About this Episode
Are you at a crossroads in your career as a freelance fashion designer? Wondering if it’s the right time to quit your full-time job and go all-in on your freelance gig?
You’re not alone and in today’s episode, we join Rachel Kranick, a freelance fashion designer who shares her journey and the challenges she’s facing. Despite her success in the industry and a year’s worth of savings, Rachel is torn between her full-time job and the desire to dive headfirst into freelancing. Heidi provides valuable insights on when and how to transition to full-time freelancing, as well as practical strategies to build a sustainable client base. Join the conversation as we explore the personal and professional aspects of being a freelance fashion designer and discover the courage to embrace change and create the career of your dreams.
Episode Highlights
Introduction
- Heidi opens the episode with a strategy session featuring Rachel Kranick, who’s contemplating leaving her full-time job to pursue freelancing full-time.
Rachel’s Dilemma
- Rachel shares her current situation: she has a year of savings but hesitates to quit her job due to loyalty to her employer and fear of instability in freelancing.
Client Outreach Concerns
- She admits she began reaching out to potential clients but paused, unsure if she could manage more work while still employed full-time.
Loyalty vs. Reality
- Heidi challenges Rachel’s sense of loyalty, noting her employer’s guilt-tripping behavior about vacation time and reminding her that loyalty isn’t always reciprocated.
Balancing Act
- Rachel describes the difficulty of freelancing during evenings and weekends while trying to maintain any semblance of a personal or social life.
Possible Strategies
- Heidi proposes a few strategies: a short-term phase of working both jobs intensely to build momentum, or a more gradual transition.
Litmus Test for Freelancing
- Heidi outlines a practical test for when to go full-time freelance—emphasizing calculated client acquisition rather than hoping things work out.
Client Project Types
- Rachel notes that most of her freelance projects have been small and one-off, which makes her question the financial stability of quitting her job.
Opportunities for Bigger Projects
- Heidi encourages her to turn small projects into long-term work by suggesting additional services or identifying other client needs.
Limitations of Domestic Production
- Rachel expresses concerns about limited domestic sourcing options, which affects how much value she can offer certain clients.
The Emotional Rollercoaster
- She shares the emotional swings between feeling excited about freelancing and being overwhelmed by the dual workload.
Decision Discomfort
- Heidi reflects on the discomfort of indecision, encouraging Rachel to commit one way or the other to reduce stress and move forward with clarity.
Freelance Flexibility
- The conversation closes with Heidi highlighting the long-term benefits of freelancing—even if it means short-term sacrifice—to create a career aligned with Rachel’s goals.
Key Questions and Responses
1. Why do you feel unsure about quitting your full-time job to pursue freelancing full-time?
- Rachel is uncertain because while she feels her client base is not solid enough to leave her job, she is also comfortable with her current workload given the commitment to her employer. She has one year’s worth of savings, making the decision complicated. She enjoys the stability and benefits of her job but is also tempted by the freedom and flexibility of freelancing.
2. What is holding you back from securing more clients?
- Rachel expressed fear of not having the capacity to adequately serve new clients while balancing her full-time job, which has stopped her from pursuing more client outreach. She’s concerned about maintaining quality in her work given her limited available time.
3. How do you view the loyalty you feel towards your employer?
- Rachel feels a strong sense of loyalty to her employer even though they don’t seem to reciprocate, especially when making her feel guilty about taking vacations. This loyalty is a significant factor in her decision-making process.
4. Are you comfortable making sacrifices to grow your freelance business?
- Rachel is not entirely comfortable giving up her social life to take on more freelance work. She acknowledges that she could hustle more but is hesitant to sacrifice personal aspects of her life.
5. What are your thoughts on taking a strategic hustle period before quitting your job?
- Rachel is open to the idea of a short-term hustle period, like 3 months, where she would take on more clients and save additional income, but she is cautious about the potential for burnout.
6. Are you pursuing larger, more sustainable projects or clients?
- Rachel tends to get smaller, one-off projects, even though she believes securing larger, more consistent projects would make her more comfortable with quitting her full-time job. She has been transparent with clients about what types of projects she specializes in and feels limited in certain areas like domestic sourcing.
7. Do you have a strategic plan for transitioning into full-time freelancing?
- Rachel has considered both organic growth and more proactive client outreach but feels stuck between wanting more stability from her current job and the potential growth opportunities freelancing could offer. She struggles with the balance of pursuing clients while maintaining her current job’s responsibilities.
About Rachel:
Meet Rachael, a talented designer who specializes in outdoor apparel and outerwear. She absolutely loves designing jackets and technical pieces that are both functional and stylish. With over ten years of experience in the industry, Rachael has worked with big brands like Nike and Travis Mathew in the past and is currently the lead designer for an athleisure wholesaler. In her free time, she works with freelance clients on exciting projects. Rachael is based in sunny Long Beach, California and is an avid lover of the great outdoors. She enjoys camping, roller skating, paddle boarding, and hiking whenever she can.
- Visit her website: Rachaelkranick.com
- Email at: Rachaelkranick@gmail.com
- Follow on Instagram
- Connect on Linkedin