Freelance AF

Oh lawd, they comin’!

Sean and Michelle are back, bringing the laughs and a dash of wisdom as they chat about their favourite resources!

Did you know Michelle might actually work at a library in some parallel universe?  Neither did Sean!  Between deciding if Michelle’s dream café could survive the current economy (spoiler:  it’s touch-and-go) and Sean emphatically declaring that he’s definitely not a vegetarian, they dive into the good stuff.  They’re talking the three F’s (nope, not THOSE F’s), small business centres and libraries, and why Canva is their go-to for social media magic.  They also share why continuing education is a must, why reaching out to a pro is always worth it, and how having a squad of small biz pals can save you from Thelma and Louise-ing your business off a cliff!

Hey, just because they’re Freelance AF doesn’t mean they don’t know how to be Resourceful AF.

This week’s pour is Thornbury Craft Co.’s Blood Orange cider, a spectacular cidery-exclusive from Thornbury, Ontario!

This week, get ready to roll with our hosts as they work on Getting the Brand Together!

Michelle’s in the hot seat, schooling everyone on the importance of branding.  She’s quick to remind you that she's all self-taught, but Sean is here to drop the mic by saying that as a branding photographer, Michelle really knows her stuff—like, way more than most.

After they totally veer off track discussing the ridiculous winter weather at the time of recording (and whether Sean should be wearing hats that are strictly décor), our Freelance AF duo finally gets into the branding basics module that Michelle created from scratch.  We're talking everything from uncovering your brand values (like, don’t be a d***), to figuring out your ideal customer, and how choosing the right colours, fonts, and being consistent can craft a visual story that’s unforgettable, recognizable, and oh-so-authentic to your biz.  Of course, it all makes way more sense when you hear it for yourself, so go ahead, give it a listen and discover the real secrets behind branding!

This week’s pour is West Avenue Cider House’s Firecracker fire cider, a deliciously rich and robust specialty cider from Ontario’s Golden Horsehoe!

Oh, it’s on!  This week our Freelance AF hosts are about to drop some tips on how to kickstart your own business.

Let’s face it – turning your entrepreneurial dreams into a reality can feel pretty daunting, especially if you’re a newbie.  But hey, every business owner has been there, and getting started with a solid foundation is key to cruising through the chaos.

Big surprise, Sean and Michelle were total opposites in how they started out – one went with the flow, the other plotted every move.  This episode they’re chatting about why you should build your network, when to ask for advice (professionally or not), and the importance of always doing your homework.  While it’s not an exhaustive guide, these two are pointing fresh freelancers in the right direction – no matter your hustle – so you can be bossin’ it from the start!

This week's pour is Ardiel Cider House's Apple Dry Cider!  Hailing from Beaver Valley in Ontario's Blue Mountains, this classic dry cider features rich apple flavours and balanced acidity, with a crisp, clean finish.

Our hosts are back at it, ready to sip some cider and uncover the juicy details of Michelle's career in the conclusion of this two part series!  Spoiler alert:  she's all about commitment!

Even though her career aspirations changed faster than she switched outfits (classic Libra move), she was in it for the long haul with her employers.  Michelle spills the tea on enjoying her time in the corporate grind and what it was like working for an employer that valued her hard work.  Of course, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows - Michelle gets real about craving flexibility to be there for her family, not being a morning person, and working like a boss until the job was finally done!

Other hot topics?  How to pivot your business when the world throws a curveball (looking at you, COVID), staying true to your vibe on socials, and the never-ending learning that comes with being Freelance AF!

(This episode and the last ran a little longer than anticipated, but rest assured our episodes will return to their 20-30 minute target next week.)

Your favourite corporate escapees are back in the first of a two part series to tell the tale of how they broke free of their corporate overlords' chains and struck out on their own to become freelance AF.

Michelle and Sean start by fulfilling a promise from the first episode - to have a drink!  This episode's pour is Duntroon Cyder House's Empire Extra Dry cyder, a deliciously dry offering that is similar to a traditional English cyder.

From there, Michelle delves into a thought-provoking series of questions, tracing Sean's career journey from his childhood aspirations to the corporate role he held before launching his own business.  They discuss the peaks and valleys of working in both large corporations and small enterprises, highlighting the invaluable insights diverse work experiences offer budding entrepreneurs.  Sean opens up about his mental health journey, reflecting on how he discovered the right mindset and strategies to realize his career ambitions.  He concludes the interview with three pieces of advice he would give to his pre-entrepreneurial self.

The journey begins!

Join Sean and Michelle as they introduce themselves and the podcast, setting expectations for what's to come.  Topics include their "meet cute," why they decided to do a podcast and a not-so-serious explanation of why they believe they're qualified to speak about being entrepreneurs!  Laughter, compliments and tangents abound!