Episode Overview
Can you imagine having the flexibility and resources to just simply… take 2 months off from work? Well, in this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast, I bring back a former FAST: Freelance Accelerator student and we discuss how she did just that. And get this: she funded it by quadrupling her income as a freelancer in the first half of this year alone!
Definitely take a listen with Alexandra as we discuss how she accomplished this as well as the personal and philosophical growth she experienced as a freelancer. (Spoiler alert: she lives her life on her own terms!)
Episode Highlights
Introduction by Heidi
- Heidi sets the stage by defining real freelancing and introduces Alexandra Agreda, who has quadrupled her income as a freelance fashion designer.
Alexandra’s Freelance Journey
- Alexandra shares her role as a 3D pattern maker and explains what virtual collections involve, noting the sharp rise in demand for 3D design over the past year.
Growth in 3D Adoption
- She discusses how 3D technology in fashion has reached a tipping point—moving from convincing brands to adopt it to now having clients actively seek her services.
Experience With Increased Workload
- Alexandra reflects on managing six clients at once, how it resembled a full-time job, and the need to rebalance her schedule for personal well-being.
Financial Success
- She shares her financial milestones—earning more in the first few months of this year than all of last year—and celebrates the freedom to take time off when needed.
Client Acquisition and Pricing
- Alexandra dives into her approach to landing clients through cold pitching and explains her project-based pricing model for 3D services, including recent rate increases.
Remote Work and Flexibility
- With a global client base, she enjoys working remotely and setting boundaries—like opting out of in-person meetings, even with local clients.
Administrative Challenges and Solutions
- Alexandra talks about juggling admin work, her dislike for emails, and how she uses tools like Google Calendar and templates to stay organized.
Reflecting on the Freelance Journey
- She reflects on her growth, the importance of prioritizing her personal life, and how freelancing has boosted both her confidence and mental health.
Day in the Life of a Freelancer
- Alexandra shares her daily routine: starting early, finishing work by early afternoon, and enjoying her hobbies and downtime.
Final Thoughts and Connections
- She expresses gratitude for her freelance journey and invites listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. She also busts the myth that freelancers aren’t financially stable.
Closing Remarks by Heidi
- Heidi wraps up with thanks to the audience and team, and encourages listeners to explore her free and premium resources for freelancers.
Key Questions and Responses
1. What have you been doing the last year, and how has your freelance business grown?
- Alexandra explained that she transitioned from working with an all-in-one company to focusing solely on her 3D sampling services. Initially, it was difficult to convince clients about the value of 3D sampling, but by the end of 2021, interest surged significantly, leading her to acquire six clients in a short span and stay fully booked for six to eight months. This workload increase allowed her to vastly grow her income, to the point where she made twice as much in the first six months of 2022 as she did in the entire previous year.
2. Can you talk a little bit about the pricing, how you set your prices, and any adjustments you’ve made?
- Alexandra shared that she moved from doing physical samples to focusing exclusively on 3D pattern-making. She detailed that her pricing for packages, which includes a production pattern and a few rounds of revisions for the 3D samples, starts around $1200 and can go up to $1500. She has adjusted her hourly rate from $50 to $65 recently and mentioned that her clients have generally been receptive to these changes.
3. How did you initially find your clients, and what strategies worked for you?
- Alexandra mentioned that she used cold pitching and occasionally connected with clients through job listings shared in the SFF Facebook group. Some clients returned after several months, indicating that her strategy of staying in touch by sending relevant articles or updates was effective.
4. What was the experience like having so much work in the first half of this year?
- Alexandra described the overwhelming nature of handling a high volume of clients and projects. There was a significant administrative load, and while she managed the work using tools like Google Calendar for scheduling and templates for invoices and proposals, it became clear that handling the business and communication side of freelancing required substantial effort. The workload prompted her to take a break eventually, emphasizing the importance of balancing work and personal life.
5. What does an average day in the life of a freelancer look like for you?
- Her routine includes waking up early, starting work around 4 AM and focusing on deep work until 9 AM, after which she takes a break, checks emails, and schedules meetings post-lunch. Her workday often ends around 2 PM, allowing her ample time for personal activities, hobbies, or further learning for her business.
6. How has your freelance career affected your personal growth and mental well-being?
- The flexibility of freelancing has allowed Alexandra to prioritize her personal life, exploring activities like rock climbing, and improving her overall mental health. She highlighted that freelancing helped her grow in confidence, which also positively impacted her personal life.
7. What’s one thing people don’t ask about being a fashion freelancer that you wish they would?
- Alexandra expressed that she wishes people would understand the consistency and planning involved in freelancing. There is a misconception that taking time off equates to not having work. She emphasized the empowerment and trust in oneself that comes from successfully managing a freelance career and the importance of mental health over merely financial goals.
About Alexandra
Alexandra Agreda is a 3D Pattern Maker helping brands launch their physical and digital collections through innovative development. A previous guest on the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast, Alexandra has grown so much and experienced the true benefits of her freelance career since joining the FAST: Freelance Accelerator program.
Loved this episode? Don’t miss these other episodes:
- SFD117 Kristen Anderson: How to quit your full time fashion job and start freelancing
- SFD103 Alison Hoenes How to Make More Money as a Fashion Freelancer (than in a full-time job)
- SFF158: Katerina Dimovska How this Freelance Textile Designer Out-earned Her Salary (in Her First Year of Freelancing)
Resources & People Mentioned
- Free resources for SFF Podcast listeners!
- Want to work with Alexandra? Email alexandra [dot] agreda [dot] m [at] gmail [dot] com
- Follow Alexandra on Instagram
- Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn