What's your biggest takeaway?

In this episode, Matt Curtis pulls back the curtain on one of the biggest myths about freelancing: the idea that you need the perfect plan before you make the jump. Through stories from 20+ years as a creative, Matt offers four essential questions to help you navigate change and stay agile as a freelancer. Whether you're on the brink of a jump or already mid-air, this episode will help you shift from fear to clarity.

Episode Highlights:

• Why change doesn’t mean you’ve failed—especially in freelance.
• The four questions that will keep your business responsive and relevant.
• How cultural shifts (like YouTube, digital photography, and Facebook) opened up unexpected opportunities.
• The real reason Lunchtime Heroes led to Jump to Freelance.
• Why flexibility is a superpower, not a liability.

Four questions you can ask about your freelance business:

How do I do this today?

What has changed culturally?

What new opportunity does this create for me?

How can I respond?

Join the Christian Creative group on Skool.

Learn more about 1:1 coaching or find tools to help with your jump to freelance at https://www.lunchtimeheroes.co/coaching.

What's your biggest takeaway?

This week’s resources are three books by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Purchasing these books through the affiliate link earns me a small commission, but won't change your price. Thanks for your support of The Jump Moment!

- 10x is Easier than 2x: https://amzn.to/4buAkVL
- The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success: https://amzn.to/4iV8Cnm
- Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork: https://amzn.to/4bXbgXn

- - -

Todd Linder shares how he transitioned from ministry to corporate HR and ultimately into coaching. His journey is all about translation—taking what you know and framing it in a way that connects with new opportunities. We explore how to identify transferable skills, the mindset shifts needed for major career changes, and why your past experiences are more valuable than you think.

Episode Highlights:
- The art of translating skills from one field to another
- How to identify what you’re really good at (even if it doesn’t feel obvious)
- Navigating the emotional side of transitions, especially with a risk-averse partner
- Why your experience isn’t as ‘unique’ as you think—and that’s a good thing
- Practical tips for transitioning into freelance work

About Todd Linder:
Helping people in ministry transition into the marketplace without getting overlooked because of their experience | Husband | Girl Dad | Amateur Space Nerd

Connect with Todd Linder:
Ministry To Marketplace Quiz: https://quiz.ministrytomarketplace.co/sf/b1589097
Launch Point: https://www.launchpoint.co/
Follow Todd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddlinder

- - -

Join the Christian Creative group on Skool.

Learn more about 1:1 coaching or find tools to help with your jump to freelance at https://www.lunchtimeheroes.co/coaching.

What's your biggest takeaway?

This week’s resource is the Jump to Freelance group on Skool. 

Freelancing doesn’t have to be lonely. Join a community of like-minded creatives who understand the journey you’re on. Whether you’re dreaming, planning, or building momentum after making the jump, this group offers support, live Q&A’s, and expert guidance to help you thrive—together.

Group membership includes access to the new pricing guide that guides you through the process of discovering your ideal rates so you can price projects with confidence.

Join the group.

- - -

Sara Ullah shares her journey from working her dream job at a church to becoming a full-time freelance graphic designer. Sara opens up about the fears she faced, like pricing her work and finding clients, and how she navigated these challenges to build a successful freelance business. Whether you’re dreaming of freelancing or looking for practical advice, Sara’s insights will inspire and equip you to take the leap.

Episode Highlights:

• The spark: How Sara’s freelance journey began.
• Overcoming fears of pricing and finding clients.
• The importance of relationships in sustaining a freelance career.
• Practical tools for managing freelance work, like Fiverr Workspace.
• How freelancing brings freedom and creativity back into her life.

About Sara Ullah:
Sara is a creative and detail-oriented freelance graphic designer specializing in branding, page layout, and print and digital marketing materials. With over 15 years of experience in the design industry and a Bachelor of Art in Graphic Design and Marketing, she has collaborated with diverse clients (especially churches) to create visually compelling designs that communicate clear and impactful messages.

Passionate about turning ideas into stunning visuals, Sara excels in utilizing the Adobe Creative Suite to deliver high-quality work tailored to each client’s unique needs. She is an efficient designer and believes in combining aesthetics with functionality to craft designs that leave a lasting impression.

When not designing, Sara enjoys painting, reading, and finding new coffee shops and restaurants to enjoy with her husband, Aaron, in Austin, Texas.

RadRose Designs on Instagram: http://instagram.com/radrosedesigns
Follow Sara on Instagram: http://instagram.com/saraRullah

Join the Christian Creative group on Skool.

Learn more about 1:1 coaching or find tools to help with your jump to freelance at https://www.lunchtimeheroes.co/coaching.

What's your biggest takeaway?

