The Joyful Freelancer

Steve Folland, founder of a thriving freelance community in the UK and the long-running Being Freelance podcast, discusses the nature of successful freelancers and where the joy in our work comes from.

Steve’s bio:
Steve is a freelance video/podcast producer, running his business whilst also looking after his two kids.

His other babies are the long running Being Freelance podcast where Steve chats to freelancers from around the world about their story. And co-hosting the award-winning Doing It For The Kids podcast - a fun Q&A for those parents freelancing 'with kids in the mix'.

Steve spends a lot of time hanging out in his Being Freelance Community where he brings together self-employed creatives for support, fun and biscuits. He’s also brought together his own experience and that of 250+ guests to help new freelancers with the course “How to get started being freelance.”
Notable quotes from the episode:

“I do think what helps a successful freelancer is if you do kind of fall in love, not just with the skill that you originally tried to sell, but with the art of selling itself, like with being a business.”

“As freelancers we get to explore what is success to us. You get to decide. And so then you also get to decide what makes you happy.”

“I quite like the not knowing. I think for some people, that would drive you nuts, not knowing what's around the corner. But I quite like that, that sort of element of surprise.”

“In the past, when I worked for companies, I might absolutely bust my gut and might not even get a thank you, let alone more financial reward. Whereas now there is a correlation between the amount of work I do and the amount of money I make.”

“One of my favorite quotes [from my podcast] is ‘don't freak out.’... And another guest said, ‘Just keep meeting people.’”

“I think it's really useful to listen to others and pick up on little productivity tactics and things. Also, though, I think it's important to crack on and do things.”

Links:

• Being Freelance website
• Steve’s professional website
• Doing It For the Kids Podcast
• Being Freelance Community
• Steve’s course: How to get started being freelance
• Being Freelance on Twitter or Instagram

Gage Mitchell, graphic designer and brand strategist, discusses why a good brand is like a movie, why work-life balance is a waste of time, and how "I can't" is really "I'm scared" in disguise, among many other things.
Gage’s bio: Design has the power to bring about massive change. That power comes with a responsibility. Whether designing an object, a business, a community, or anything in between, Gage believes that both the process and the solution must aim to bring about a better world – for all. His work, thought leadership, and commitment to this ethos have garnered countless awards, features, interviews, and speaking engagements. Gage's passion lies at the intersection of design, business, sustainability, and food.

A few current projects:

• Modern Species: helping better-for-the-world brands launch, evolve, and grow through strategic branding, packaging, and web design.
• Evolve CPG: a podcast and community for purpose-driven leaders of CPG brands who not only believe in a better, but actively pursue it.
• Path to Impact: guiding design, business, and community leaders through an inclusive process of designing for measurable, sustainable impact.
• Kindship Group: a collaborative full-service marking agency elevating purpose-driven brands and helping them grow for good.

Notable quotes from the episode:
"I've been a big advocate for life design. Design your life to be more fulfilling."
"My theory is that the most time-saving thing you can do is to marry your passions with your work, so that every hour you spend working benefits your life, and every hour you spend making your life rich and fulfilling benefits your work."
"When you have to say no to a project that's not ideal, you create space for a more ideal project to show up."

Independent communications consultant Christina Monaco reflects on switching from a corporate career to self-employment in the midst of the pandemic.

Christina’s bio:

Christina Monaco is an independent consultant and communications specialist who collaborates with clients to develop executive messaging, company narrative, and employee engagement programs.

After her most recent corporate position was eliminated in the Fall of 2020 as a result of a company reorganization, Christina founded Christina Monaco Communications LLC in early 2021 and serves as Principal consultant. As part of her role leading a consultancy, she partners with leadership teams in a variety of sectors to support them with developing the communication needed in order to create connectivity throughout an organization, inspire employees, and inform audiences.

Christina has a wide range of experience that includes Communications, Event Marketing, and Public Relations roles at some of the world’s most recognized global brand organizations, including LVMH, Condé Nast, and Hearst. During her time at LVMH she worked within the Mot Hennessy North America portfolio of Wines & Spirits brands to create and deliver corporate programs and company messaging for internal colleagues and external stakeholders. Christina has led the Communications and Event Marketing strategy for champagne brands Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon, and Moët & Chandon, as well as for Belvedere Vodka, Navan Cognac, and 10 Cane Rum. Throughout her 16 years working at Mot Hennessy North America she received awards for outstanding performance in Teamwork, Innovative Partnerships, Connection to Employees, and Best in Class Events. She was also an integral part of the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives where she co-led the Women @ MHUSA Employee Resource Group that offered inspiring programs to advance equity and equality in the workplace.

Christina has held creative services and promotional marketing positions at renowned consumer magazines including GQ, Harper’s BAZAAR, Talk, and BRIDE’s where she created initiatives for beauty, fashion, jewelry, and lifestyle advertising partners. In addition to developing multi-platform programs to increase revenue, Christina was a national magazine spokesperson where she commentated events, videos, and branded commercials to showcase advertising partners to consumer audiences.

Christina began her career at Chiat/Day Advertising in New York in the Media Buying Department.

Originally from Long Island, NY, Christina is an ongoing participant of memoir writing workshops and enjoys spending time with friends and taking walks with her dog.

Find Christina online at on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/christina-monaco-4a88201a/ or on Instagram at @christinamnyc

Notable quotes from the interview:

"At a certain point in my life, I realized that I can do whatever I set my mind to do, no matter what people either thought of me in terms of my entrepreneurial ability, or what expectations I have on myself."

"I was always told I didn't have a mind for business... So for me, one of the most joyful things was knowing I could start my own business."

“All it takes is one person, one new client, one job, and then you're on your way."

Melanie Marconi, founder and CEO of VIDA coworking space in Portland, Oregon, discusses why she went all-in coworking, why women need particular types of support, and why she feels it's important for freelancers to be with other people.
Find VIDA at www.vidacoworking.com
Melanie's bio: A longtime entrepreneur, philanthropist, and passionate advocate for change, Melanie Marconi is committed to helping women achieve their most ambitious personal and professional goals.

Melanie launched her first company, BDI Development Group, at the age of 23. This mission-driven company is a boutique consulting firm that provides fundraising, event planning, and strategy services to nonprofit organizations across the country. Since taking on the leadership role at BDI Events in 2004, Melanie has achieved annual business growth of 10% to 30% while setting and achieving long-term strategic goals, developing nationwide partnerships, and managing day-to-day company operations. Three years ago, she and her partners launched a spinoff business, Where Will They Stay?, to help clients find and secure custom hotel room blocks for their guests.

In 2017 Melanie was seeking a space for her growing team and realized that there was nothing available to support the day-to-day needs of working women like her and her colleagues. In early 2018, after receiving much social validation of her concept and vision, she committed to building and launching VIDA.

Melanie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and Communication, with an emphasis in Public Relations, from the University of Oregon. She is also active in the nonprofit community, having served as a volunteer, donor, and board member for several different nonprofit organizations around the country. She has also presented on productivity and work/life integration to a range of different audiences at workshops, conferences, and through podcasts and webinars.

Since becoming a single mom six years ago to her daughter, Ellie, Melanie has been searching for innovative ways to get the most out of each day. VIDA stemmed from her desire to have all of life’s daily needs in one beautiful space, surrounded by other inspiring women entrepreneurs.
Notable quotes from the episode:
"There's like this energy and productivity vibe that is created when a bunch of people are doing their thing in the same space, even if it's completely different things."

Randy Ojeda, a freelance music lawyer, discusses how freelance lawyering works, the importance of choosing who he represents, and why and how to build a network of others in your field.
Randy’s bio:
Randy Ojeda is a freelance lawyer living in Tampa, Florida. A graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law, he is licensed to practice law and is a member in good standing with The Florida Bar.

As a lawyer, Randy understands the struggles and needs of independent artists, as well as what motivates the major music industry players, via not only his legal education but his practical experience as an artist manager, A&R, record label owner, and musician. He prides himself as a music lawyer who understands the full picture, and not just one small aspect of the industry.

Outside of his law practice, Randy Ojeda is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cigar City Management LLC, a Tampa based Artist Management company. Cigar City Management has hosted official showcases at festivals like SXSW, CMJ Music Marathon, and Brooklyn’s Northside Festival. As an artist manager, Randy assists clients with all aspects of the music industry, including marketing, design, recording, touring, merchandising, and more. In addition, Randy provided business development and A&R to Symphonic Distribution in Tampa, FL. He is an Associate Member of the Florida Chapter of the Recording Academy.

Find Randy online at randyojedalaw.com and on social networks as @realrandyojeda.