The Freelance Founders Podcast

Breakups—they’re never easy. But what about when it’s not with a friend or lover, but with a business partner or even a cofounder? The complicated mess of emotions, resentment, and legal concerns can make the split all the more painful.Welcome to season three, episode six of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Tori Lazar, advice columnist and creative leadership coach at How to Fck Up Well.Today, Tori is telling us all about growing up in the hospitality industry, the benefits of working with a cofounder, and what really happens when that business relationship stops working out.Some Questions Asked:What were your financial fears around going freelance? (05:01)What’s your big tip for somebody that is looking to go freelance? (10:43)What was the benefit of having a cofounder and what was the hardest part of having a cofounder? (18:44)Can you share some of the values of How to Fck Up Well? (31:35)In This Episode, You’ll Learn:About Tori’s career journey (00:23)Tori’s pricing structure when she first started freelancing (15:09)Some of the pain points around being a business founder (26:49)What the idea of ‘failure’ means for Tori (37:55)Connect with Tori:InstagramHow to Fck Up WellAdvice columnLet’s Connect:WebsiteLinkedinInstagram

One of the most intense parts of a freelance journey is when you find yourself becoming the person in charge. For many of us, this can be an uncomfortable and disconcerting experience. It’s only when we remind ourselves the reason we’re here to begin with that we can put aside those feelings and step confidently into that leadership role.Welcome to season three, episode five of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Jimi Drosinos, a London-based photographer, director, and cinematographer.Today, Jimi is telling us about his complicated origin story, the surprising reason it’s so important to invest in equipment, and he’s getting real and honest about his rates.Some Questions Asked:Can you take us through your career up to date? (00:19)How did you approach opening your own studio? (05:37)What’s your creative approach with clients? (15:02)What inspires you to keep you motivated? (21:36)In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How Jimi went from computer science major to international photographer (00:34)Jimi’s strategy for pricing his services (10:34)About Jimi’s experience directing his first film (17:20)The advice Jimi would give his 20-year-old self (26:09)Connect with Jimi:InstagramWebsiteLet’s Connect:WebsiteLinkedinInstagram

Career highs and career lows… whether we’re still stuck in the corporate grind or we’ve made the leap to full time freelance, we’ve all experienced them. The key? Never let those lows stand in the way of getting back to it and reaching your next peak.Welcome to season three, episode four of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Andrea Pascual, a Toronto-based fashion designer and founder of her own eponymous clothing brand. She is also the founder of Cool Eye Creative, a brand strategy and graphic design studio that builds trustworthy brands for diverse founders.Today, Andrea is telling us about her inspiration behind starting her own fashion line, how she prioritizes her mental health, and the advice she’d give her 20 year old self.Some Questions Asked:Can you take us through the journey of your career? (00:14)What was your inspiration behind starting your own fashion line? (03:26)Could you tell us a little bit more about the fundamental values that you built Cool Eye Creative on? (09:44)What has been your career high and your career low? (11:40)In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How the COVID-19 pandemic affected Andrea’s career trajectory (01:40)What Andrea found most challenging about starting her own label (04:34)How Andrea sets boundaries for herself in order to maintain a work life balance (15:48)How Andrea started her two businesses without investors (17:48)Connect with Andrea:InstagramWebsiteSushi Fridays podcastCool Eye CreativeLet’s Connect:WebsiteLinkedinInstagram

Freelancing can often feel like nonstop networking—like your life depends on it. But the fact is, it’s all about building your proverbial rolodex. Once you’ve established those relationships, opportunities can come from the most unexpected places.Welcome to season three, episode three of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Sean Sutherland, founder and creative director at Studio No. 9, a New Jersey based design consultancy firm. Sean also recently founded Sonny Seltzer, a beverage company offering pre-packaged tequila sodas.Today, Sean is talking about building up a freelance network, the power of choosing a name, and the intricacies of working with a team.Some Questions Asked:Can you take us through your career up to date? (00:16)What’s been the most rewarding part of starting your own agency? (08:52)How do you market yourself to find new work? (11:57)What made you decide to get into the beverage industry? (22:52)In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How Sean went back and forth between the freelance and corporate worlds (02:03)About Studio No. 9, Sean’s newest freelance venture (06:56)Sean’s process for approaching new projects (17:32)The importance of keeping long-term connections (21:24)Connect with Sean:Instagram Studio No. 9Sonny Seltzer websiteLet’s Connect:WebsiteLinkedinInstagram

Many times on the freelance journey we can feel like we’re hitting a wall… Growth feels stagnant and opportunities seem scarce. But it’s in moments like these that the community we surround ourselves with is so important. Often, just leaning on others in the same boat can give us enough inspiration to break through.Welcome to season three, episode two of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Libby Connolly, a Chicago-based creative director and founder of Studio Libby Connolly. Today, Libby is telling us about being a small business owner without a business background, crystallizing her goals, and why client communication is so important.Some Questions asked:When you went freelance, what was your strategy to build a network? (01:23)What has been your biggest challenge going freelance? (04:02)How does understanding the psychology of a brand influence your work? (11:05)How would you measure success for yourself? (13:06)What are some of your goals for your own design studio? (15:11)In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How Libby got into design as a career (00:33)Libby’s process when it comes to getting started with a new client (06:52)Why Libby once canceled a client contract (11:49)The advice Libby would give her 20-year-old self (19:10)Connect with Libby:StudioLinkedInLet’s Connect:WebsiteLinkedinInstagram

Even when we know from day one that a job isn’t for us, it can feel impossible to quit. Whether it’s the coworkers, the culture, or the benefits, letting go of that security and community takes an enormous leap of faith.Welcome to the season three premiere of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Sarita Walsh, an entrepreneur and transformational coach working to empower leaders to fulfill their highest professional, personal, and social potential through mindset and behavior change.Today, Sarita is telling us about how her creative background influences her coaching role, how it took her seven years to quit her design job, and how she learned how to say “no” to protect her boundaries.Some Questions Asked:How did you begin to pivot into coaching? (05:11)What are some tips for those who get overwhelmed with burnout? (11:25)How did you know how to price yourself as a creative and now as a coach? (16:53)Where should someone start if they're interested in getting a coach or exploring coaching? (20:23)Have you ever had a moment where you wanted to quit? (21:56)In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How Sarita made the leap from graphic design to coaching (00:58)For Sarita, clarity is created through action (06:05)Self first is not selfish (13:44)How Sarita worked for free when she was just starting out in the coaching world (19:18)Connect with Sarita:WebsiteInstagramLet’s Connect:WebsiteLinkedinInstagram