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

On today’s show: Is a VA a good first hire in your company?We’re joined by call-in guest Nils, who wants to know when and how to hire a VA—a virtual assistant.But Clay and I slam on the brakes and force Nils to answer the question: Is a VA even the best first hire to make?The answer might surprise you. It’s all on today’s episode of Freelance to Founder. Let’s go!This episode was originally aired on September 7th, 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

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

On today’s show: What should you do when you’re not getting the kind of respect you deserve from your clients?That’s just one of many questions we got today from our guest, Cathal, calling in from Germany.A few times now, Cathal has been hired by a manager only to later have that manager’s team give him pushback once he gets to work.So, we work with him on a few ideas on how to get everyone on board with the outside help of a freelancer or agency.That and lots more questions are just ahead on THIS episode of Freelance to Founder. Here we go.This episode was originally aired on August 31st, 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

In today’s Q&A episode, Noah Tetzner finds himself in a tight spot. He’s got a high-paying client on a monthly retainer. And while this makes a ton of financial sense for his business, this client is starting to go way over scope by treating Noah a bit like a BFF or even a therapist at times. What’s a guy to do? We’ll help Noah out on this episode. Here we go.This episode was originally aired on August 1, 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

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

On today’s Q&A episode - Nafeesa is wondering if there’s any way to keep the small, solo charm of her freelance business while also planning for an eventual exit.The real question: can you actually sell a freelance business?We’ve got the answer on today’s episode of Freelance to Founder. Here we go.This episode was originally aired on November 21, 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

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

I am joined by special guest co-host Austin Church on today's show.He is a very talented freelancer and the author of the new book, Free Money.It's all about growing your revenue as a freelancer, and we talked today about calculating your survival rate. That's the rate you need to stay in business as a freelancer. What's the minimum amount you need to make to stay in business? So, if you've wondered how to calculate that rate best, stay tuned for today's Q&A episode with Austin Church and me, Preston Lee. Here we go.This episode was originally aired on April 25, 2024To 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

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