The Freelance Revolution Podcast

Joel Sousa is a brand strategist and designer who helps solopreneurs stand out as experts. After a decade of freelancing, Joel made a bold pivot in 2020 - firing all his corporate clients to focus exclusively on serving independent business owners. In this episode, Joel shares his journey from working with large corporations to finding fulfillment helping fellow solopreneurs build authentic brands. We chat about how success metrics in business often get reduced to oversimplified soundbites about money and time, when true success is deeply personal. Our conversation also goes into why money alone can't sustain independent businesses, how saying "no" can lead to more revenue, and the importance of aligning your work with your values for both business and life satisfaction. Whether you're considering a business pivot or feeling stuck in work that looks successful but feels unfulfilling, Joel's insights offer a fresh perspective on creating a business that truly works for you. Learn more about Joel on LinkedIn, Instagram, or https://growingdesign.pt/ . For more content and live events go to http://www.fruitioninitiatives.com/

Matt Dowling is the founder of Freelancer Club, a platform born from his personal battle with an unpaid invoice that gained national attention. Freelancer Club equips over 72,000 freelancers with the tools, skills, and connections to thrive professionally. In this episode, Matt shares the evolution of Freelancer Club from a Facebook support group to a comprehensive platform that combines education, community, and policy advocacy. His journey shows how personal setbacks can fuel systemic change. His campaigns, including #NOFREEWORK and ‘Rise, Freelancer,' have championed fair pay, diversity, and inclusion, aiming to support 1 million freelancers by 2026. Our conversation also explores the changing landscape of freelance work, particularly how younger generations view independent work as less risky than traditional employment. We discuss Freelancer Club's innovative approach to education, teaching business skills by tapping into people's natural entrepreneurial instincts, and their work on policy reform to create better protections for independent workers. Whether you're an aspiring freelancer, an educator interested in preparing students for the future of work, or someone passionate about freelancer rights, Matt's insights into building a more equitable and supportive freelance ecosystem offer valuable perspective on where independent work is headed. Learn more about Matt and Freelancer Club on LinkedIn, his website, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. For more content and live events go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com.

Natalie Serkin is the President & Co-Founder of Collective IQ and brings over 20 years of experience in art direction, production, and studio management to her role leading creative product and process design. Throughout her career, she has led studio and design departments at several major agencies, including restructuring 13 different agencies, before founding her own company built on the principles of honesty and integrity in client relationships. In this episode, Natalie shares how her reputation for being "too honest" with clients - once considered a liability in the agency world - became the foundation for building Collective IQ. Her journey from creative director to agency founder challenges traditional agency models that prioritize service over results, offering a fresh perspective on how transparency and authentic relationships lead to better creative work. We discuss the power of strategic "nos," building an agency that never compromises the work or the people, and how the marketing industry has evolved to demand more honesty and authentic partnerships. Natalie's approach to scaling a creative services business while maintaining high standards of integrity offers valuable insights for freelancers considering growth and independent professionals navigating client relationships. Whether you're a solo creative considering scaling your business, or an independent professional looking to build stronger client partnerships, Natalie's practical wisdom about building success through honesty and expertise offers valuable insights for anyone in the creative services industry. Learn more about Natalie at https://www.coiq.com/ For more content and live events go to https://www.fruitioninitiatives.com

We're bringing back Anna Burgess Yang to help us think about how to plan for the new year as a freelancer! Anna is a former product manager who left an executive role in 2021 to pursue an entirely different life. After bouncing around a few different jobs for two years, Anna is now a freelance technology writer and journalist. She is also obsessed with workflow automation and removing boring/tedious work from life. She helps freelancers and other solopreneurs do the same through written how-to guides and 1:1 workflow consulting. She lives in a suburb of Chicago with her husband, three kids, and three cats. In addition to client work, she writes on Medium, Substack, and has a newsletter. To learn more about Anna, visit both of her websites https://www.annabyang.com/ and https://www.tinkeringwithideas.io/ and check out her writing at https://annabyang.substack.com/. To learn more about Sarah, go to https://www.fruitioninitiatives.com.

