SFD117 How to quit your full time fashion job and start freelancing
*Note: This episode has a slight tic on the guest’s audio that we were unable to repair. But the interview is way too good not to share, so thank you for understanding!*
Freelancing is a hot topic in the fashion industry right now. With almost everyone working from home, more and more companies have realized that remote work and flexible schedules can actually work for their business. And more employees are starting to realize that there are possibilities beyond that 9 to 5 grind! In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, I talk to Kristen Anderson. She left her job as a senior designer to become a successful full-time freelancer. If you want to quit your fashion job and start freelancing, you’ll want to listen! She shares all the details of how she got here, what she’s learned, and what you can do to launch your freelancing career and ditch your day job for good!
In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:
- The important factors that scored Kristen her first jobs in the industry
- How she scored her first gig when she started freelancing again
- Why Kristen recommends freelancers have at least a simple website
- The genius way she “backwards engineers” the process to get work with the clients she wants
- How she prices her freelance services, and why
- How she gets paid in advance for her work
- How she handles contracts
- Her advice for anyone who wants to start their own label
- Why failure is your best friend
- And more!
Press the play button below to listen here, or listen on Apple Podcasts:
Getting started as a fashion freelancer
When Kristen Anderson first started freelancing several years ago, it was a GRIND. She had a few clients, but after hustling hard for a year and a half, she didn’t have much success to show for it. Her abilities hadn’t quite been honed, and she didn’t know how to get consistent clients and make a real living freelancing in fashion. She was so burnt out from the experience that she decided to go back to a regular job.
But now, she freelances full time, never wants for clients, and even gets to choose the brands she wants to work with!
Kristen helps small startup brands get their products produced, and she loves what she does. So how did she turn it around? The second time she tried freelancing, she went into it with a whole new strategy. She had more skills and experience under her belt, so she could do more for her clients. She approached pitching, pricing, and everything else more deliberately and professionally, demanding respect from the businesses she works with. And she really gained momentum from one lucky referral–from someone she hardly knew!
Quit your fashion job and start freelancing
New freelancers usually have a TON of questions. How do you protect yourself? Do you need a website? A lawyer? A million insta followers? And WHERE are all the freelancing jobs?? Kristen has been there, done that, and she’s sharing what she does in her successful freelancing business.
From contracts to pricing to how she scores the clients SHE wants, this episode is full of valuable tips. We talk about how to get started as a fashion freelancer, where to find clients, how to price your services, how to manage your income so it’s not so all-over-the-place, what to do when you fail, and the genius pitching strategy you will definitely want to steal!
If you’re a freelancer, or you want to become one, don’t miss out on this valuable episode!
Loved this ep? Then make sure you check out SFD Podcast #113, How to Fund your Fashion Brand with a Freelancing Career!
Resources & People Mentioned
- Free resources for SFD Podcast listeners!
- See what Kristen does at KNDRSN.com
- Follow Kristen on Instagram, Facebook, and more @KRSTNNDRSN
- Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn
- SFD Episode 107 with lawyer Andrea Sager
- HelloBonsai for invoicing and more
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
