Episode Overview
What if getting laid off became the best thing that ever happened to you? That’s the story of Vancouver-based designer Bre Simpson. After a devastating year that included layoffs, illness, and personal loss, Bre took her freelance future into her own hands. In less than two years, she built a thriving business that’s not only replaced her corporate salary—but booked out into 2026. In this episode, Bre opens up about how she got there, the scrappy early days, the turning points that changed everything, and the mindset shifts that helped her stay the course.
Episode Highlights
- From Laid Off to Fully Booked: How Bre rebuilt her career after being laid off and is now booked into 2026
- Replacing Her Salary in 18 Months: The milestone moment when she outpaced her old corporate income
- Starting with a $250 Tech Pack: The humble first project that kickstarted everything
- LinkedIn + ChatGPT = Clients: How she’s getting inbound leads without ads
- The Website Tipping Point: Why having an online presence changed her momentum
- Boundaries in Freelance: Saying no to misaligned clients and how it paid off
- $20K Projects & Predictable Income: Building stability as a freelancer
- Healing While Hustling: The human side of rebuilding after burnout and loss
- Community and Connection: How FAST and the Vancouver network kept her grounded
- Future Plans: Hiring friends and paying it forward to other creatives
Key Questions & Guest Answers
Q: How long did it take you to replace your corporate income?
A: In just 18 months, Bre’s freelance business surpassed her old salary—she’s now earning more than she made in-house.
Q: How did you get your first freelance clients?
A: She started on Upwork with small projects like $250 tech packs before leveraging LinkedIn and networking for consistent clients.
Q: What platforms bring in the most leads today?
A: LinkedIn is her biggest driver, followed by her website. She’s even had clients find her through ChatGPT searches.
Q: What was the hardest part of your first year freelancing?
A: The uncertainty—navigating grief, inconsistent income, and learning everything from contracts to client communication on her own.
Q: When did things finally feel stable?
A: Around the 10‑month mark, when consistent clients began booking and repeat work started flowing.
Q: What are some red flags you’ve learned to spot in clients?
A: Unrealistic timelines or “discount” pricing—she once turned down a client who wanted 52 tech packs for $5,000.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: Bre’s goal is to hire fellow freelancers, expand her network in Vancouver, and pitch larger activewear brands she admires.
About Bre
Bre Simpson is a freelance performance and activewear designer who helps new brands launch smarter, not harder. With over a decade of experience at powerhouse companies like Lululemon and Aritzia, she brings deep industry expertise to emerging and small-scale apparel brands. Bre specializes in bridging the gap between creative vision and production reality—offering corporate-level execution without the in-house overhead.
Connect with Bre
Visit her website
Email her at bresimpson@yourfutureinfashion.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn