
Freelance to Founder
Freelance to Founder is a unique call-in show helping real-life freelancers grow their businesses and escape the feast-famine lifestyle. The podcast is co-hosted by Clay and Preston, two former freelancers who have started, built, and even sold six- and seven-figure businesses of their own. If you enjoy content fromThe Futur, Being Freelance, The Accidental Creative, Smart Passive Income, or The Side Hustle Show, then you'll love Freelance to Founder. Catch the Tuesday Q&A episodes, dive deeper with Thursday's call-in episodes, or join us on the air and take the next step on your journey from ... freelance to founder.
Latest episodes

Apr 24, 2025 • 1h
The Risk of Referrals
On today’s show, if you get most of your clients from referrals, is that a good thing? Or is your business at risk of failing?You’re about to hear a coaching call with Dwaynia, who’s calling in from Alabama in the USA. Dwaynia has a great writing business going. She’s working with clients she loves and has a small team to support her.But, Dwaynia literally lies awake at night worried about not having a client generation system in place to bring in predictable new work. Her annual goals are literally pulled out of thin air, and she’s not sure how to fix it.Clay and I share a few of our best ideas for building a predictable client referral system, as well as other ways to get clients in the door in a more predictable way. Here we go.This episode was originally aired on January 13, 2022.PS: Get featured in an upcoming Q&A! Just visit http://freelancetofounder.com/ask and submit a question. Support our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below.https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsorsGet your own on-air coaching callWe'd love to feature your business and offer some free on-air advice for growing your business. To see if you're a good fit, click here.Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:If you enjoy the show, can you do us a favor and leave us an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts? We'll love you forever. Click here to leave a review.More Recommended Listening:This show is a part of the Podglomerate, a company that produces, distributes, and monetizes podcasts. We encourage you to visit the website and sign up for our newsletter.We suggest you also try other Podglomerate shows about entrepreneurship, business, and creativity, such as Rocketship.fm and Creative Elements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 22, 2025 • 22min
[Q&A] Charge by Hour or Project?
On today’s Q&A episode, if a client is willing to pay by the hour or by the project, which one should you choose?That’s part of Pennygoo’s question, and our answer might surprise you… Here we go!This episode was originally aired on September 5, 2023.To submit your question, visit FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK, and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode.Listen to our full-length coaching calls: http://freelancetofounder.comSupport our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below.https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 17, 2025 • 53min
Do Lead Magnets Work?
On today’s show: Do lead magnets really work? Like, can you actually get new clients by giving away something for free first? Or are they a waste of your time?I’m flying solo today on a coaching call with Garrett—who has questions about using AI to generate lead magnets, how to price his work when he has a unique offering and non-traditional clients, and more.It’s all in today’s episode of ‘Freelance to Founder.’ Thanks for joining. Here we go!This episode was originally aired on August 17, 2023.PS: Get featured in an upcoming Q&A! Just visit http://freelancetofounder.com/ask and submit a question. Support our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below.https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsorsGet your own on-air coaching callWe'd love to feature your business and offer some free on-air advice for growing your business. To see if you're a good fit, click here.Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:If you enjoy the show, can you do us a favor and leave us an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts? We'll love you forever. Click here to leave a review.More Recommended Listening:This show is a part of the Podglomerate, a company that produces, distributes, and monetizes podcasts. We encourage you to visit the website and sign up for our newsletter.We suggest you also try other Podglomerate shows about entrepreneurship, business, and creativity, such as Rocketship.fm and Creative Elements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 15, 2025 • 20min
[Q&A] Client-Converting Portfolio Tips
In this Q&A episode, Oliver asks us what it takes to create a portfolio that actually brings in new long-term clients. And since Clay and I are real marketing geeks, we have quite a few ideas for turning your sleepy portfolio into a client-converting machine. It’s all in today’s show, and it starts right now.This episode was originally aired on August 29, 2023.To submit your question, visit FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK, and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode.Listen to our full-length coaching calls: http://freelancetofounder.comSupport our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below.https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 10, 2025 • 55min
You're Dead Without a Vision
On today’s show: you’re dead without a vision for your business.That’s because without a vision—or a north star—to guide your business, you can very easily end up chasing the wrong things.In today’s episode, we chat with Alan, who’s ready to grow his family business, but he’s not sure where to start when it comes to strategy and processes. If you find it hard knowing where to start, this episode is for you. Here we go.This episode was originally aired on February 29, 2024PS: Get featured in an upcoming Q&A! Just visit http://freelancetofounder.com/ask and submit a question. Support our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below.https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsorsGet your own on-air coaching callWe'd love to feature your business and offer some free on-air advice for growing your business. To see if you're a good fit, click here.Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:If you enjoy the show, can you do us a favor and leave us an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts? We'll love you forever. Click here to leave a review.More Recommended Listening:This show is a part of the Podglomerate, a company that produces, distributes, and monetizes podcasts. We encourage you to visit the website and sign up for our newsletter.We suggest you also try other Podglomerate shows about entrepreneurship, business, and creativity, such as Rocketship.fm and Creative Elements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 8, 2025 • 16min
[Q&A] Should I hire a CPA or use a tax software?