Amy Choi is the co-founder of WorkFree, the first freelance platform powered by communities. As a former freelancer and global professional with 15+ years of experience across tech sales, recruitment, and digital marketing, Amy understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities in the freelance ecosystem. In this episode, Amy shares how her transition to freelancing after becoming a mother led to creating WorkFree, a unique three-sided marketplace connecting freelance communities, talent, and clients. Our conversation explores the innovative approach of putting communities at the center of freelance work, recognizing and formalizing the organic networks that freelancers have always used to find work and support each other. We discuss the intentional design decisions behind WorkFree's platform, the importance of creating win-win-win scenarios for all participants, and how understanding the freelance experience firsthand leads to more thoughtful, effective solutions for the independent workforce. Whether you're a freelancer, community leader, or company looking to build stronger relationships with independent talent, Amy's practical wisdom and innovative approach offer valuable insights into the future of freelance work. Learn more about Amy on her website or LinkedIn For more content and live events go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com

Melisa Liberman is a business coach for independent consultants and author of "Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality." In this episode, she shares her journey from corporate executive to accidental entrepreneur, offering deep insights into the mindset shifts required when transitioning from corporate to independent work. Her story is particularly compelling because it highlights a common experience among consultants: the unexpected challenge of rebuilding identity and confidence outside the corporate structure. Our conversation explores the nuanced differences between freelancers, consultants, and other independent workers, but more importantly, dives into the psychological aspects of this career transition. Even professionals with impressive credentials and extensive experience face imposter syndrome and self-doubt when striking out on their own. Melisa's candid discussion about her own journey from being labeled "sales repellent" in her corporate role to successfully running her own business provides valuable insights for anyone considering or currently navigating the independent path. We also discuss the critical mindset shifts required for success - from embracing failure as a learning opportunity to developing a business owner's perspective. The conversation reveals how the transition from corporate to independent work isn't just about changing how you work, but fundamentally transforming how you think about yourself and your value in the marketplace. Whether you're considering the leap to independent consulting or already running your own practice, Melisa's practical wisdom and honest insights about the realities of building a consulting business offer valuable guidance for creating a sustainable independent career. Learn more about Melisa: Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality Grow Your Independent Consulting Business Podcast LinkedIn For more content and live events go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com.

Rachel Renock has been an incredible innovator in the freelance space, and this conversation barely scratches the surface of her expertise in helping independents build more profitable and collaborative businesses. In this episode, we dive deep into the future of freelance work, exploring what Rachel calls "virtual studios" - a model where freelancers team up fluidly to tackle bigger projects and scale their businesses without the traditional overhead of agencies. Drawing from her experience as both a former advertising creative and now the CEO of Wethos, Rachel shares invaluable insights on: The power of collaborative freelancing and building "elastic" businesses Why transparency in pricing is crucial for the entire freelance ecosystem How to think about scaling a service-based business without falling into common traps The importance of focusing on profitability over productivity How crowdsourced data can help freelancers command better rates Whether you're a solo freelancer looking to grow your business or someone interested in the future of work, Rachel's perspective on building more sustainable and profitable independent businesses is a must-listen. Learn more about Rachel. For more content and live events go to https://www.fruitioninitiatives.com

It was a pleasure having Steve King, a founding partner of Emergent Research, on the podcast. With over 25 years of experience, his work focuses on the future of work, particularly how it impacts small businesses, independent workers, and the gig economy. Our conversation covers a range of topics, including the post-pandemic rise in full-time freelancing, the impact of AI on independent work, and the changing perceptions of freelancing in academia and business. Steve offers unique insights as both a researcher and a practitioner, running Emergent Research as a two-person operation that leverages freelance talent. We discuss the importance of understanding risk profiles for freelancers, the need for better systems to connect independent workers with clients, and the exciting opportunities that new technologies bring to the freelance world. Whether you're an independent professional or a company leader, this episode provides valuable insights into the trends shaping the future of work. To learn more about Steve go to www.emergentresearch.com or his LinkedIn. For more content and live events go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com.

Matthew has been an invaluable thought leader in the freelance ecosystem, and this conversation barely scratches the surface of his deep expertise in the future of work and the freelance economy. We dive into some fascinating topics that are crucial for both freelancers and the companies that hire them like: The "Expert's Curse" in consulting and how it affects freelancers transitioning from corporate roles - Whether the freelance economy is truly a revolution or more of an evolution The challenges companies face in scaling freelance programs and how we can address them The power (and pitfalls) of terminology in our industry - from "gig work" to "consulting" to "fractional" How the future of work is shaping up and what it means for both independent professionals and traditional businesses Whether you're a solo consultant aiming to build a sustainable business or a company leader interested in leveraging freelance talent more effectively, this episode offers valuable insights that will help you navigate the changing landscape of work. To learn more about Matthew: Follow Human CloudFollow on LinkedInFollow Human Cloud on LinkedInListen to the Human Cloud PodcastBuy the Human Cloud Book For more content and live events go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com.

Laura has been an amazing thought partner and this conversation is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of her deep expertise helping independent consultants build sustainable businesses. In this episode we talk about her consultant blueprint, becoming an accidental entrepreneur, and the future of work. To learn more about Laura, go to her website, LinkedIn, Youtube, or Medium. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

Kristin and I are kindred spirits! I've been taking on more fractional COO engagements, and I'm not alone. The rise of the Fractional C-suite freelancer has been prominent over the last few years. That's one of the many reasons why I wanted to talk to Kristin and compare Fractional COO experiences. In 2021, Kristin took a leap of faith by leaving her secure job to pursue a goal she'd been dreaming about for years—to travel the world full-time (with her husband and toddler) and to start a new business that she could operate on the road. And that's when Virtual COO was born. Her passion for helping small business owners started when she was young in an entrepreneurial home. She studied business and has spent her career in leadership, operations, strategy and events, running a successful event P&L for four years and growing it from $8M to $16M in top line revenue. She has now helped numerous small businesses with their operations and strategy needs. Her mission is to help small business owners narrow their priorities and deliver results—her team is excited to do that for you! Learn more about Kristin on her website or on LinkedIn. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

Yurii is on a mission to build connections among freelancers and bring greater visibility to the joys and sorrows that we all deal with. We had a great conversation about the power of community, defining work for ourselves, and holding space for each other. Learn more about Yurri on LinkedIn and Substack. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

Reuben created the “anti-CRM” for freelancers and consultants based on his own experience building a solopreneur business. His platform is based on key values that successful freelancers share, including valuing relationships above all else. In this episode talk about the power of positioning, the “relationship business,” and the non-linear journey that is freelancing. To learn more about Reuben, go to www.mimiran.com or www.salesfornerds.io. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

Úna and Peter are some of my most favorite people and this conversation was one of the best so far. They started their freelance ecosystem in Ireland in response to the need for support during the pandemic and it has grown exponentially since then. In this episode we talk about having each others' backs, learning how to build a business based on values, elevating freelancing, and much more. To learn more about Úna and Peter, visit their website, LinkedIn, or Instagram. To learn more about Sarah, go to the website. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe athttps://www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

I had a great time talking with Ryan about all things soloprenuer finances. Ryan is a solopreneur finance expert who is committed to helping business owners understand their numbers and feel in control of their money. He grew up in Southern California and went to college at Arizona State University where he graduated with a Master's Degree in Accounting and started down the typical accounting path, working in Big 4 accounting firms, earning his CPA, and working for Fortune 500 companies. However, as he got deeper into the corporate path, he began to feel empty. Like the work he was doing was valuable, but providing no value. He realized that a deep value for him is making an impact in his professional work. There are business owners out there that don't understand their numbers and he is committed to filling the role of helping them understand. Over the years, one thing has become clear… he loves diving into confusing situations and forging a way forward. Money is relevant to everyone's life, and he loves how intertwined it is with emotion. He is committed to helping everyone he encounters feel in control of their money. Connect with Ryan: LinkedIn Website To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

David Kaplan might be a new-ish freelancer, but he already knows the key to success - you just have to try! I had such a great conversation with David talking about learning by doing, mindset shifts, and the rewards of perseverance. David is 29, from the Czech Republic, and now lives in Squamish, BC, Canada. He has a master's degree in engineering and started his web development business right after university. In 2022, he landed his first major project as a lead front-end developer for a hospital in the Czech Republic. Since then, he has focused on e-commerce development using the Shopify platform. Alongside his business, David is a passionate athlete who enjoys ski touring, mountaineering, running, and rock climbing. In the summer of 2023, he ran across Vancouver Island, covering nearly 400km in 9 days, to raise money for Doctors Without Borders. To learn more about David, go to his website or follow him on LinkedIn or Facebook. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

