How One Woman's Freelance Writing Business Changed Her Life - youramericanmoney
Author: Michelle
Description: Welcome to Michelle is Money Hungry, I’m your host Michelle Jackson and I focus on holding financial conversations that lean into social equity, policy and access with a splash of pop culture. My goal is to lead these conversations with empathy and help both my listeners and myself learn more about money along the way. […]
Date: 2022-11-23T10:00:00+00:00

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# How One Woman’s Freelance Writing Business Changed Her Life

posted on 23 November, 2022

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Welcome to Michelle is Money Hungry, I’m your host Michelle Jackson and I focus on holding financial conversations that lean into social equity, policy and access with a splash of pop culture. My goal is to lead these conversations with empathy and help both my listeners and myself learn more about money along the way.

Right now I’m asking the question “How can American women improve their lives and the financial and emotional cost when women want more. I ended up speaking with a number of entrepreneurs as we worked through this question and I do want to say that my guests and I aren’t necessarily encouraging you to go into business.

Instead, this conversation in my mind is a reflection of the policies that aren’t in place here in the United States. Policies such as paid parental leave, generous paid sick leave. Or, just having a degree of flexibility and autonomy over your days so that you can run an errand, schedule a doctor’s appointment or take your kid to ballet or help your parents out when things come up. I often wonder how different American life would be if we had some of these policies in place. Would the choices we make be different?

In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please read my disclosure here.*

## Listen to the Episode

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## HARLOW

When I moved into digital entrepreneurship, I found myself collaborating with brands, doing 1099 work and needing to send out invoices and set up systems to keep my business organized.

It has been an ongoing process to find the right tools and systems for me. I’m so excited about a new tool that I now use that allows me to invoice clients, set up tasks, and even track my time as I work on tasks. I also use it as a CRM or client relationship management system. What’s the tool’s name?

Harlow.

I’m so obsessed with Harlow and am so excited that Harlow has partnered with me to bring the conversation around women wanting more personally, financially and professionally to life. Harlow is a woman-owned business, designed by former freelancers who understand the challenges of keeping creative businesses organized. I love how responsive the team is to my questions and emails which is a big deal as they continue to improve and refine this new tool. If you’re looking for a comprehensive system to organize your invoicing, client management and keep yourself organized I encourage you to give Harlow a try. I’m also a proud affiliate. Go to michelleismoneyhungry.com/harlow to check it out.

## Show Notes

Laura-My name is Laura Gariepy and I’m the owner of Everyday By the Lake, LLC. I also run a website called “Before You Go Freelance.”

Michelle-Today we’re talking about designing a life that matters (for American women) Could you talk about how you got started doing what you’re doing now?

Laura-Late 2017 I was working in HR and I’d been in the profession for almost 10 years. It was a great job but I experienced a death in the family. I started thinking about how I could make a living and better respond to the things that happen in life. I started blogging in the online business world and within a few months started earning money writing for other sites.

Michelle-How quickly did you see results?

Laura-It certaintly wasn’t overnight. A lot of the reasoning behind my slow start was that I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. My first freelance dollars came 4 or 5 months after I had launched my blog. I got paid for a post that I wrote. It was really an aha moment because I could replicate that process several times and pay my bills. I reached out to someone on Twitter that was looking for writers and that became my first steady client. I had quit my job in February of 2018. 2018 I attended FinCon in Orlando (Fall 2018) and at that conference I landed additional clients. By mid 2019 I was making around 5,000 a month which was what I was making at my corporate job. Not earth shattering but certainly enough to pay my bills. Unfortunately of December of 2019, I had another shift because my father passed away. I ended up taking the first quarter of 2020 off. The whole experience underscored taking time for relationships and trying to look for new business priorities that give more bang for my buck.

Michelle-We’re in a global pandemic. I’m not the same Michelle prior to 2020. I’ve had a lot of internal conversation about what does my life look like with a focus on joy? Do you regret that you took this leap?

Laura-Literally the best decision that I’ve made in my life. I wouldn’t go back to a corporate job. Everytime I think I may want to get those job perks back, I ask myself how much would I be giving up in order to return.

Michelle-How do you make sure that you are focusing on the things that matter financially?

Laura-I’m in financial rebuild mode. I was in a good position when my father passed away. Not only retail therapy, but just supporting my family and a lot of expenses went on credit card. I’m still digging out of the hole that I’m in. I’m doing a little better (but not much) than paycheck to paycheck.

Michelle-I feel like that you have to give yourself some grace. You were greiving. What are some of the steps as a creative entrepreneur to make sure you’re earning the income that you need.

Laura-I’ll reach out to clients to rekindle relationships. Recently, I’ve been focused on clients paying a higher rate so that I can crank out fewer words but get paid more. I’m focusing on launching a niche site with the goal of generating ad revenue.

Michelle-One of the big pivots that I’m doing right now is focusing on returning to passive revenue. This year I recognized that I miss passive income, but it’s time intensive.

Laura-Honestly, my eyes are getting bit and I’m drooling when I see people making thousands a month. If they could do it…why can’t me? If I can pay all my expenses, fund my retirement and pay off my house. I can gradually ween off these active income streams.

Michelle-For American women what have you seen that impacts our ability to design our best lives? What do you wish was in place in terms of policy?

Laura-I thought about this question and the biggest policy hurdle is the anti-independent contractor/freelancer bills being moved forward. Recently the House passed The PRO Act. The Department Labor has proposed a rule that is looking to circumvent the PRO-Act. This could really impact women’s options to design the lives that they want.

Michelle-Laura, I’m baffled that you started with a blog and thought you would make money with it (quickly)

Laura-I was pretty clueless when I started in the online business world. I was shocked when I made my first dollars.

Michelle-How are you creating your benefits package.

Laura-Since becoming self-employed I haven’t carried health insurance. I definitely wouldn’t recommend self-insuring but that’s what I’m doing now. I have a Roth IRA and thinking about a Solo 401k.

Michelle-Is it selfish to want to design a life that best serves you?

Laura-No. I don’t think it’s selfish at all. Doing things for yourself isn’t a negative thing.

Michelle-I wanted to circle back to the insurance. It is very interesting how the Government exchange functions vs. state exchanges.

Laura-Trying to navigate the United States Health Care system is a giant Pandora’s box.

Michelle-What does next year look like for you?

Laura-I hope to do more traveling. From a professional perspective I want to focus on the niche site. It’s a long game process. For more immediate money, I’m going to continue to replace low-paying/annoying clients and going from there. I always like to reserve some space for unexpected things.

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#### Michelle

I am an obsessive foodie, but not self-righteous with it, love travel, meeting new people, helping you look good, and am freaked out by people who don't enjoying reading...something! Grab a Perrier, read my blog, feel free to drop me a line! Hope to hear from you soon.

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