Today’s question comes from our free Mastermind group on Facebook.Anna Keith asks: "I’m getting ready to do my taxes and am considering trying software rather than hiring a CPA.What insights or pros/cons about using software vs. hiring a professional do you have?"This episode was originally aired on May 3, 2022.To submit your question, visit FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK, and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode.Listen to our full-length coaching calls: http://freelancetofounder.comSupport our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below.https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 3, 2025 • 52min
Client Tool Craziness
Discover the dilemma freelancers face when juggling multiple client project management tools. Should they adapt or consolidate? Explore the rise of AI in content creation and how it complements human creativity. Learn about the challenges of client communication, especially with the complexities of logins. Strategies for business growth and adaptation are discussed, emphasizing the need for a personal brand beyond platforms. Tune in for insights on enhancing client collaboration and finding fulfillment in freelancing!

Apr 1, 2025 • 13min
[Q&A] Can I Put In-House Work in My Portfolio?
This episode's question came in via email.Nico works as a designer for a company right now, and he wants to start freelancing on the side and build a business.He said, “I was thinking of creating a portfolio, including the projects I've completed in my current company, but in a fictitious way (use different names, organizations, etc.) Also, state that this is a fictional project but that the process and outputs are the same. Do you think this will work to close deals?If you were a company that would be reviewing my portfolio, would you think that I'm experienced or just someone trying to fool you?”Note: we are not attorneys, and we will not even touch the question of if it’s something legal or not. We are not providing legal advice in any way. This type of advice should be provided by a certified professional, and we are not.This episode was originally aired in July 5th, 2022.To submit your question, visit FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK, and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode.Listen to our full-length coaching calls: http://freelancetofounder.comSupport our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below.https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 27, 2025 • 54min
Where Is Your Business Going?
Have you ever felt like you don’t know where you’re going in your business? It can be debilitating and frustrating. Not only that, but it can leave you spinning your wheels and wishing you knew what to do next to finally get some traction. That’s the situation Bernadette finds herself in.Today, she calls in from New Zealand with questions about how to restart her business and build something she can actually get excited about. It’s one of the most raw, personal sessions we’ve had to date, which leads us to some real breakthroughs for Bernadette’s business. Stick around for this fun brainstorming session on today's episode of Freelance to Founder.This episode was originally aired on August 10, 2023.PS: Get featured in an upcoming Q&A! Just visit http://freelancetofounder.com/ask and submit a question. Support our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below.https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsorsGet your own on-air coaching callWe'd love to feature your business and offer some free on-air advice for growing your business. To see if you're a good fit, click here.Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:If you enjoy the show, can you do us a favor and leave us an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts? We'll love you forever. Click here to leave a review.More Recommended Listening:This show is a part of the Podglomerate, a company that produces, distributes, and monetizes podcasts. We encourage you to visit the website and sign up for our newsletter.We suggest you also try other Podglomerate shows about entrepreneurship, business, and creativity, such as Rocketship.fm and Creative Elements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 25, 2025 • 12min
[Q&A] Best Software for Getting Paid Faster?
Today’s question comes from our free Mastermind group on Facebook.Darielle asks: "What's the BEST Software for getting paid faster?"Getting paid for your work FAST is key, but how do you make it happen?You'll get the answer here!This Q&A episode was originally aired on August 8th, 2023.To submit your question, visit FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK, and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode.Listen to our full-length coaching calls: http://freelancetofounder.comSupport our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below.https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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