When you bootstrap a micro-consulting platform as a side-hustle, you are for sure a hustler. Chrissy and Jim not only have created an awesome platform for people to share and monetize their unique talents, they've done it in a way that honors the unique contributions of their micro-consultants (aka Aces). Chrissy is a co-founder and Chief Ace at Aces on Tap. She's passionate about helping people take control of their time and getting paid fairly for their talents. Chrissy has had a full-time job since she was a teenager, and she's also owned a few small businesses over the years - from dog training to martial arts event coordination. Handling every aspect of a small business is tough, and she thinks Aces on Tap can make that easier for people. Jim Neitzel has always believed in the power of connecting people to solve problems. For decades, he's fulfilled this commitment by innovating in healthcare contact centers. Now, with Aces on Tap, Jim wants to be a part of removing the middle-man from information sharing and create a new paradigm of partnership. Learn more about Aces on Tap on Instagram, Youtube, and their website. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

In this episode of The Hustlers Manifesto podcast, I interview Joe Sanok, a father, entrepreneur, and author of the book "Thursday is the New Friday". Joe shares his journey of starting his counseling private practice in 2006 and realizing he had no business skills whatsoever. He then started a podcast to interview people and learn tips, which eventually led him to grow his practice and sell it in 2019. Now, he podcasts, consults, and has membership communities to help people build thriving private practices they absolutely love. We discuss the importance of setting clear boundaries between work and personal life, especially when working from home. Joe emphasizes the value of downtime and enjoying life, not just running from one event to the other. He also shares his insights on the changing nature of work, where people are realizing that outcomes matter more than sitting in a chair for 40 hours a week. Joe's book "Thursday is the New Friday" is available at all bookstores online and explores concepts like finding your sprint type and the four-day workweek. He also hosts the "Practice of the Practice" podcast, which primarily targets service-based workers and owners but also offers general business advice. To learn more about Joe Sanok, check out his podcast "Practice of the Practice", visit his website, or follow on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. For early access and transcriptions of The Hustlers Manifesto podcast, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com. To learn more about the host Sarah Duran, visit www.fruitioninitiatives.com.

In this episode of The Hustlers Manifesto podcast, I interview Adam Faulkner, a proud freelance business owner and creator of the "Be FreelanceAF" course. Adam shares his journey of founding his freelance video production business "CreativeAF" at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 and how he hasn't looked back since. We discuss the importance of creating opportunities for yourself, the myth of competition, and the power of building genuine relationships in your network. Adam is a proud freelance business owner and creator of the "Be FreelanceAF" course. His calling has always been working for himself, having entrepreneurial parents. He founded his freelance video production business "CreativeAF" at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 and hasn't looked back since. He creates video content that in-house teams can't and has worked with some incredible international clients. His mission now is helping the next wave of freelancers achieve freelance success. That's why he created the "Be FreelanceAF" course, showing freelancers how to turn their expertise into a freelance business success, create efficient systems that save time and money, and go from "regular" freelancer to standout freelancer. Learn more about Adam on LinkedIn. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

Karina Rehavia isn't building "just" another freelance marketplace; she's building an ecosystem for freelancers and their clients that focuses on an amazing experience on both sides of the equation. Plus, she's one of the most dedicated and passionate people I know. We talk about freelancing in Latin America, her no a**holes policy, and hope for 2024. Karina is an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader with a proven track record of innovative service offerings. In her 20-year career I've had the honor of contributing to the development and growth of business initiatives for some of the most prominent organizations in the world in the areas of international business development, management and large-scale project leadership, having lived and worked in Brazil, the USA, England, China and UAE. At Ollo, she investigates the future of work and new work-related ecosystems, helping companies and independent professionals navigate the challenges and opportunities of the open talent economy. To learn more about Karina, connect on LinkedIn and learn more about Ollo. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

Anyone who names her business Uncompany is clearly a hustler at heart. Maari Casey cares so deeply about freelancers and the clients they serve. She's built an amazing company that helps freelancers build their businesses and find the right clients. We talk about the crazy year freelancers have had in 2023, what it's like to run a business where almost every is or has been a freelancer, and what is on the horizon for us in 2024. Maari is an ad-agency art director turned freelancer turned entrepreneur. After leaving the full-time agency space she set-out into freelance only to discover a void between the quickly growing talent pool of freelance consultants and clients looking to connect with this resource. In 2015, Maari launched Uncompany to create a “soft place to land” for freelancers looking to connect for community, education and opportunities - as well as trusted resource for clients looking to grow, and scale their teams into a truly HYBRID workforce with freelance talent. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com.

Jon is one of the most knowledgeable people about the freelance global context, and we get to pick his brain about what we can expect on the horizon for the freelance revolution. We talk about how both freelancers and platforms need to define what makes them special, the stages all freelancers go through in their work, and of course, what 2024 has in store for freelancers and the organizations that serve them. Jon is an HR thought leader, author, teacher and early stage investor. Writing about the freelance revolution and the future of work. Books include HR From the Outside In, HR Transformation, and Agile Talent. Follow him on twitter @jon_younger, and check his Linkedin page for new articles. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

We're bringing back Anna Burgess Yang to help us think about how to plan for the new year as a freelancer. If you're ready to stop making the same New Year's resolutions for your business but never achieving them and start investing in the support + structure you need to run your business instead of letting it run you, you can also sign up for my new year planning workshop series, The 2024 Freelance Flight Plan www.fruitioninitiatives.com/workshop.Anna is a former product manager who left an executive role in 2021 to pursue an entirely different life. After bouncing around a few different jobs for two years, Anna is now a freelance technology writer and journalist. She is also obsessed with workflow automation and removing boring/tedious work from life. She helps freelancers and other solopreneurs do the same through written how-to guides and 1:1 workflow consulting. Anna lives in a suburb of Chicago with her husband, three kids, and three cats. In addition to client work, she writes on Medium, Substack, and has a newsletter. To learn more about Anna visit both of her websites https://annabyang.com/ and https://www.tinkeringwithideas.io/ and check out her writing at https://annabyang.medium.com/ and https://annabyang.substack.com/, To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com.

When I came across John's company, Opolis, I knew we had to talk. Opolis is one of the companies pioneering the infrastructure that freelancers everywhere need for the future of work. John Paller is a Denver-based blockchain entrepreneur, inventor and futurist, and the Founder and Executive Steward of Opolis, a Digital Employment Cooperative for independent workers. He is also the founder and Executive Steward of ETHDenver, the world's largest Web3 and Ethereum-based festival. Prior to discovering Ethereum in 2015, John spent more than 15 years in the talent acquisition, HR Technology, and employment systems, building multiple successful enterprises. John brings a breadth of experience in fundraising, investor relations, community outreach and crypto economies, guiding his vision of democratizing employment and growing decentralized communities. In 2014, John was awarded “40 Under 40” by the Denver Business Journal for his contribution to shaping the future of business. To learn. more about John and Opolis visit https://opolis.co/. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

The first time I met Adrianna, I knew she was a true hustler. We talk about charting your own path as a "blue collar" freelancer and the biases/assumptions people make about working with your hands vs. working in an office. Not to mention what it's like to be a 26-year-old female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry. Adrianna Baros is the owner/repair technician at Second Love Restoration. She helps people fall back in love with family heirlooms or repair “uh-oh” mistakes on a new piece of furniture. She hopes to help others learn the lost art of this trade and grow her company into something she can pass down for generations. To learn more about Adrianna, check out her Instagram at @second_love_restoration. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com.

Robert Vlach is one of the most knowledgable people in the world of freelancing, and I'm so excited about this episode! We talk about pricing your way to freedom, the different mindsets freelancers have in different parts of the world, and the power of negotiation skills. Robert Vlach is a senior business consultant, specialized in supporting independent professionals and business owners. In 2005, he founded one of the largest national freelance communities in Europe that is now being expanded into Freelancing.eu. In 2012, he founded Europe's first think-tank for freelancers which meets regularly in Prague and other cities, as well as online. He has been holding freelancing courses for more than a decade, and has consulted on over 300 business cases with individuals, startups, and companies. His book about freelancing has become an international bestseller, published in English as The Freelance Way by HarperCollins in 2022. Robert lives with his family in the Czech Republic and Spain. Learn more about Robert at his website https://freelancing.eu/robertvlach/. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

