Here’s what you’ll find in today’s episode:
Are you tired of the rat race and longing for more control over your schedule? In this inspiring episode, textile designer Masha Khoruzhik shares her journey as a freelancer and how it transformed her life for the better.
Masha’s freelance career has brought her more than just financial success – it has allowed her to prioritize her mental and physical health, earn more money working fewer hours, and collaborate with renowned brands like Anthropologie. From setting boundaries with her clients to realizing the power of raising her rates, Masha’s story is a testament to the freedom and fulfillment that comes with freelancing. Join us as she dives into the challenges she’s faced, the surprising transformations in her life, and how taking control of your schedule can lead to a happier, more fulfilling career. Get ready to be inspired and reconsider the endless possibilities of freelance work!
Episode Highlights
Introduction of Masha Khoruzhik
- Heidi introduces Masha, a freelance textile designer who transformed her lifestyle by working just 26 hours a week, prioritizing her mental and physical well-being.
Masha’s Work Schedule Adjustment
- Masha shares how she took Fridays off, clearly communicating this shift to clients and framing it as a benefit to her focus and creativity.
Introduction of Masha’s Work
- Masha explains her role in the home fashion industry, designing textiles and prints for manufacturers whose products end up in major retailers like Target.
Negotiating Initial Freelance Rates
- She reflects on her early freelance rate expectations versus what she actually asked for—and received—after support from Heidi’s workshop.
Project with Anthropologie
- Masha recounts landing a project with Anthropologie through a college contact, working on both original and adapted artwork for their collection.
Maintaining Client Relationships
- Instead of cold pitching, Masha nurtured existing connections within the industry, which led to steady freelance work.
Flexible Work Schedule
- She highlights the freedom and mental health benefits of a flexible schedule, including time for regular exercise and personal activities.
Social Aspects of Freelancing
- Masha acknowledges the loneliness that can come with freelancing but also values the flexibility it provides for social engagements.
Ethical Challenges in Freelancing
- She discusses client requests for copycat designs and her commitment to originality to maintain creative and ethical standards.
Scaling Up Projects and Rates
- Masha talks about launching exclusive online collections and successfully raising her rates to reflect her growing value and experience.
Closing Remarks
- Grateful for her freelance journey, Masha encourages others to explore freelancing as a viable and fulfilling career path.
Key Questions and Responses
1. How did Masha get started with her freelance career?
- Masha transitioned from a full-time job to freelancing after attending a freelance workshop by Heidi, during which she was encouraged to ask for a higher rate than she was comfortable with. She reached out to her previous employer, who agreed to her proposed rate and offered her consistent work. This served as a secure foundation for her freelancing journey.
2. How did Masha manage to land clients like Anthropologie?
- Masha utilized her network, reaching out to former college acquaintances and colleagues who had moved to different companies. She contacted a friend working at Anthropologie, who then connected her with the designers. Following this introduction, she shared her portfolio, which led to freelance work with Anthropologie.
3. What type of work does Masha do for her clients?
- Masha focuses on freelance textile design and print design for the home fashion industry. Her work includes creating original artwork for products like bedding, towels, shower curtains, and bath items. She also modifies existing artwork by cleaning it up, putting it into different layouts, and recoloring it as needed.
4. How did Masha handle her rate negotiations and setting boundaries for her schedule?
- Initially nervous about asking for higher rates, Masha successfully negotiated her rates by positioning the increase as a way to provide better service to her clients. She also attempted to take Fridays off for personal development but found herself overbooked over the summer. She plans to revisit this boundary setting and fully enforce it.
5. Discuss an instance where Masha faced ethical dilemmas in her work.
- Masha recounted situations where she was asked to closely mimic inspiration artwork found on platforms like Pinterest. To handle these sticky situations, she explicitly mentioned the copyright concerns and sought written instructions from her clients to cover herself legally, ensuring that any infringement wasn’t her responsibility but rather the client’s directive.
6. How has the transition to freelancing impacted Masha’s personal life and health?
- Masha shared that freelancing allowed her to reclaim her life, positively affecting her mental and physical health. She enjoys the flexibility of creating her own schedule, which includes starting work later in the morning and integrating a workout during her lunch break. This new lifestyle has enabled her to feel more in control and maintain a balanced life.
About Masha:
With a background in illustration and painting, Masha specializes in bespoke textile design and prints for the home fashion industry. Her focus is hand-drawn and painted designs suited for various home textile brands and companies – from open price to luxury. She’s on a mission to whip up one-of-a-kind art with innovative techniques. And, she’s not stopping there – these creations pack a punch in the market and align with the brand.