Episode Overview
“I can’t freelance—I need a stable job.” One of the biggest misconceptions about freelancing in fashion is that it’s feast or famine. So many people imagine freelancers stuck in an endless job hunt, never knowing where their next project is coming from (or if they’ll get one at all!). But the truth is that, when you know how to build your career the right way, freelancing can actually be MORE stable than a full-time job. Hear how once-reluctant freelancer Sam Shammas has created her dream career doing fashion illustration and freelance bridal design, and get inspired… because it’s possible for you, too.
Episode Highlights
Introduction to Guest and Overview
- Heidi introduces Sam Shammas and shares an overview of her career in freelance bridal design and fashion illustration.
- The episode explores how Sam transitioned from corporate roles to a successful freelance business.
Sam’s Freelance Journey
- Sam talks about her early career in fashion, including roles in retail and visual coordination.
- She shares her initial resistance to freelancing due to fears around stability and how she eventually embraced it.
The Breakthrough Project
- Sam and Heidi discuss the $45,100 freelance project that marked a major milestone in her career.
- Sam explains how she managed her mindset during the client decision period and details key project tasks like sourcing lace and building tech packs.
Mindset and Growth
- Sam emphasizes the power of mindset in sending high-value proposals and overcoming self-doubt.
- She credits personal development and lessons from the Freelance Accelerator program as key growth factors.
Outreach and Marketing Strategies
- Sam shares how she pitches to designers and event venues using strategies learned through the FAST program.
- She highlights the importance of refining her approach to match each target market.
Managing Multiple Roles
- Sam explains how she balances freelance design and fashion illustration, applying business skills across both.
- She shares how these roles complement each other and contribute to her overall success.
Upcoming Projects and Plans
- Sam teases a new project that combines her design and illustration talents.
- She also mentions a collaboration with another illustrator for large-scale wedding events.
Reflection on Learning and Outsourcing
- Sam reflects on the value of setting boundaries and outsourcing tasks she finds draining, like sending pitch emails.
- She underscores the importance of working in your zone of genius.
The Importance of Acknowledging All the Work Involved
- Sam points out how much unseen effort goes into freelancing—like pricing, project management, and finding clients.
- She encourages listeners to respect the full scope of freelance work.
Closing Remarks and Contact Information
- Heidi wraps up the episode as Sam shares her website and social media.
- Heidi thanks her team and invites listeners to explore more freelancer resources.
Key Questions and Responses
1. What is your background and experience in the fashion industry?
- Sam is a fashion illustrator and freelance designer who mainly works in the wedding space with embellishments and evening wear. She has experience as a visual coordinator at a trim company and in various retail roles. Over time, she broadened her skills, opening an Etsy store after graduation and eventually moving fully into her freelance career in 2018 after being laid off multiple times from 9-to-5 jobs.
2. How did you come to start your full-time freelance career?
- Sam transitioned to a freelance career after being laid off from multiple fashion design roles. She realized that freelancing was just as stable as corporate jobs since both could be unpredictable. With encouragement and strategies learned from the Freelance Accelerator program, she took the leap in 2018 and has since built a diversified career that includes freelance design and illustration work.
3. Can you describe the large project you recently landed and how you approached it?
- Sam landed a $45,100 project with a bridal designer for sourcing lace and creating tech packs for 18 pieces. She determined her hourly rate based on her extensive experience and broke down the costs to $200 per tech pack. This project also included a $900 fee for sourcing lace. She reached out to the client through a cold pitch email and sustained the relationship despite initial delays in communication.
4. How do you handle mindset challenges, particularly in regard to negotiating and believing in your rates?
- Throughout the project negotiation, Sam felt nervous and had to consistently work on her mindset. She focused on positive thinking and reminded herself daily that it was possible to secure such a large project. This self-motivation helped her send the invoice with confidence, overcoming a previous mental block that she couldn’t invoice large amounts.
5. What lessons have you applied from the Freelance Accelerator program to your illustration business?
- Sam applied many strategies from the Freelance Accelerator program to grow her illustration business, including effective pitching and outreach techniques. She has expanded her client base by reaching out to venues and planners, especially within the luxury wedding market, and has also outsourced tasks she dislikes, like sending pitch emails, to streamline her workflow.
6. How has your freelance journey evolved over the years, particularly after moving back to DC?
- Sam was initially worried about leaving New York, the fashion hub. However, moving back to DC in 2019 turned out positive as she managed to sustain and grow her illustration business without needing another side job. She has continued to pursue new opportunities and adapt her business strategies to her changing circumstances.
7. What are some of the behind-the-scenes aspects of your freelance business that people don’t typically ask about?
- Sam emphasizes that people often overlook the behind-the-scenes work, such as finding clients, setting rates, and the numerous small tasks that keep the business running. She consistently works on marketing, social media, and maintaining her online presence to ensure a steady flow of opportunities and relevance in the market.
About Sam
Samantha Shammas is a fashion illustrator and freelance designer working mainly in the wedding space. She helps companies bring their visions to life through concept, design, and art. She also sells directly to clients who are looking for illustrations that they really connect with, whether that’s a print or custom piece.
Loved this episode? Don’t miss Episode 136: Creating Stability and Fulfillment as a Fashion Freelancer!
Resources & People Mentioned
- Free resources for SFF Podcast listeners!
- Check out Sam’s website at SamiaLynn.com
- Follow Sam and see more of her gorgeous illustrations on Instagram
- Connect with Sam on LinkedIn
- Want to work with Sam for design or custom illustrations? Email her at samantha [at] samialynn.com