One of the advantages of being an employee in bigger corporations before taking the freelance route is accumulating a baggage of do’s and don’ts that can be applied when starting your own company. That experience combined with a clear set of values makes up the perfect duo for a successful and happy business.

Welcome to episode eleven of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Sam Jackson and Lydia Pang, the co-founders of Morning – a digital strategy studio that empowers the creator economy to reclaim their narratives through conscious commissioning.

Today, Sam and Lydia talk about the future of social media and how brands should be looking at it, what their values are and how they make sure they stick to them, as well as the message they’re trying to convey through the Be Less Shit campaign.

Some Questions asked:

• Could you both give me a quick career path and story from where you started to where you are today? (02:05)
• What made you decide to start Morning? (06:09)
• Where do you think the importance of social media is headed? (21:42)
• What would be your biggest tip for a company that is launching and wanting to grow its social media? (27:21)
• Your team recently launched a newsletter called “Burn After Reading”. Could you tell us a little bit more about that? (38:14)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The management style and team environment at Morning. (09:21)
• Why companies should not be compared to a family. (12:37)
• The values Morning is guided by. (14:17)
• What Sam and Lydia’s research – “The Crisis of Creativity” – reveals on where the creative industry is heading. (17:40)
• The goal of the “Be Less Shit” campaign. (34:10)

Resources for Morning:

• Website
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Burn After Reading Newsletter

Connect with Sam:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Connect with Lydia:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Let’s Connect:

• Website
• Linkedin
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As freelance founders, one of the things we’re asked most often is the inspiration for our work. For many of us, that drive comes from identifying issues within our industry and feeling an overwhelming urge to create a better environment for ourselves and our peers.

Welcome to episode ten of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Sandrine Charles, PR specialist, co-founder of Black in Fashion Council, and owner of Sandrine Charles Consulting.

Today, Sandrine sits down with us to talk about what sets her apart from other PR agencies, her thoughts on scaling her business, and why she puts so much value on respect and understanding when forming her client relationships.

Some Questions asked:

• Can you tell us about your career path? (00:55)
• When starting the agency, what do you feel was the most challenging hurdle for you personally, and for the business? (05:47)
• How do you maintain your network? (10:23)
• What are some of the requirements that clients need to meet in order to work with you? (12:24)
• Can you share a little bit more of why you started Black in Fashion Council and what it means to you? (19:56)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• What finally pushed Sandrine to go freelance after working with larger companies (01:45)
• That Sandrine was initially hesitant to start her own agency (07:26)
• Sandrine’s thoughts on the changing views of inclusivity in the industry (16:43)
• Sandrine’s hopes for the future of BIFC (22:22)
• The advice that Sandrine has for brands to do better and take accountability (23:26)

Connect with Sandrine:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Let’s Connect:

• Website
• Linkedin
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we start off as freelancers, it can be easy to take on an every-man-for-himself philosophy. We feel like we’re working solo and don’t need the same team-oriented spirit we might have otherwise. But as creatives, this attitude only serves to alienate our collaborators when we should be doing everything in our power to make the process as smooth and stress free as possible—both for ourselves and everyone else involved.

Welcome to episode nine of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Aundre Larrow, a Jamaican born, Florida raised, New York-based photographer known for his work with portraits.

Today, Aundre is telling us how he takes his inspiration from the people around him, the disservice that carrying around a camera in our pockets does for our photography, and the effort and skill it takes to make sure his subjects are comfortable on set.

Some Questions asked:

• Can you share a little bit more about your career and your story? (01:22)
• Do you feel like the relationship between you and the people you're shooting is a really important element to have when you're taking photos? (07:09)
• How did you find your type of photography style? (08:58)
• How has your upbringing influenced your career? (16:46)
• Could you share your top two to three tips for up and coming photographers? (23:30)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How Aundre got started in the field of shooting portraits (04:53)
• About Aundre’s first major shoot (08:22)
• The way Aundre knows when he’s got “the shot” when working on portraits (12:40)
• Why it’s so important to avoid transferring negative energy down to others (16:00)
• About Aundre’s experience as an Adobe Creative resident (20:13)

Connect with Aundre:

• Website
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

Let’s Connect:

• Website
• Linkedin
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As freelancers, it can be easy to revel in the freedom and independence of the work style—but what happens when we start to crave that nurturing environment of a community? In order to build ourselves up, oftentimes it takes a bit of a push from others who understand exactly where we’re coming from and exactly where we want to go.

Welcome to episode eight of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Sam Lee, founder & CEO at IndeCollective. IndeCollective is a community that specializes in helping top independent workers develop the know-how and network to translate their skills into financially rewarding, personally fulfilling careers.

Today, we’re discussing with Sam his mantra and how he uses it to keep himself in a spiritually abundant state, the extreme importance of setting intentions, and why the Great Resignation is all about flexibility.

