From an overworked designer posting “a visual diary” on Instagram to running a multi-stream creative business, Itzel Islas has built a freelance life entirely on her own terms.

After almost a decade in apparel design, she started illustrating for fun - and quickly realised people loved her colourful, playful style. “Little by little I started creating art… and then I started getting clients through it.”

Today she runs YAY Itzel, blending branding work, her online shop, Patreon sticker club, brand partnerships with Adobe and Wacom, murals, workshops and even organising pop-ups, all rooted in her Mexican culture. “I’m just chasing whatever is fun for me.  And if it sounds fun, I’m all in.”

She talks building a business organically, finding clients who share her values, and why being authentic is her biggest asset. “I’ve always seen everything I do as a big package of what is my business and how I sustain myself as an artist.”

Hosted by freelance podcast and video podcast editor Steve Folland.

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Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
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Freelance market research consultant Katie Tucker shares how being intentional - with her time, energy, and choices - helped her build a freelance life that truly fits. 

From walking away from a corporate job for a family adventure to launching her freelance business Product Jungle and writing excellent business book Do Penguins Eat Peaches?, Katie opens up about patience, priorities, and the reality of balancing work, parenting, and wellbeing. 

You can watch the video podcast of this episode on Spotify or YouTube.

In this episode we cover: 

• The leap from corporate to freelancing after a family gap year
• How writing Do Penguins Eat Peaches? helped shape her business
• Balancing client work with parenting and self-care
• Why understanding your customer starts with asking better questions
• The power of patience, pricing, and permission

Plus ,we discover the one market research mistake that freelancers and small business most often make. Make sure you catch it. 

Find Katie Tucker at https://www.productjungle.co.uk/

Get Katie's excellent business book: https://amzn.to/4hQ60bh

---

Hosted & produced by freelance podcast editor & video creator Steve Folland. 

EPISODE SPONSORED BY FREELANCER MAGAZINE 

Much more than a magazine these days - but come on, who doesn't love sweet glossy pages dropping through your door helping you explore the world of freelancing? 

Visit freelancermagazine.co.uk

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
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From choreographing dance routines and directing a TV show at a South African megachurch… to running her own freelance business - Lineo Kakole’s journey into branding was anything but traditional.

When no one would hire her after she quit her job, Lineo started sharing passion projects on Instagram. From there, she built her creative identity design studio, Get Ready With Me, around beauty, strategy, and intentional living.

But freelancing wasn’t always smooth. Burnout forced Lineo to rethink everything - from how she planned her day to how she tracked her emotions. Her solution? Turning to her 16-year-old self for guidance. 

Her high school self packed a lot in without burning out, how did she do it?

Paper planners. Quarters, not just years. Dance breaks. Report cards. Slowing down. 
Now she does client work just four focused hours a few days a week - and she’s built a business that truly fits her life.

In this episode, Lineo shares how she:

- Built her freelance brand from scratch with no client experience

- Discovered her niche through joy, not just opportunity

- Designed a unique way of tracking emotional productivity

- Learned to value her unconventional career path

- Built market access beyond South Africa — into London, Sydney, Berlin and more

Lineo reminds us: No one’s chasing you. 
You don’t need to be 'Forbes 30 Under 30'. 
You just need to design a freelance life that works for you.

----

Hosted & produced by freelance podcast editor & video creator Steve Folland. 

EPISODE SPONSORED BY FREELANCER MAGAZINE 

Much more than a magazine these days - but come on, who doesn't love sweet glossy pages dropping through your door helping you explore the world of freelancing? 

Visit freelancermagazine.co.uk

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

When Jess Bruno left her corporate job in marketing, to help with managing her chronic illness - she had no idea freelancing was even an option. 

It was her mum that made her realise all the free marketing advice she was giving to her friends should be worth paying for.

The next time they called asking for help, it would cost £25.

Since then, Jess has built a six-figure freelancer business.

And what's more, she's built it on her terms: around her health, around surgeries, around grief. 

The past five years has packed in a lot for Jess. And we pack a lot into this episode:

- How chronic illness shaped her business model

- Rebuilding from grief, surgery and burnout — twice

- How she grew her business without posting perfect content

- The shift from doing it all to coaching and strategy

- Why her content converts, even with 30 likes a post

- What Netwerking is, and why it’s worth every penny (even in the red)

- How she’s planning a sustainable new version of her business

It’s bold, honest and brilliant — just like Jess.

