Being Freelance

Ruud launched an illustration studio straight of university in the Netherlands with his then-girlfriend. It started well but the work didn’t keep coming, and he soon took a job as a web designer to help pay the bills.After a move to Scotland, where his girlfriend landed her dream job as a game developer, Ruud took another shot at building the studio. He set up in a co-working space and made friends who inspired him, but after his relationship broke down he eventually moved to Portugal in search of the sun.He’s still there now three and half years later, with a steady flow of commissions coming in via word of mouth and social media. “There’s no magic formula,” says Ruud, “It’s just a matter of time.”This episode of Being Freelance is supported by Coconut.Coconut is the one simple app you need to manage your business finances when you’re self-employed, with banking, bookkeeping, invoicing and tax all in one place.Free yourself from business admin at getcoconut.comLove learning from other freelancers like this?