Some Questions asked:

• What was your very first freelance rate? (01:17)
• What, exactly, is IndeCollective? (07:57)
• Will you share with our listeners what the three L's of goal setting are? (17:28)
• What are some of your predictions and trends that you think are coming for the future of work? (22:31)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Sam’s career path and where he started when he decided to go freelance (02:50)
• Some of the common struggles Sam sees freelancers and founders dealing with (11:00)
• Sam’s belief that knowing how and when to say “yes” and “no” are equally as important in the freelance world (16:38)
• Sam’s advice for those just starting out networking (29:37)

Connect with Sam:

• LinkedIn
• IndeCollective

Let’s Connect:

• Website
• Linkedin
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freelancing can give us an amazing sense of freedom, opportunity, and release from the daily grind… but it can also open up a world of uncertainty and questions. When you’re beginning in freelance, everything from pricing your services to licensing your business to making sure you know the worth of your work can feel completely overwhelming.

Welcome to episode seven of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Arabela Espinoza and Ellle Michell, the duo who make up Weekend Creative. Weekend Creative specializes in photography while also bringing in knowledge of advertising, graphic design, art direction, and media, allowing them to tailor their services to each client. They also offer one-on-one coaching sessions for new freelancers looking to make their mark.

Today, we’re talking to Elle and Arabela about their start in freelance, trying to get paid in ice cream, and self-promo at craft fairs. They also tell me about the biggest challenge they’ve faced—and the biggest reward, as well as their number one tip for anyone looking to open their own studio.

Some Questions asked:

• Could you both share a little bit about your own career paths that led up to Weekend Creative? (02:26)
• How did you know that your partnership was the right choice? (11:12)
• What do you look for when taking on new clients? (25:39)
• What’s your favorite freelancing mishap story? And what did you learn from it? (28:50)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The story behind the name Weekend Creative (07:36)
• Some of the common struggles Arabela and Elle see when coaching new freelancers (18:48)
• Why Elle and Arabela recommend that everyone has a minimum rate for every project (20:33) 
• Why micromanagement from a client is such a massive red flag (34:51)

Connect with Weekend Creative:

• Website
• Instagram
• Podcast

Connect with Arabela:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Connect with Elle:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Let’s Connect:

• Website
• Linkedin
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we start out as freelancers, it can be incredibly easy to underestimate the value of our work. Most of us would probably admit to intentionally underselling ourselves because we’re lacking confidence or in order to placate clients. Only as we begin to establish ourselves in our chosen field do most of us gain the perspective and conviction to charge what we’re really worth.

Welcome to episode six of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Savannah White, a stylist, creative consultant, and costume designer.

Today, we’re discussing with Savannah how she made the shift from Arkansas to New York, our mutual early experience with PR firms, and how she differentiated herself at the start of her career from others in her industry. We also chat about how she keeps her inspiration flowing and fresh, and the importance of staying flexible when it comes to building your business.

Some Questions asked:

• Do you feel like being part of the free internship era made it harder for you to know your worth when you first started out? (02:48)
• You’re from Arkansas, you came to the Big Apple. How did you get into all of this? And how did you decide, “I want to go do the styling route”? (06:51)
• What have been some of your favorite projects? (13:49)
• How has joining an agency helped your career so far? (26:34)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Why Savannah has low-balled herself for much of her career (01:46)
• Savannah didn’t even know how she could make a living from styling when she first began (11:09)
• How Savannah tries to hone in and connect with her clients (24:07)
• What Savannah is currently working on and how she measures her success (33:00)

Connect with Savannah:

• Website
• Instagram

Let’s Connect:

• Website
• Linkedin
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freelancing, like any career path, comes with its highs and lows. It’s the personal nature of the work that can make those peaks and valleys more extreme than in any other industry. It’s when your first truly incredible opportunity comes and you know that you’ve created it for yourself that all of it—the good and the bad—pays off.

Welcome to episode five of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Mark Clennon, a New York-based photographer who works toward capturing the Black experience.

Today, Mark is telling us all about how he got started as a freelance artist, what it was like to have his first-ever photography piece run in the Huffington Post, and how his personal projects keep him passionate.

Some Questions asked:

• Tell us a little bit about your career path, where did you start? (01:22)
• Has everything you’ve learned been self taught? (04:15)
• Was it intimidating for your first shoot to be with a major retail brand? (06:17)
• How did you navigate all of the huge requests and opportunities you received after your BLM protest photo went viral? (15:44)
• When you're on your own as a photographer, how do you measure success? (22:37)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• What Mark’s shooting schedule looked like when he first transitioned to freelance (03:20)
• How Mark got the opportunity to shoot his first big campaign with Footlocker (04:49) 
• About the iconic image that Mark took at a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020 and how it came to be (09:05)
• How Mark deals with lack of inspiration and where he’s been finding it lately (19:15)
• Mark’s mantra as a freelance artist (24:34)

Connect with Mark:

• Website
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

Let’s Connect:

• Website
• Linkedin
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many, the value of freedom in our careers can be quickly overshadowed by the want or need for stability that corporate jobs often bring. But here’s the thing: the benefits of an established freelance community can instantly outweigh all that and provide the support and guidance of a traditional position.

Welcome to episode four of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Carolyn Bothwell, a copywriter, brand strategist, and our founder.

Today, Carolyn is sitting down with us to talk all about her experience starting Freelance Founders, where her inspiration came from, and what made her realize this was the direction she wanted to go in. 

Some Questions asked:

• Could you take us through your career, starting with when you were full-time, to present? (02:54)
• How and why did you decide to start Freelance Founders? (07:23)
• What was the biggest hurdle when starting Freelance Founders? (15:00)
• What do you feel is missing in the freelance community itself that you hope to achieve with Freelance Founders? (17:28)
• What does success mean to you? And how would you measure it in your own career? (27:57)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The two biggest moments that made Carolyn decide that freelance copywriting was the path she wanted to take (05:24)
• How having this podcast has created a space for freelancers to share and showcase their tips and stories (13:14)
• Carolyn’s dream goal for Freelance Founders’ future (21:32)
• Freelance Founders is always open to and looking for new members from all locations and all walks of life (25:02)
• Carolyn’s mantra and where it comes from (30:37)

Connect with Carolyn:

• Website
• Instagram

Let’s Connect:

• Website
• Linkedin
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the things we value most as Freelance Founders is, well, the freedom—not only to choose our own path, but also from the expectations of a corporate title. The most important thing we can do for ourselves as freelancers is to embrace our own vision of success and prosperity, regardless of the ideas that have been set in front of us.

Welcome to episode three of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Ana Andjelic, brand executive, doctor of sociology, and one of Forbes’ most influential Chief Marketing Officers. She is also author of The Business of Aspiration which explores the modern aspiration economy and shifting brand narratives.

Today, Ana is talking to us about how her life in academia informs her career, the shift she’s seeing in power from corporations to individuals, and why excitement and inspiration are the most important factors for her in her work. We also discuss her book, the shifting economy that inspired the idea behind it, and why she believes that, at the end of the day, the only expectations you need to meet are your own.

Some Questions asked:

• What made you decide to go off on your own and become a brand executive, write your book, and start consulting? (02:39)
• Who were some of the big influential brands or dream clients of yours? (04:59)
• What made you decide to go back and get your Master’s and your Ph.D.? (10:25)
• What does success mean to you? And how do you measure it for yourself? (21:52)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Why Ana believes our economy is now creator-focused (03:43)
• Ana’s philosophy that there’s no point in spending time analyzing the past, especially when you were confident in your initial decisions (07:39)
• Ana’s book, The Business of Aspiration, was conceived to capture the changes in how people spend their time and money and how that relates to an aspirational economy (12:50)
• A bit about Ana’s role as an advisor to Dematerialised and her involvement in the NFT space (17:05)

Connect with Ana:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram
• The Business of Aspiration by Ana Andjelic
• The Sociology of Business on Substack

Let’s Connect:

• Website
• Linkedin
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Freelancer Founders, one of our greatest privileges is that we have the autonomy to choose the type of work we bring on—to support the communities and mission-driven companies that are aligned with our values. For many of us, this means that we niche down our services or our industries to ensure we’re doing the work we care about. For others, it’s about helping all clients see the bigger picture, and to help them learn and grow from our strategic guidance and expertise.

Welcome to episode two of the Freelance Founders podcast. We’re talking to Brandon Williams, founder and CEO of 55 Media Group, a brand strategy ad agency that works to make a positive impact on the BIPOC community by giving voice to disenfranchised and under-represented groups.

Today, Brandon is telling us what spurred the realization that he no longer wanted to work for anyone but himself, what his clients have taught him about having patience, and why it’s so important for them to realize the process that goes into building a legacy. We also talk about the toll that self-imposed pressure can take on freelancers, how Brandon is able to further the mission he’s passionate about by being his own boss, and why he directs potential clients to TikTok to learn about inclusivity.

Some Questions asked:

• Can you walk us through your career and tell us how you ended up in freelance and starting your own company?(03:13)
• What did you feel like was the biggest challenge or hurdle to get past when you first started? (08:00)
• Do you feel like your clients were expecting immediate results? How did you overcome that and explain the process to them? (10:02)
• The mission for 55 Media Group is to support the BIPOC community, how do you approach this every day through your work? (20:20)
• Do you have a tagline or a mantra you’d like to share? (32:51)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About some of the self-doubt Brandon had when he first started freelancing—and how he learned his work was about impact over awards (09:00)
• How Brandon is learning to go from a one-man-show to a running a team production (13:07)
• Brandon’s frustration with the biases and lack of diversity he often sees when potential clients bring him in for token holidays or heritage months (24:32)
• What success means to Brandon and how he quantifies it (31:52)

Connect with Brandon:

• LinkedIn
• 55 Media Group on LinkedIn
• 55 Media Group
• 55 Media Group on IG

Let’s Connect:

• Website
• Linkedin
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.