A Look Back on 23 Years of Freelancing
If you would’ve told me 20 years ago … even 10 years ago … I’d be where I am today, I would’ve told you you were nuts.
My career path has certainly taken all sorts of unexpected twists and turns. And I’m loving every minute of it!
When I was in college, I had dreams of becoming some hotshot creative director on Michigan Avenue. During spring break my senior year, I went to Chicago and interviewed with some of the biggest names in the biz.
I walked away with an offer for an internship at J. Walter Thompson … for $4.25 an hour.
Who could afford to move to Chicago for $4.25 an hour??
Besides, I’d already had two excellent internships. Did I really need another?
Alas, I stayed in Kansas City and started interviewing at the ad agencies here. In an already competitive industry, I was immediately faced with the old, “We need 5-10 years’ experience.”
But how are you supposed to get that experience if no one is willing to give it to you??
Additionally, while I noticed there was a shortage of female creatives (and essentially NO female creative directors) at the time, it didn’t occur to me as to why.
Until one day—many years later—a well-known CD admitted that, while it was probably a subconscious thing, he didn’t want to hire young female creatives because, “All they would do is run off, get married, and have babies.” So why should they even bother training them?
I. Was. Livid.
Were we still living in the Mad Men era?? Who were they to decide what my career path would look like?! And that’s a mighty big assumption there that everyone wants kids.
I mean, thank you for telling me and enlightening me as to what was going on, but ugh!
I digress …
I ended up taking a job on the corporate side, working in retail marketing. It wasn’t my fave yet it paid the bills as I continued on my quest to get to the agency side.
A few months later, I got an offer from a small shop and, without hesitation, took the leap.
That was my first mistake … the ‘without hesitation’ part.
I should’ve researched the company more. I should’ve learned of their reputation. I should’ve trusted my gut during the interview process when something seemingly shady occurred. Because any and all of that would’ve shined a light on what was to come.
But I was just thrilled to not be pigeon-holed on the corporate side and finally be able to start working on the agency side.
Almost immediately, though, I began to notice an extreme lack of professionalism and decorum at this small shop. It was truly a toxic environment. Lo and behold, just a few months in, I lost my job.
Why? For trying to be professional in front of a client when the agency owner wasn’t.
Ironic, no?
While getting out of there was certainly necessary, I was crushed.
At the time, I didn’t know how common it was for folks in advertising to lose their jobs—whether due to losing a client or raging egos.
That would’ve been nice to know going in …
At any rate, I started looking for another job, yet the timing was not at all ideal. I was knee-deep in planning a wedding and building a house. Each of those, in and of itself, could be a full-time job!
I looked for a job half-heartedly and started freelancing to help pay the bills.
Not gonna lie. That first year? I think I made a whopping $600.
But then the dust settled. The wedding was over. The house was built. And I had a decision to make. Would I continue to look for a full-time job or give the freelancing thing a whirl?
I was so frustrated with not finding what I wanted (due to lack of experience and, apparently, the dumb luck of being female), I finally threw my hands in the air and said:
“Screw it! If they’re not going to give me a job, I’m going to make my own!”
And I did.
That was 23 years ago.
And I’ve yet to look back.
I immediately sat down, wrote a business plan and marketing plan, set goals, and off I went!
I started writing and proofreading for ad agencies, design studios, large corporations, and small businesses. Client work was coming in. Awards were being won. Everything was going well.
And then it happened.
About five years in, I noticed a void for freelancers … a void in education, community, and even respect.
So I made it my personal mission to rectify that.
Since then:
I founded The Freelance Exchange to offer continuing education, networking, camaraderie, and support for my fellow freelancers.
I’ve mentored countless self-employed creatives over the years, helping them decide if freelancing is right for them and offering tips on what it takes to succeed.
I’ve spoken at numerous universities and colleges, sharing all about the freelance life.
I’ve been interviewed by the media and have appeared in several outlets.
I’ve been honored with awards and recognition for my community efforts.
I created my own Freelancing 101 course and teach as an adjunct professor at the world-renowned Kansas City Art Institute.
I developed a coaching program for my fellow freelancers to teach and inspire them to succeed on their own.
And I’m now speaking on local, national and international stages, sharing the love as far as I can reach.
So, yeah. If you’d told me 20 years ago I’d be doing what I’m doing today, I would’ve thought you were nuts.
I'm absolutely nowhere I thought I'd be yet EVERYWHERE I'm supposed to be.
This is my passion: helping other freelancers succeed.
And I will continue on that personal mission as long as I’m able.
So, as I’m celebrating 23 years in business this week, I want to give a HUGE shout out to the little agency that catapulted me into a lifetime of creating my own destiny. Thank you for that push.
Want to create your own path, too? You can!
All it takes is a little push.
Need help? Let’s chat.
