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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]:
This episode, you'll hear a clip from a 1 on 1 strategy session with one of my fast students, Rachel Kranick. Rachel's a freelance fashion designer specializing in active and outerwear. She works full time in the industry, and she freelances on the side. Rachel's reaching the point where she wants to quit her full time job, but she isn't sure if she's ready. She feels at a comfortable capacity with her clients given the commitment she still has to her employer, but she doesn't feel like it's enough of a base to leave her job. Despite having a year's worth of money saved, which is amazing, Rachel.
Heidi [00:00:27]:
Congratulations. She still feels really uncomfortable quitting. She also feels really loyal to her employer even though, spoiler alert, they have not been as loyal to her. So I shared the litmus test that I think all freelancers I should use to determine when it's a good time to quit as well as some different scenarios she can consider. At the end of the day, quitting your job is a very personal and arguably very scary decision. If you've ever been stuck here or wondering how to take the leap to being a full time freelance fashion designer, you're gonna love this strategy session. Let's get to it.
Heidi [00:00:56]:
Also, quick disclaimer, I had a little technical difficulty, and my audio was recorded through this headphone mic, not my nice mic. So you might notice a difference in the quality, but still worth listening. And you said you started doing client outreach, but then you pulled back because, honestly, I'm scared that I'll secure a client and then not have the capacity to give them the time and energy they need while juggling
Rachel Kranick [00:01:16]:
everything else. Mhmm.
Heidi [00:01:18]:
That's where we're at. So Yep. I have thoughts. Do you wanna say 100%.
Rachel Kranick [00:01:23]:
Yeah. I mean, that's That's where I'm at. I've been freelancing for about 2 years now, and, like, I've loved the idea of freelancing for a long time, and just having that freedom and flexibility. But I think, like, That stability of having the job versus, like like, having to hustle, like, excites me and scares me. And so, yeah, I'm kinda just, like, in frozen in this limbo where I'm like, Where do I go? Yeah. And, also, the opportunities in my current job are just so good. It's like, okay. Is that what I want? Is the timing right? You know? So I'm kinda just like, I'm stuck.
Heidi [00:01:54]:
I mean, I think a lot of this is, like, a really, really personal decision. Listen. I I will happily walk through, like, all my thoughts, But at the end of the day, like, this is not necessarily like strategy. This is more like where do you sit as a human being in this situation. A couple of things you said that so I'll just I'll just talk about a couple of things I found interesting. You said, I love my job and the people I work with, and I have a loyalty issue because they depend on me so much. But then, like, a sentence later, you're like, But they make me feel guilty about taking vacation.
Rachel Kranick [00:02:28]:
I know. So, like,
Heidi [00:02:31]:
a a little bit of me is like, okay. You it almost sounds like you have more loyalty to them than they arguably might have to you, perhaps. I don't wanna read too much into this. Right?
Rachel Kranick [00:02:43]:
Mhmm.
Heidi [00:02:44]:
And listen. Loyalty is a great thing. Like, I that's a very, like, quality characteristic in my book. So, You know, you you say you're at capacity with your freelance clients right now.
Rachel Kranick [00:03:08]:
I could probably take on, like, a few more. It's just I'm kind of like it's like what can I do in the evenings and weekends? And then also trying to have, like, a little bit of a social life because I'm not entirely willing to give that up. So I think it's just it's like, yes, I could give up my life and, like, do enough freelance to financially support myself to feel comfortable. You know what I mean? But I'm just, like, that's not something I'm willing to do, so it's something's gotta give. Right?
Heidi [00:03:34]:
Okay. Okay. That's great. So then you kinda need to think about, like, what is gonna work best for you. So you don't wanna take on so many clients that you literally are like working all the time. Mhmm. But then you're also scared to like take the risk of leaving your job and going into freelance apple time. So, like, one of those things has to budge a little bit.
Heidi [00:03:53]:
So maybe it's like saying, I'm gonna give it 3 months, of, like, hustling my ass off to, like, work my day job and work freelance at, like, a solid capacity, and I'm gonna sacrifice some of, like, right, social things or whatever it might be. Right? I mean, you have to I threw out 3 months as a member. I don't know what that is. Like, you have to assess, like I don't want you to, like, obviously get to the point of burnout or something. I mean, some people can, like, really go hard for a while. Some people, break pretty quickly. So it's a little bit of, like, your character, but perhaps doing something like that To get you to a point of, like, okay. I know I know you have a year up to date, which is amazing.
