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This is a show for burnt-out fashion designers (and TDs, PDs, patternmakers and beyond) who want more flexibility while still doing work they love. As a freelance fashion designer, you can build your fashion career 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]:
How do you double your freelance rates? Better yet, how do you double them with an existing client? That's exactly what Amanda Tomei did. Amanda is a freelance network designer and graduate of my fast program, and she told me that the rate increase she did would not have happened without fast. Now the simple answer to raising your rates is you just do it. But our minds are very powerful and really good at doubting ourselves and playing safe and not going after risky things. Amanda talks about her insecurities around increasing her prices, how fast helped her, overcome those, and some other impostor syndrome challenges she is still working through. Because the reality is those struggles are always around. If you wanna increase your rates or you just need a big old confidence boost that you can do this freelancing thing, you're gonna love this episode. Let's get to it.
Heidi [00:00:49]:
Anyways, I wanna hear some updates. The last thing new from you, you sent this amazing email about this massive the biggest invoice you had gotten to date. That was back in December, now it's March. So I'm super curious to hear about that, about all the details, about all the things. So, first, give us a little bit of background about who you are, what you do, and where you're at today.
Amanda Thome [00:01:15]:
Okay. Sounds good. So I'm a freelance knitwear designer, and I'm mostly focusing on small brands. And I've started taking freelancing, like, more seriously since I moved back to New York, like, about a year and a half ago. Okay. Yeah. So these the big invoices I sent have been to, like, one of my biggest clients that I've been with for, like, pretty much since I moved back to New York. Okay.
Amanda Thome [00:01:43]:
I landed that client, like, a month of after moving back. So that was really exciting and kind of got my enthusiasm going for freelancing, because I wasn't sure if that's what I wanted to do or not.
Heidi [00:01:55]:
Okay.
Amanda Thome [00:01:56]:
Yeah.
Heidi [00:01:58]:
What was your background previous to freelancing? Did you work in house?
Amanda Thome [00:02:02]:
No. So I'll tell you a little bit about my background. I was living in France for, like, 4 years.
Heidi [00:02:08]:
Okay.
Amanda Thome [00:02:10]:
And I had done an internship in France. I had just graduated from a master's in knitwear design, moved to France, started an internship. When I finished the internship, the pandemic started. So I didn't really have the chance to, like, work full time anywhere because nothing was nothing was grabbing, like, nothing was taking. So I decided to start my own brand. And I was doing everything, like, made to order from my home studio, and that was going really well, actually. And, in the meantime, from people that I had met through my internship, I got some small freelance projects, but I didn't really have, like, the word freelance to put to them at that point. Like, it was just, like, oh, small projects here and there, while I was working on my brand as well.
Amanda Thome [00:03:03]:
But in the moment, like, looking back at it, I'm like, yeah. No. Those were, like, freelance projects, and they're like, I guess I have been doing it for a bit longer. But, yeah, I started my my brand and kind of started to grow my network in France because I had moved there. I didn't know anybody. I didn't speak French. I kind of a mess, in the beginning. Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:03:24]:
I started doing, like, pop up shops, growing my network there, and then decided to move back to New York and had a really hard time, like, motivating myself to start my to, like, continue with my brand, because my knitting and supplies were being shipped by boat and took, like, 6 months to arrive here. Oh. So I was, like, what am I gonna do in the meantime? And so I was, like, okay. I'll freelance in the meantime and see what I can do. And then that started picking up, and I've just been riding in that wave ever since and really enjoying it.
Heidi [00:04:03]:
Yeah. That is awesome. And you're in Brooklyn. Right?
Amanda Thome [00:04:08]:
Yeah. I'm in Brooklyn.
Heidi [00:04:10]:
Okay.
Amanda Thome [00:04:10]:
Yeah.
Heidi [00:04:11]:
And you work mostly with small brands. Are they in New York, or are they just brands around the world?
Amanda Thome [00:04:17]:
One's in New York. And for that one, I'll do, like, I'll still work remotely, but I'll go in for, like, fit sessions, things like that. Okay. But the my other client that I've had for a while is in California, in San Francisco, and that's fully remote. Okay. And then another one I just landed, like, a month ago, and I had my, like, first day with them, is in the is in the Hamptons. And It's mostly remote.
Heidi [00:04:46]:
Not. I don't know if that's
Amanda Thome [00:04:47]:
Like Long Island.
Heidi [00:04:48]:
Long Island. Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:04:49]:
Yeah. K. Yeah. With them, I'll go in maybe, like, once a month or so, and take the trip out there, but mostly remote too.
Heidi [00:04:59]:
Okay. How did you land that most recent client?
Amanda Thome [00:05:03]:
It was actually a recruiter that reached out to me. Oh. And I was very hesitant about it because I was like, I'm not looking for, like, permalance thing. You know?
Heidi [00:05:12]:
Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:05:12]:
Definitely don't want that. So but I started chatting with the with the, owner of the brand, and she was like, oh, no. Actually, I'm looking more for a freelancer like you, who's, like, interested a few hours a week, things like that. Like, not someone not a per month person, but yeah. I guess she went through a recruiter, but I don't know if they she really needed to or Yeah. It was an interesting way to be reached out to for sure.
Heidi [00:05:38]:
Yeah. Usually, I would say that. Time.
Amanda Thome [00:05:40]:
Yeah. No. Yeah. But and then I kind of explained to her, like, hey. This is how I work. Like, sign a proposal, sign a contract, and then moved on from there. Okay. Yeah.
Heidi [00:05:51]:
So you, like, very much were controlling the work arrangement and the pricing and all that despite it having to come through a recruiter?
Amanda Thome [00:05:59]:
Exactly. I kind of tried to I had learned previously too. Like, this whole year has been, like, a learning process on, like, how to set those boundaries and how to, like, explain to people how I work because I didn't want to go in and, like, kind of feel like, oh, I'm just an employee. You know? I wanna be like, no. This is I'm of offering you a service, and this is how I work. That's how I do things. Yeah. That's kind of what I tried to do.
Heidi [00:06:31]:
So talk a little bit about that because it's a it's a, I'm gonna say a trap that some people definitely get, like, sucked into, and it kinda starts out, like, air quote freelance ish or it's got that label on it. But, like, the next thing you know, you're like, oh, I'm basically, like, working like a full time employee, but not getting in the benefits or anything. Like, what did you have some experiences like that? Or and or what have you really consciously thought of in terms of setting and holding those boundaries with these people?
Amanda Thome [00:07:05]:
Yeah. I think it was actually a podcast that's what I listened from you, of somebody who was, like, who explained, like, how she goes through that process. And I learned, like, so much from that, plus yeah. From what I've learned with my previous clients too is just me explaining how I work is just gonna save time in the end, and it's gonna save confusion. And I just don't want I want to have it, like, streamlined for it not to be, like, complicated for me or them. And, like Right. Yeah. Yeah.
Heidi [00:07:41]:
So but, like, what are the actual things that you're doing? Like, how are you setting the tone for the relationship? Like, what are you saying? How are you managing that upfront
Amanda Thome [00:07:52]:
Mhmm. To Yeah. I think I just, like, list exactly what my services are, like, what I do. If anything, is outside of that, there's an extra fee depending on if it's hourly or by project. Mhmm. Yeah. I'm not sure. It's it's kinda just come I don't every time I do it, I feel like I learn an extra step, and I, yeah, I don't have it, like, necessarily written down on how I do it.
Amanda Thome [00:08:21]:
But Okay.
Heidi [00:08:23]:
Yeah. Okay. I'm just trying to think for people listening. Right? Like
Amanda Thome [00:08:27]:
Mhmm.
Heidi [00:08:27]:
What is that extra step that you might have learned that you implemented this time that, like, made it feel like things went a little bit smoother or something? If you're like, I don't know. It just Yeah. Things.
Amanda Thome [00:08:37]:
Yeah. No. I think I was just meeting when I when I would meet with the person either virtually or in person, really just saying, hey. So this is how I do things. Like, this is how I work. Like, kind of just very straightforward, and, I'll send you a proposal. I will then we can walk through that together, or you can just approve it depending on, what you want, and then move on to a contract. After that contract signed, we can begin working together.
Amanda Thome [00:09:06]:
If there's anything additional, we can talk about that after or I don't know. Just it's pretty natural, I would say.
Heidi [00:09:13]:
Okay. But it sounds kind
Amanda Thome [00:09:15]:
of, like, send setting boundaries, like, from the beginning, like, from the start.
Heidi [00:09:19]:
And, like, laying it out on the table. Like, this is how I work. This is the process. This is what you're gonna expect. So that there's no, like, assumptions made on their side of how this arrangement looks or something like
Amanda Thome [00:09:31]:
that. Yeah. Yeah. I just wanna make things very clear because I've had, I guess, like, like, things in the past where, things have been asked of me that weren't necessarily part of our part of our contract at all. And Mhmm. That mean kind of not knowing, like, oh, what do I do at this point? Like
Heidi [00:09:53]:
Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:09:54]:
And I mean, it still happens, like Yeah. Totally. Occasionally, but
Heidi [00:09:58]:
yeah. I was looking at that podcast episode. I the one you're is it the is episode 143 is titled from a $100 to 3,000 a month, and then I realized I was permalancing.
Amanda Thome [00:10:10]:
Oh, maybe. Yeah.
Heidi [00:10:11]:
Yeah. And it was this I think if I remember well, she was younger woman, and she just got, like, sucked in. And she was like, what is going on? This is not what I signed up for.
Amanda Thome [00:10:22]:
Yeah. For sure. And I mean, I have definitely have yeah. I still kind of have that experience sometimes. Like, I'm still learning, like, so much, all the time. And I feel like I have had very difficult clients, but it's also been beneficial.
Heidi [00:10:40]:
Okay.
