This week we’re opening our inbox for the second time this year as we are taking questions again from our lovely listeners! Hopefully you guys will find our answers helpful… So without further ado, let’s get into the show!

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Show Notes for This Episode:

[1:00] Tom welcomes everyone back to the show.
[1:40] Question 1 – How can one deal with the freelance rollercoaster?
[2:15] Lisa and Tom talk about saving for the low times.
[3:30] Do the last thing that worked.
[4:20] Put in the right kind of work.
[5:00] Take time to zoom out.
[6:00] Advice Tom gave Dustin years back that still resonates.
[7:00] Be mindful of trends to ease your mind in slow times.
[8:20] Don’t panic.
[9:00] In quiet times, both freelance and full-time, Ian focuses on this.
[10:00] Time-savers.
[11:00] Tom shares how he used his slow season.
[12:30] Dustin shares an Alan Watts story.
[13:00] Your situation today may be your elevation tomorrow.
[14:00] Question 2 – How to hire help for your business.
[15:00] Tom steps through his team’s interview and hiring process.
[16:00] Design Cuts’s hiring process has become refined over time.
[17:30] Dustin talks about Retro’s hiring process.
[18:00] You can’t change someone’s personality.
[19:00] Tom used to try to sell interviewees on the job. That has changed.
[20:30] Don’t promise the world.
[21:40] Be as transparent as possible.
[22:20] Honesty is always the best practice.
[24:10] Initially hire people who can do what you don’t love.
[25:10] Focus Lab’s advice for your first hire.
[26:40] Question 3 – Is it possible to have a self-sustaining creative hobby?
[27:20] Yes it’s possible to turn a hobby into a full-time job!
[28:00] Lisa talks more about turning your art into a full-time job.
[29:00] The Passive Income Life.
[30:20] The gang has a laugh over Ian looking like an Apple exec.
[32:30] If anyone else has done it, so you can you!
[33:00] Tom is dropping knowledge bombs.
[34:20] Question 4 – Overwhelmed by seasoned artists? Should I leap now?
[35:00] Everyone questions themselves in the beginning.
[36:00] Better is attainable, perfect will never be.
[37:00] Start now, do not wait to get better.
[38:00] Imposter syndrome can hold you back.
[39:00] Believe in who you are today.
[40:00] Ian’s early days of offering lettering on top of other services.
[41:10] Stop reach for perfection when good feels great.
[42:00] One area of focus can be boring for some personalities.
[44:00] Everyone feels like they’re not good enough at some point.
[45:00] Van Gogh just needed a good marketer.
[46:00] Post your questions in our Instagram stories.
[47:00] That’s a wrap!

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“A must for every creative freelancer (or those aspiring to freelance). Thank you for being so… honest! Such a wealth of information from people I admire who have ‘been there and done that’. Listening to the podcast every week feels like I’m among friends. Can’t wait for more episodes!” – AG_GD