The first time I met Tori Barker I knew we were like-minded solopreneurs. We talk about leaving the corporate world to follow your passions.Tori Barker is the passionate and empathetic leader behind Creative Marketing, a digital marketing, consulting, and podcast marketing company. She values family and relationships with clients just as highly as those she builds within communities – an approach that's earned her remarkable trust among colleagues. A master of listening intently and encouraging self-driven solutions, Tori stands out for not only delivering on expectations but creating unique experiences through creative strategies as the Owner of Creative Marketing – all while maintaining sincerity without fail. She is also the host of The Creative Visionaries Podcast where she hopes to inspire business owners, build connections, share success stories, and motivate others. To learn more about Tori visit her website at https://creativemarketingsacramento.com/. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com

I came across Austin by way of Lizzie Davey's newsletter and am so glad I found him. Like Lizzie and I, Austin leads a double life of being a freelancer and supporting other freelancers. He brings so much expertise and thoughtful advice to this episode, not just about money mindset but also how to level up as a freelancer to bring more to your life and the broader community. You don't want to miss it. Austin L. Church is a writer, fractional CMO, and freelance mentor. He started freelancing in 2009 after finishing his M.A. in Literature and getting laid off from a marketing agency. Freelancing led to mobile apps (Bright Newt), a tech startup (Closeup.fm), a children's book (Grabbling), and a branding studio (Balernum). Austin loves teaching freelancers and consultants how to stack up specific advantages for more income, free time, and fun. He and his wife live with their three children in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can learn more at FreelanceCake.com. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com. For early access and transcriptions, subscribe at www.thehustlersmanifesto.com.

If you're new here, Leah is my ride-or-die solopreneur work-wife, who co-hosted The Freelance Revolution podcast with me for two years. This is her first time on the new show, and I'm THRILLED to talk with her about her two areas of expertise - Upwork and Kajabi - AND how to take better vacations as a freelancer. Learn more about Leah at https://www.leahmeyers.com. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com

Mike is a true hustler at heart. In this episode we talk about how to play by your own rules when building a business. Michael Dallas-Petersen is an entrepreneur, father, and husband based in British Columbia. Michael is a highly sought after automation and systems specialist helping online entrepreneurs scale their offers/businesses with world class systems, automations and delegation. He now teaches working professional on how to do the same. Learn more about Mike at https://theintegratoracademy.com/, follow him on Facebook @theintegratoracademy and on YouTube @MichaelDallasPetersen. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com.

I came across Lizzie and her content when she put on a workshop with one of my favorite partners, The Indie List. After connecting, I knew she was a hustler on a similar mission to mine - to make the beauty and freedom of freelancing available to more people! In this episode, we discuss the big secret no one tells you about freelancing. Lizzie is a content writer and strategist for ecommerce tech brands like Shopify, Hotjar, and Klaviyo. When she's not bringing client content strategies to life, she creates workshops, courses, and guides for freelancers at FreelanceMagic.co. Also follow her on twitter at @lizziedavey check out her podcast: https://itsfineimafreelancer.podbean.com, and newsletter: https://freelancemagic.co/fridaytips-newsletter. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com

Chris has a super interesting entrepreneurial journey that led him to his current work, where he helps to make sharing expertise more accessible online and level the playing field in DIY education. Chris Badgett is the cofounder and CEO of LifterLMS, a learning management system for WordPress. He helps education entrepreneurs create, launch, and scale high value online training platforms. He believes in democratizing education in the digital classroom and contributing as much as possible to the WordPress community. Learn more about Chris at https://lifterlms.com/ and check out his podcast https://podcast.lifterlms.com/. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com.

I was on Tim Melanson's podcast last year and immediately knew that we shared the same mission to help others make the most of independent, flexible work. Tim is the Host of the Work at Home RockStar Podcast, a Self-Improvement Podcast started in 2015 with more than 250 guests interviewed, over 35k listens. In the year 2000, Tim earned a degree in computer science and started working as a software developer for a large telecommunications company... and then the tech bubble burst. After 8 years at that company surviving round after round of layoffs, you'd think that would be enough to break his spirit, but he had a secret weapon. His passion for music and entertaining allowed him a side hustle playing gigs. He was laid off from his company just before the company went out of business and rather than find a new job, he decided to work for himself. Tim created the podcast after 7 years of false starts, mistakes, failed ventures and finally finding his groove. He strives to create the resource that he would have used to avoid so many of his own mistakes and one that would have fast tracked his road to success. He noticed that running a band and a business had a lot of common ground and he developed what he calls the "Work at Home RockStar Formula". Which is the framework for his show. Tim is the founder/owner of Creative Crew Agency, which is a one stop shop web development agency offering branding, web design and development, managed website hosting, tech support and maintenance. Learn more about Tim at www.creativecrewagency.com and checkout his podcast www.workathomerockstar.com. To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com.

The first time I talked to Rachel, I knew she was a hustler at heart - paving her own way, breaking glass ceilings, and helping others build strong independent businesses is her jam. Rachel is the CEO of an executive assistance and operations agency that supports business owners by removing the day to day overwhelm so that they can get their time back in order to focus on revenue generating activities. A consultant to businesses to support them on their business infrastructure. She is also a coach to virtual executive assistants to create a profitable and sustainable business. After waiting for years to finally get her miracle baby, she had left the corporate world in order to create a business that provided time and financial freedom. She is dedicated to helping others build a business they love in order to create impact in our communities and much more by providing white glove support. She believes that people buy people and not businesses, and that we can all succeed if people were to treat others as humans with love, respect and compassion. Learn more about Rachel at www.theexecutiveninja.com. Learn more about Sarah at www.fruitioninitiatives.com.

Andrea Sager is no stranger to solopreneurship. After landing what she thought was her dream job, she realized that she wanted more. I had a great time chatting with Andrea about following your dreams no matter what (plus some great legal info too!). Andrea Sager is an author and the CEO and founder of Legalpreneur, a legal tech startup that focuses on offering affordable legal services to businesses of all sizes. While working at a corporate firm, Andrea noticed a gap in the legal industry – no one was catering to the small, innovative start-up brands dominating her social media feeds. As a serial entrepreneur, she knew firsthand the importance of building a business with a solid legal foundation. However, she also knew that many new businesses simply did not have the funds. That realization led to the development of Legalpreneur. Because legal services should be accessible to everyone. In addition to running her company, Andrea is a mom of two in Houston and is passionate about all things health, wellness, poker and business. Learn more about Andrea at https://thelegalpreneur.com/ and check out her podcast, The Legalpreneur Podcast.

Shiela and I hit it off when I was on her podcast and never looked back. She's a multi-talented freelancer who loves what she does and sharing it with others. Shiela is a skilled Digital Project Manager and Growth Marketing Enthusiast who is deeply committed to helping businesses and organizations achieve their growth objectives. With nearly a decade of experience in the healthcare and fintech industries, Shiela has developed an impressive portfolio of skills that include SEO content writing, social media management, podcast outreach, and marketing coordination. In recent years, Shiela has taken on more senior roles such as Digital Marketing Direction, Marketing Systems Building and Development, and Global Team Project Management and Leadership. She is highly skilled in leading and managing teams of professionals to achieve project objectives, and her expertise in digital marketing strategy has helped numerous organizations achieve their business goals. Shiela is also the host of The Rockstar VA Podcast, a self-produced show that provides valuable insights and tips to VAs, freelancers, and business owners. Her podcast aims to address prevalent concerns between VAs and clients, and she provides real-time, real-life insights about the ever-changing dynamics of online communications. What sets Shiela apart is her dedication to being C.P.R. - communicative, proactive, and relevant. She firmly believes in serving businesses and organizations that 'pay it forward', and she envisions a world where there is a respectful, equitable, and genuine community of progressive entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and dynamic philanthropists. If you're looking to collaborate or work with Shiela, you can connect with her on her website at https://www.shielapialago.com/. To learn more about Sarah go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com

My good friend Anna always makes me think differently about work, productivity, and efficiency.Anna is a former product manager who left an executive role in 2021 to pursue an entirely different life. After bouncing around a few different jobs for two years, Anna is now a freelance technology writer and journalist. She is also obsessed with workflow automation and removing boring/tedious work from life. She helps freelancers and other solopreneurs do the same through written how-to guides and 1:1 workflow consulting. Anna lives in a suburb of Chicago with her husband, three kids, and three cats. In addition to client work, she writes on Medium, Substack, and has a newsletter. Learn more about Anna at https://annabyang.com/ and check out her writing at https://annabyang.medium.com/ and https://annabyang.substack.com/ To learn more about Sarah go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com

Whenever I talk with Beth and Tiffany from Kenza Collective, I feel incredibly grateful for them as part of my life and as huge assets to the freelance community. Together they run the Kenza Collective, your one-stop-shop for everything you need to know about running your own business as a parent. They are also both badasses in their own right. After 15 years of working for The Man, Tiffany transitioned to a full-time consultant when her daughter was just 10 months old. Taking this leap has given me complete autonomy over how I spend my time and energy, enabling her to become the calm and present Mama she wanted to be. Tiffany is an expert project manager, operations consultant, and fractional CEO. Beth has been a financial consultant since 2001. A serial entrepreneur with an MBA, she helps small businesses succeed by improving their financial narrative. She's spent more than two decades seeing the inner financial workings of over 65 companies, including non-profits, ranging in size from $12,000 to $18 million in annual income and has a long list of best practices. Find Kenza here: https://www.kenzacollective.com/ Find the Kenza pod here: https://www.kenzacollective.com/blog Listen to their episode on How to Fire a Client here. To learn more about Sarah go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com

Corey is one of the most genuine people I have ever met and I'm so excited to have him on the podcast. Corey is the cofounder @ Authrs.io - an agency that ghostwrites, markets, and publishes best-selling books for busy professionals. His work has been viewed 1M+ times and been featured on sites like Forbes, Entrepreneur, MSN, Apple News, and more. We talk about so many things in this episode including the power of genuine human connections, and why developing them is good for your soul and your business. We also discuss Corey's networking method, some cool lead gen tools he's using, and the mindset shift that has to happen for high-ticket sales. You don't want to miss this. Find Corey on Linked In here: www.linkedin.com/in/corey-fradin To learn more about Sarah, go to www.fruitioninitiatives.com

I'm thrilled to chat with Molly Rose Speed for our first episode of the new podcast! We talk about all things freedom and how to do what only you can do by delegating and outsourcing. Molly is an expert in creating what everyone wants more of -- time freedom. She is the creator of Virtual Assistant Academy and the Founder of Virtual Assistant Management, which provides trusted VA certification and placement in the online market. Learn more about Molly here: www.mollyrosespeed.com Learn more about Sarah here: www.fruitioninitiatives.com

Big news for the podcast. You don't want to miss this episode.

In this episode, we chat with Michael (Buzz) Buzinski about why websites are crucial for freelancers' livelihood. Find out more about Buzz at www.Buzzworthy.biz Find out more about Leah at www.thefreelancesolution.com Find out more about Sarah at www.fruitioninitiatives.com

In this episode, we bring back Molly Rose Speed to talk about choosing and utilizing a virtual assistant effectively.

In this episode, we talk about planning for the year ahead as a freelancer. Find out more about Leah at www.thefreelancesolution.com Find out more about Sarah at www.fruitioninitiatives.com

In our last episode of the year, we talk about how we wrap up work and life at the end of each year.

In this episode, Leah (the Upwork Queen) gives us the inside info on getting started on the Upwork platform. You can find her Upwork Planning Guide here: https://www.leahmeyers.com/launch-plan-guide

In this episode, we bring back habits coach, Leila Kalmbach to talk about productivity. You can find out more about Leila here: https://www.leilakalmbach.com/. Check out her website to get her free video: "How to ACTUALLY Get Through Your To-Do List".

In this episode, we talk about the how, when, and why to fire a client.

On this episode, we talk about how to become a VA with Molly Rose Speed. Molly is the founder of the Virtual Assistant Academy, a certification program for online virtual assistants, and Virtual Assistant Management, a boutique placement agency for business owners in need of assistants. Molly Rose's motto is "Create a career around your lifestyle, not a lifestyle around your career!" and she prides herself in helping people save 10-15 hours a week through outsourcing. Find out more about Molly here: https://www.virtualassistantacademy.com/

In this episode, we talk about strategies for checking in with clients and keeping things on track. You can find Sarah's Project Pro course here: https://www.fruitioninitiatives.com/project-pro

In this episode, we talk about how to separate yourself and your work from the overall work (and problems) of your clients.