Heidi [00:04:49]:
You could probably save even more, right, without extra freelancing income. You can start building up your client base even more. And then until you reach, like, that tipping point that you're like, okay. I'm tapped out. It's time for me to, like, lean full into the freelance. At which point, you'll likely feel more confident because you have a more solid base and you've been able to sort of, like, prove to yourself this is one of the Litmus test I like to use for are you ready to go full time is you can strategically go out and get clients. It's not like, oh, I have 2 clients. They luckily fell into my lap.
Heidi [00:05:31]:
Listen. You can build your career that way. People do. But I kinda like to look at it as, like, I know the strategies to get new clients. I can effectively do that to take clients I have take existing clients I have, get more projects from them, you know, get referrals from them. Right? Like, I know how to pull these levers, and nothing at the end of the day, nothing is guaranteed. Right? I mean, even your a job is not guaranteed, but you have to, like, at some point, take a little leap of, like, okay. I feel confident that I've got the skills and the strategies to do this Very, I mean, I guess just just just, strategically rather than like, oh, I luckily got this these 2 clients.
Heidi [00:06:20]:
Right?
Rachel Kranick [00:06:21]:
Mhmm. Yeah. I think that's helpful because I think it's kind of probably right in between there. A lot of them a lot of my current clients have been, like, luck or, like, I've pursued some of them, but I think it could build definitely more confidence and experience, actually, like, pursuing. But that's like I said, like, I kind of pulled back. As soon as I started, I pulled back because I was like, oh, if I if I reel in more clients, like, then I have to have the time to work with but Yeah. You know, it's kind of also like if I reel in the right client who can give me, like, you know, a good, like, bigger project that's gonna be, like, you know, 3 months or, like, Be consistent or something
Heidi [00:06:57]:
Yeah.
Rachel Kranick [00:06:57]:
And at least be, like, you know, a good amount of hours every week, then I would feel comfortable. Right? So it's like, If it's the right client, that could be a game changer for me. But if it's
Heidi [00:07:07]:
just like
Rachel Kranick [00:07:07]:
I'm I feel like usually what I'm getting is, like, you know, these little projects here and there, which are great. I love those little projects, They're they're not enough and those little projects build up, and then it's like I have all these little projects that I don't have past before, but none of them are sustainable or, you know, reoccurring enough to be, like, acts substantial for me to feel like I can quit.
Heidi [00:07:26]:
But maybe 2 things. 1 is that you're not going after the projects acts that could be sustainable long term because you have the full time job. And 2, might there be and there might not, but might there be opportunity For you to the projects that you're you're doing that you say that are kind of, like, shorter maybe feel like more one off, in Is there opportunity to take those into something bigger? Like I always say to people, whenever you're working with a client And you finished the project. Right? That, like, box that you agreed to complete or whatever, always think about the next thing coming in line. so I don't know what your skills and services are. I mean, you're in a management role. I feel like you've got some experience. Yeah? Mhmm.
Rachel Kranick [00:08:10]:
I've been in the industry for about 10 years.
Heidi [00:08:12]:
So Okay.
Rachel Kranick [00:08:13]:
Acting soft.
Heidi [00:08:14]:
Yeah. Right? So it's like, okay. You do design, and I don't know what you want to do. So, right, there's a balance between that too. Right? Like, some people are like, I'm a design design tech hacks. I do not wanna do PD. I do not wanna do development. I do not wanna do sourcing.
Heidi [00:08:27]:
Right? But perhaps you could, like, you do the design tech packs and that project's done, Then you're like, okay. Well, logically, what comes next? Mhmm. And, hey. Let me help you sources with the factories or manage the production or, like, what have you. Right? so you can be a lot more proactive to keep, like, getting the next step in the project. Because from their perspective, they just worked with you. They like you. They trust you.
Heidi [00:08:51]:
The project went well. Like, of course, it's a no brainer to keep working with you versus going out and try to find somebody else.
Rachel Kranick [00:08:57]:
Mhmm. So I
Heidi [00:08:58]:
know not all projects are like that, but that's an option for sure.
Rachel Kranick [00:09:02]:
True. Yeah. I've been pretty transparent with my clients that, like, Sourcing is not kinda where I specialize or anything like that, and I feel like that's kinda where they get held up. And so Yeah. So we're kind of like It's like I put that option out there. I'm like, oh, if you guys want me to, you know, help you with the sourcing and the product development process, I can totally do that. Just like, You know, I'm a phone call away, reach out. Yeah.
Heidi [00:09:24]:
But
Rachel Kranick [00:09:24]:
it's like my resources are pretty limited as far as domestic production goes. Right? Like, I've worked with overseas vendors, but a lot of my clients are trying to do domestic, and Like, I can't help you. So I'm pretty transparent about that with them. But, yeah, I do think that, like, as they, you know, go along, they'll reach out to me and there's some consulting acting and stuff. And I think in the future, like, some of my clients are, you know, gonna keep having different ideas and different projects. So I do think there's potential for ongoing, and I think the more that I build out smaller clients that will turn into something. So I'm trying to just be patient and, like, let it grow organically. I just have some days where I get really impatient.
Rachel Kranick [00:09:58]:
Like, why isn't this, like, now.
Heidi [00:10:01]:
Okay. Right. So that's an interesting, like, balance. Right? So you you're letting it grow organically, which is gonna grow at a certain pace. Right? If you are more proactive, I feel based on where you're at already, you could, like, really, you know, amplify that, speed that up quite a bit. So you're in this, like, you know, rocking a hard place, but you don't wanna speed it up because of your job.
Rachel Kranick [00:10:27]:
Yeah. So I go back and forth. Some days, I'm like, I'm over my job. Like, I just wanna freelance. And then I'll get really motivated, and then I'll start, like, doing client outreach and, like, You know, talking people or looking at stuff on Upwork.
Heidi [00:10:38]:
Yeah.
Rachel Kranick [00:10:38]:
And then other days, I'm like, oh, I'm overwhelmed. I gotta dial it back. Like, this is too much. Yeah. So it It kinda just goes back and forth.
Heidi [00:10:46]:
I mean, I feel like You could be sort of stuck in your current position for a long time. Sounds like you've been there for about 2 years.
Rachel Kranick [00:10:58]:
Yeah.
Heidi [00:10:58]:
So unless you lean into some sort of, like, discomfort and, like, leap, right, nothing is probably gonna change. And and I would argue that the discomfort of leaning into that decision, whatever that may be, will be a will feel like a bigger emotional, like, toll, but it will be more shorter lived versus, like, this up and down that you're in. It's like, manageable, but it's like constant of like, oh, I love my job and I feel loyal to them. And, oh, let me do the client outreach, but wait. I'm getting overwhelmed. Right? And you're kinda like, right, versus if you're like, okay. Let me make the scary decision to, like, commit to something. And if that's your full time job too, like, that's also fine.
Heidi [00:11:54]:
Right? There's no right or wrong answer here, but, like, giving yourself the permission to lean into one of these things more fully and and Knowing what's gonna come. Like, okay. I'm gonna lean into my full time job because I just got this management or leadership role, and I'm loving it. And I feel like maybe I'm growing even more and whatever. Right? Great. Then give yourself, like, the release of, like, okay. It's okay. I don't have to do client outreach.
Heidi [00:12:26]:
And maybe I I'm gonna do this for, like, 6 more months or something or another year. Like, whatever the commitment is fine. Or you're like, I do really want this freelancing lifestyle. My job, I'm loyal to them, and I will continue to be loyal them, and I'm not gonna half ass it. I also have to be mindful that, like, maybe they're not as lost me. I don't know. That vacation thing really got me. That was me personally.
Rachel Kranick [00:12:51]:
Yeah. No. They're they're great, but then they're not. Like, the it's like They're great people, but then culturally, the company just, like it's really old school. They don't believe in vacation or any kind of, like, Working remote or working flexible hours. It's like you need to be in the office all day every day and, like, they're just they're just set in their ways and, like Where
Heidi [00:13:13]:
are you at today? It's a Tuesday at 9 o'clock or 8 o'clock. You're not even joined yet.
Rachel Kranick [00:13:18]:
I have an appointment. Okay.
Heidi [00:13:22]:
Okay. So you're at home. and and listen. If you lean in to, like, sticking with them for a longer amount of time, I'm not here to judge you by any means. Right? Because there's a A lot of great things about a job and etcetera, etcetera. So so just on the other side of the table, you know, you're thinking like, okay. I want this freedom and flexibility that comes with freelancing. I despite having a year worth of money saved, which I think is amazing.
Heidi [00:13:52]:
Congratulations on that. That's a huge feat especially in Southern California. Massive feat. Thank you. You're my kind of people. You still Sorry. Let me rewind. Okay.
Heidi [00:14:09]:
So leaning into the freelancing thing, you want the freedom and the flexibility. What is that actually gonna look like? I mean, you have options. Right? Okay. Quit knowing I've got the year of money, and I'm gonna just hustle my ass off. I'm gonna figure this out. Or lean into, like, a set amount of time, 3 months or whatever that feels good for you of, like, okay. I'm gonna give up happy hour and we get to the beach or, like, whatever, and I'm gonna sacrifice these 3 months for maybe a little bit more, like, internal comfort when I take that leap to go freelancing full time. So I think those are, like, some of the options you have to look at and, again, it really just matters, like, What feels workable for you?