269: She Quit Her Job in Under a Year—and Now Makes More Freelancing in Fashion

Ever wondered how long it really takes to quit your job and go full-time as a freelance fashion designer? For Candice Stokes, it was less than a year. She went from working as an embroidery tech to earning *more* money on her own—working with dream clients and building a business that aligns with her values. In this episode, she shares exactly how she did it, from leveraging Instagram to streamlining her workflow, and what she’s learned since walking away from her 9-to-5.

Resources:
250: The $6K Freelancer: How She Replaced Her Salary in 30 Days

About Candice:
Candice Stokes is a technical fashion designer who transforms creative ideas into expertly crafted garments, thanks to her hands-on skills and years of sewing experience. She’s passionate about how clothes tell stories—both cultural and personal—and loves geeking out over why fabric matters as much as fit. Whether she’s sketching, sewing, or decoding a tricky pattern, Candice brings humor and heart to her work (and plenty of coffee).

Connect with Caroline:
Visit her website
Email her at [e-mail]

Follow on Instagram 

Connect on LinkedIn 

Download my Freelance Price List just for fashion (it’s free!): sewheidi.com/price

Creators and Guests

Host

Heidi Weinberg {Sew Heidi}

Heidi (aka Sew Heidi) is a self-taught freelance fashion designer who built a six-figure business without a degree, portfolio, or industry connections. After years of burnout in the fashion industry, she went freelance—and never looked back. Now, she helps other designers ditch toxic jobs, land better clients, and build flexible careers they love. Through her podcast, courses, and resources, Heidi has helped thousands of designers take control of their fashion path and finally get paid what they’re worth.

What is Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own Terms?

This is a show for burnt-out fashion designers (and TDs, PDs, patternmakers, textile designer and beyond) who want more flexibility in their career while still doing work they love.

You'll learn how to build a freelance fashion business, so you can do the work you love on your own terms. Freelancing in fashion is the only way to get freedom in your day (instead of being tied to a desk).

Whether you want to earn extra money on the side, fund your fashion brand, or replace your salary, the FDGP podcast will help you get there. Listen in for actionable tips and strategies to kickstart or grow your career as a freelance fashion designer, build your confidence, and create the life you want.

Hosted by $100k+ fashion freelancer Sew Heidi, the show features interviews and strategy sessions with successful freelance fashion designers from around the world who've ditched toxic fashion jobs and taken control of their own destinies. This is the only place to get REAL insights from REAL freelancers who have built REAL careers on their own terms. (Formerly the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast.)

Heidi [00:00:00]:
Ever wondered how long it really takes to quit your job and go full time as a freelance fashion designer? For Candice Stokes, it was less than a year. She started with no real freelance experience, just a few stints at small brands and a production job at an embroidery shop. Today, she's doing technical design for startup brands, offering tech packs, product development, and sourcing. And in less than one year, she's officially earning more than she did in her 9 to 5 job. In this episode, Candice shares how she made the leap, what's working best to attract aligned clients and the systems that are helping her grow with confidence. You're going to love this episode. Let's get to it. So can we lean in and talk about your mega success? Quitting your job officially, which you teased about on the last episode.

Heidi [00:00:45]:
Yeah, officially quit. You've landed some additional huge clients. You might be going on a client trip. I won't do any spoilers, but do tell. Like the last we talked, it's so just for context, people listening. It's October 2025 and we last recorded February 2025. I don't think so. Just eight months ago.

Heidi [00:01:07]:
I don't think I've ever brought someone back on this quickly.

Heidi [00:01:11]:
Oh, my gosh.

Heidi [00:01:12]:
You're usually like a year, year and a half, but you're. Your trajectory and your pace has been so amazing and you had some teasers on the last one, so I thought we got to talk about this, so do catch us up.

Candice Stokes [00:01:27]:
Oh, my gosh. Well, thank you for framing it that way because sometimes when you're just pushing and pushing and pushing, you forget how fast it's happened. So thank you for framing it that way. And yeah, it's been a whirlwind and a half. Honestly, my whole life has changed since last year, since I. Since I started this program, and it's been so cool. And it honestly, like. Yeah, so I'm just trying to, like, think about this, like, the timeline.

Candice Stokes [00:01:59]:
So, yeah, I got this really big client, but even before that, I was getting, like, some really amazing people that I got to work with that, like, share the same values as me. And I think that, like, that part has been really helpful for me, like, being able to communicate my. And it doesn't even feel like a niche, right. Because to me, it's just like, who I am. So it doesn't feel like a niche, but it's. It's moving through the world, upholding my values and my integrity and like, for me, producing things ethically and making sure that the people that are Working on these garments feel good and are being treated fairly. Like, that's because. Because I'm a garment worker.

Candice Stokes [00:02:40]:
Right. So, like, for me, that's the most important part and obviously making sure that my clients are happy. But those things can co. Coexist, you know, and if you find the right clients that do align with those values, it feels so natural. And I've gotten some really, really cool people to work with, and I'm just really excited. Yeah. And then the big connections that I've gotten, like, not just clients, but even just suppliers and stuff, have come from within the community.

Heidi [00:03:09]:
The FAST community.

Candice Stokes [00:03:10]:
Yes. So, like, without this great, you know, feedback loop that I have from being able to talk to, you know, you're kind of just shouting out into the void. So, yeah, I definitely, like, a big. My big client I got from someone in fast. And then like, my biggest supplier right now I got from another recommendation through fast. So that's just amazing. It's been so fun. Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:03:38]:
And yeah, so my Italian supplier, her name is Flavia. I absolutely love her. We're like besties. And, like, you have to come visit me in Milan. Candice, you're going to love it, you know, and like, she's so sweet. I absolutely love her. So. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:03:55]:
So we're. We're having a great time. I'm making beautiful things with amazing people, and I. I just can't believe that. That this is my job and that I, like, made it happen. Like, I'm like, I just made up this job for myself and that's great. Oh, okay.

Heidi [00:04:12]:
So for a little context.

Candice Stokes [00:04:13]:
Yes.

Heidi [00:04:15]:
You. I think you started Fast Track in, like, about a year ago, October 2024. And then we chatted in February. You had gotten some big projects, and you were like, I am making more of these projects that I make in a full month. Which you were working at an embroidery shop, right?

Candice Stokes [00:04:31]:
Yes, yes, I was an embroidery technician.

Heidi [00:04:34]:
Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:04:34]:
And I basically stayed at that job. I had to go. I basically, like, booked enough where I forced myself where I was like, I have to go part time. Like, I can't stay on because I was just. I had no time to sleep.

Heidi [00:04:48]:
When did you go part time?

Candice Stokes [00:04:50]:
Would say that was probably like, July. June. June. Yeah. Okay, so it's like six months.

Heidi [00:04:59]:
Started freehancing in October. We chatted in February. You got a couple of projects. You were forced to go part time in June.

Candice Stokes [00:05:07]:
Ish.

Heidi [00:05:07]:
And then when did you officially quit?

Candice Stokes [00:05:10]:
Like, this past month, I've been, like, weaning myself off. It's hard Because I live in a small little beach town and not a lot of people know how to run those machines. And so it's kind of been me, you know, obviously not wanting to just ditch my old boss right there. It's a great small business, you know, family run. So I've been helping him out and he's been tossing me clients, and it's been really great. Yeah, so it's, it's feeling really aligned and, you know, so I've just been. I'll pop in and work on, like, the really intense machine. They have, like a post bed juki machine that no one knows how to use in this city.

Candice Stokes [00:05:45]:
So I'll go in, do a little bit of that work and then, you know, do him a little favor and then come back to work at my little studio here in my house.

Heidi [00:05:53]:
Yeah, okay, but it sounds like you're doing that more as like a favor. A favor, like a nice thing to. Not, like high and dry.

Candice Stokes [00:06:02]:
Totally. But yes, definitely. And, you know, it's, it's. It is different. And now that I'm not part time at a job, you know, it's. Oh, I do have more time and I can get more clients. And so I'm kind of like revving up to that. You know, I did take like a month this summer where I did like a full, like, sourcing trip, which was super fun.

Candice Stokes [00:06:25]:
I did the. The magic show in Vegas, sourcing at Magic, which was very fun. I actually met up with one of the other FAST students. We had never met in person and never really chatted, and we ended up splitting a room and doing the whole event together.

Heidi [00:06:40]:
Who did you meet with?

Candice Stokes [00:06:42]:
I don't know. Rachel Cranick?

Heidi [00:06:44]:
Yeah, yeah, Rachel from New York. She's been on the podcast before.

Candice Stokes [00:06:48]:
Yeah, yeah, she was really sweet. So it was a really lovely time. And yeah, it was really easy. And I was like, oh, my gosh, like another friend that's just doing the same thing I am. And, you know, it's just. It's so nice to be able to just have people and friends and resources, like, kind of everywhere because of this program, you know? And, yeah, so I went to Vegas and then I went to LA and did some sourcing and met with this really cool denim company there that Jacqueline Schumann and I have been communicating with. And yeah, and then I went up to New York for Fashion Week, which was really fun, and did some cool networking and sourcing up there. And I just been bopping.

Candice Stokes [00:07:31]:
I'm like, wow, I haven't done this since traveling in Years, because I had a crazy job, you know, a regular job where I couldn't leave.

Heidi [00:07:40]:
And now you're like, fully just calling your own shots.

Candice Stokes [00:07:43]:
Yes. It's been wild. Yeah.

Heidi [00:07:47]:
So talk us through. Like, you know, I'm big on details and I want to know all the things. Like, please, you, you got some clients on upwork initially, am I correctly?

Candice Stokes [00:07:57]:
Yes.

Heidi [00:07:57]:
And then, then you, I know you mentioned you got that one big client through our fast community, which is amazing.

Candice Stokes [00:08:05]:
Yes.

Heidi [00:08:06]:
And it sounds like you're going to these shows and you're networking and you're meeting people and stuff, but like, what, what are you proactively doing? Said your, your employer, your past employer, giving you some connections and stuff? Is it just kind of you're just out there doing all the things and conversations and like, clients are coming in or like, what are you focusing on for that sleep?

Candice Stokes [00:08:26]:
For me, Instagram is huge. I'm not that, yeah, I'm not that active on LinkedIn, but I am a very media trained person.

Heidi [00:08:38]:
So I see some of your reels, they're like legit. I'm like, thank you.

Candice Stokes [00:08:44]:
It's so fun. I'm really enjoying it, you know, because it's kind of combining everything that I've, I've done my whole life. And, you know, I was always those. That kid. You know, me and my siblings growing up, we would make like little videos and edit them and, you know, just put on plays and stuff. So it kind of feels like that, but I get to do it and then it makes me money. So, yeah, so it's really fun. And I found kind of like this swing with this cool series that I have.

Candice Stokes [00:09:12]:
So I'm doing a signature series called technically a Fit Check. And so I am taking trends or things that are popping off in fashion and kind of breaking them down in like a technical way.

Heidi [00:09:25]:
Okay.

Candice Stokes [00:09:25]:
And so I've gotten a lot of cool feedback from that. And yeah, just like trying to pull up your Instagram.

Heidi [00:09:31]:
I want to get a little sneak peek. What's the handle?

Candice Stokes [00:09:34]:
Pandastokes designs. Yeah. And then I'm doing a little miniseries on denim right now and like, what you need to know about breaking it down. And I'm just really enjoying gathering the information and then like sharing it with my audience, you know, and a lot of people. And I mentioned this the first time I was on. It's like you've always said, you know, I think in this community it's always like, where are your clients? Where do your clients exist? Totally.

Heidi [00:10:00]:
Right.

Candice Stokes [00:10:00]:
And for me, yeah, I Go. You know, there are so many amazing makers online and people that are already producing things, maybe they're cut and sewing everything themselves, but they can't really scale. And that's kind of been my zone because my Instagram is already very flooded with people that are, like, making their own things. Right. But it comes to a. You kind of hit a ceiling with that, where you're like, I can't produce anymore. I'm doing it all on my own. So, you know, kind of living in those comment sections and just being a real human and showing up and saying, like, this is great.

Candice Stokes [00:10:34]:
Like, if you ever want to manufacture, like, I'd love to talk to you about it, you know, and just kind of being where my clients are. Right. And that, that's been really helpful. So just being online addicted and that's kind of like. Yeah. And I'm getting in more into tick tock, which has been fun. Yeah. But it is a lot.

Candice Stokes [00:10:59]:
And if you're not prepared to, like, put your face out there like that, you know, I don't recommend it. But yeah, it's. It's fun for me. And so that feels. Yeah, it feels exciting to be able to, like, produce this fun little video and then, like, get a client from it. It was at a point earlier this year. I'm not quite there right now, but earlier this year, because I think it's just the seasons, Right. Going into the holidays and stuff.

Candice Stokes [00:11:24]:
But earlier this year, I would post something and then I would get a call booked, so it was like, no way. Yeah. Yeah. Wow. Yeah. Which is kind of crazy.

Heidi [00:11:36]:
That's crazy. It wouldn't necessarily trans 2200 followers, but I think any more. Instagram's not even about the follower count because there's all the for you page. And yeah, just create the good content and then people see it, you know.

Candice Stokes [00:11:49]:
And that's the thing is that, like, my reach isn't that big, you know, like some of my. Most of my videos, I think maybe get 1200 to max 2000 videos. Like early views.

Heidi [00:12:00]:
Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:12:01]:
So it's not even that large. I honestly just think that. I don't know. I don't know what it is. I. I'm always just, you know, flooding comment sections and just showing up as a real human and like starting those conversations as like, we're interested in the same things, you know, I'm. I love what you're doing. Like, this is such a cool design.

Candice Stokes [00:12:23]:
How was it manufactured? You know, I just contacted this one guy, he did this really cool campaign and he's been launching these things. But, you know, he's describing how it was getting it developed and how it was difficult and it took a lot longer than I thought. And, you know, I'm like, hey, if you're. Next time, if you're needing some more guidance, you know, I. This is what I do. Right. And. And I think just showing up and not being salesy, but honestly, just being like a person has really helped in that regard, because it is.

Candice Stokes [00:12:54]:
It is. At first I was feeling really like.

Heidi [00:12:57]:
Like, I don't.

Candice Stokes [00:12:57]:
I'm not a salesperson. I don't want to sell. But then I was like, wait, I'm solving a problem. Like, I'm actually helping them. And that was a big shift for me, mentally.

Heidi [00:13:06]:
Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:13:07]:
Yeah.

Heidi [00:13:07]:
That's amazing.

Candice Stokes [00:13:08]:
Yeah. Thank you.

Heidi [00:13:10]:
All these, like, people's accounts that you're commenting on, I imagine it's just a matter of, like, spending time on Instagram and you're finding people that are doing interesting things and you're following them, and then you're just. It's just kind of organically compounds and builds, and then your feed gets curated, and then you just engage like a real human and you start conversations. And then sometimes those lead to calls, and sometimes those lead to, hey, I'm at the ceiling of making this stuff myself, and I'm ready to manufacture. And it turns into a client, and sometimes maybe not, but you're. You're hanging out there, you've kind of curated your experience and the content that you're getting that Instagram's feeding you, and you're taking action on that. Yeah, in a human way, but also an intentional way.

Candice Stokes [00:13:55]:
Yes.

Heidi [00:13:55]:
Like, I can help you solve this problem, not being overly salesy, but, like. Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:14:01]:
And I think, because I was. I've been there. Right. Like, because I had my Cut and Sew brand and I was totally burnt out, you know, And I think that's gonna probably be my next, like, series is kind of. I've been researching this way of, like, with brand owners or freelancers, where you mythologize your story and kind of, like, give your audience, you know, walk them through, like, what your problem was for yourself, how you solved it, how you got where you are, and now how you overcame it. Right. So, like, I'm not. Yeah, it sounds like I'm just sitting there scrolling, but I'm taking in so much information and there's so much cool advice online.

Candice Stokes [00:14:40]:
And, like, that's. That's what I've been focusing on mostly about, you know, and I recently kind of stumbled into this corner about taking your freelance business and expanding it into an agency. So putting that out there to the universe.

Heidi [00:14:58]:
By the way. I love it.

Candice Stokes [00:15:01]:
Not quite there yet, but, you know.

Heidi [00:15:03]:
New Year's, we're gonna be talking again in, like, eight more months.

Candice Stokes [00:15:11]:
Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. I'd like to. I can't. I can't even think about that right now. But, yeah, you know, that's also something that I've really been focusing on is, like, you can't ever reach a goal that you don't set. And so having these. What's the acronym? Smart Goals, you know, has been super helpful, which I feel like the base to all of these things.

Candice Stokes [00:15:35]:
It's like, I read them in the curriculum and stuff, and then it's like. But in practice, you're like, oh, it's like you can read them and intellectualize them, but once you, like, you're like, oh, I'm in it now. Like, I like, that's a different, deeper step.

Heidi [00:15:49]:
So, okay, so you're pushing on Instagram, which is amazing. How much I'm super curious. Like, how much time do you have an idea? Like, how frequently are you posting these reels? I think people listening are going to be really curious, like, yeah, what does your strategy really look like? And have you done any courses on this? Are you just, like, cruising Instagram and kind of like, being like, oh, I'm gonna figure this out. I'm gonna do my own thing? And you said you have a little bit of back in that, but, like, what is your big strategy look like?

Candice Stokes [00:16:21]:
Yeah, so typically, I'll try and, like, batch record the. The things. So basically, me and Chachi PT will come up with a concept and we'll script out, like, you know, however many episodes there are of it, and then I will just go on location and then film them kind of like, all at once. Okay. And yeah, I'll just, like, bring my laptop and use it as a teleprompter. And then I' have my phone and, like, all my different little tripods everywhere things.

Heidi [00:16:54]:
Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:16:56]:
And, yeah, I just make sure that there's a hook in the beginning, you know, an introduction to. To tell people who I am and kind of just, you know, if you're. If you're on Instagram, if you're on TikTok and you're not repeating yourself. And I'm sure you can relate to this, Heidi. If you are not constantly repeating yourself over and over and over again, you're not going to Be heard, you know. So yeah, just I, I think I've probably learned a lot from watching your videos for a long time. And I'll watch them and I'll pick myself. Well, I'll pick something up from watching some.

Candice Stokes [00:17:29]:
One of your videos and I go, look, look at what she did there. You know, it's like she, she plugged her next video. Or there's like some, you know, it's like. Or you'll recall back to another video, you know, and it's just this constant push of just information and kind of flooding people, you know, because I know it's like with marketing, you have to touch. People have to touch the thing, what, like six times before they're willing to buy. So that's kind of like.

Heidi [00:17:54]:
Yeah, I think it's grown even because of just the volume of content and marketing out there. But yeah, exactly. Seven touch points. Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:18:01]:
Yeah. So that's kind of my thing right now. So I'll batch video record and then I'll take my time editing them because that's the part that takes long. And I'll just sit on my. I, I'm faster using Cap Cut. I'm faster on my couch, on my phone than I am on my computer with it. Okay. I think that is better on the phone than it is on the computer.

Candice Stokes [00:18:25]:
Okay. For Cap Cut specifically. So yeah. And then it takes me like two to three hours to edit those videos.

Heidi [00:18:34]:
Okay. For like a one to two minute reel. Ish.

Candice Stokes [00:18:37]:
Yeah, like a. Yeah, like a three minute reel. Yeah. But it's captions, it's images, it's sound effects which I've really been enjoying doing the sound effects myself. I'll record myself. Like I'm like. Yeah, I'm literally part two, you know, like just. And it's fun for me.

Candice Stokes [00:18:56]:
I'm having a blast. So that's, I think why I like doing feels really creative and fun. Yeah. And I think you can feel that in the videos. But if that's not your, like, I wouldn't, like, I wouldn't force yourself to try and do that if that's like not your thing, you know, Total.

Heidi [00:19:16]:
Not totally.

Candice Stokes [00:19:17]:
Yeah. But for me it's very natural. Yeah. So I would say I'm posting like a major, big, big reel like that, like a two minute reel. I try at least once a week, if not more. And then I'll post like little tiny ones that are like a couple seconds long with just some text. Yeah.

Heidi [00:19:34]:
Oh, like image, which is a text and some music or something kind of those really simple Ones you can kind of throw together.

Candice Stokes [00:19:41]:
Yeah, yeah. I did one where I was just trying on like a bad fit sample and I was like, you know, just displaying like this is what happens when you don't hire a tech designer, you know, and that one's doing really well. It's like seven seconds long. So it's, it's a back and forth, you know, because I've got a lot of followers from that one. But then they'll watch the other one and say, oh, she knows about denim. Okay. Oh, she knows how to do this. Or you know, so it's, it's, you bring them in with the short ones and then you educate them and show them your authority and your expertise with the longer ones.

Candice Stokes [00:20:11]:
And that's like part of that touchstone, you know. And then I recently started using Honeybook, which I really love.

Heidi [00:20:18]:
Oh yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:20:21]:
I don't know if anyone else has mentioned that on the podcast, but I really enjoy Honeybook. The onboarding experience was really great and it's helped me with like my automations and my emails and stuff and like pipeline tracking.

Heidi [00:20:32]:
Talk a little bit about that. I'm familiar. I can't. I think someone's been mentioned on the podcast before but I don't think we've ever like really talked about it. And yeah, it's a great, from what I know, a great tool to kind of keep track of and manage all these leads. Talk a little bit about. You've got these people coming in from Instagram or from whoever else and you want to keep track of everybody. So yeah, walk us through that.

Candice Stokes [00:20:54]:
Especially for lead tracking, I think it's really, really helpful. And they have a built in kind of like automated pipeline that it cause for project management. Right. And client management. So there's a section where it's just about funneling your leads. Right. So you can, let's say like my link for, on my link in bio and stuff like that directly goes to my website that has my Honeybook inquiry form. So you can fill out everything.

Candice Stokes [00:21:24]:
What are you interested in? What's your budget? Give me your, you know, mood boards, your images, everything like that. And then schedule your free 30 minute call with me so that all of that information immediately gets put into Honeybook as a, as a lead. Right. And then it creates a page for them as a client. And then if there's no schedule, like if they don't book anything then it'll like automatically send an email to them like, hey, I saw you recently signed up to Da da da. Like and then it'll just keep doing that and sending them automatically.

Heidi [00:21:59]:
That's amazing.

Candice Stokes [00:22:00]:
And they'd be like, would you like.

Heidi [00:22:02]:
To book a call? Would you like to book a call?

Candice Stokes [00:22:04]:
Yes.

Heidi [00:22:05]:
Beautiful.

Candice Stokes [00:22:06]:
And, and you can set it for like three days or one week or follow up email, you know, and then once you, and then you can send your proposals, your contracts, your invoices all through their platform.

Heidi [00:22:21]:
Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:22:21]:
And so you're basically creating a project with that client and then you can upload all of your images, your files, everything there. So everything can be tracked. They can, you can create tasks for you and your client. So let's say I need them to approve the sketch. So I'll create a task for them, assign it to them in the client portal that they have access to. They'll look at the sketch, they'll approve it, and that will trigger an email for like the next steps that we need to do and it'll automatically move it down the pipeline. So, you know, sketch approved. Like now we're in the tech pack section.

Candice Stokes [00:22:55]:
Right. And then once the tech pack is approved, we get cost, you know, like, so it, it will automatically send them emails and send you reminders like, hey, you need to do this by this time so that you can, da, da, da. So I've really enjoyed it. And you know, you can automatically, once that pipeline stage is moved and it hits a certain milestone, then your payments get triggered and then so they'll get an invoice automatically with like your next payment schedule.

Heidi [00:23:21]:
That's amazing.

Candice Stokes [00:23:23]:
The. Okay, so I think with most of these platforms it's like the onboarding is the most like, intimidating part. You're like, I have all of this information already. How am I going to, you know, I don't want to do a 30 day free trial and then have to do all of this and then I end up not using it. The onboarding and the customer support for HoneyBook was unbelievable. They booked a, once a week, a phone call with me where we walked through how they, and then they'll like, if you send them your templates and everything, they will auto import it. Like their team will input it in there for you and kind of like customize your, your dashboard for you. Yeah, it was amazing.

Candice Stokes [00:24:00]:
Yeah, I, I, I'm really talking it up. I really like it.

Heidi [00:24:04]:
Yeah, that's so cool. I've been talking with some other folks about different project management tools within the Air Quote Freelancer space. I don't think they're all exclusive to freelancers. Right. And I, I've heard of honeybook And I've talked to some people. I don't. I know it comes highly recommended, but I didn't know it had so many capabilities.

Candice Stokes [00:24:24]:
I think they're. Yeah, I think they're actively improving it. There's also a time tracker and an expense tracker and. Yeah, so it's amazing. Yeah, it's really, really thorough. I really like what they're doing and I highly recommend the onboarding process as well.

Heidi [00:24:41]:
Well, speaking of, you mentioned time tracking. How are you bidding your projects? I think flat. Ish. No.

Candice Stokes [00:24:50]:
Yeah, I'm still doing project based. Yeah. So depending on the complexity of the garment and like what we're having to do and, you know, anticipating. Okay, this is a complicated pair of jeans. This is going to take a lot longer than, you know, you're just your standard wash. Right. So kind of doing it like that. Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:25:09]:
So just doing a lot of flat, flat, flat project pricing kind of going in that way. And it's just been. I feel like I've gotten a good flow of it and I still have like a spreadsheet of like, you know, my services and how long each one of them takes me for the most part. But I think I have like a better understanding now than I did at the beginning. Yeah. So I think that will, like, kind of just continue to evolve as I get more experience with it and maybe even start contracting out certain work as far as like hiring someone to do the sketching or, you know, if I want to offer pattern making services or, you know, all that.

Heidi [00:25:50]:
So I know you teased about maybe building an agency, so I'd love to hear a little bit more about that. And you say like, oh, maybe like outsourcing or. So are you thinking about starting to just outsource some small things and then.

Candice Stokes [00:26:05]:
Yeah, I think that would be the beginning of it, you know, and kind of just partner with someone that I'm friends with that, you know, I trust their work and kind of go from there. But I think that that's a learning lesson all in itself. You know, understanding how to communicate with people, how to ensure timelines are met. So I think just like forming that relationship slowly and then kind of seeing how that, how that can grow. But I think, yeah, that'll probably be one of my goals. Probably like the end of next year is like starting that because I just, yeah, I obviously want to get into a flow and make sure that everything's working good before I start bringing someone else in. But I do understand that like, in order to scale the business, I will need to bring on Other people. Because I can only do so much, especially if I'm spending so much time making content.

Heidi [00:27:03]:
I mean, at some point I was gonna ask, are you like, repurposing these on Tick Tock? You mentioned you're kind of getting into that. Okay, so just direct, like reposting for the most part.

Candice Stokes [00:27:15]:
Yeah. I definitely think there's a difference between the content. I don't. Oh my gosh, girl, you are such a yappus. You're such a yapper, though. Like, I feel like you would love it because it's honestly like, this is how I treat the two. This is kind of like the what people say, right? So, like, Instagram is curated content that you're creating. Right? You're creating something, you're putting effort into it.

Candice Stokes [00:27:42]:
It's. It's like a portfolio of information. Right. Whereas, like, TikTok is kind of just like facetiming your girlfriend. That's kind of how people treat it.

Heidi [00:27:51]:
Impromptu content, just selfie, like real quick.

Candice Stokes [00:27:55]:
Yes. Like there's, there's no. It's not like, like I feel like on Instagram, it's kind of like scripted and all that stuff. And it's like I'm more of like a newscaster. Right. Or like I'm bringing you information and then TikTok is. Yes, TikTok is just me in my face being like, oh my God, I just got this email, I'm working on this sample. And so it's kind of different.

Candice Stokes [00:28:18]:
It. And you have to treat it differently. Yeah, but I still post, you know, those big, long, informative ones there as well, just to have it on there. But yeah, so, but I'm thinking like.

Heidi [00:28:33]:
At some point because to some extent, and this I think is one of my challenges with Instagram. I think this was all social media, Instagram and Facebook and I don't know about Tick Tock, I think are kind of the worst is that the shelf life can be so short. You put all this work into this thing and then it's like gone in five seconds. Like, I know on LinkedIn you can sometimes have like, if, if you have a good post, it can have like a two to three week shelf life, which is like an eternity in social. And I do know that can happen on reels too because like I, I do consume some reels and I see stuff that, you know, air quote has gone viral and, and has a long history.

Candice Stokes [00:29:13]:
Yeah, yeah.

Heidi [00:29:15]:
But I think to some extent, like at some point you can start reposting the stuff. So I imagine that's. That's part of the plan if you're not quite there yet, depending on, like, what's the appropriate timeline? Like, after four months, it's fair to.

Candice Stokes [00:29:26]:
Totally.

Heidi [00:29:27]:
Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:29:28]:
Yeah. They just. They just rolled out this feature on Instagram where you can link a reel, which is really helpful. So, like, let's say you're doing a series so you could link it back to the. The first one or the next one. Interesting. Which is cool. Or like.

Candice Stokes [00:29:40]:
Yeah. Or I got this bad sample three months ago, and here's the new sample. Go back and see how bad it was. You know, so that's. That's a cool new feature. But, yes, you're totally right. And my partner, who has been interrupting us this whole time, is in film, and we've started recording some YouTube stuff. I know I talked about that last time, but, you know, it takes time, so we're really just that it's so much.

Candice Stokes [00:30:06]:
So thankfully, I have him as a really great resource and he really wants it to pop off. So that is definitely more evergreen on YouTube. Yeah, but it's just. Oh, my God. It's like, actually, I have to do my client work. I don't have time to do all of it. I mean, I'm sure you can relate.

Heidi [00:30:24]:
Oh, I can a million times relate. It sounds like you really enjoy the videos, though.

Candice Stokes [00:30:29]:
Yeah, it's a lot. It's so much fun for me. And I think. I think that, like, and educating people and sharing, like, my specialties, like, that part is so fun. And I genuinely, like, really love nerding out about this stuff with people and even people that aren't in fashion. Right. That watch the videos, they're like, I love these. This is so cool.

Candice Stokes [00:30:52]:
Like, who knew that, you know, this fabric was this complicated or, you know, So I think it's achieving that education element of. Of, oh, you want to start a brand. This is all the stuff you need to know. Right. And if you don't need to know, if you don't want to learn all that, that's why you hire me. Right, so.

Heidi [00:31:11]:
Right, Totally. Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:31:14]:
So it. It's been really fun doing that, and I'm excited to see where it goes. I have. Have some more fun ideas on the horizon, so we'll see.

Heidi [00:31:24]:
Amazing. Are you still hanging out on upwork at all?

Candice Stokes [00:31:29]:
A little bit. Like, when I'm feeling that scarcity mindset of, like, you know, I need another client, like, I need, you know, then I'll like, hop on there. But I haven't really gone on that much. I haven't Needed it, I think.

Heidi [00:31:44]:
Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:31:44]:
I think now that I'm. I have a little bit of a flow, you know, there was like a downtime where I was kind of waiting on a lot of development to happen with my current existing clients, and I hadn't, like, booked a new one. And I was kind of just like. Yeah. So then I kind of went on upwork and I was like, this isn't even what I want to do. You know, like, none of these are really that interesting to me. But then, you know, you just accept. You're like, okay, I'll just accept this time where I'll rest a little bit.

Candice Stokes [00:32:19]:
And then now they're kind of rolling in again. So I think it's. Yeah, I think it's just understanding the seasonality and when you put effort out there, you know how long it takes for that to come back around. Yeah, but just like, how you guys talked about, like, planting those seeds. Like, I have someone coming back to me from, like, we had a call last year, right. And she's.

Heidi [00:32:43]:
Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:32:43]:
She's like, okay, I'm finally ready, you know, so it's just about planting those seeds and continuing to show up with integrity and like, with excitement about it. Because I think that people can genuinely feel that they can. Yeah. Like, and for me, it's like, it's so exciting getting to make this beautiful stuff with people all over the world. And I just. I'm forever grateful for, like, how this has been created and how I'm doing this. I'm still kind of in awe of the whole thing. Yeah.

Heidi [00:33:17]:
I mean, would you say it's been like, maybe a month. Ish. Since you've officially. Or like, when did you officially quit your job? I know you're going back and helping him out with some favors, but, like.

Candice Stokes [00:33:30]:
So basically I was traveling all of July and into September, so I would say June is when I quit.

Heidi [00:33:38]:
Okay.

Candice Stokes [00:33:38]:
So. Yeah, I think. Yeah. Because I. Yeah. Because it was like part time and.

Heidi [00:33:43]:
Then like July minute.

Candice Stokes [00:33:45]:
Yeah. Like a few months. And then I was like, I gotta go. I don't have time because I, you know, our lease was gonna end. And then I was like, we need a boat. Like, I don't want to live here anymore. And we ended up going month to month because I didn't want to make myself crazy during the holiday. So I was like, we'll just wait until spring and then we're going to try and move, but because there is no fashion here and I'm tired, tired.

Heidi [00:34:07]:
Of it, like, moving to a completely different place.

Candice Stokes [00:34:11]:
Yeah, I know. That's why I was like, I need to wait until spring because I can't handle all the change all at once.

Heidi [00:34:17]:
But that's an exciting position to be in because you were previously tied to that physical job, and now you can move anywhere. I mean, maybe anywhere. I don't know about your partner's job, but.

Candice Stokes [00:34:27]:
But. Well, he's in film, so. Because we're going to try. He's from the Bronx, so we want to move back to New York. He's from there, so he wants to move back home. And we went up there for Fashion Week. It was so fun. And I got to meet some of my clients face to face, and it just felt like, oh, this is.

Candice Stokes [00:34:44]:
This is where I need to be.

Heidi [00:34:46]:
That is so exciting.

Candice Stokes [00:34:48]:
Yeah. So that felt really beautiful. I'm in a beautiful place. I'm in St. Pete, Florida. But there is, like, the major fashion here is flip flops and board shorts. So I just. Just.

Candice Stokes [00:34:59]:
Which is great for vacation, but, you know, not for my job making denim and jackets. Yeah. So very much excited to pursue that and to be kind of like in the vibe. And. Yeah. I met up with Christina Hernandez, who's in the FAST program, so we had a blast. It was so nice to see some people irl. So I know it's been so fun, and I love making all these friends, like, through the program and just immensely grateful for having it.

Candice Stokes [00:35:33]:
And it's honestly encouraged me to think about doing, like. And hearing you talk about this as well, you know, you're continuing your learning, you're joining other groups, you're getting another mentorship for this type, this part of your business versus this part, you know, And I think, like, having such a good experience, investing in myself with the FAST program has allowed me to see how that could help me in the future with other parts of my life and other parts of my business. Right. And having such. I know that they're all not great experiences when you sign up for courses online, but I'm grateful for this experience, and, like, I will take this feeling and kind of translate that into other aspects of. Of how I move forward. So thank you.

Heidi [00:36:22]:
You're welcome. That's amazing to hear. And I feel like I've. I've followed a very similar trajectory. The first program that I invested in was phenomenal, and I. I mean, it literally changed my life. And I. I've had some duds over the years, but I've continued to invest in myself in various ways, and I think I really believe that it's virtually Impossible to do really great things by yourself.

Candice Stokes [00:36:51]:
Yes, exactly.

Heidi [00:36:53]:
I really do believe that.

Candice Stokes [00:36:54]:
And it does feel. It doesn't. It feels unnatural to try and do it all yourself, you know? Yeah, yeah. So. Because I love building relationships and having community and, like, being able to lean on people and being able to create something that you wouldn't be able to do all on your own. So, yeah, I'm excited.

Heidi [00:37:16]:
Amazing. Can I ask you candidly, because I know we talked about it on the last episode, like, and you don't have to share the exact numbers, but you've quit your job. Like, where are you at financially? Are you, like, steadily. You've replaced your monthly income. Maybe a little bit more, maybe a little bit less. Like, where. A little bit of a roller coaster.

Candice Stokes [00:37:37]:
Yes, definitely a roller coaster. That's kind of what I was mentioning, like, when it was like, okay, I kind of hit, like, a development gap right where I was like, I need. I need another deposit. Right. Like, I need another client because I need to, you know, keep this ball rolling. And I think that that's. That was like, a month after I got done traveling. So it really translated to me about, like, being really locked in on my marketing and putting my videos out there and being present, you know, and it was like, literally one month later, I was like, wait, I don't have another.

Candice Stokes [00:38:10]:
I don't have anything lined up. And so I think understanding that and anticipating that going forward is. Is something that I learned.

Heidi [00:38:20]:
Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:38:21]:
But definitely a roller coaster. Have 100% replaced my. My old income and have increased it again. Roller coaster. So some months, it's a lot more than, you know.

Heidi [00:38:32]:
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:38:34]:
Definitely more than I was making, which is amazing, and I feel so grateful. And, you know, you have to understand that some months smaller than others, but, you know, you have your. Your income tracker. You understand the. And it motivates you to get your. Your jobs finished. You're like, let's close this one out, you know, because, yeah, I need to hit these milestones. Yeah.

Candice Stokes [00:38:55]:
But just really staying on top. And again, having systems that work for you, I think is the part that really helps because you can feel it when it doesn't.

Heidi [00:39:03]:
Yes, right.

Candice Stokes [00:39:04]:
Yes.

Heidi [00:39:05]:
I know it all too well. Well, this has been amazing to catch up just a short eight months later. And, I mean, I remember the moment you dropped the bomb on that call where you were like, I think I better quit my job. And I'm like, what? And then how cool. Here we are. And, you know, because in that episode, you had air quote replaced your Your.

Candice Stokes [00:39:29]:
Yeah.

Heidi [00:39:30]:
Your income. But that was with two projects. Right. That doesn't show consistency, stability. And here we are. And it's ongoing. You've worked hard for it and have shown up in big ways, but it's so well deserved. I'm so excited to hear about all these wins and thank you.

Candice Stokes [00:39:50]:
Yeah, it's been a whirlwind for sure. And, you know, of course, my mom, every time I'm on the phone with her, she's like, well, you've only been doing this for this long. And she'll, like, remind me every time. I love her so much. She's like, it's been incredible. I'm like, thanks, Mom. You know, really is.

Heidi [00:40:08]:
It's a very. It's a very short timeline. Yeah. Shout out to all the great moms out there who remind us of the great things we do.

Candice Stokes [00:40:17]:
Yes. Yeah. So I. I feel very grateful and just continuing to push because can't stop now. And, yeah, I want to bring. Bring other people into the fold. Yeah. I love it.

Heidi [00:40:29]:
I love it. So where can we connect with you online? I know your Instagram sounds like the place.

Candice Stokes [00:40:34]:
Yes. Yeah, that's definitely where you'll find most of my content and my silly, silly and informative videos. My name on Instagram is CandicesTokes.de signs my email CandicesTokesDesigns Gmail.com Candice Stokes.com is my website. You can find me on pretty much all the platforms. A lot of people actually have reached out to me from the previous episode, just like, feeling inspired and like. Yeah. And so I've really. That has felt really lovely to be able to inspire other people through this.

Candice Stokes [00:41:09]:
So thank you for the opportunity to come back and chat. Of course.

Heidi [00:41:13]:
Well, I'm sure this is going to spur many new conversations and inspiration of folks, so that'll be exciting to see that ripple out into the world. I'd love to end with a question I ask everybody at the end, which will be your second time. I should have pulled up what you said the first time. I don't remember. But what is one thing people never ask you about being a fan fashion designer that you wish they would O.

Candice Stokes [00:41:36]:
You know what's funny is that I forgot that you were going to ask me this. Oh, that's okay. I wish, I wish they would ask me about how much, like, system stuff has to go into place, like, because I don't think that they understand the capacity of, you know, tracking all of this stuff and understanding, like, all. All the things that you're juggling As a freelancer, you know, in the background, because it's. It's constant communication. You know, I've had a few clients that are like, cc me on all the emails. I'm like, are you sure? That's a lot. That's a lot of information you're gonna start getting.

Candice Stokes [00:42:15]:
And. Yeah, so I think just it. Just the. The background noise of, like, how much you actually have to balance and track and, like, stay ahead of and. Because it really is. It's very much, much like, it's not as, like, fashiony and artsy as I think people think it is. It's a lot of business talk.

Heidi [00:42:33]:
You are running a business. Yeah, totally.

Candice Stokes [00:42:34]:
Yes. Yes. Yeah, totally.

Heidi [00:42:37]:
Well, thank you for sharing. So candid about that and everything. Congrats on the phenomenal trajectory. And next year, or maybe 2027, we'll have you on when you're building your agency, because I know you said you're gonna maybe think about the end of next year, so think about the end of 2026 and then. And we'll see where you're at. I'm sure you're going to be somewhere. You're, like, a force to be reckoned with, and I know you're just going.

Candice Stokes [00:42:59]:
To keep tricking ahead. Yeah. You know, we're out here having fun, making memories.

Heidi [00:43:04]:
Totally. I love it.

Candice Stokes [00:43:05]:
Well, thank you so much, Heidi. I really appreciate your time today and, like, for the opportunity to come and, like, spread some hope maybe for some people. And. Yeah, I just. I'm forever grateful for what I've learned in my journey from your program, so thank you.

Heidi [00:43:20]:
Thank you so much.