Amanda Thome [00:10:41]:
Because I have learned from that. And, like, if I haven't if I didn't have those experiences, like, I wouldn't have known what boundaries to place in the future, you know, too. So it's you know, it takes a mental toll sometimes, but
Heidi [00:10:59]:
It does. But, like, I always say, like, sometimes you just have to, like, walk through that fire yourself to, like, figure it out.
Amanda Thome [00:11:06]:
Yeah. And honestly, having the fast community has really helped with just dealing with those situations and kind of, like, brainstorming together. Like, I have a I think you probably I have a weekly call with, like, a few of the girls, and, yeah, we just always talk about our issues and, like, what we need help with and okay. Not like, they'll be like, okay, Amanda, you haven't talked today. Like, what do you need help with? Like, what's going on? Like, or etcetera. You know? So that's been, like, incredible, and I don't know what I would have done if I didn't help them.
Heidi [00:11:42]:
Oh, that's amazing. Yeah. That's it's so cool. I always talk about the fast community, and it's really hard to, like, express the value and, like, show the value until you're in it. And you're, like, oh, wow. This is really amazing.
Amanda Thome [00:12:01]:
Yeah. No. It's been super helpful. Even, like, on circle being able to, like, create your own events and everything has been really cool. Like, I was really struggling knowing that I was gonna gain, like, add on another client. I was like, oh my god. How am I gonna balance this workload? And I just created a chat, like, a video chat with and, some people, like, joined, and they were like, oh, I'm having this issue too. And we all just, like, talked, and that was really great.
Amanda Thome [00:12:29]:
So
Heidi [00:12:30]:
Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:12:30]:
Having that is very helpful.
Heidi [00:12:32]:
What did you guys talk about in terms of balancing workload with multiple clients? Because I know that's something that comes up with people a lot.
Amanda Thome [00:12:39]:
Mhmm. Yeah. Marie Medina, she had a really great idea of having, like, just like a wall calendar, a yearly wall calendar, and kind of setting, like, deadlines on that and, like, having just, like, a visual of that is really helpful. I was kinda struggling with, like, okay. Where do I put in my week, like, my bookkeeping or, like, kind of things like that that I have to do, like, business stuff. So someone gave an idea, like, just block out, like, Friday afternoons, and that's what you do. Yeah. So just, like, tips like that that were really helpful.
Amanda Thome [00:13:18]:
I just kinda struggle, like, keeping to that and, like, blocking out time and just really keeping to it. But Yeah. I'm trying and trying to get better at that.
Heidi [00:13:29]:
It's a constant work in progress.
Amanda Thome [00:13:31]:
Yeah.
Heidi [00:13:32]:
For sure. I would love are you cool to chat about this invoice that you shared via email with me and my team?
Amanda Thome [00:13:40]:
Yeah. Sure.
Heidi [00:13:41]:
Okay.
Amanda Thome [00:13:42]:
So your email remember how?
Heidi [00:13:43]:
I I can tell you. I have it right in front of me.
Amanda Thome [00:13:45]:
Oh, okay. Okay.
Heidi [00:13:46]:
So in December 15th, 2023, for reference, for people that are listening to recording in a different year, you said, I gained some motivation yesterday because I just sent my biggest invoice yet. $4,440. So many fours. I wish that was that last one
Amanda Thome [00:14:06]:
was a 4.
Heidi [00:14:06]:
Yeah. 444. So I'm feeling motivated to get out there and find more clients. You said, also this invoice wouldn't have been possible if if I didn't start fast because I felt empowered to raise my rates with this particular client after learning more and hearing from others in the community. So I'd love to hear a little bit more about that project and, like, what exactly empowered you and helped you have the confidence to raise your rates? Because that's something that a lot of people struggle with, and they're like, this can be terrifying, especially with an existing client.
Amanda Thome [00:14:37]:
Yeah. Definitely. With this client in particular, I work, like, season by season with them, and I do pretty much design to development. Okay. From initial piece like, initial concept to sketching out, finalizing the lineup, tech packing, fitting, refitting if needed, and then submitting final tech pack with graded specs, and then that's when I stop. Okay. And the collections can be up to, like, 30 pieces sometimes.
Heidi [00:15:09]:
Ah, wow.
Amanda Thome [00:15:10]:
So they're, like, they're pretty decent sized collections. It's a lot of work. And I was starting to realize that, I wasn't getting my hourly rate through that because we do project based. And I calculated exactly how long it took me from beginning to of the season of starting to work on the season to the end, using Toggl, which is a really good app to keep track of time.
Heidi [00:15:36]:
Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:15:37]:
And I divided that by, my hourly rate and to see if I was, like, making I divided the amount of hours by the amount of pieces, by the amount of how much I was making, something like that. I I have, like, a formula.
Heidi [00:15:54]:
Totally fine.
Amanda Thome [00:15:55]:
Yeah. And I saw that I was making, like, pretty under my hourly rate. So I was like, okay. This is not working. Yeah. And that's how I was like, okay. I need to raise my rates. But even from now, I raise my rates, and it's still under my hourly rate.
Amanda Thome [00:16:16]:
So I'm even thinking of, like, okay. I'm gonna have to, like, raise that again.
Heidi [00:16:21]:
Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:16:23]:
Because it's a, you know, it's it's a lot of work and
Heidi [00:16:26]:
It is.
Amanda Thome [00:16:27]:
And, yeah, and this was my first client since moving back to New York. So Okay. I kind of went into it, like, not knowing anything. This is before I found Fast too, so I really didn't know anything about freelancing. I didn't even give my rate. The rate was told to me, you know. So yeah. It was and then when I realized, I'm like, oh, I set my own rates.
Amanda Thome [00:16:51]:
Like, I can do this. Like, it was kind of a wake up call. Yeah. So that's kind of how I found the rate that I needed was by dividing the amount of hours and everything. The talk was kind of, like, nerve wracking, but I was just, you know, stuck stuck to my gun. I was like, if it doesn't work, then it doesn't work. And I I live in New York. It's expensive.
Amanda Thome [00:17:16]:
Like, I can't work for, like, this low of an amount. And yeah. And that's how it's how I was able to do that.
Heidi [00:17:28]:
Did you did you, like, tell them all the calculations you ran and how it kinda worked out and that it was just, like, not working? Or what it like, what exactly did you pitch it to them?
Amanda Thome [00:17:40]:
I didn't do that. It was way more, like, casual. Okay. I think I think I really just said, like, hey. Our contract for this season is over for if we wanna continue working together, this is my rate now. I I think I even said, like, I have been I think I yeah. Because this is after I've I've got into the past community. So I was like, oh, I I've been chatting with a lot of freelancers, and I've been told that my rate is, like, super low, and this is not normal.
Amanda Thome [00:18:12]:
I didn't say it like that, but Yeah. In a more professional way. But, essentially, that's pretty much what it was.
Heidi [00:18:18]:
Okay. Yeah. And were they just, like, okay. Cool. Yeah?
Amanda Thome [00:18:21]:
No. It was like, okay. I'll think about it. And I was like, okay. Take your time. I didn't like well, like, I didn't really go back on it. And then we kind of ended up meeting in the middle. He went they went up, like, way, like, pretty, like, almost double.
Amanda Thome [00:18:39]:
So that was, like, okay. That's not bad. Yeah.
Heidi [00:18:45]:
Okay. Yeah. So you went into this knowing why you could lose that client.
Amanda Thome [00:18:50]:
Yeah. Totally. How do
Heidi [00:18:51]:
you feel about that?
Amanda Thome [00:18:55]:
It was scary. It was definitely scary. I had a talk with my partner a lot, and he had to, like, keep motivating me. Like, no. You're worth this. Like, you're you deserve this. And also, you know, talking with the girls in, our weekly chat, like, that was really helpful too because they kept, like, reminding me too. Like, no.
Amanda Thome [00:19:17]:
That's you you need to do that. Like, that's Yeah. Very reasonable what you're asking for. So, you know, I'm not asking for a crazy amount. So
Heidi [00:19:26]:
Yeah. Yeah. So are you gonna raise it again for next season?
Amanda Thome [00:19:30]:
Yeah. Yeah. Definitely. Okay. Okay. I have to.
Heidi [00:19:34]:
Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:19:36]:
Yeah. New York City, like I said. It's I
Heidi [00:19:38]:
know it's so expensive. Yeah. So you said they didn't quite meet your number, but they did come up a good bit. Almost double, like, what you were getting before. So, oh, gosh. If nothing else, you just doubled your rate, even if it doesn't quite meet the rate that you ultimately wanna be at.
Amanda Thome [00:19:55]:
Mhmm. And I was understanding. I was like, okay. Like, you know, it it was a big jump that I was asking for. So I was like, okay. I can I can be there?
Heidi [00:20:04]:
Sure. Like, e let's we can ease into this a
Amanda Thome [00:20:06]:
little bit. Yeah. Okay. Exactly. Okay.
Heidi [00:20:08]:
Awesome. Have you raised rates with any of your other clients? Or have you, like, used that experience to go into new proposals with, like, different prices?
Amanda Thome [00:20:18]:
Exact yeah. The the second. Yeah. Like, I haven't raised my rates with other clients. But now going into anything new, I'm like, this is my rate. And if that's not okay with you, then I you're not my client. Yeah. Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:20:38]:
Even even with this most recent client, the, their hourly their it's hourly and the rate was, like, their highest was still low a bit lower than my rate. Mhmm. It was, like, $10 lower, and I was like, oh, my rate is this? Is this okay? And they're like, yeah. That's totally fine. Oh, don't. They're they're very they it's a great brand. They're seems very respectful. I've only been working with them for, like, a week, but okay, it's like a woman on brand.
Amanda Thome [00:21:08]:
It's really cool. I'm very, like, into sustainability and, like, they actually care about ethical practices, which is, like, super important to me. So, that's exciting to be able to work with them.
Heidi [00:21:20]:
Yeah. That's awesome. Are you doing, like, a similar package for them designed to through development, essentially, or through, like, final proto?
