Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own Terms

250: The $6K Freelancer: How She Replaced Her Salary in 30 Days


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Discover how Candice Stokes went from undervalued to unstoppable in freelance fashion design!

Ever felt stuck in a job where your skills weren’t fully appreciated? Candice Stokes knows that feeling all too well. She spent years questioning if she was “ready” to freelance—if her portfolio was strong enough, if brands would take her seriously. But when she finally took the leap, she landed a $4,100 client in her very first month. A few weeks later? Another $2,000 project. Now, she’s on track to leave her full-time job behind for good.

In this episode, Candice breaks down her exact strategies for pitching, pricing, and standing out as a freelance fashion designer. She shares how she used ChatGPT to craft proposals that actually work, why your portfolio doesn’t need to be perfect, and how an Instagram post unexpectedly led to a key connection in Thailand. Plus, she opens up about her passion for ethical fashion and building a business that aligns with her values.

If you’ve ever wondered if freelancing could really work for you, Candice’s story will challenge everything you thought about being “ready.” Click play now to hear how she made it happen—and how you can, too!


About Candice:

Candice Stokes is a technical fashion designer who transforms creative ideas into expertly crafted garments, thanks to her hands-on skills and years of sewing experience. She’s passionate about how clothes tell stories—both cultural and personal—and loves geeking out over why fabric matters as much as fit. Whether she’s sketching, sewing, or decoding a tricky pattern, Candice brings humor and heart to her work (and plenty of coffee).

Connect with Candice:
Email her at: [email protected]
Visit her website
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn


Download my Freelance Price List just for fashion (it’s free!): sewheidi.com/price

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Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own TermsBy Sew Heidi

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