build a freelance business that would give her opportunities to explore and experiment with her work.
We talk about how she’s made that happen, including how she’s changed her personality to become more organised, learned to set boundaries and protect her own time and work, and got her head around the finance side of being freelance.
Read MoreHow do you put a label on someone who does so much?
From sports journalist to working in marketing for companies like Google and HubSpot, Jay is now a freelance show maker, creating video and audio for brands. He’s also an author, podcaster, blogger, and keynote speaker.
But the most interesting thing about Jay? Despite how it may seem from the outside, he doesn’t have it all figured out. Hear him open up about a recent confidence crisis, and find out how he overcame it with support form his newly appointed “Manager of Awesome.”
Read MoreNottingham-based designer Caitlin freelances around a full-time job. While it helps her put money aside for a rainy day, this goes beyond boosting her income. Once a finalist in IPSE’s Freelancer of the Year awards and now the designer behind a clothing range that promotes mental well-being, she’s doing her bit to make a positive change.
Hear Caitlin open up about her own mental health story and how it’s driven her to do work that makes a difference.
Read MoreWhen it comes to freelance life, Chris has done it three ways. From working out of a bedroom in his parent’s home straight out of college, to building a name for himself and making it big in London. Chris is now settled in Somerset, where he manages his third business alongside being a stay-at-home dad of two.
Chris isn’t just designing games. He’s designing a work life that fits his family.
Read MoreFrom learning HTML from a friend when he should have been in economics class, to building his own successful web development business, Jason Resnick’s been on a big journey over the past two decades.
Having reached his life goal of being around to see his kid’s first steps and hear their first words, Jason began looking for what was next.
We chat about how he developed the business sense to compliment his development skill set, and how he’s using his own experiences to help other freelancers achieve their goals.
Read MoreKirsten set herself a goal. To create a better work/travel balance. To see more of the world without giving up her job.
And that's where we find her, on the road - more than happy to NOT set a new goal, but instead enjoy living this one.
We chat about collaboration, remote working, making opportunities, digital nomad life, side projects and more. Kirsten's both a mentor and a mentee and thinks no matter where we are in our freelance careers there are always people just a few steps ahead that we can learn from. And others who can learn from us.
Read MoreLet's be bolder. Let's push ourselves forward.
It's certainly working for freelance photogrpaher Jon Enoch. Bold enough to make and seize opportunities. From entering competitions, knocking on doors, filling in for people and then maximising the opportunity, pushing forward to be known for the work you want to do.
Jon chats about becoming more productive in co-work/office spaces, hiring help, regularly marketing, learning from others outside of your field and investing in himself.
Read MoreSarah and her husband always wanted to retire and go cruising around the seas and oceans. They'd work hard in the construction industry, save their money and one day set sail.
Then when the financial crisis hit 10 years ago things changed. Forced to sell everything and start living on a boat they realised maybe they didn't have to wait until they were older. Maybe they could do this now!
There are plenty of digital nomads. But few have a family of four to support. Even less live on a boat - taking the term 'remote' working to a whole new level.
Read MoreYou won’t hear Vicki say “Hi, I’m a freelance photographer”.
Instead it’s “I run a photography business”.
From the outset Vicki’s always put business before art.
When burn out threatened she hired other photographers to work with her. She’s diversified into teaching both online and in person. She organises workshops and retreats.
Right. Hit play and let’s get down to business.
Read MoreFor years Nathan’s been freelancing on the side of his full time jobs. It’s given him an extra income but also extra skills that have then got him better full time positions.
Nathan’s constantly learning - self taught, via groups, a Masters - digesting, discussing and sharing it with others in the freelancer community.
This feels like a lot more than a ‘side hustle’. This goes right to his core.
25% of her time spent self-marketing. That’s how Kate built her reputation. That and consistently nailing SEO to become the number one ranked copywriter in Australia.
Kate also chats about building a team, moving to a more 'passive' business, the work-life balance myth, podcasting, community building, starting a conference... A lot to get through, so start listening.
Read MoreWhen you love what you do, it’s no chore to put in extra hours on the side to create something special of your own. Your own creative project.
It can help you experiment and evolve… and it can help you get noticed.
The very animated James Curran, better known as Slim Jim Studios, takes us through his freelance journey and the huge role his many substantial side projects have played in getting him noticed and getting him work.
Read MoreFirst Slovenian freelancer Mocja built her reputation.
Through blogging, podcasts, speaking and social media she became known as the go-to-person for Facebook ads.
Then she hit ‘delete’ on all her other services to really focus on her niche.
Turns out when you get fired from your first job, you can convince the world to hire you.
First and foremost Gareth is a foster carer to three children.
Whilst he’s busy mentoring them, a business coach is helping him find his way. Creating a freelance business that can flex to fit around the demands of the home first.
He also proves that putting your face and story to your business (even reluctantly) can have a great effect. People know you. Understand you. Warm to you. Trust you. (Work with you).
Read MoreWhat happens when we keep an open mind to the path we might take?
When we listen to the needs of others? When we experiment - see what works?
When we hire others? When we put our own lifestyle first?
When we try and be ridiculously useful?
For Val Geisler the answers took her on a path from store managing to expert in a niche (with a diversion via motherhood on the way).
Testing the need. Building community. Taking care of herself.
Listening for the whisper of the other paths.
