The freeCodeCamp Podcast #176 From Therapist to six figure freelance dev
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Jun 20, 2025 Kelly Vaughn, a self-taught software engineer and the founding CTO at a fintech startup, shares her transformative journey from freelancer to agency owner. She discusses essential tips for navigating today's developer job market and the nuances of transitioning between freelance work and employment. Kelly highlights the importance of recognizing burnout and offers strategies to manage it effectively. Her insights into adapting skills in a fast-evolving tech landscape and the challenges of startup leadership make for an inspiring conversation.
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Platform Dependency Can Limit Growth
- Over-relying on one platform can delay learning essential technical skills.
- Kelly realized this after years of working mainly on Shopify without mastering key technologies like TypeScript.
First Freelance Client Story
- Kelly Vaughn's first client was a hunting supply store needing an online catalog.
- Her payment was an oversized t-shirt that her dad later found used as a rag.
Specialize in One Popular Tool
- Specialize deeply in one tool if the market demand is sizable and not oversaturated.
- This focus helps marketing and expertise positioning, like Kelly’s agency specialized strictly in Shopify.
