I Didn't Just Show Up Here Smiling One Day

I didn't just show up here smiling one day.

There's actually a lot more to the story...

2020: Laid off, newly divorced, broke, and home-bound in a rural area with a 6-year old during the pandemic.

➡️ Started a blog then a YouTube channel.

➡️ Landed my first client through YouTube and filed as an LLC.

2021:Laid off again.

➡️ Cleaned houses to pay the bills and became tired of feeling powerless.

➡️ Leaned all in to freelancing, which at that time was managing projects for agencies.

➡️ Zero strategy. A whole lot of vision and passion.

2022: Lost clients, heard “no” a lot, and generally felt rejected. Hospitalized for stress-related illness.

➡️ Worked 14 hours a day, 7 days a week through various side hustles, did everything myself, and saved almost every dime I earned.

➡️ Unexpectedly landed more work inbound from YouTube.

➡️ Logged into LinkedIn for the first time in years and started posting regularly in October.

2023: Experienced social media audience growth resulting in friends and new clients. Invested in a business coach and therapist, and began working out regularly.

➡️ Landed my first 6-figure contract (4 month duration) which was followed by multiple consulting retainer contracts.

➡️ A lot of work travel.

2024: Became more intentional about my time and clear with my boundaries. Learned how to say no to the wrong opportunities and trust the right ones would come my way. Lots of mindset work. Outsourced work and hired an assistant so I could leverage my time and stop working 14 hour days.

➡️ Continued consulting engagements and traveled some for work.

➡️ Collaborated as a co-author on my first book project.

➡️ Landed my first sponsorship.

➡️ Sold hundreds of copies of my Freelance Guidebook.

➡️ Launched my Freelance Course.

➡️ And on top of the podcast appearances and article contributions this year, I’ve written over 150 original LinkedIn posts, produced a couple dozen YouTube videos, and even took a vacation. 😅

I never know if I'm doing things the "right" way, but I'm doing things the right way for me.

And if you can learn something from my journey, well, that makes me smile even more.