Doing It For The Kids

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Jon Richards. Jon runs Obladee, a design studio specialising in branding and identity design.

He says:

“With our oldest just starting school, I’m wondering how others deal with the change of routine with set drop off and pick up times? Is there any tips or advice of how to adapt to these new work hours from parents that have school kids?”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the [DIFTK Community](https://www.facebook.com/groups/DIFTK/) on Facebook.

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This episode is supported by the brilliant Cowly Owl, who make mobile & tablet games for the whole family to play together.

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Jon Richard's website

Doing It For The Kids website

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Master Galactic Shepherd (AKA anonymous). They say:

“Short version: Is it really a good idea to turn down (properly) paid work to carve out time for business building?

Long version: 'Successful' freelancers on interviews always say not to get too bogged down in client work and leave plenty of time for websites, blogging, networking etc. But why would you turn down (sensible) money short-term for the promise of something long-term? Is it on the basis that it’ll inevitably mean more money/ better clients/ more passive revenue? Or am I missing something in my delight at being able to pay the mortgage this month?!”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Frankie Tortora's website

Doing It For The Kids website

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Adam Pearson. Adam is a market researcher, he says:

“Hey Frankie and Steve!

Me and my wife don't have kids at the moment. Screaming babies and kiddie tantrums in public places have been an excellent contraception over the last couple of years.

But we definitely want to start a family soon. (Just don't tell my mum. She's obsessed.)

Do you have any top tips for soon-to-be freelance parents? Or things you wish you'd known or thought about before you had kids?

Thanks in advance. Hopefully we still want kids at the end of the episode…”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Frankie Tortora's website

Adam's website

Doing It For The Kids website

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Kirsty Moore. Kirsty runs baby massage classes in North London. She says:

“How do you keep focus on your business when competition keeps popping up? It’s so easy to get distracted and compare in terms of content, pricing, offerings etc. How do you stop yourself from getting distracted by what others are doing?”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Frankie Tortora's website

Kirsty's website

Doing It For The Kids website

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question submitted anonymously. Let's call the person... Gemma. She says:

"If I'd gone back to my librarian job, my M-I-L was going to babysit for a full day every week to ease the financial burden and get baby cuddles in. However, now that I am fully self-employed, she 'pops down to visit' for 2-5 hours every other week, of which 1 hour is lunch that I am expected to cook, and eat with her.

It's lovely of course, but it's hardly letting me get any work done.... It's obviously a favour so I struggle with the guilt of pushing it beyond being family time to being work time.”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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This episode is supported by the lovely people at IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed.

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Frankie Tortora's website

Doing It For The Kids website

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Rachel Brownlow Brown. Rachel is an illustrator and designer. She says:

“People I know think I'm doing really well with my business because they see me building the business online, but actually I'm not bringing in much money yet (I'm currently living off redundancy money from my old job).

I feel like they're really supportive with liking and sharing my stuff, but so many people I know have said they love it and want to buy something but never actually do (apart from my mum who probably has made up the majority of my sales!).

So I suppose my question is around how I translate those positive comments into sales? It feels more icky to "sell" to them when I know them, but they are the ones telling me they like it!”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Frankie Tortora's website

Rachel's website

Doing It For The Kids website

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Nicky Raby. Nicky is an actor, business and life coach, writer, speaker and podcaster. She says:

“Something that’s coming up a lot with my clients at the moment is the idea of Dream Life vs Real Life.

How do you continue to expand and grow your business when real life circumstances change?

Like, you’ve had a baby (or another baby)?

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Frankie Tortora's website

Nicky's website

Doing It For The Kids website

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Ben O'Brien. Ben is an illustrator, he says:

“HOLIDAYS! Have you got any tips on how to get work done through the school holidays. I work from home and my wife (although self-employed) works elsewhere so it comes down to me more often to be with our son.

2 years ago I just couldn't get through the summer holiday, I managed to work on commissions I had, but I had no time for self-promotion, maintaining client relationships, updating my portfolio etc so by the end of the holidays commissions were drying up. It felt like I ran my business into the ground a bit and it's been uphill ever since.

Every school holiday or half-term means another dip in my business. There's always a few playdates and summer camp days, plus my wife tries to take days off when possible, but it's never quite enough.

So, with the next Summer holiday coming up, do you have any tips at all on how to eek out as much time at my desk as possible?

By the way, I'm not trying to get away from my son! I love him to bits and have always been proud to spend so much time with him, but I just need to work and build my business to a more sustainable level.”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Frankie Tortora's website

Ben The Illustrator

Doing It For The Kids website

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Lyndsey Yates. Lyndsey is a graphic designer and founder of Nine Dots Creative, she says:

“Today, after a crackers boombackers (my phrase, I just made that up) week, I have nothing to do. Well, nothing pressing anyway. So far I've spent 2 hours faffing about on my laptop (AKA browsing Facebook and looking on eBay).

Now the guilt is starting to set in that I'm not being productive enough.

I would actually LIKE to do something with my day — it's not all fuelled by guilt — but I think I’m actually now paralysed by possibility. All the things I've been meaning to get round to are just swimming around my head!

Tell me fellow DIFTKers, how do you deal with these days? I feel like I've been cycling down a hill really fast and I've stopped too quickly and gone over the handlebars.”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Frankie Tortora's website

Lyndsey's Behance

Doing It For The Kids website

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Michelle Kondrich. Michelle is an illustrator and podcaster, she says:

“So many sick days!! Our girl was sick over the weekend... seemed better so she went to school on Monday... but we picked her up early so she could rest more. Then more vomit and home on Tuesday all day. And then picked up early on Wednesday after things moved south.

Here's a question for the podcast, what do you do with a sick kid when you have loads of work and your partner can't be home to help? Ours watched a lot of TV since she had zero energy but I felt terrible about it.

Oh yeah and a follow-up: isn't the guilt associated with parenting SO FUN?"

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Frankie Tortora's website

Michelle's website

Doing It For The Kids website