I have taken the leap!
Well, my friends, I’ve officially jumped off the ledge. Am I scared? Yep. But am I also incredibly excited? Absolutely.
After being made redundant in December 2024, I was hit with shock and then panic. I applied for everything under the sun, hoping something would stick. But then, after six weeks of obsessively considering the idea of freelancing, thinking about it 24/7, the thought wouldn’t leave me alone, it was like my dog barking at the possums on the fence every night. If you know us and our dog, Cosi, you know that’s an accurate metaphor for the situation. That little voice that won’t stop, growing louder and louder, until you can’t ignore it any longer.
It started with a simple “What if?” and then turned into something I couldn’t shake: What if I did this? What if I leaned into my love of being creative, having fun, and building something that's mine?
I’ve always been drawn to creative graphic design, content creation, and helping people bring their ideas to life visually. But there was that nagging voice, the one that told me, “You’re not good enough yet,” or “You don’t have the right connections,” or even, “Who are you to think you can turn this into a business?”
But then, one day, I just decided: “Screw it.” And here I am.
With the encouragement of some truly wonderful friends and a super supportive husband, I have taken the leap!
Starting a freelance business? Well, let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows (yet), but it’s real, and honestly, it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.
It’s been a series of iterations, testing the waters, and finding my design style while figuring out my business plan. I had a wise woman tell me once, “They’re not mistakes, they’re iterations of work.” I love that. It’s my mantra now.
I don’t have the perfect website yet, and I don’t have a team of professionals behind me. What I have is a laptop, a solid portfolio, a whole lot of creative determination and the passion to grow and evolve. I remember setting up my social media accounts, posting my first design, and thinking, “Oh my goodness! What have I done?” I deleted it all and started over (like, five times).
But then, something amazing happened, people started responding. Lee, a friend from high school reached out, she has developed She’s with Us, an app that supports women over 50 to connect and make friends through fun activities. We will hopefully be collaborating in the future, and I can’t wait!
Every day is a creative brainstorming, pushing myself to learn, grow, get out there and find fabulous clients. I won’t lie, some days are frustrating and scary. I still have many moments where I doubt myself, where I wonder if I’m doing enough or if I’m even good enough.
Starting this freelance business was more than just about making money or having a career. It was about leaning into my creative side and doing something for me, though making money would help.
If you’ve got a product, a service, or an idea you want to share, don’t just throw it out there and hope it sticks. Reach out and let me craft your story. Make it real. Let people connect with you. Sure, there are tons of graphic designers, but there’s only one me!
