Episode Overview
You’ve tried everything to get clients – Upwork, cold pitching, you name it. In this interview with Aashika, she shares the same sentiment and advice on how she handles this hardship. She also shares literally ONE thing that she changed on LinkedIn that not only got her more clients, but made them approach her! Plus, keep listening for some valuable tips and transparent experiences on charging wages based in India, including getting a fair wage both inside and outside of India.
Episode Highlights
Introduction to the Podcast
- Heidi introduces the theme of remote freelancing in fashion and shares her own career journey as context.
Guest Introduction
- Meet Aashika Chakrabarti, a lace and lingerie designer from India, known for her niche expertise and remote freelance success.
Aashika’s Background
- Aashika studied at the London College of Fashion and discovered the power of niching early, eventually focusing on contour design for lingerie.
Moving to China for Work
- She moved to China for a lace design job, where she dove deep into the technical side of lace and gained industry experience.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- When the pandemic hit, Aashika returned to India and launched her own brand after facing limited job opportunities.
Challenges with Her Own Brand
- She opens up about the tough realities of running a brand during COVID—dealing with manufacturing issues and having to model her own designs.
Transition to Freelancing
- Aashika started freelancing by optimizing her LinkedIn profile, which led to inbound client inquiries and new opportunities.
First Freelance Experiences and Learning Curve
- Early freelance work came with a steep learning curve—she had to figure out contracts, client expectations, and pricing on the go.
Finding Balance and Confidence
- Through the freelance accelerator program, Aashika gained clarity on her value, improved her mindset, and built confidence in her niche.
Navigating Client Relationships
- She shares how she turned a job interview into a freelance opportunity by asking smart, strategic questions.
Achieving Success through Niching Down
- Aashika’s niche in lingerie and lace design helped her attract both Indian and international clients looking for specific expertise.
Daily Routine and Work Life
- She describes her structured daily routine focused on client work, outreach, and ongoing learning to stay competitive.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
- Heidi closes by celebrating Aashika’s freelance journey and encouraging listeners to explore their own path in the fashion industry.
Key Questions and Responses
1. Can you start out by introducing yourself to everybody listening and letting us know who you are and what you do in fashion?
- Aashika introduced herself as a lace and lingerie designer from India, specifically focusing on lace design for lingerie. She has recently begun her freelance career in this niche.
2. Do you still live in India, and can you tell us more about your background, including your education and early career?
- Aashika shared that she still lives in India but is currently in New York. She studied at the London College of Fashion, choosing a specific course on contour design, which includes lingerie and swimwear. After school, she worked in China for a large manufacturing company, gaining significant experience in lace design.
3. What changes did you make to your LinkedIn profile to attract clients?
- Aashika explained that she changed her LinkedIn title to “lace and lingerie specialist”. This change resulted in multiple brands approaching her for freelance work, which she attributed to the improved SEO and specificity of her profile.
4. How did you handle the transition from job interviews to consulting opportunities?
- She discussed her approach of listening to clients’ needs, pitching her skills effectively, and educating clients on the value of her work. By asking questions and turning the conversation around, she turned potential job offers into freelance consulting roles.
5. How did you come up with your pricing, and what challenges have you faced in this regard?
- Aashika’s pricing journey involved setting her rates based on past job offers and market research, including competitors’ rates on platforms like Upwork. Despite facing resistance from some potential clients in India who thought she overcharged, she remained firm on her fair rates, especially for international clients.
6. What are some of the mindset and confidence challenges you’ve faced as a freelancer?
- She detailed her initial struggles with undervaluing her skills and dealing with imposter syndrome. Despite a few negative experiences with initial clients, enrolling in the FAST (Freelance Accelerator) program and engaging with its community helped boost her confidence and professionalism.
7. What does a typical day in your life as a fashion freelancer look like?
- Aashika shared that she prefers working early in the morning and likes to get most of her work done by 4 or 5 PM. Her daily routine includes sending out proposals, working on ongoing projects, and continuously upskilling herself, such as learning new design techniques.
About Aashika
Aashika is a lingerie and lace specialist who has worked in the industry for the last five years, two of which were spent running her own brand. She just started freelancing and consulting and is looking to build a career for as a specialist lingerie and lace design consultant.
Loved this episode? Don’t miss these other episodes:
- SFD126: How to Find Freelance Fashion Design Clients
- SFF132: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: Pricing and retainers, WTF to do!?
Resources & People Mentioned
- Free resources for SFF Podcast listeners!
- Follow Aashika on Instagram
- Connect with Aashika on LinkedIn