
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 28, 2022 • 47min
The Power of Saying “No” to Clients
On today’s show: Have you ever noticed just how liberating it can be to tell your clients “no”?In the early years of your freelance career, you feel almost obligated to say “yes” to any request your clients make. After all, they’re the ones paying your bills. But every “yes” to a client request means a “no” to something else in your business. If you’re not careful, your clients end up deciding the direction of your company this way.This is where we find today’s guest Erica.She’s been told she needs to follow a path offering sophisticated internet marketing, when in reality she just loves working on meaningful brands and building websites.So how can Erica say “no” when clients keep asking for more?Find out on today’s coaching call. We’ll get started in just a few minutes.PS: Get featured in an upcoming FTF SHORT! Just visit http://freelancetofounder.com/ask and submit a question. Support our sponsors so we can keep airing new episodes:
Sendinblue - Use promo code FOUNDER for 50% off your first three months on a premium account at https://www.sendinblue.com/founder/
Hectic - Everything you need to start, manage, and grow your freelance business — in one place.
Nearside - Free business banking that rewards you
Compiler - De-mystifying tech, one question at a time.
LinkedIn Jobs - Find the candidates you want to talk to, faster.
Magic Mind - World's first productivity drink.
Thrive: Join the $0 self-employment movement. Get all of the benefits of an employer, with none of the hassles.
Justworks - Manage your remote team and run your business with confidence.
Streak: Get 20% off your first year of their Pro plan - their most popular option.
ButcherBox: Get your meat delivered, for free, right to your door.
Talkspace: Feeling better starts with a single message.
Dripify - Premium learning platform for entrepreneurs.
SolidGigs - Get more freelance jobs
Get 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 26, 2022 • 11min
[Q&A] Client Pays Every Month, But Doesn't Call Me...
You're listening to our brand-new Freelance to Founder SHORTS, 5-10 minute episodes answering one (or two) questions from listeners like you.To submit your question, visit FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode.Today’s question comes from our free Mastermind group on Facebook.Kristy Gardner asks: My client is happily paying her retainer bill every month but not sending any work for me to do.How would you deal with something like this?Listen to our full-length coaching calls: http://freelancetofounder.comSupport our Episode Sponsors:
Hectic - Everything you need to start, manage, and grow your freelance business — in one place.
Nearside - Free business banking that rewards you
LinkedIn Jobs - Find the candidates you want to talk to, faster.
Magic Mind - World's first productivity drink.
Thrive: Join the $0 self-employment movement. Get all of the benefits of an employer, with none of the hassles.
Justworks - Manage your remote team and run your business with confidence.
Streak: Get 20% off your first year of their Pro plan - their most popular option.
ButcherBox: Get your meat delivered, for free, right to your door.
Talkspace: Feeling better starts with a single message.
Sendinblue - Use promo code FOUNDER for 50% off your first three months on a premium account at https://www.sendinblue.com/founder/
Dripify - Premium learning platform for entrepreneurs.
SolidGigs - Get more freelance jobs
Freelance to Founder is made in partnership between Millo, Dripify, and The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 21, 2022 • 1h 2min
Pivoting to Passive Income
On today’s show: have you ever wanted to pivot your freelance business into something a little more passive? In this episode, we chat with our old friend Will Gibbons who came on for a coaching call a couple of years ago.Since his coaching call, Will has pivoted into a more passive business model. If earning money passively is something you’d like to try, this episode is for you. We’ll be right back after a quick message from our sponsors.PS: Get featured in an upcoming FTF SHORT! Just visit http://freelancetofounder.com/ask and submit a question. Support our sponsors so we can keep airing new episodes:
Sendinblue - Use promo code FOUNDER for 50% off your first three months on a premium account at https://www.sendinblue.com/founder/
Hectic - Everything you need to start, manage, and grow your freelance business — in one place.
Nearside - Free business banking that rewards you
Compiler - De-mystifying tech, one question at a time.
LinkedIn Jobs - Find the candidates you want to talk to, faster.
Magic Mind - World's first productivity drink.
Thrive: Join the $0 self-employment movement. Get all of the benefits of an employer, with none of the hassles.
Justworks - Manage your remote team and run your business with confidence.
Streak: Get 20% off your first year of their Pro plan - their most popular option.
ButcherBox: Get your meat delivered, for free, right to your door.
Talkspace: Feeling better starts with a single message.
Dripify - Premium learning platform for entrepreneurs.
SolidGigs - Get more freelance jobs
Get 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 20, 2022 • 13min
[Q&A] When Sub-Contractors Don't Deliver
You're listening to our brand-new Freelance to Founder SHORTS, 5-10 minute episodes answering one (or two) questions from listeners like you.To submit your question, visit FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode.Today’s question comes from our free Mastermind group on Facebook.John-Luke Ward asks: How do you deal with freelancers that don't deliver as agreed?Listen to our full-length coaching calls: http://freelancetofounder.comSupport our Episode Sponsors:
Hectic - Everything you need to start, manage, and grow your freelance business — in one place.
Nearside - Free business banking that rewards you
LinkedIn Jobs - Find the candidates you want to talk to, faster.
Magic Mind - World's first productivity drink.
Thrive: Join the $0 self-employment movement. Get all of the benefits of an employer, with none of the hassles.
Justworks - Manage your remote team and run your business with confidence.
Streak: Get 20% off your first year of their Pro plan - their most popular option.
ButcherBox: Get your meat delivered, for free, right to your door.
Talkspace: Feeling better starts with a single message.
Sendinblue - Use promo code FOUNDER for 50% off your first three months on a premium account at https://www.sendinblue.com/founder/
Dripify - Premium learning platform for entrepreneurs.
SolidGigs - Get more freelance jobs
Freelance to Founder is made in partnership between Millo, Dripify, and The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 14, 2022 • 1h 6min
Breaking Free from Agencies as Clients
On today’s show: how can you stop using agency work as a crutch & build your own rolodex of high quality clients?It’s something we chat about with our first ever guest duo, Shelby & Kristina. They’re two comedic video marketers doing really fun work out of Hollywood, California.In the wake of the pandemic, Shelby and Kristina started their video business and found early success with agencies. And while working with agencies definitely has its advantages, there are lots of downsides too.So today’s show focuses on breaking free from agency-dependent work and finding your own audience, offering, and client base.It’s one of the best conversations we’ve ever had on the show and you won’t want to miss it. Stay tuned.Oh, and really quick before we dive in, I have to tell you quickly about this new tool we discovered called Hectic. It’s an all-in-one business suite built just for freelancers. I’ve never been so impressed with a product and team as much as I have with Hectic. We’ve partnered up with them and left a link in the show description, and you should really click through to see what I’m talking about. You’ll be blown away with what they offer to freelancers at absolutely zero cost. Ok… we’ll be right back. PS: Check out Hectic, an all-in-one freelancing suite that is BLOWING our minds right now!PS: Get featured in an upcoming FTF SHORT! Just visit http://freelancetofounder.com/ask and submit a question. Support our sponsors so we can keep airing new episodes:
Sendinblue - Use promo code FOUNDER for 50% off your first three months on a premium account at https://www.sendinblue.com/founder/
Hectic - Everything you need to start, manage, and grow your freelance business — in one place.
Nearside - Free business banking that rewards you
Compiler - De-mystifying tech, one question at a time.
LinkedIn Jobs - Find the candidates you want to talk to, faster.
Magic Mind - World's first productivity drink.
Thrive: Join the $0 self-employment movement. Get all of the benefits of an employer, with none of the hassles.
Justworks - Manage your remote team and run your business with confidence.
Streak: Get 20% off your first year of their Pro plan - their most popular option.
ButcherBox: Get your meat delivered, for free, right to your door.
Talkspace: Feeling better starts with a single message.
Dripify - Premium learning platform for entrepreneurs.
SolidGigs - Get more freelance jobs
Get 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 12, 2022 • 18min
[Q&A] Impressing big-brand clients
You're listening to our brand-new Freelance to Founder SHORTS, 5-10 minute episodes answering one (or two) questions from listeners like you.To submit your question, visit FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode.On today's show, Chris calls in with another question: How do I build a marketing plan that is impressive to big-brand clients?Listen to our full-length coaching calls: http://freelancetofounder.comSupport our Episode Sponsors:
Hectic - Everything you need to start, manage, and grow your freelance business — in one place.
Nearside - Free business banking that rewards you
LinkedIn Jobs - Find the candidates you want to talk to, faster.
Magic Mind - World's first productivity drink.
Thrive: Join the $0 self-employment movement. Get all of the benefits of an employer, with none of the hassles.
Justworks - Manage your remote team and run your business with confidence.
Streak: Get 20% off your first year of their Pro plan - their most popular option.
ButcherBox: Get your meat delivered, for free, right to your door.
Talkspace: Feeling better starts with a single message.
Sendinblue - Use promo code FOUNDER for 50% off your first three months on a premium account at https://www.sendinblue.com/founder/
Dripify - Premium learning platform for entrepreneurs.
SolidGigs - Get more freelance jobs
Freelance to Founder is made in partnership between Millo, Dripify, and The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 7, 2022 • 1h 2min
Getting More Established Clients
On today’s show: When you’re just getting started, taking on any clients just to pay the bills is almost a given. But there comes a time when you need higher-paying more established clients.That’s the situation today’s guest, Brittany, finds herself in.Brittany has been freelancing on the side for years and recently took her freelance business full-time.But aside from a couple of anchor clients, she’s mostly doing smaller, one-off projects that are both unpredictable and low-paying.So how do you find clients that are more established, with bigger budgets and longer-term needs? That’s something we dive into with Brittany on today’s episode. We’ll get into it right after this quick break.Support our sponsors so we can keep airing new episodes:
Hectic - Everything you need to start, manage, and grow your freelance business — in one place.
Nearside - Free business banking that rewards you
LinkedIn Jobs - Find the candidates you want to talk to, faster.
Magic Mind - World's first productivity drink.
Thrive: Join the $0 self-employment movement. Get all of the benefits of an employer, with none of the hassles.
Justworks - Manage your remote team and run your business with confidence.
Streak: Get 20% off your first year of their Pro plan - their most popular option.
ButcherBox: Get your meat delivered, for free, right to your door.
Talkspace: Feeling better starts with a single message.
Sendinblue - Use promo code FOUNDER for 50% off your first three months on a premium account at https://www.sendinblue.com/founder/
Dripify - Premium learning platform for entrepreneurs.
SolidGigs - Get more freelance jobs
Get 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 5, 2022 • 15min
[Q&A] How do I find product/market fit?
You're listening to our brand-new Freelance to Founder SHORTS, 5-10 minute episodes answering one (or two) questions from listeners like you.To submit your question, visit FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode.On today's show, Chase calls in with a question: What's a good "gut check" or "litmus test" for finding the perfect product/market fit?Listen to our full-length coaching calls: http://freelancetofounder.comSupport our Episode Sponsors:
Compiler - De-mystifying tech, one question at a time.
LinkedIn Jobs - Find the candidates you want to talk to, faster.
Magic Mind - World's first productivity drink.
Thrive: Join the $0 self-employment movement. Get all of the benefits of an employer, with none of the hassles.
Justworks - Manage your remote team and run your business with confidence.
Sendinblue - Use promo code FOUNDER for 50% off your first three months on a premium account at https://www.sendinblue.com/founder/
Streak: Get 20% off your first year of their Pro plan - their most popular option.
ButcherBox: Get your meat delivered, for free, right to your door.
Talkspace: Feeling better starts with a single message.
Dripify - Premium learning platform for entrepreneurs.
SolidGigs - Get more freelance jobs
Freelance to Founder is made in partnership between Millo, Dripify, and The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 31, 2022 • 50min
Landing Big Clients (like Walmart) w/ Elna Cain
On today’s show: how do you go from small, one-off clients to more reputable, big-name brands?It’s a question I pose to Elna Cain, my guest on the show today. Elna is a freelance writer who has worked with big brands like Zapier or Walmart. And in this episode, Elna and I unpack exactly how she got started building her portfolio, how she leverages that portfolio to get new clients, and what she’s doing now to attract even bigger companies.If you’re ready to build up a healthier client base, this conversation with Elna is a must. Stay tuned and we’ll get started right after this quick break.Support our sponsors so we can keep airing new episodes:
Compiler - De-mystifying tech, one question at a time.
LinkedIn Jobs - Find the candidates you want to talk to, faster.
Magic Mind - World's first productivity drink.
Thrive: Join the $0 self-employment movement. Get all of the benefits of an employer, with none of the hassles.
Justworks - Manage your remote team and run your business with confidence.
Sendinblue - Use promo code FOUNDER for 50% off your first three months on a premium account at https://www.sendinblue.com/founder/
Streak: Get 20% off your first year of their Pro plan - their most popular option.
ButcherBox: Get your meat delivered, for free, right to your door.
Talkspace: Feeling better starts with a single message.
Dripify - Premium learning platform for entrepreneurs.
SolidGigs - Get more freelance jobs
Also mentioned in this episode:
https://elnacain.com/blog/
https://www.innovativeink.ca/
https://solidgigs.com
https://www.clearvoice.com/
https://millo.co/freelance-job-sites
Get 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 favour 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 29, 2022 • 14min
[Q&A] How do I pitch a retainer?
You're listening to our brand-new Freelance to Founder SHORTS, 5-10 minute episodes answering one (or two) questions from listeners like you.To submit your question, visit FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode.On today's show, Dwaynia calls in with a question: How can I introduce a retainer option to people who inquire about services?Listen to our full-length coaching calls: http://freelancetofounder.comSupport our Episode Sponsors:
Compiler: De-mystifying tech, one question at a time.
LinkedIn Jobs: Find the candidates you want to talk to, faster.
Thrive: Join the $0 self-employment movement. Get all of the benefits of an employer, with none of the hassles.
Justworks - Manage your remote team and run your business with confidence.
Sendinblue - Use promo code FOUNDER for 50% off your first three months on a premium account at https://www.sendinblue.com/founder/
Streak: Get 20% off your first year of their Pro plan - their most popular option.
ButcherBox: Get your meat delivered, for free, right to your door.
Talkspace: Feeling better starts with a single message.
Dripify - Premium learning platform for entrepreneurs.
SolidGigs - Get more freelance jobs
Freelance to Founder is made in partnership between Millo, Dripify, and The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices