Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:
I started my freelance journey by accident, 11 years ago, when my friend's mom asked me to create graphics for her viral Facebook page “Joy of Mom”. Despite being 19, and only having taken “Intro to Graphic Design” where I learned to design CD covers (RIP)–I accepted the challenge. I created graphics that said things like “Grandma's are mommy's with sprinkles” and started responding to lonely moms in the comments with words of encouragement. Despite the retrospectively hilarious nature of the work – I became obsessed. I started working 24/7 and also became extremely burnt out… But I was getting paid $500 a month – and in college in 2012, that meant I was rich.
Flash forward– I've been freelancing full-time for close to a decade and have made over a million dollars doing it. As someone who needs to be their own boss (Aries), hates corporate structure, can't be pinned down into a specific role/title, and wants to work at random times a day – being a freelancer has been the best fit for my work style and personality. Plus, I've figured out how to make anywhere from 15-50k a month – which is something I don't think any salaried job could ever match… so I am officially a freelancer forever. Thus, How to Go Freelance was born.
How to Go Freelance is a workshop that I built based on my lived experience and success, that covers everything you need to know about how to start and run a business as a service provider, monetize your skills, and earn a living you're really proud of. And given that even the founder of LinkedIn says that 9-5 jobs as we know them will be extinct by 2034 – it would be beneficial for anyone to learn how to freelance and make money as an individual, without needing to rely on a traditional job or company.
Besides running this business, I work as a fractional CMO and love doing holistic branding, business strategy, and website design projects. I also work with freelancers, creatives, and small business owners in 1:1 coaching sessions, every Monday.
Notable brands I've worked with: Condé Nast, Boll & Branch, Buzzfeed, NOKA, To Be Magnetic, FloLiving, Nomad Lane, Follain, Alexis Smart Flower Remedies, Summersalt Swimwear, AdaMarie, Zola, Peter Crone, Kim Strother and more.
Who are your customers?
Currently: CMO @ AdaMarie – a jobs board for women in STEM, EP @ WholeySchmidt Podcast with Sarah Schmidt, Founder & Face of @howtogofreelance
Notable brands I've worked with: Condé Nast, Boll & Branch, Buzzfeed, NOKA, To Be Magnetic, FloLiving, Nomad Lane, Follain, Alexis Smart Flower Remedies, Summersalt Swimwear, AdaMarie, Zola, Peter Crone, Kim Strother, Rejuvenate with Nousha and more.
What was your background prior to starting your own business?
Lead Strategist @ WeAreJanuary with Reshma Chamberlin of Summersalt
Head of Marketing @ Follain Clean Beauty – recently sold to Credo
Head of Brand, Digital & Marketing @ To Be Magnetic for 6 years – Led the rebrand, named the company, built the team and scaled to a multi–7 figure business
Other Freelance Consulting Clients: Condé Nast, Boll & Branch, Buzzfeed, NOKA, To Be Magnetic, FloLiving, Nomad Lane, Follain, Alexis Smart Flower Remedies, Summersalt Swimwear, AdaMarie, Zola, Peter Crone, Kim Strother, Rejuvenate with Nousha and more.
What made you take the leap to start your own business?
As a multi-hyphenate with a blend of left-brain logic and right-brain creativity, I’ve never fit neatly into a traditional role. I began freelancing while in college, went full-time in 2017, and now I’m thrilled to launch How To Go Freelance—my new e-course business. While I use 'freelance' as part of the brand, the insights and strategies I teach are designed for service providers and small business owners alike. I’m passionate about building every aspect of a business, and I’ve personally created 100% of the course content, website, branding, and social media, drawing on all the skills I’ve honed throughout my career.
Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
Absolutely! Even at age 10, I had a business called Variety Creations—complete with branded visors—where I’d do anything you’d pay me for. I cleaned houses for people from church, made posters, sold cakes at bake sales... I’ve always had an 'ABC' mindset: Always Be Closing! 😂
Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?
I launched How to Go Freelance last month (August 2024) and it's been amazing to see the response so far! I am most surprised that the things that come so easily to me, and seem like such a "no-brainer" in my head, are SO helpful to others. Don't underestimate that! Here are some reflections from the process that I just shared in a recent reel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_lWwyWJcBv/?hl=en
What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?
For me, it's about letting go of control and letting paths to success come in unknown ways.
While I try to utilize all my best practices, the biggest bumps in following have come from other people unexpectedly sharing, or an old client referring me to speak on a Fiver panel - the thinks that I haven't planned end up lending to the most success!
What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?
I'm proud of LAUNCHING something for ME! I've launched soooo many e-courses and products for other brands and was always frustrated I didn't have one myself to create a more passive revenue stream. I've had this in my mind for years and to get it out to the world felt really huge. I was also nervous to start creating and sharing videos tips talking to the camera, it felt silly, but I jumped off the cliff and started doing it, it became easy and fun! It's so rewarding to see how they really help people.
Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?
In 30 Days of launching How To Go Freelance:
1,000 followers
70 e-course sales
10 1:1 coaching sales
All without any viral videos or ads!
I think this video best captures my wins and learnings so far :)
https://www.instagram.com/p/C_lWwyWJcBv/?hl=en
What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?
So far l've only done organic marketing and community building, but I'm excited to experiment with running ads and designing sales funnels. I've also been kicking around a podcast idea and would love to do more public speaking.
What is your top productivity tip?
Work when YOU have energy – not when you think you are meant to. I am a sprinter and sometimes I have 200% energy to get a ton done, and sometimes 0%. It's actually less productive for me to do a little bit everyday, and more productive for me to take advantage of my bursts and do the most then. Don't be swayed by other people's productivity tips, they are all just suggestions and you should take them with a grain of salt. Start to notice your natural energy patterns and work in the bursts. If you're feeling flat, take a walk, go outside, turn your brain off! Work when you've got the muse!
On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?
Say NO to the work you don't want to do. I get burnt out when I people please and especially take on work that I don't like.
What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?
I work in a very unstructured way – I take advantage of the times I'm inspired and have lots of energy to work, and when I don't I do other things that fill me up like pilates, walks, spending time with friends and my dog. This makes me feel like life is on my terms, not my clients or my schedules :)
What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?*
You'll only be as successful as your commitment to create! No strategy is going to work forever and everything is an experiment. Enjoy the process, and you'll enjoy work.
When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?
"If I asked you to do something you didn't know how to do, what would you do?"
The best people I've hired are problem solvers – even if they don't know how to do it – they figure it out, google it, ask questions, really take things off my plate. I only want to hire people who have a problem solving attitude!
What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?
Squarespace :) I use it to sell my e-course and check on sales.
What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?
Squarespace! It's an amazing easy to use platform for any type of business. And I've used it to build websites for at least 30 clients.
What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?
Just get started! Nobody knows what they are doing, everyone is just experimenting. Stop thinking that anyone knows better than you do. Get advice and inspiration, but don't assume anyone can do your business better than you can. Also remember that you are the magic and energy behind your business above all!
Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today!
About the Author
Abby Pan
Abby Pan is the Email Marketing and Podcast Manager at Entreprenista, where she oversees the podcast production, curating engaging content and facilitating discussions that empower and inspire women founders in their entrepreneurial journeys.
