Episode Overview
After a massive freelance win, Jacqueline returns to reflect on what she’d do differently next time. From factory visits to unexpected costs, this episode digs into the not-so-glamorous side of freelancing—and how one overlooked detail created more stress than she expected. You’ll hear how she’s adjusting her boundaries, rewriting her contracts, and learning to hold her value even when things get exciting.
Resources
260: How Jacqueline Landed Her First $10K+ Freelance Fashion Project (Part 1)
196: How This Freelancer Does Sourcing & Product Development for Factories (and is making bank)
197: How to Sell Yourself As A Freelance Fashion Designer (without feeling gross) with Nikki Rausch
250: The $6K Freelancer: How She Replaced Her Salary in 30 Days
Conscious Fashion Collective
The Power Pause, Neha Ruch Book
Episode Highlights
- From High to Hiccup: The tough freelance lesson that followed a $10K win
- What She Forgot to Include: The contract oversight that cost her
- Client Perception: How being overly generous can backfire
- Building Boundaries: The mindset shift she’s leaning into now
- Standing Her Ground: Why she’s no longer absorbing hidden project costs
- Freelancer Fatigue: The emotional and physical toll she wasn’t expecting
- Still Worth It?: Why she doesn’t regret the experience—but won’t repeat it
- Future-Proofing: The exact changes she’s making to her next proposal
Key Questions & Guest Answers
Q: What happened after you landed the $10K client?
A: Jacqueline traveled for an in-person client and factory visit—but soon realized she had left something important out of her agreement.
Q: Why didn’t she catch it sooner?
A: She was focused on landing the project and didn’t think ahead to the full cost of delivery.
Q: How did it impact her?
A: Financially, physically, and emotionally—it took a bigger toll than she expected and made her rethink her boundaries.
Q: Would she do it again?
A: Not the same way. She’s updating her contract templates and including clearer terms for travel and scope.
Q: How did the client respond?
A: The experience was still positive, but Jacqueline realized that not setting clear boundaries actually diluted her perceived professionalism.
Q: What’s she doing differently now?
A: She’s refining her proposal process and standing firmer in her worth from the start.
About Jacqueline
Jacqueline is a freelance denim designer who collaborates with ethical brands. Denim production has significant environmental and social consequences, mainly due to chemical dyes, excessive washing, and unethical labor practices. Her work aims to raise awareness that the denim industry should prioritize not only sustainability but also fairness, ethics, responsibility, and promoting slow consumption. Jacqueline is dedicated to contributing towards steering the industry in a positive direction for the future.
Connect with Jacqueline
Email her at connect@jacquelinediane.com
Check out her website
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn