My 8-Year Journey as a Full-Time Freelancer
Eight years of lessons, challenges, and growth as I’ve built a business on my own terms.
Eight years ago, I took a leap into freelancing with little more than determination, curiosity, and a strong cup of coffee. I think about that younger version of myself, unsure of whether this was the right path, and I’m so proud of her. She was scared, but did it anyway. What started as a way to carve out more freedom quickly became a career and a lifestyle that’s challenged me and shaped me in ways I never could have predicted. Freelancing isn’t always easy (there are definite highs and lows), but it’s been the most rewarding choice I’ve made.
Finding my freedom and flexibility
I always knew I wanted to create something that was my own, I just didn’t know what form it would take. The signs were there early, though. During my Communication degree, I interned at a local theatre doing email marketing, then at a small social media agency in Vancouver. At the same time, I was running a fashion blog, writing articles, and using a little digital camera to capture my outfits. This was in the early 2010s, when social media was just about to explode onto the scene. The term “content marketing” was just a whisper at that time. But I knew I loved the process of creating, connecting with people, and seeing how content could be used strategically. It combined everything I was interested in: writing, photography, fashion, and community.
For me, freedom isn’t just about working from home in yoga pants, although that happens plenty. It’s about shaping a career that aligns with my values: choosing clients I connect with, carving out balance in my days, and leaning into projects that feel meaningful. Freelancing gave me the flexibility to design a life I deeply love.
Finding my path in social media
My first “big girl jobs” were in social media at Indochino and Kit and Ace from 2014-2016, two fashion start-ups. Those roles taught me how to think beyond a single post—how to track analytics, align content with larger campaigns, and work toward big-picture goals. It was fast-paced, creative, and challenging. In a start-up environment, you learn how to fail fast and move at an unprecedented pace, which were perfect building blocks for what was to come. It was also incredible to be a part of a team of smart, hilarious co-workers that I was thrilled to see every single day. Fun fact: it’s also where I met my now-husband!
But when I was part of a mass layoff, I suddenly found myself at a crossroads. That unexpected change nudged me into freelancing full-time for the first time. I picked up a contract with a small agency, Echo Storytelling, as a social media manager for their client, London Drugs. I loved the blend of strategy, planning, and execution. It was my first real taste of how freelancing could be more than just a stopgap. This could be a career.
“I realized freelancing didn’t mean working alone. It meant collaborating with different teams, creatives, and entrepreneurs, while still having the independence I craved.”
The shift to freelancing full-time
From there, the agency contracts kept coming. I partnered with Forge & Spark Media, Monday Creative, and Junction Consulting, stepping in as a strategist or social media manager for their clients. It felt like such a great fit for me, and an unexpected way to keep consistent work. Agencies could tap into my expertise when they needed it, and I could work across a variety of industries and projects.
The variety was energizing. Every client brought new challenges and opportunities, and I realized freelancing didn’t mean working alone. It meant collaborating with different teams, creatives, and entrepreneurs, while still having the independence I craved.
Building my own business
Alongside agency contracts, I began taking on my own clients. Working one-on-one with entrepreneurs and small businesses brought me so much joy. It allowed me to dig deeper, understand their unique stories, and craft strategies that felt tailored to them.
I did return to two brand-side roles for a season, managing a team and honing my leadership skills. It was valuable experience, but ultimately the environment wasn’t the right fit. Coming back to freelancing reminded me of what I loved most: flexibility, creativity, and the freedom to shape my business.
This time, I wasn’t just freelancing—I was running my own business. And now, I’m applying the same strategies I use for my clients to myself: marketing my services, sharing my story, and leaning into visibility with this very website.
What freelancing (and freedom) looks like today
Eight years later, freelancing looks a little different than when I started. For a long time, my business grew almost entirely through referrals. I’m so grateful for that foundation, but now I’m stepping into a new season: launching my site, putting my work out there, and building a business that reflects my own story as much as my clients’.
Freedom today looks like having the space to choose projects that excite me, the ability to pivot and grow with the industry (we see you, AI!), and the confidence to own my role as a business owner. It’s not without challenges, but there’s nothing like the satisfaction of seeing a project through and knowing I built this career on my own terms.
I’m so proud of the journey so far. And more than that, I’m excited for what comes next. If you’re looking for support with social strategy, content creation, or simply bringing more clarity and creativity into your marketing, I’d love to collaborate.