August 9, 2022

Community Insights: Taking Your Freelance Side-Hustle Full-Time Part 2

Starting a side hustle can help you diversify your income and give you the opportunity to try something new. But how do you know it’s the right time to quit your job and turn your side hustle into your main hustle?

We interviewed four members of the Women Who Freelance community, who’ve made the leap themselves, to share their experiences and advice.

Jennifer Hazel – Business Concierge Extraordinaire

Tell us about yourself

I am a small business owner and passionate advocate for women. I help socially conscious and impact-driven owners to take control of their businesses, grow their team, and create a sustainable income that supports their lifestyle and goals. My broader mission is to change the economic status of women and other marginalized communities. We’ve been working in and fighting against a system that doesn’t respond to our unique needs for long enough, and I am helping to blaze a path to find better ways to do business.

When did you know it was the right time to take your freelance side-hustle full time?

There was no “right time” — it just happened! I found myself with a full client list, and it hit me that I was operating a business! After that, I registered my business name, bought my domain and became ‘Jenn of All Trades’.

What was the biggest challenge when you took the leap?

Mentally, getting over myself and my own fears (a constant work in progress). But really seeing myself as a business owner, and not as someone else’s assistant was a HUGE paradigm shift for me. It was terrifying. Practically, learning how to manage clients and my time with equal priority and not making anyone feel like they are ‘second fiddle’ on my client list.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to do the same?

No time is the ‘right time’ — do it now. There’s almost always someone who is looking for exactly what you have to offer — in the way that you want to offer it. Find those people.

To learn more about Jenn, visit her website.

Abby Larmond – Virtual Assistant

Tell us about yourself

My name is Abbygail Larmond ( I go by Abby). I am Jamaican,based in Milton, Ontario and I have been a VA for over a year. I started part-time in November 2020 after helping out a friend with graphics for her social media and doing administrative tasks for her. She was so impressed with my work and how quickly I did things that she encourage me look into Virtual Assistance. I have always had certain admin and graphic skills but her idea encourage me to reach myself a bit more. While working for her part-time I had a full time 9-5 job that I hated. But, it didn’t take long for me to do what I really wanted.

When did you know it was the right time to take your freelance side-hustle full time?

By April of 2021 my job was starting to affect my mental health. While I still intended to be a Virtual Assistant, working in a toxic environment didn’t leave much room for me to feel inspired. However, I pushed through and by July I found a client who needed a VA full time. After starting with that client I quit my 9-5 and decided to start my business Abby | Virtual Assistant (AVA for short). I have never looked back since. I am passionate about helping business owners reclaim their free time and take their business to the next level. I pride myself on providing the best assistance possible and allowing my clients to feel stress and worry free.

What was the biggest challenge when you took the leap?

The biggest challenge was adjusting to being my own boss. It was a very new feeling knowing how to track my own time and knowing when I want to end my work day and establishing that boundary with my client. It was also a struggle to get out of that employee mindset and into the “you are your own boss” mentality.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to do the same?

Believe in your self and take the leap. It will be hard at first but just remind yourself of your why. It’s definitely worth it.

To learn more about Abby, visit her website.

Anupama Subramaniyam – Founder, suBrandco

Tell us about yourself

My story is that of a new immigrant, where I came with aspirations and dreams to make it in this beautiful country I now proudly call my home. I did my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Media and Communication from Swansea University after which I worked in India for a Public Relations company before I moved to Canada. Never did I think that 4 years later I would have my own company. It’s been a wonderful journey thus far and I cannot wait to see what the future of suBrandco holds.

When did you know it was the right time to take your freelance side-hustle full time?

I’ve always been told there is never a right time but always right opportunities. When I started to freelance it was something that was done due to circumstances. Laid off from my full-time job, I took up freelancing to keep me busy and my resume active. I kept looking for full-time opportunities while doing my side hustle. After a year of doing freelance work and being the master of my own time, I realized that this is where my passion lies. Doing what I love in my own time and space. My company, suBrandco was born thanks to this. I officially registered it a year after freelancing and not once have I thought about going back to a full-time role.

What was the biggest challenge when you took the leap?

One of the biggest challenges is getting your time’s worth. I do hourly rates but there is always someone willing to do similar if not the same work for slightly lesser rates. Competition becomes slightly stiff unless you really sell your services. It was also difficult to land my first big gig. When I did, imposter syndrome kicked in. But this is where platforms like Women Who Freelance help – you have a community that goes through similar journeys and who motivates you, giving you the confidence you need.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to do the same?

Starting something on your own or freelancing full-time can be a back and forth debate. What helped me the most is talking to people who freelance full-time and getting advice, tips, and an understanding of their journey. Everyone’s journey is different and the road to freelancing may seem bumpy but the satisfaction one gets is very rewarding. The simplest advice I can give is “Just do it” and don’t be afraid to ask for advice and help, especially with platforms like WWF. 

To learn more about Anu, visit her website.

Karolina Wudniak- Book Designer, Maker, and Mompreneur

Tell us about yourself

I’m a book designer, maker, and mompreneur with a fondness for nature and coffee. I have a cross-disciplinary background in different creative fields. I started to call Vancouver home when I settled here after a few years of travelling through 4 continents. When I don’t design books or create posters, I hike, swim, bike or just breathe the forest air.

When did you know it was the right time to take your freelance side-hustle full time?

In my head, always! I have a history of working on my own: I freelanced full-time for 2 years prior to my travelling adventure and while travelling I did some writing, photo or graphic design gigs from time to time. When I settled in Vancouver I worked full-time first, but when I became a mom staying home with my baby, I continued to side hustle my design gigs in the evenings. I had over a year to think about what I wanted to do once my baby boy starts daycare. I knew I don’t want to go back to a 9-5 job as I enjoy being my boss and couldn’t imagine not having work flexibility to find more time for my family. So I took some entrepreneurial courses and dove deeper into the book design niche (I got it to it quite naturally, through some gigs).

What was the biggest challenge when you took the leap?

Finding clients and connecting with people – not only I’m a newcomer but started my business during a full pandemic, so I didn’t have a lot of chances to meet new people.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to do the same?

Same I say to myself every day: to keep pushing further and continue to go out of one’s comfort zone. I won’t lie, it’s often hard and I sometimes think it would be much easier to find a job, but I don’t regret going on my own and I would do it over and over again. The growth and satisfaction that comes with entrepreneurial journey is just amazing.

To learn more about Karolina, visit her website.

 

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