Episode Overview
Freelance patternmaker Alexandra doesn’t have a fashion degree, and she doesn’t live in a fashion hub. Yet with only a couple years of experience, she is now making more in one day as a freelancer than she made in two weeks at her old full-time job. Better yet, she loves the freedom to make her own schedule, choose the best projects for her goals, and actually have a life–all while still working in fashion.
Episode Highlights
- Introduction and Setting the Scene
- Heidi starts the episode while mentioning her cold and recording from her closet to avoid waking her son, Errol.
- Alexandra’s Freelance Success Journey
- Heidi introduces Alexandra Agreda, highlighting her freelancing success story and unique arrangement with a client agency that helps startups.
- Background and Dropping Out of Fashion School
- Alexandra shares her background, dropping out of Massachusetts College of Art and Design in her junior year, and spending five years away from the fashion industry.
- Finding Direction and First Fashion Job
- She talks about working odd jobs, moving to Pittsburgh, and finding Heidi’s podcast that inspired her to revisit fashion. She discusses getting a job as a production sewer and later creating collections for her employer without initial pay.
- The Impact of Heidi’s Podcast
- Alexandra credits an episode of Heidi’s podcast for enlightening her on remote freelancing opportunities, guiding her toward her current freelance career.
- Transitioning to Freelancing
- Alexandra explains the transition from her job to freelancing, including giving notice and eventually quitting entirely in December to focus on freelancing.
- First Freelance Opportunity
- She describes securing her first freelance gig via Indeed, negotiating better rates after a trial project, and the satisfaction of working on diverse projects.
- Importance of Cold Pitching
- They discuss cold pitching and Alexandra’s success in getting responses. Heidi emphasizes the importance of viewing cold pitching as offering help rather than selling.
- Freelancing Benefits and Flexibility
- Alexandra details the flexibility and financial benefits of freelancing, mentioning she earns more in less time compared to her previous full-time job.
- Encouragement and Potential Challenges
- Heidi provides encouragement around cold pitching, reinforcing patience and persistence. They discuss the potential need for educating clients about digital pattern making.
- Final Thoughts and Future Prospects
- The conversation closes with Heidi reflecting on Alexandra’s inspiring journey, her financial and personal success, and the potential for future growth.
- Contact Information and Closing
- Alexandra provides her LinkedIn and Instagram details for those interested in connecting with her, alongside final thoughts from Heidi expressing optimism for Alexandra’s freelance career.
Key Questions and Responses
- Could you introduce yourself and explain what you do in the fashion industry?
- Alexandra introduces herself as a freelance pattern maker who uses 3D CAD to help small businesses experience a more sustainable development process.
- Alexandra introduces herself as a freelance pattern maker who uses 3D CAD to help small businesses experience a more sustainable development process.
- Tell us a little bit about your background in getting started in fashion.
- Alexandra shares that she went to Massachusetts College of Art and Design for fashion design but dropped out in her junior year. She went five years without sewing or touching a sewing machine, working odd jobs until she reconnected with her now-husband and moved to Pittsburgh. Discovering Heidi’s podcast which asserted that one doesn’t need a degree to work in the fashion industry was liberating for her.
- Alexandra shares that she went to Massachusetts College of Art and Design for fashion design but dropped out in her junior year. She went five years without sewing or touching a sewing machine, working odd jobs until she reconnected with her now-husband and moved to Pittsburgh. Discovering Heidi’s podcast which asserted that one doesn’t need a degree to work in the fashion industry was liberating for her.
- Why did you drop out of fashion school?
- Alexandra explains that she saw herself as an artist and felt the program was industry-driven, focusing on trendy, sellable designs rather than innovative ones. The only class she was good at was pattern making, which was ironic given that math wasn’t her strong suit.
- Alexandra explains that she saw herself as an artist and felt the program was industry-driven, focusing on trendy, sellable designs rather than innovative ones. The only class she was good at was pattern making, which was ironic given that math wasn’t her strong suit.
- Could you describe the experience and job you had before freelancing?
- Alexandra worked as a production sewer for a small business and was later asked to design collections, which she wasn’t initially paid extra for. Despite enjoying aspects of the work, she felt overworked, underpaid, and realized there was no room for growth.
- Alexandra worked as a production sewer for a small business and was later asked to design collections, which she wasn’t initially paid extra for. Despite enjoying aspects of the work, she felt overworked, underpaid, and realized there was no room for growth.
- When and how did you realize freelancing could be a path for you?
- During the COVID pandemic in March 2020, Alexandra started reconsidering her options and rediscovered Heidi’s podcast, specifically episode 43 with David Russin, which was a lightbulb moment for her, realizing she could freelance as a pattern maker.
- During the COVID pandemic in March 2020, Alexandra started reconsidering her options and rediscovered Heidi’s podcast, specifically episode 43 with David Russin, which was a lightbulb moment for her, realizing she could freelance as a pattern maker.
- How does your current freelancing arrangement work, and what benefits do you find in this hybrid role?
- Alexandra works with a company that helps startups, taking on project-based work that she can accept or decline. She values the flexibility and has been able to negotiate her rates. Her role is predominantly freelance despite working under one company, allowing her the benefits of freelancing such as choosing projects and setting her schedule.
- Alexandra works with a company that helps startups, taking on project-based work that she can accept or decline. She values the flexibility and has been able to negotiate her rates. Her role is predominantly freelance despite working under one company, allowing her the benefits of freelancing such as choosing projects and setting her schedule.
- How has the financial aspect of freelancing compared to your previous job?
- Alexandra reveals that she’s making more in one day of part-time freelance work than she previously did in two weeks of full-time work at her old job. This financial leap, along with the love for the work and flexibility, has been transformative for her.