Support The Jump Moment by purchasing this episode's recommended resource through the affiliate link below:

My guest in this episode is Mark MacDonald, author of, Be Known for Something: Reconnect with Community by Revitalizing Your Church's Reputation. The book goes deeper on this idea of finding your thread. What is that thing that is so important? What is that thing that you are uniquely good at? As Mark says in the episode, there are a lot of creatives out there. And so you're going to face an incredible amount of competition if you aren't identifying what that thing is unique about you.

Purchasing this book through the affiliate link, earns me a small commission, but won't change your price. Thanks for your support of The Jump Moment!

 - Order on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4g5u0V4

- - - 

In this episode, Mark MacDonald shares his journey from climbing the creative ladder in Canada to launching his branding agency in the U.S. Mark opens up about overcoming fears, embracing his unique skills, and trusting the process when life takes unexpected turns. His story is packed with wisdom and practical advice for anyone dreaming of making the leap to freelance.

Episode Highlights:

• The importance of embracing discontentment as a driver for growth.
• How to overcome fear by deconstructing perceived barriers.
• The role of faith and perseverance in navigating unexpected challenges.
• Why finding and focusing on your unique strengths is essential for long-term success.

About Mark MacDonald:
Mark MacDonald is a communication pastor, speaker, consultant, bestselling author, and church branding strategist for Be Known For Something Church Branding Co. (BeKnownforSomething.com) empowering thousands of Pastors and churches to become known for something relevant (a communication thread) throughout their ministries, on their church websites and social media. His church branding book, Be Known for Something, is available at Amazon.

Connect with Mark MacDonald:
Subscribe to weekly practical email tips: www.beknownforsomething.com/subscribe (choose podcast for bonus PDF)

Website: http://www.beknownforsomething.com/
Facebook (personal): http://facebook.com/MarkMacDonaldOfficial
Facebook (business): http://facebook.com/beknownforsomething
Instagram: http://instagram.com/markmac1023/ 

Join the Christian Creative group on Skool.

Learn more about 1:1 coaching or find tools to help with your jump to freelance at https://www.lunchtimeheroes.co/coaching.

What's your biggest takeaway?

This week’s resource is the Jump to Freelance group on Skool. 

Freelancing doesn’t have to be lonely. Join a community of like-minded creatives who understand the journey you’re on. Whether you’re dreaming, planning, or building momentum after making the jump, this group offers support, live Q&A’s, and expert guidance to help you thrive—together.

Join the group.

- - -

Laura Howe shares her journey from burnout as a social worker to founding Hope Made Strong, an organization equipping churches to champion mental health globally. With honesty and vulnerability, Laura talks about navigating imposter syndrome, leaning into imperfect beginnings, and the lessons she’s learned from building a mission-driven organization. Whether you’re dreaming of freelancing or building something new, Laura’s story is packed with insights to inspire you for your jump to freelance.

Episode Highlights:

• Laura’s pivotal moment: How burnout and restlessness sparked her idea for Hope Made Strong.
• Why imperfect beginnings are better than waiting for perfection.
• The role of mentorship and community in making bold career shifts.
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and embracing your unique voice.
• Practical advice for creatives feeling stuck in their current roles.

About Laura Howe:
Laura Howe is a clinical mental health social worker, addictions counselor, and project manager. She has spent her 15-year career supporting and serving the marginalized and suffering in her local community.

In 2019, Laura launched Hope Made Strong, an organization dedicated to helping the local church care for their communities without burning out. The team has grown, and together they are serving churches all over the world with online courses, cohort groups, trainings, events, and a podcast.

Laura is a refreshing voice in the faith and mental health space; upbeat, practical, with a strategic lens. If you are looking for resources to support your ministry leaders and congregation, Laura and Hope Made Strong are go-to resources.

Home Made Strong: http://hopemadestrong.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_made_strong/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063596195711

The Hope Made Strong Podcast: https://www.hopemadestrong.org/podcast

Join the Christian Creative group on Skool.

Learn more about 1:1 coaching or find tools to help with your jump to freelance at https://www.lunchtimeheroes.co/coaching.

What's your biggest takeaway?

This episode’s recommended resource is Impact Merch, a print on demand service that handles everything you need. This is a great solution for creating swag for your business or a low management (for you) solution for clients who need a solution for print on demand.

You can also support Jump to Freelance by purchasing from the Impact Merch shop: https://impactmerch.com/shop/jumptofreelance/

Sign up for a shop of your own: https://impactmerch.com/

- - -

In this episode of The Jump Moment, Micah Thomas shares his journey from working as a church media director to building Impact Merch—a platform that simplifies merch creation for churches, nonprofits, and freelancers. Micah reveals how his side hustle grew into a full-time business and the moment COVID-19 pushed him to realign his priorities and values. This conversation is filled with practical advice for anyone considering the jump to freelance.

Episode Highlights:

• How The Church Shop and Impact Merch solves common headaches for freelancers managing e-commerce.
• Balancing family life and professional commitments while transitioning to freelance.
• The importance of financial preparation, momentum, and building client relationships before making the leap.
• Why resilience in tough situations is essential for freelance success.

About Micah Thomas:
Growing up in the home of a pastor, Micah spent his entire life in the church knowing the excitement and frustrations that come with growth, rebranding, marketing, and design.

A graduate of Duke Divinity School at Duke University and jumped into the church communications and media side of church, focusing on graphics and video production.

In 2018, while assisting a new church plant in Durham, NC, the idea of The Church Shop was born.

With a seven-year tenure in communications and media Micah transitioned to dedicate full-time efforts to The Church Shop.

January of 2022 marked the introduction of signage and large format printing services by The Church Shop, an endeavor aimed at bolstering churches' outreach to their local communities with top-tier quality resources.

The drive for unparalleled customer care steers Micah's ambition to expand The Church Shop, empowering churches to create a significant community impact free from the hassle of overhead or design complexities.

Micah, along with Maria, is deeply invested in providing a nurturing and secure environment for children. Their dedication has led them to foster seven children, culminating in the joyful adoption of their son, Atlas.

Sign up for a free shop:
The Church Shop
Impact Merch

Follow The Church Shop on Facebook and Instagram.

Join the Christian Creative group on Skool.

Learn more about 1:1 coaching or find tools to help with your jump to freelance at https://www.lunchtimeheroes.co/coaching.

What's your biggest takeaway?

This week’s resource is the Jump to Freelance group on Skool. 

Freelancing doesn’t have to be lonely. Join a community of like-minded creatives who understand the journey you’re on. Whether you’re dreaming, planning, or building momentum after making the jump, this group offers support, live Q&A’s, and expert guidance to help you thrive—together.

Join the group.

- - - 

What does it mean to turn your skills into a business with impact? Justin Nava’s story begins with his passion for serving churches and communities through creative solutions. In this episode, Justin shares how he transitioned from church ministry to freelancing, built an agency, and learned to approach his work with purpose and clarity.

Episode Highlights:

1. Justin’s first freelance project and how it set the stage for his career.
2. How his passion for helping churches shaped his business model.
3. The importance of focusing on the results, not just the tools or products.
4. Lessons learned about pricing, value, and building an agency.
5. Justin’s advice for freelancers: Build your business around what truly matters.

About Justin Nava:
Justin Nava is a digital marketing consultant for US churches seeking to be known in their community to foster discipleship, without sacrificing Biblical values.

Nava Church Marketing: http://navachurchmarketing.com

Follow Justin on: 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejustinnava?sub_confirmation=1

X: https://x.com/thejustinnava

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejustinnava/

Join the Christian Creative group on Skool.

Learn more about 1:1 coaching or find tools to help with your jump to freelance at https://www.lunchtimeheroes.co/coaching.

What's your biggest takeaway?

Support The Jump Moment by purchasing this episode's recommended resource through the affiliate link below:

AI and the Church: A Clear Guide for the Curious and Courageous is a book I would encourage you to read even if you don't work in a church. Heck, even if you aren't a Christian. Not because I think this will convert you, but because this episode's guest, Jason Moore, does a great job of modeling what it looks like to consider something uncomfortable. As a freelancer, you will benefit from being open minded about how you get work done. Ethics are still important, so this doesn't mean it's "yes" to everything, but navigating the tension is key.

Purchasing this book through the affiliate link, earns me a small commission, but won't change your price. Thanks for your support of The Jump Moment!

AI and the Church: A Clear Guide for the Curious and Courageous by Jason Moore - Order on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3W5ZbbV

- - -

What does it mean to be “called to create”? Jason Moore’s journey offers insight for anyone who feels stuck in a job that doesn’t align with their skills or passions. In this episode, Jason shares how he made the leap to freelancing, built his career around his unique strengths, and learned to navigate both the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

Episode Highlights:

1. Recognizing when his job wasn’t the right fit for his creativity.
2. Preparing for freelancing through a “business school” phase.
3. Building a career around his distinctive strengths.
4. Why comparison and copying others’ paths rarely work.
5. Embracing opportunities to learn and grow through experimentation.

About Jason Moore:

Creativity, storytelling and visual communication are evidenced passions of Jason Moore throughout his more than two decades of designing dynamic resources, training, coaching, and consulting for churches of all sizes, styles, and means.

A childhood dream of becoming a Hollywood filmmaker shifted as Jason experienced a call to bring his gifted artistry to the church, joining the Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church staff in the 1990s.

In 2020, as the global pandemic took root, Jason instinctively shifted his work, crafting a series of groundbreaking webinars on hybrid worship design. These trainings, which combine his specialties of church communications, guest readiness and creative worship, provide practical, results-oriented application, and are being utilized across the country in The United Methodist Church, seminaries, and ecumenical groups.

In the secular world, Jason has collaborated with several Hollywood producers in film and television, and has produced numerous book trailers for New York Times best selling authors such as Ariana Huffington, Seth Godin, Robert Greene, Ryan Holiday and Mark Ecko.

Jason, a graduate of The Modern College of Design, is author of 14 books, a frequent keynote speaker, and a sought-after trainer.

His latest book–an Amazon best seller–is AI and the Church: A Clear Guide for the Curious and Courageous.

Join the Christian Creative group on Skool.

Learn more about 1:1 coaching or find tools to help with your jump to freelance at https://www.lunchtimeheroes.co/coaching.

What's your biggest takeaway?

Support The Jump Moment by purchasing this episode's recommended resource through the affiliate link:

Paperform is a fantastic form builder that offers easy building, excellent customization, and lots of power. If your business or clients need robust forms, Paperform is a great solution to consider.

Sign up through the affiliate link, and you'll save 10% off your monthly bill for as long as you're subscribed. Full disclosure, I will too!

Sign up with Paperform here: https://paperform.co/invite/e55hve

- - -

In this inaugural episode of The Jump Moment, Matt Curtis, founder of Lunchtime Heroes and Jump to Freelance, shares his personal journey to freelancing. Discover how a challenging life circumstance became the catalyst for Matt’s jump, the fears and hurdles he faced, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Whether you’re considering freelancing or have already made the jump, this episode will inspire and equip you with practical insights for your creative journey.

Episode Highlights:

1. Matt’s career background and his passion for creative ministry.
2. The pivotal moment that pushed Matt to leave his job and start his own business.
3. Overcoming the fear of financial uncertainty and navigating his biggest concern: health insurance.
4. Why freelancing is often a response to life circumstances rather than a planned move.
5. Practical advice for aspiring freelancers: "Deconstruct the problem and take the first step."

About Matt Curtis:
Matt Curtis is the founder of Lunchtime Heroes and Jump to Freelance. After 20 years in creative ministry, Matt made the jump to freelance in 2022. Matt helps creatives thrive in ministry Lunchtime Heroes and prepares creatives for their jump moment with Jump to Freelance.

Join the Christian Creative group on Skool.

Learn more about 1:1 coaching or find tools to help with your jump to freelance at https://www.lunchtimeheroes.co/coaching.

What's your biggest takeaway?

Support The Jump Moment by purchasing this episode's recommended resource through the affiliate link:

Patrick Lencioni's work has been very helpful to me for many years. Historically I've benefitted from his advice when leading teams of creatives, The 6 Types of Working Genius helps individuals understand how they are built. With insights like this, you can intentionally build a business that leverages your strengths so you love every day.

Purchasing this book through the affiliate link, earns me a small commission, but won't change your price. Thanks for your support of The Jump Moment!

The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni - Order on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gXymhU

- - -

In this episode of The Jump Moment, Tyler Harden, co-founder of Firm Foundations Marketing, shares how an unexpected layoff became the catalyst for his entrepreneurial journey. With a baby on the way and no job prospects in sight, Tyler had to dig deep, trust his instincts, and take the leap into starting his own business. He reflects on the lessons learned, the value of market research, and how finding joy in his work transformed his company.

Episode highlights:

1. Tyler’s corporate background and how it prepared him for entrepreneurship.
2. The unexpected layoff that forced him to make the leap into freelancing.
3. How market research became the foundation of his business.
4. The importance of building community and finding joy in your work.
5. Lessons learned about navigating uncertainty and making decisions with confidence.

About Tyler Harden:
Most churches know why they exist, but most don't know who they exist for.

As a 20-year marketing veteran and certified church revitalization consultant, Tyler Harden has helped hundreds of churches bridge the gap between marketing and ministry through a community research-based approach.

As co-founder and consultant at Firm Foundations Marketing, as well as his work as a ministry coach, speaker, guest blogger, and podcast guest, Tyler leads church leaders through practical, context-based solutions so they can reach the right people with the right message.

To connect with Tyler or inquire about his services, visit firmfoundationsmarketing.com or follow @tylerdharden on social media.

Firm Foundations Marketing:
https://firmfoundationsmarketing.com

Follow Tyler on:

https://x.com/tylerdharden
https://www.instagram.com/tylerdharden/
https://www.facebook.com/tylerdharden/

Join the Christian Creative group on Skool.

Learn more about 1:1 coaching or find tools to help with your jump to freelance at https://www.lunchtimeheroes.co/coaching.