Freelance To Founder

Are you a freelancer struggling with the nerve-wracking task of increasing your prices? In this eye-opening episode, Preston Lee and guest host Christine Olivas dive deep into the art and science of rate increases, offering invaluable insights for freelancers at any stage of their career. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome or wondering if your rates truly reflect your worth, this episode is your roadmap to confident pricing. Links: Support our show sponsors -> https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question -> https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It can be a real challenge to create a portfolio that actually converts new clients. This episode of Freelance to Founder dives deep into creative ways to showcase your professional expertise, even when you're new to the freelance world. Preston Lee and Christine Olivas share insider tips on how to build a compelling portfolio that attracts clients and demonstrates your value. Links: Support our show sponsors -> https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question -> https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of networking groups that feel more like spam factories than genuine connection opportunities? In this episode, Clay breaks down the art of finding professional groups that actually deliver value, sharing insider tips from his own successful agency-building journey. Support our show sponsors -> https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question -> https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a client's spouse starts meddling in your carefully crafted design process? In this episode, we dive deep into the tricky dynamics of managing client relationships when unexpected stakeholders enter the scene. Whether you're a freelance designer, consultant, or creative professional, you'll want to hear our strategies for navigating these delicate professional waters. Support our show sponsors: https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question: https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drowning in proposal and contract paperwork? Clay and Preston reveal the surprising truth about client management tools—it's not about finding the perfect software, but something else entirely. Support our show sponsors -> https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question -> https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever sent a proposal, completed extra work, and then panicked about sending the invoice? Laura did exactly that—and she's convinced she's about to lose a valuable client. But here's the thing: the disaster she's imagining might only exist in her head. In this episode, Clay and Preston tackle the all-too-common problem of freelancers building up worst-case scenarios before anything bad actually happens. They break down why you should send that invoice, how to handle pushback if it comes, and why the story you're telling yourself is probably far worse than reality. If you've ever hesitated to bill a client for work you've done, this episode will give you the confidence to stop panicking and start acting. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it just me, or does it seem easier to close a sale when you're a freelancer than as a full agency? Amy Bridges asked this question which lead Preston and Clay to tackle the counterintuitive truth about sales, retention, and positioning—revealing why individuals often win deals faster, but teams keep clients longer. Whether you're debating growing your team or staying solo, this discussion will help you understand which approach actually attracts the clients you want (and why the answer isn't what you might expect). Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An old client from two years ago wants the original design files from a past project—but you're worried about losing future work by handing them over. Should you push back, charge for the files, or just let it go? In this episode, Preston and Clay tackle Kevin's dilemma about whether to fight for those source files or take the high road. Their advice might surprise you: sometimes the smartest business move is the one that feels like you're giving something away for free. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling burned out on the business side of freelancing? You still love the creative work, but networking and client acquisition feel overwhelming? You're not alone. In this episode, Rachel asks how to reconnect with her passion for her business when the hustle feels exhausting. Preston and Clay dive deep into why we lose motivation, the importance of slowing down, and how to give yourself permission to coast without guilt. This is a conversation every entrepreneur needs to hear—because your mental health matters more than your growth metrics. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As your freelance business grows, you hit an inevitable ceiling: there's only so much you can do yourself. But delegating effectively is harder than it sounds. How do you train team members to run with tasks independently without constant check-ins? How do you avoid becoming a bottleneck that slows everyone down? And how do you set boundaries without seeming hostile or unavailable? In this episode, Preston and Clay answer listener Peter's question about delegation, drawing on Clay's experience managing a 20+ person team generating over a million in recurring revenue. They share practical strategies for creating SOPs, setting communication boundaries, and hiring people who can actually think for themselves—so you can focus on growing your business instead of micromanaging every detail. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Check out Clay's business → ⁠⁠https://golinus.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap

It's 5:22 PM on a Friday, and a client emails asking if you can design an ad tonight. Do you drop everything and work late? Charge a rush fee? Or simply say no? In this episode, Preston and Clay tackle listener Kirsten's question about handling urgent client requests outside business hours. They break down when to charge rush fees, how to set boundaries without damaging relationships, and why communication is the secret weapon for managing client expectations. If you've ever felt pressured to work weekends or evenings because a client needed something "right now," this conversation will help you draw the right lines while still being a great service provider. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Check out Clay's business → ⁠⁠https://golinus.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you charge by the hour or by the project? If you've ever struggled with this question, you're not alone. But here's the truth: you might be asking the wrong question entirely. In this episode, Preston and Clay dive deep into pricing strategy with a question from Lanya, revealing why hourly pricing punishes you for being good at what you do—and introducing the game-changing concept of value-based pricing. Learn how to have conversations with clients that uncover the true worth of your work, why asking about impact matters more than counting hours, and how solving a $300,000 problem for $10,000 isn't sleazy—it's simply understanding your value. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Check out Clay's business → ⁠⁠https://golinus.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling pressured to add marketing services to your web design business just because a course told you to? In this episode, Preston and Clay challenge the "supposed to" mentality that keeps freelancers stuck offering services they don't enjoy. Erica, a web designer, asks how to balance project work she loves with repetitive marketing tasks she wants to outsource—but the answer might surprise you. Clay shares his game-changing monthly recurring revenue model for websites (no contracts required!) and reveals how eliminating one major client bottleneck doubled his revenue. If you've been following someone else's blueprint and feeling like an imposter, this conversation will give you permission to build a business that actually lights you up. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Check out Clay's business → ⁠https://golinus.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling paralyzed by the endless stream of marketing tactics you "should" be doing? You're not alone. In this episode, Matt from Barrow Studio asks the question every service business owner wrestles with: with so many marketing strategies out there—from email lists to podcasts to paid ads—where should you actually focus your limited time and resources? What's the "silver bullet"? Clay and Preston cut through the noise with a refreshingly simple framework that helps you identify what will actually move the needle for YOUR business, not someone else's. If you've been stuck in analysis paralysis while your marketing sits on the back burner, this episode will give you permission to start small, focus strategically, and build momentum without burning out. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Check out Clay's business → ⁠https://golinus.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling nervous about networking? You're not alone. In this episode, Brittany asks how to break into local networking as a shy person, and Clay shares exactly how he built a million-dollar agency through local connections—even as a total introvert. From joining your first chamber event to creative strategies that put you front and center without the awkward sales pitch, this episode is packed with actionable steps for anyone who wants to grow their business locally but dreads walking into a room full of strangers. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Check out Clay's business → https://golinus.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As your freelance business grows from solo operator to team leader, the chaos can hit fast. Emma Clark's question about transitioning from inbox management to real systems is one every growing freelancer faces. In this episode, Preston and Christine Olivas dive deep into the practical side of scaling—revealing why your tool choice matters less than you think, and what actually needs to happen first. Christine shares how her team of 24-28 people stays incredibly agile using surprisingly simple systems, and why defining roles before deploying tools is the secret to avoiding the productivity trap that kills so many growing businesses. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about guest co-host, Christine → ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colivas/⁠ — ⁠https://nosingleindividual.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've built incredible relationships with your clients as a freelancer—but now that you're growing into an agency, how do you transition them to work with your team without losing the trust you've worked so hard to earn? In this episode, Preston sits down with Christine Olivas, founder and CEO of No Single Individual, to tackle this exact challenge. Christine shares her insights on finding team members who reflect your values, understanding what clients truly value about working with you, and reframing the handoff process from loss to gain. If you're struggling with letting go while scaling up, this conversation will help you move forward with confidence. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about guest co-host, Christine → ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colivas/⁠ — ⁠https://nosingleindividual.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've made your first couple of hires—congrats! But now comes the tricky part: how do you price your services high enough to pay your team well, while still remaining competitive enough to win clients? In this episode, Preston and Christine Olivas tackle the delicate balancing act of agency pricing, exploring the two-sided marketplace challenge of keeping both clients and team members happy. From identifying premium clients to articulating your unique value proposition, this conversation reveals why pricing isn't just about numbers—it's about positioning yourself in the right league. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about guest co-host, Christine → ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colivas/⁠ — ⁠https://nosingleindividual.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're swamped with client work, staying up late to meet deadlines, and turning down opportunities because you simply can't handle more. Sound familiar? In this episode, Preston and Christine Olivas tackle one of the biggest transitions in a freelancer's journey: knowing when—and how—to hire your first contractor. Christine shares her experience growing from solo freelancer to running a 24-person operation, revealing why volume of work alone isn't the right reason to hire, and how choosing between "deliverable hires" and "business hires" can determine whether you build real freedom or just create another job for yourself. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about guest co-host, Christine → https://www.linkedin.com/in/colivas/ — https://nosingleindividual.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling like you're not skilled enough to start freelancing or to grow your agency? You're not alone. In this episode, Preston tackles one of the biggest mental barriers new freelancers face: imposter syndrome. CodeCrafter asks how to build confidence when you don't feel expert enough—and Preston's answer might surprise you. Turns out, you don't need to be the world's best at what you do. You just need to be good enough to solve your clients' problems. Learn how to reframe expertise, overcome self-doubt, and start building your freelance business with confidence. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices