Three years into consulting for brands, but I’m still constantly getting hit in the face with things to do differently.
Which, honestly, is humbling. You reach a point where you know what you’re doing, but you’re also constantly adjusting how you do it. Rates, boundaries, energy, focus…
None of it’s static, but all of it is necessary (for your long-term growth).
Let’s get into it.
Having a client who pays well feels nice for a second, but when it comes down to it, some gigs are just not worth it.
I’ve worked with brands this year where the pay was great, but the experience was…soul-sucking. And looking back, I can see how much energy I spent trying to make it work when my body and brain were already like, nope.
If a brand doesn’t value you, respect your time, or just makes you feel super exhausted early on, it usually doesn’t improve. In most cases, it just gets worse.
I know not everyone is in a financial position to walk away immediately. And I get that. But if you are, or when you are, it’s okay to say, “Hey, this isn’t the right fit anymore,” and end things cleanly and kindly toward the end of a month.
Just don’t burn any bridges, ever. Stay on good terms with everyone, cause this industry is tight-knit.
Early on in freelancing, you kind of have no choice. You gotta post all the time on social, attend every event, meet everyone and their mother (I actually did meet a mother-daughter duo on LinkedIn) for coffee…you say yes to things just to see what happens.
This experimentation and exposure phase is absolutely necessary, and it’s how I got to where I am today.
But at some point, continuing to do everything starts to work against you. ‘
A few years in, the real work becomes getting more selective and focused. And if you’re used to hustling and bustling your way around, this can feel weird af.
It’s very easy to just do the client work and log off. And I get it, you’re tired. You delivered the project. And you’re possibly going through some personal shit. But the creatives who really last don’t stop learning.
Read the books. Study the brands. Revisit fundamentals. Staying curious is key!!
The mindset of being a lifelong student, rather than someone who thinks they’ve “made it,” is what actually compounds over time.
It’s always better to ask for more up front and adjust downward than to undercharge and regret it later.
Plus, as a consultant, you’re paying your own taxes and healthcare, and you don’t get PTO. Factor all that into the equation.
Also on this topic, throw away your hourly rates. Cause, how am I supposed to bill for thinking about an idea in the shower? Or for the years it took to get good at what I do? I can’t. And you can’t either.
Monthly retainers give you breathing room and make consulting into something that can pay your rent (and more), not just the grocery bill.
A lot of people are jealous or in a silent competition with you. Some want access more than they want to support you. But the truth is, there is room for everyone to succeed. So surround yourself with people who also have that abundant mindset. And don’t date a man less ambitious than you. You can’t fix him, and he’ll just exhaust the life out of you, trust me.
What I’m realizing is that the longer you’re in this, the less it’s about doing more, and the more it’s about honing.
You get more nuanced about what you tolerate and what you don’t.
Being choosier is empowering. It means you’ve earned discernment and have a better financial footing. But it’s also another thing to navigate. More decisions, responsibility, and things to be honest with yourself about.
There’s no final level where it all locks into place. It’s just constant learning and growth.
Thanks for everything, 2025.
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