Episode Overview
A common myth about freelancing is that it’s unstable, and you have to hustle 24/7 to get enough projects to survive. That was how this episode’s guest, PK, felt. When she had her son and started freelancing, she got burned by a client who refused to pay, and felt like she was constantly searching for a job. Now, she works with brands in her home country of India and around the world, and she has so much work that she had to hire other freelancers to help out!
Listen to hear how she did it, and what it takes to build a successful freelance career anywhere in the world.
Episode Highlights
PK’s Freelancing Journey Begins
- PK shares her career origins, including fashion school in India, further studies in Milan, and working for companies in India.
Transition to Freelancing
- After becoming a mom, PK was encouraged by a friend to try freelancing. Her first project did not go well as she didn’t get paid.
Struggles in Early Freelancing
- PK felt like she was constantly job hunting and had difficulty managing client relationships and expectations.
Joining the Freelance Accelerator Program (FAST)
- PK explains how FAST was a game changer for her freelance career, teaching her essential systems and processes for success.
Key Strategies Post-FAST
- PK discusses specific changes she made, including picking a niche (print-heavy women’s wear and kids’ wear), which helped her attract more clients.
- She also implemented business proposals to streamline communication and protect her interests.
Managing Client Relationships
- PK talks about the importance of doing exceptional work to encourage repeat business and referrals.
Finding Clients and Social Media Strategy
- PK found success through word-of-mouth, referrals, and sharing her design process on social media.
Pricing Insights
- PK discusses her pricing strategy and how she charges similar rates for clients regardless of their location.
Handling International Payments
- PK uses PayPal and Stripe for international transactions and mentions some challenges with Payoneer.
Building a Remote Team
- PK describes how she expanded her business by hiring and training other freelancers remotely, making her dream of a design agency feasible without a physical office.
Reflections on Freelance Lifestyle
- PK shares her fulfillment and freedom from freelancing, especially being present for her son and enjoying a flexible work environment.
Concluding Insights
- PK emphasizes the importance of a business mindset over an employee mindset for freelancing success and the need to focus on solving clients’ problems.
Closing Remarks
- Heidi thanks PK for sharing her story and encourages listeners to check out the program and resources available. They finish by discussing the transformative nature of freelancing and the freedom it provides.
Key Questions and Responses
1. Can you introduce yourself and talk a bit about your background in the fashion industry?
- PK introduced herself as a freelancer based in India, working with international clients. She narrated her journey from enrolling in fashion school in 2002, pursuing further studies in Milan, working with multiple companies for about 10 years, and eventually becoming a freelancer inspired by her experience as a new mother. She mentioned being skilled in design software like Photoshop and CorelDraw/Illustrator, which gave her an edge in her career.
2. How did your freelance journey start, and what were the initial challenges you faced?
- PK started freelancing after having her son. Her first project was not successful, with issues like lack of approvals and no payment. Despite these initial setbacks, she continued because she didn’t want to return to a traditional nine-to-five job. Over time, she learned the importance of systems and processes in freelancing.
3. What changes did you implement after joining the Freelance Accelerator Program (FAST) that made a significant difference?
- Joining the FAST program was a game changer for PK. She gained a structured understanding of finding clients, pitching, sending proposals, and managing projects. A significant change was learning about the importance of niche specialization, which helped streamline her efforts and attract the right clients. She also emphasized the value of sending business proposals and clear communication.
4. How do you approach pricing, especially when working with international clients?
- PK charges $150-$200 per tech pack as a minimum rate, regardless of the client’s location. She explained that it is a fair rate given her skills and the cost of living in her city. She has also found that some Indian clients are willing to pay these rates, indicating that the value of work does not always depend on geographical location.
5. How did you build a team, and what does your collaboration process look like?
- PK started with one person whom she trained online. Her team consists of remote workers she met through alumni networks or her teaching gigs. She manages the client communication and project allocation while the team helps execute the work. Payments are project-based, and the remote model works well due to its cost-effectiveness and flexibility.
6. What are your future plans and reflections on your freelance journey so far?
- PK loves her current lifestyle, which gives her freedom and flexibility. Although she doesn’t have fixed future plans, she enjoys teaching and designing concurrently. Reflecting on her journey, she’s grateful for the freedoms freelancing offers, especially as a mother. She credits the FAST program and the experiences from her previous industry roles for her success.
7. How do you accept international payments with clients, and what platforms do you use?
- PK primarily uses PayPal and Stripe for accepting international payments and has found these methods to be efficient and reliable. She briefly mentioned using Payoneer but experienced some issues with it.
About PK
Poonkuzzhali Pk has been working in the fashion industry for about 15 years. After working full time for several years, she now freelances full time in surface pattern design, flat sketching and tech packs. In addition to her freelance work and tteaching in design institutes and online, PK is an amateur artist and mom to an 8-year-old boy.
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!
- StudioPKP.com
- Connect with PK on LinkedIn
- Follow PK on Instagram
- Want to work with PK? Email pk [at] pkinspires.com
- Stripe
- Paypal