Smarter Freelancing: Freelance Work | Getting Clients | Freelance Writing | Freelance Design | Ed Gandia - #024: Why So Many Women Struggle in Business — and What to Do About It

#024: Why So Many Women Struggle in Business — and What to Do About It

01/22/15 • 36 min

Smarter Freelancing: Freelance Work | Getting Clients | Freelance Writing | Freelance Design | Ed Gandia

I remember when one of my female colleagues first told me about the struggles many self-employed women face. It was about 10 years ago.

"Yes, there's discrimination," she said. "But much of it is self-sabotage. We just weren't brought up like men. We're not supposed to be driven and assertive."

I was shocked.

Yet the more I talked with other women freelancers and entrepreneurs, the more I realized that this is a huge issue.

We've addressed this issue before here at the Academy. In fact, Dianna Huff's detailed post a few years ago is one of the most shared articles on our website.

But in this week's episode my pal Coach Jenn Lee shares a few more insights on the issue — along with a few great ideas for breaking out of this cycle.

I remember when one of my female colleagues first told me about the struggles many self-employed women face. It was about 10 years ago.

"Yes, there's discrimination," she said. "But much of it is self-sabotage. We just weren't brought up like men. We're not supposed to be driven and assertive."

I was shocked.

Yet the more I talked with other women freelancers and entrepreneurs, the more I realized that this is a huge issue.

We've addressed this issue before here at the Academy. In fact, Dianna Huff's detailed post a few years ago is one of the most shared articles on our website.

But in this week's episode my pal Coach Jenn Lee shares a few more insights on the issue — along with a few great ideas for breaking out of this cycle.

Previous Episode

#023: The State of Independence in America — What’s Happening in Today’s Freelance Economy

Is freelancing a growing trend or a fad?

And if it's growing, who's really profiting from this massive shift in the labor force?

If you've followed me for a while, you probably know that I'm a big "trend junkie." I even put together two comprehensive reports on the state of freelancing, back in 2011 and 2012.

But I've never come close to the information and insights that MBO Partners has produced over the past few years, mainly through their State of Independence reports.

Ever since having MBO Partner's Gene Zaino on the show to discuss the new emerging models of freelance/client engagement, I've been meaning to have a separate discussion with him about the freelance economy — and specifically what his firm has uncovered via these comprehensive studies.

In this interview, Gene and I discuss the biggest findings from the 2014 report, including who's doing well, what they're doing to thrive, how freelancers impact the economy, and what's ahead in the world of independent work.

Next Episode

#025: Brian Casel on 'Productizing' Your Services

Made to order.

That's what most of us do. We deliver customized services to our clients.

It's simple and straightforward — at least on paper. The client describes what they need, and you turn around and deliver a customized, made-to-order product.

This model works. It's what most clients want. And when done right, it can be very profitable.

But is that the only way to deliver professional services?

No. There are other models that can be just as profitable ... and even more scalable.

And in today's interview, you'll hear from Brian Casel—a web designer who has transformed his freelance business from a service-based firm to one that offers "productized" services.

You'll learn how he's done this, why it works ... and how it could work for you, too!