Amanda Thome [00:21:28]:
Yeah. Pretty much. They have a production person, so to to final photo. Yeah. Like, I'll just do, like, the comments, but anything production, I don't deal with.
Heidi [00:21:40]:
Okay. Gotcha. Just through examples.
Amanda Thome [00:21:43]:
Yeah. Exactly.
Heidi [00:21:44]:
Yeah. Okay. And then you also put in here, which I would love to just chat a little bit about. You said, I still have to overcome some fears about reaching out to new potential clients, but I'm getting there. Like, would I think a lot of people feel this. Like, what are what are some of the things that you feel a little bit fearful about with that?
Amanda Thome [00:22:07]:
Yeah. I mean, I think everyone has that kind of, like, impostor syndrome. I I also, like, haven't been working for, like, 10 years, you know, and I don't have, like, a crazy amount of experience, but I feel like the experience that I have is pretty strong. And, like, I design entire collections on my own. I mean, on my own with, like, a creative factor, but Sure. You know, a lot of it is on your own. Yeah. Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:22:37]:
Totally. Yeah. So, yeah, I think it's just, like, the fear of rejection, and I think that my ideal brand are kind is kind of like a kind of those, like, cool girl, New York City brands, and they can often be pretty, like, judgmental sometimes. So I guess I'm just, like, afraid, if I'm being, like, completely candid. Yeah. Just, like, a bit afraid of, like, judgement and just, like, being rejected and, like, it's tough to, like, hear a no constantly and
Heidi [00:23:11]:
Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:23:12]:
So every pretty much, like, every brand I've worked with has, like, come to me, which I've been, like, pretty lucky about. Yeah. So, I mean, that's just been, like, luck. So it's kind of, like, I'm like, oh, I don't need to reach out to anybody right now. Like, I'm okay. But at the same time, like, I do wanna grow, and I need to do that. So
Heidi [00:23:36]:
Yeah. Yeah. So what are your some of your plans or thoughts around, like, getting over that imposter syndrome and maybe getting comfortable hearing no or getting rejected?
Amanda Thome [00:23:46]:
Mhmm. Yeah. I think it's it's kinda like the same from when I started my brand. Like, for example, like, posting on Instagram was, like, terrifying to me. But then it kind of just became normal. So just, I guess, like, exposure therapy, like, just doing it. Like, I have that's just always what I've done. Like, what am I what else am I gonna do? Not do it? Like, no.
Amanda Thome [00:24:09]:
I have to do it. So just kind of get over it and, like, not think about it too much, like and, like, remind myself, like, no. I'm I'm worthy enough. Like, I could take space here. Like, that's fine. Like, Yeah. So, I mean, those thoughts, like, creep in sometimes, but, overall, I'm able to, like, overcome it.
Heidi [00:24:35]:
Okay. That's awesome. Did you listen to the episode with Grace Broder?
Amanda Thome [00:24:40]:
No. I don't think so.
Heidi [00:24:41]:
Okay. Because she talks a lot about, like, this imposter syndrome and this fear and stuff. And I'm gonna pull I'm gonna grab it because I think you'll really appreciate this episode. And for everyone listening too, we'll link it in the show notes. But, one of the things she talks about, which I really appreciate, and and one of the examples she uses is, like, posting on Instagram or something, like putting yourself out there. Maybe it's LinkedIn or whatever. And she's like, kind of think about, like, redefining, your definition of success. And success
Amanda Thome [00:25:14]:
Mhmm.
Heidi [00:25:15]:
Is not necessarily getting the yes, and failure is not necessarily getting the no. But the success is like taking the action. Putting the most out there is the success. Like, even if you get 0 likes and it dies. And I know that that is still, like, really hard to swallow. And rejection still feels really hard. But she's per per productivity and procrastination expert. And she talks a lot about, like, how these challenges with productivity and procrastination is not necessarily another tool or another app that you need to, like, stay productive.
Heidi [00:25:46]:
It's like these more deep rooted things. And it just reminded me exactly of that. Like, that fear of that Instagram post and re like, let's redefine how we look at success. Yeah. Episode 21. To that. 201. Yeah.
Heidi [00:26:02]:
I think you'll really appreciate that episode. Are you still doing things with your own brand?
Amanda Thome [00:26:11]:
I'm trying to. I'm I'm, like, figuring out, like, sales tax and stuff right now. So it's everything is, like, out of stock on my website, but I'm just trying to figure out, like, the business side of it. Yeah. I do wanna keep doing it, but more as, like, a passion thing. Yeah. I wanna create more just, like, one off pieces. Like, I have my knitting machine and, like, my favorite thing to do is just sit on it and, like, create cool swatches or, just do, like, a one one piece that is interesting and cool and, like, put it on my website.
Heidi [00:26:45]:
Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:26:46]:
But, yeah, what I've done is, like, just merge my brand with my design services. So if you go on my my website now, you can either click the brand side or you can click the design studio side. Okay. And that's been, like, kind of interesting because so someone reached out to me and was like, oh, is Tomei's studio a a design studio? And I was like, oh, no. It's a brand, but I I do design I have design services if you if you need. Like, I'm a a freelance. Okay. And it kind of, like, woke me up, and I was like, oh, Tomy's studio kind of sounds like it could be a design studio.
Amanda Thome [00:27:21]:
So why not merge this?
Heidi [00:27:23]:
Oh, okay. Because I remember we looked at your website on one of the coaching calls in the past. And, okay, I didn't realize exactly how it all started. So Tomei Studio, which is your last name
Amanda Thome [00:27:37]:
Yeah.
Heidi [00:27:37]:
Was your brand.
Amanda Thome [00:27:39]:
Yes.
Heidi [00:27:40]:
And then someone got that idea that it was a design studio, and you were like, oh, I can just merge you. So now the website is like, you come to the front page and it's like, shop or Yeah. Services or something.
Amanda Thome [00:27:53]:
Exactly. It's like it's, shop knitwear brand or, learn about design services, something like that. Okay. Gotcha. And I tried to make it as, like, clear as possible, and your help was your advice was, like, really helpful, and I changed a few things. Yeah. I also talked to other people on fast, and they gave me some good advice too that I changed.
Heidi [00:28:11]:
Awesome.
Amanda Thome [00:28:12]:
So that's been really helpful. Yeah. Yeah. That's
Heidi [00:28:17]:
finding, like are people navigating that comfortably? Like, are they getting it? Yeah. Okay.
Amanda Thome [00:28:22]:
Yeah. Yeah. I've gotten some, I haven't gotten that many, like, people filling out my form or anything, but, but I got one the other day, and it was like Nice. They they seem to completely understand what I was doing. I had, like, an intro call with them, and Yeah. They were like you know, they didn't question it. Like, it just made sense to them, so I was happy about that.
Heidi [00:28:42]:
It wasn't confusing. Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:28:44]:
Yeah. Yeah.
Heidi [00:28:45]:
Where are people finding your site?
Amanda Thome [00:28:48]:
Yeah. So it's just Tomay Studio. Oh, you mean? Like, how
Heidi [00:28:51]:
are they finding it?
Amanda Thome [00:28:52]:
Like, is
Heidi [00:28:53]:
it I know you're a little bit on LinkedIn ish.
Amanda Thome [00:28:57]:
Yeah. I think it I'm not sure. I think it might be LinkedIn. Okay. I know someone found me through Upwork and, like, just Googled my name and then found my website and contacted me through my website instead of Upwork. Oh. Which is interesting.
Heidi [00:29:12]:
I've been that I've been that client. I've done that. Mhmm. No.
Amanda Thome [00:29:16]:
That's a smart thing to do. Like, why not? Like, avoids the Upwork fees.
Heidi [00:29:20]:
So many fees. Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:29:23]:
So I've had people reach out to me through, like like that or, or, yeah, LinkedIn. I had one call where they where I asked, and they said that it was just like a Google search. Oh, is this I'm not sure. Yeah. I was like, oh, okay. I guess my SEO isn't horrible. Yeah. Maybe they searched, like, knitwear studio specifically and
Heidi [00:29:46]:
Yeah. Found something. Brooklyn or something.
Amanda Thome [00:29:49]:
Yeah. Maybe.
Heidi [00:29:50]:
Yeah. Who knows?
Amanda Thome [00:29:52]:
Yeah. So Okay. Probably through that.
Heidi [00:29:56]:
Have you done stuff on Upwork?
Amanda Thome [00:29:58]:
Yeah. One of my long term clients is on is still on Upwork. Okay. I've kind of haven't looked at it in, like, a really long time, and I kind of forget that I have it. And I all forget to, like, input my hours on there because I I'm so used to just, like, invoicing separately now. I I just kind of stopped. Like, it just it's kind of not worth it for me sometimes. It just Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:30:26]:
I've gotten some things, but those have been, like, the smaller projects. I have the one long term client on there, but everything else has been, like, random 1 week projects or Okay. That aren't necessarily, like, in my niche.
Heidi [00:30:43]:
And Okay.
Amanda Thome [00:30:44]:
Yeah. So I kind of just I don't know. I I kind of avoid it at this point. It's
Heidi [00:30:48]:
Okay. Totally fair. Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:30:49]:
I I've also, like, spent way too much money on the connects on there.
Heidi [00:30:54]:
Yeah. They changed so much over the years. Yeah. Yeah. I've gotten really mixed feedback. Some people have had really, really great luck with it and some people, not nearly as much. So you were definitely like going after it, like pitching, using the connects to apply, like, randomly getting a few things, but you're like, this doesn't make sense in the big picture.
Amanda Thome [00:31:19]:
Exactly. Yeah. I mean, I do still have that one client on there.
Heidi [00:31:24]:
Why don't you put them off?
Amanda Thome [00:31:27]:
Yeah. I'm considering it because now it's been, like, about a year that we've been working together.
Heidi [00:31:32]:
So Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:31:32]:
It's been a good time. Time. Yeah. Yeah. I think it's time for sure.
Heidi [00:31:37]:
Effective for everybody, and you can, like, make a little bit more and cost them a little bit less, because the client pays fees too.
Amanda Thome [00:31:44]:
Oh, okay. I didn't realize that. Yep. Upwork
Heidi [00:31:49]:
has their hand in everybody's pocket.
Amanda Thome [00:31:50]:
Mhmm. Yeah. And it's one of my favorite clients too. So, like, I don't wanna Oh. Yeah. We have a great relationship.
Heidi [00:31:56]:
Okay. I'm sure they'd be happy to get off.
Amanda Thome [00:32:00]:
Yeah. Yeah. I should do that.
Heidi [00:32:02]:
Yeah. So it's March. I mean, what else? What are you thinking for the rest of the year?
Amanda Thome [00:32:10]:
Oh oh my gosh. I, right now, I think I'm just really trying to focus on, like, I guess, marketing myself a bit more, posting on Instagram, posting on LinkedIn. I've realized that posting on LinkedIn really, really helps.
Heidi [00:32:26]:
Talk about that.
Amanda Thome [00:32:27]:
Even just like even just, like, the little post I've done so far have gotten me, like, so much traction, like, so many messages and stuff, and I'm always, like, really overwhelmed by it. So I think just keep doing that and just keep putting myself out there. And, I just, like, registered my business as, like, an LLC, so I feel more legit now. And Yeah. I'm feeling like, okay. I'm a business. Like Yeah. I can do this, and I don't know.
Amanda Thome [00:32:59]:
It feels more I I guess it gives me, like, a reason more to, like, post. It's not just, like, me promoting myself. It's, like, me promoting my business. I don't know. Feels a little bit better for some reason.
Heidi [00:33:11]:
Yeah. That's so
Amanda Thome [00:33:12]:
because I guess it separates me a bit from the business, which helps. Yeah. But I wanna get back to posting on Instagram too. Yeah. Yeah.
Heidi [00:33:24]:
You're not the first person I've heard say that, like, once they kind of registered as a business, they, like, just things in your head change. Yeah. So I'm not totally surprised to hear that. What kind of stuff have you been have you posted on LinkedIn that's, like, getting you the traction?
Amanda Thome [00:33:44]:
Some of just, like, my client work. Like, when when a collection will drop or a new piece will drop, I'll post it on there and just say, oh, this is some of my work for this client. And then also I just posted some things I did on Newark, which was cool, and I've got, like, a lot Yeah. Yeah. I got a lot of questions about that. It's been it's been really cool. I kind of stopped using that for a little bit, but, yeah, I got kind of good at, like, doing the prompts and stuff, which was cool.
Heidi [00:34:19]:
Yeah. It's a pretty fun AI software. Yeah. Full disclaimer, I am a brand they're my brand partner, and I'm an affiliate for them. I'll drop a link in the show notes. But, it's a really cool software. Yeah. They just released version 3.
Heidi [00:34:33]:
I gotta test out the beta last week, and it's really it's so much I mean version 2 was great, but like it's even better. It's really awesome. So maybe that's some inspiration to clear out with it again.
Amanda Thome [00:34:44]:
Oh, for sure.
Heidi [00:34:46]:
So just posting, like, visuals of, like, here's what I'm working on. This was this AI tool I was playing around with, or, like, here's some work I did for a client, and, like, it's really casual and, like, getting some good engagement on that.
Amanda Thome [00:34:58]:
Yeah. Exactly. I think I felt a bit too much pressure. Like, when you see LinkedIn posts, like, there's they they just feel so official sometimes and, like, I I like yours that are kind of, like, playful and, like, have fun pictures and stuff. Yeah. So it's kind of what I'm going for. Just make it more casual. Like, it doesn't have to be, like, advice on this, this, this.
Amanda Thome [00:35:18]:
It's like, no. Here's all my works, what I do. Not, like, trying to, like, sell myself necessarily, but
Heidi [00:35:25]:
Yeah. Totally.
Amanda Thome [00:35:26]:
You know, that's what I do.
Heidi [00:35:27]:
Yeah. That's awesome. And how do you feel like Instagram is for you for like a place to hang out and post and generate, like, potential leads and stuff?
Amanda Thome [00:35:38]:
Yeah. I haven't posted on it as, like, for my design services. Like, I posted it on it for my brand. And now I'm just trying to figure out, like, okay. I figured on my website pretty much. It's decent. Now how do I, like, post on my Instagram to for people to, like, understand what I'm doing? Because I started out as, like, just a brand, and I got, like, I I would do, like, a lot of influencer collabs, things like that. So I have a lot of, like, those people following me more than, I guess, like, potential brands
Heidi [00:36:13]:
Mhmm.
Amanda Thome [00:36:13]:
That I could work with. But I've been, like right now, I've just been, like, following brands that I'm interested in. Mhmm. And just starting to, like, follow them, engage with them a bit slowly, maybe start posting on my stories a bit. Mhmm. Yeah. Yeah. But brand wise, I really did enjoy posting on there.
Amanda Thome [00:36:36]:
It was difficult at first, but once I got the hang of it, like, it was cool and seeing such a positive reaction to my work was really cool. Mhmm. Getting to work with some influencers also is really nice. Was always the best experience, but, majority of the time, most of the time, I met some really great people and Yeah. People who that, like, still wear my pieces and, like, post even, like, a year after, like, 2 years after, and I'm like, oh my god. Like, thank you for posting that. Like, that's
Heidi [00:37:05]:
How cool is that?
Amanda Thome [00:37:07]:
Yeah. So some really cool influencers that I've worked with. Yeah.
Heidi [00:37:11]:
That's amazing. I mean, to me, couple of things you said that are really to me. One is you were like, oh, I'm not sure my following is exactly like prospective clients. I also am like, you never know who's following and who might be interested in, like, oh,
Amanda Thome [00:37:27]:
I'm just
Heidi [00:37:27]:
gonna do my own thing. And second was, like, it was difficult to post at first, and then you got the hang of it. I think that's the case with anything. I mean, that's how I've I've been on LinkedIn for, like, 6, 7 months or so now. And like the first 6 weeks, I was like finding my sea legs. And I'm like, what do I post? This is awkward. I don't know. And like you, then you just get the hang of it.
Heidi [00:37:52]:
And I think it's a matter of like, you know, just getting out there doing the thing. That's the success, taking the action, and then Yeah. You kinda get a little bit more comfortable and you kinda figure out and you get into a groove.
Amanda Thome [00:38:06]:
Yeah. Totally.
Heidi [00:38:07]:
So
Amanda Thome [00:38:08]:
Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Yeah. No. I'm excited to get back in into into that. I have some, like, post lined up that I'm just, like, haven't clicked post on. Oh, I see.
Amanda Thome [00:38:20]:
So yeah. Know? Yeah. So I have to just just do that.
Heidi [00:38:27]:
Okay. I'm gonna give you a little nudge. Just in the post.
Amanda Thome [00:38:34]:
Yeah. Now I need it For sure.
Heidi [00:38:36]:
You need it overthinking it.
Amanda Thome [00:38:38]:
Mhmm. Yeah. I get really just hung up on, like, all my client work and stuff, and then I'm like, oh, I don't have time for, like, my business stuff sometimes. And, like, I have a hard time kind of, like, blocking that time out and, I need to be better at that for sure.
Heidi [00:38:54]:
Yeah. There's that saying of, like, you need to work on the business, not just in the business.
Amanda Thome [00:38:59]:
Exactly.
Heidi [00:39:01]:
So you always have to be conscious of, like, how am I building this, for myself, bigger picture. Yeah. For sure. Done. So Yeah. Constant practice.
Amanda Thome [00:39:11]:
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Definitely.
Heidi [00:39:13]:
Awesome. It was so lovely to get to chat with you, Amanda, and hear about everything you're working on. I'd love to end with the question I ask everybody at the end, and that is, what is one thing people never ask you about being a freelance fashion designer that you wish they would?
Amanda Thome [00:39:28]:
Oh, yeah. I have heard this question a few times. I think maybe, like, what keeps me going in this industry because I don't know. Like, maybe I, like, I I see so much, like, negative things about fashion, like, just the amount of waste, the lack of
Heidi [00:39:51]:
ethics Mhmm.
Amanda Thome [00:39:54]:
Superiority complexes all over the place. Things that just are not my not my values.
Heidi [00:40:03]:
Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:40:03]:
And it's kind of made me, like, a bit anti fashion in a way. But I think what does keep me going is kind of just meeting people that do have the same values as me and, like, are like, oh, no. Okay. These people do exist, and people are making change, especially when it comes to sustainability. Like, yeah, I have a friend who, had is has been making this, like, yarn made of algae and has grown to in, like, a huge company. Wow. It it just, like, incredible. I'm like, oh, okay.
Amanda Thome [00:40:41]:
These people do exist, and there are people making change, And
Heidi [00:40:45]:
Yeah.
Amanda Thome [00:40:45]:
It does give me hope. So Yeah. Yeah.
Heidi [00:40:49]:
So you can be another one of those people that are, like, pushing for the good.
Amanda Thome [00:40:54]:
Yeah. I I I hope to be.
Heidi [00:40:58]:
I'm sure you are. I'm sure you are. Awesome. Where can everybody connect with you? Tomay Studios dot com?
Amanda Thome [00:41:04]:
Yeah. Tomay Studio dot com. It's thome.
Heidi [00:41:08]:
Okay.
Amanda Thome [00:41:09]:
My Instagram is tomay_studio. Yeah. LinkedIn, all that is. Amanda Tomay. Okay. Yeah. That's pretty much it.
Heidi [00:41:20]:
Awesome. Well, thank you so much for coming to chat and sharing your story and your success with raising your prices. I love it. And I'm sure there's more of this for you and your future.
Amanda Thome [00:41:30]:
Yeah. Thank you so much for having me.