--

Hosted & produced by freelance podcast editor & video creator Steve Folland. 

EPISODE SPONSORED BY FREELANCER MAGAZINE 

Much more than a magazine these days - but come on, who doesn't love sweet glossy pages dropping through your door helping you explore the world of freelancing? 

Visit https://freelancermagazine.co.uk

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

From finance lawyer in Malta to FinTech copywriter in Edinburgh — André Spiteri’s freelancing story is full of risk, reinvention, and real talk.

In this episode, André shares how he went from a corporate job he hated to building a sustainable freelance writing business. 

He talks honestly about the pressures of starting out, the mindset shift that came with success, and why the freedom of freelancing can sometimes be the hardest part.

You’ll hear:

Why André quit law and moved to London with no plan

His cold-pitching mindset and why, against the usual freelancer advice, he doesn’t follow up

What changed when he embraced being himself on social media

How community and a mastermind group made a huge difference

The surprising thing he found most challenging about freelance life

What he’d tell his younger self after 10 years in business

It's a fun, sometimes sweary story of escaping corporate life.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

PODCAST SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDE:
High quality audio/video recorded online www.beingfreelance.com/riverside
It’s free to get started - use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan 
 

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Ben O’Brien, known to many as Ben The Illustrator, returns to share how his freelance journey has evolved since his first Being Freelance appearance back in 2018.

From losing all his travel industry clients overnight in 2020, to discovering new income streams through lockdown listening parties, to launching a creative studio with his wife, and literally building a studio with his friends. Ben’s path of adaptation has been found by following his curiosity, being more open that ever to opportunities. 

Now 25 years into his self-employed life and 20 years as ‘Ben The Illustrator’, there’s a lot of experience for Ben to draw from (making no apologies for the pun).

- Finding clients through word of mouth (and why you can’t force it)

- Running a print shop… and knowing when to shut it

- The joy of building your own studio from scratch (literally)

- What AI can’t do (and how human illustrators can stay ahead)

- Why sharing your work (not just your services) really matters

Ben seems to be a really happy place creatively and with work life balance.
And he's rediscovered the joy of doing what he always loved.

Available as a video podcast too - Watch Ben here on the site, on YouTube, or Spotify.

EPISODE SPONSORED BY FREELANCER MAGAZINE
Much more than a magazine these days  - but come on, who doesn't love sweet glossy pages dropping through your door helping you explore the world of freelancing? Visit https://freelancermagazine.co.uk

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

PODCAST SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDE:
High quality audio/video recorded online www.beingfreelance.com/riverside
It’s free to get started - use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan 
 

ABOUT THIS EPISODE
From a young age, Hollie Arnett was inspired to pursue a creative path. 

Fast forward to today, and she’s running not one but two brands from Wellington, New Zealand: Maker & Moxie, where she coaches artists and makers on building their own brands, and By Hollie Arnett, where she offers branding and illustration services.

High School Hollie would be proud.

In this episode, Hollie shares how her journey as a freelancer began as a teenager doing design work for her youth group, how a life coach nudged her into officially launching her business, and the twists, pivots, and passions that shaped her freelance career. 

We also dive into subscription services, pricing packages, the power of creative communities, her own experiences with chronic illness, confidence issues and ultimately following the joy in what she does. It's a joy to listen to.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

PODCAST SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDE:
High quality audio/video recorded online www.beingfreelance.com/riverside
It’s free to get started - use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan 
 

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

From a young age, Jerel Ramsey was inspired by his father to work for himself. And here we are. In this episode, Jerel shares how he turned his passion for design into a full-time business, Sola, which he runs with his wife from their home in Trinidad and Tobago.

Starting out as a graphic designer, Jerel’s journey went from side gigs to establishing a purpose driven creative agency. He talks about how his experience with the Red Cross sparked his desire to work on meaningful projects and how he built a business based on collaboration rather than competition. Building a network of other freelancers to 'co-create'.

Staying to true to his father's message to work 'with' people, not 'for' them.

Jerel opens up about the realities of freelancing, from finding clients in a saturated market to balancing work and life with his wife, and how their complementary strengths make their business thrive.

VIDEO version also available on YouTube and Spotify!

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

PODCAST SPONSORED BY: 
RIVERSIDE: High quality audio/video recorded online www.beingfreelance.com/riverside 
It’s free to get started - use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan 

PODCAST SPONSORED BY: 
PORKBUN: Get a domain name for your website. www.beingfreelance.com/porkbun 

ABOUT THIS EPISODE
This time around Dee Primett shares her 10 year journey from a side hustle grinding with content mills to becoming a sought-after freelance communications specialist for healthcare and tech brands.

Dee got her start writing online while juggling young children, slowly carving out a niche in healthcare content—and discovering a talent for making complex ideas easy to understand. Her freelancing career evolved from generalist blog posts to strategic content and brand communications, fuelled almost entirely by referrals and word of mouth.

In 2022, Dee was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. In this honest and inspiring conversation, she opens up about the impact it had on her life and business; from surgery and recovery to reshaping her lifestyle, working patterns, and mindset.

She talks about coping with post-cancer anxiety, the huge difference getting a studio space made, building better boundaries, and leaning into what matters most. We also hear about the Female Copywriters Alliance, the vibrant community she founded for women in copywriting, and her growing interest in creating a micro agency model that supports other freelancers fairly.

Dee brings plenty of humour, heart, and wisdom to this episode of the Being Freelance podcast which you can also watch with video on YouTube and Spotify.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

EPISODE SPONSORED BY (AND RECORDED USING) RIVERSIDE 
Record high quality video & audio with Riverside. 

See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelancer business. 

It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan. 
Head to: http://www.beingfreelance.com/riverside

-----

ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Icelandic artist Stefán Yngvi Pétursson, also known as Styngvi, shares his journey from working in an ad agency to becoming a freelance conservation illustrator. 

Inspired by shocking pollution during a trip to Indonesia, Stefán decided to use his creative skills for environmental activism, or 'artivism'. 

He established a successful freelancing career through Instagram, but more recently has expanded his network and leads via LinkedIn and email outreach. 

With a growing online presence and support from platforms like Patreon, Stefán aligns his art and business with his values, promoting sustainability, environmental awareness, kindness and positivity. 

In this chat we explore his passion-driven career and his strategic pro bono work (including a collaboration with a major music star). But whilst it may feel like Styngvi may have found his calling, what to actually call himself is another matter. An ethical designer? A conservation illustrator? A science communicator? 

How about: a really great podcast guest?

Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction to Stefán Yngvi Pétursson

02:47 Starting the Freelance Journey

04:45 Discovering a New Path in Indonesia

07:04 Building a Sustainable Art Career

10:13 Navigating Business and Outreach

18:24 Pro Bono Work and Strategic Collaborations

22:54 Freelance Community and Networking

24:18 Stefan's Portfolio and Online Presence

26:02 Managing Freelance Workload

26:59 Exploring New Content Strategies

28:22 Balancing Work and Personal Life

29:30 2 Truths/1 Lie Game

33:42 Life on the Road as a Freelancer

34:55 Crafting a Professional Identity

38:01 Conclusion and Farewell

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

EPISODE SPONSORED BY (AND RECORDED USING) RIVERSIDE 
Record high quality video & audio with Riverside. 

See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelancer business. 

It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan. 
Head to: http://www.beingfreelance.com/riverside

-----

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

This time, we explore both a metaphorical freelance journey and physical one.

In 2015 Rebecca decided she wanted to travel whilst freelancing.
After building up savings and clients for a couple of years, she headed off to Europe as a digital nomad. Travelling whilst working as a content writer and strategist.

At first she did more sight seeing that client work, but as time went on she was ready to switch that balance. To settle for longer - both in terms of location and contracts.

Rebecca shares insights on how she made the most of her network for initial clients, and adapted to changing freelance landscapes over the years through platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and Slack communities. 

She discusses the challenges and benefits of running a location independent business. (She’s currently settled in Bonn, Germany - but before that spent two years in Turkey!).

Plus we hear about the importance of community, developing her freelance business with external help in mastermind groups and with coaches. Plus getting strategic by herself with regular quarterly 'CEO retreats' - taking time out of client work, to focus on what she's building herself. Because even if she's staying put for longer geographically these days, she's definitely still going places.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland