Episode Overview
Discover how Candice Stokes went from undervalued to unstoppable in freelance fashion design!
Ever felt stuck in a job where your skills weren’t fully appreciated? Candice Stokes knows that feeling all too well. She spent years questioning if she was “ready” to freelance—if her portfolio was strong enough, if brands would take her seriously. But when she finally took the leap, she landed a $4,100 client in her very first month. A few weeks later? Another $2,000 project. Now, she’s on track to leave her full-time job behind for good.
In this episode, Candice breaks down her exact strategies for pitching, pricing, and standing out as a freelance fashion designer. She shares how she used ChatGPT to craft proposals that actually work, why your portfolio doesn’t need to be perfect, and how an Instagram post unexpectedly led to a key connection in Thailand. Plus, she opens up about her passion for ethical fashion and building a business that aligns with her values.
If you’ve ever wondered if freelancing could really work for you, Candice’s story will challenge everything you thought about being “ready.” Click play now to hear how she made it happen—and how you can, too!
Episode Highlights
Candice’s Freelancing Success Story
- Candice shares her transition from feeling undervalued in the industry to landing significant freelance projects in her first month, surpassing her full-time job income.
Initial Freelance Project
- Discussion regarding Candice’s first major freelance project valued at $4,100, surpassing her full-time job salary, and the steps she took to secure it.
Using Chat GPT for Proposals
- Candice explains how she leverages Chat GPT to enhance her pitching strategy and customize cover letters by incorporating her voice and experiences.
Upselling Through Expertise
- The importance of showcasing expertise and offering additional services, like guiding new brands through product development, which helped Candice upsell her projects.
Developing Tiered Proposals
- Details on how Candice structures tiered proposals to offer varying levels of service, which demonstrated her knowledge and offered clients more options.
Building Professional Relationships
- Highlighting the significance of establishing strong client relationships, nurturing connections, and emphasizing ethical manufacturing.
Overcoming Portfolio Perfectionism
- Candice discusses her ongoing struggle with portfolio perfectionism and how she’s learned to appreciate her existing accomplishments.
Future Goals and Ethical Focus
- Her ambition to continue freelancing, a commitment to ethical manufacturing, and a desire to support artisans worldwide, inspired by her personal journey.
Key Questions and Responses
1. How did Candice land her first $4,100 client?
- Candice hesitated initially but eventually decided to put her work on Upwork. She used Chat GPT and the pitch strategies taught in the Fast Track program. Her short stint at Levi’s provided credibility, and she pitched with a focus on her past experiences. After chatting with potential clients, she successfully upsold from a simple tech pack to full product development.
2. What strategies or tools did she use for her pitches and proposals?
- Candice leveraged Chat GPT to help craft cover letters in her voice, ensuring they were personalized to each job listing. She mentioned using prompts and strategies from the Fast Track program to build her pitch. Additionally, Candice utilized Canva templates to create professional presentations with tiered service proposals.
3. What are some examples of the tiered proposals Candice offered?
- For her $4,100 project, she presented options ranging from just a tech pack (basic) to full product development. The client chose a middle-ground option, which included sampling with two factories. Similarly, her $2,000 project involved offering a range from one tech pack to comprehensive product development and manufacturing (client once again opted for a higher tier).
4. How does Candice determine her pricing?
- She mentioned having spreadsheets to calculate costs based on hourly rates and estimating the time required for various tasks. She includes considerations for resources like her access to ethical manufacturing connections, and she adjusts her prices for Upwork’s commission fees.
5. What was Candice’s industry background and its role in her freelance success?
- Candice’s journey includes working at Chico’s in sourcing and as a tailor at Levi’s. Despite not having studied fashion, she pursued skills in craftsmanship by working with artisans, which led to her expertise in technical design. This background equipped her to work with startup brands and focus on ethical sourcing, a passion rooted from her corporate experiences.
6. What challenges has Candice faced on her freelance journey?
- She expressed insecurity about her portfolio not being complete or perfect yet. Candice was also concerned about the seasonal slowdown in work and unfulfilled freelancing gigs that fell through. However, these setbacks were coupled with wins that motivated her to continue pushing forward.
7. Why is ethical manufacturing important in her work?
- Candice emphasized her commitment to nurturing relationships and preserving craft rather than relying on exploitation or cheap labor. She wants to ensure fair wages and support artisans, aligning her work with values of ethical practice and respect for garment workers worldwide. This ethos drives the core motive of her freelance career.
About Candice:
Candice Stokes is a technical fashion designer who transforms creative ideas into expertly crafted garments, thanks to her hands-on skills and years of sewing experience. She’s passionate about how clothes tell stories—both cultural and personal—and loves geeking out over why fabric matters as much as fit. Whether she’s sketching, sewing, or decoding a tricky pattern, Candice brings humor and heart to her work (and plenty of coffee).
Connect with Candice:
Email her at: hello@candicestokes.com
Visit her website
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn