Being Freelance – Details, episodes & analysis

How does a creative side project turn into a decade long freelancing business working with the biggest names in pop culture, like Disney, Pixar, Marvel, DC Comics, Lucasfilm, Warner Bros and Sony Pictures?

All good super-heroes have an origin story. And this interview tells the series of events that took Doaly from working for a company in Birmingham, England, to the front page of comic covers seen all over the world. Signing at Comic-con events. It's quite the transformation.

Tarlochan Doal, AKA Doaly, spent 15 years as a full time in-house web and UX designer. Illustration was the side hustle he did to scratch a creative itch, designing movie posters for films he loved.

Then one Saturday morning, Doaly woke to an email from a movie studio. And his whole script changed.

This episode of the Being Freelance podcast with Steve Folland covers:

- Why he filled his portfolio with the work he wanted to be hired for, and how design blogs and social media got it in front of the right people

- The passion projects that catapulted his career — including a Wonder Woman piece that sold 1,500 posters in a weekend and let him quit his day job

- Using UX contracting to bridge the financial gap in his first year of full-time freelancing

- Building a garden office to separate work from home - because when you love what you do, you'll work all day and night if you let yourself

- How a random 45-minute conversation at a New York convention led to his first Marvel Comics cover

- Multiple income streams across movies, comics, book covers and advertising - so no single client base can sink you

- The weekly phone calls with a fellow designer that serve as his informal co-mentoring

It's one hell of a story. And you might think - well, I'm not trying to work with Marvel, how will this freelancer's story relate to me? But there's so much relatable freelance advice and business tips to be drawn from his experiences.

--
EPISODE SPONSOR
This episode of the Being Freelance podcast is supported by Ecamm.

For years people have asked how Being Freelance live shows look so good. Well, this is the secret.

Ecamm is a video studio for your Mac. 
Give anything you do with video, a pro look in real time.

Presentations, screen shares, webinars, video calls, demos. Plus livestream/record in landscape & vertical at the same time, perfectly designed for both formats.

Visit beingfreelance.com/ecamm to try Ecamm for free and use the code BEINGFREELANCE on that link to save 15% on your first payment.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance.
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!
The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

It's a question Steve Folland gets asked a lot: as a freelancer, is it better to have a company name or use your own?

In this compilation episode, Steve digs deep into 11 years of the Being Freelance podcast archive - pulling together voices from guests including brand copywriter Mark Grainger, branding expert Bhavini Lakhani, copywriter Graeme Piper, illustrator Dan Bailey, social media consultant Alison Battisby, marketing agency founder Ross Simmonds, and more - to try and get to the bottom of it once and for all.

• Why some freelancers hide behind a business name - and why that's not necessarily a bad thing
• How a company name can shift your mindset and make you feel like a proper business
• The practical reasons to avoid trading under your own name: spelling, pronunciation, searchability, and standing out in a scrollable world
• When a business name helps you work with bigger clients, organisations, and even government
• Why your business name should be future-proof - what happens when you pivot away from the service it describes?
• The case for using your own name, and why Ross Simmonds says don't underestimate the power of your personal brand
• Why in an age of AI, being a visible human is more valuable than ever
• How some freelancers make the best of both worlds - with names like Jessi Illustrates, By Hollie Arnett, and Letters By Julia

Of course, there's no single right answer - but Steve rounds things up with his own take on when each approach makes sense.

HEAR THE FULL EPISODES
You can hear the full freelance stories of these guests by checking out their original episodes. 
Simply try these links to open in your podcast app:
- Rebecca Shipham
- Mark Grainger
- Bhavini Lakhani
- Graeme Piper
- Joel Klettke
- Col Skinner
- Dan Bailey
- Alison Battisby
- Mary Cameron
- Louisa Heinrich
- Hollie Arnett
- Ross Simmonds

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance.
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!
The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

Laura has been a professional graphic designer for over 20 years, but her freelance journey began in 2008 after the birth of her first child. With daycare in Manhattan costing more than rent, Laura started piecing together freelance work from home; juggling projects from a tiny dining table in a fourth-floor walk-up.

Freelancing wasn’t always smooth. But eventually, after settling in Massachusetts, it clicked.

After a particularly harsh freelance interview left her devastated, Laura made a decisive shift. She stopped calling herself Rizby Designs and became Rizbee Studio instead - a small but powerful change that reframed how clients perceived her work. And how she saw herself and her business.

Laura began positioning herself as a studio, using “we”, and gradually building a trusted team of contractors around her.

Over time, Laura discovered what she truly loved: designing brand systems, particularly for consumer packaged goods in the food and beauty industries. Finding her niche was the next big change.

Laura’s growth has been fuelled by intentional networking. From women-led business groups locally, to major industry expos across the US. Laura shares how she approaches events, follows up thoughtfully, and builds genuine relationships that often turn into work, even if it’s months later.

Laura also shares why she’s invested heavily in her business over the past few years: hiring a business coach (who’s helped her double revenue year-on-year), bringing on a social media manager, fractional CMO, director of operations, CFO, and freelance designers - all while remaining the creative heart of the studio.

Beyond client work, Laura has created something rare: a true client community. Including hosting a client appreciation dinner (first time we’ve heard that on the podcast!). She explains how fostering connection between clients has become a defining part of her business.

It feels amazing the difference defining herself as a ‘studio’ instead of a freelancer has made.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance.
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!
The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

After years as professional dancer, Wayne started to make moves in a new direction.

He picked up a camera and taught himself filmmaking. At first shooting what he knew - the dance world. Before stepping out into other genres and techniques including projection mapping and light installations.

After a decade of freelancing Wayne’s realising the power of working with other freelancers. Both in promoting his business, pushing himself creatively and making his business bigger than just himself. 

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance.
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!
The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

Tim Odofin always wanted to work in the media, but his day job was in local government. 

For years he would do voiceovers on the side of his job, often starting early, working late and even through lunch breaks. Finally, with a year’s buffer of cash saved up he decided it was now or never. It was time to go full-time freelance.

That was three years ago and it wasn’t the savings that got him through - it was the relationships he’d invested in.

Time to get Tim behind the mic, not for a voiceover, but to share his story of being freelance.

This episode is sponsored by With Jack - insurance for creative freelancers.

Not sure why you need insurance? Check out this awesome With Jack guide and take that first step to becoming a confident freelancer.

New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is literally made for you!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. 

Find out more about the course.
 

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links, show notes and transcript for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance.
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!
The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

From South Africa, to Scotland and now to your ears. This is the story of Suz Bird.

Being made redundant, going through a separation, moving house, parenting… it might not have seemed like perfect timing. But volunteering her vast marketing experience to a charity suddenly led to the possibility of freelance work. Something flexible for her new life.

A year later after referrals kept bringing her work she looked around and realised - “oh, so this is the business you always wanted to start, but you never knew you were going to..’

Now we get to find out how she got serious about her business, her prices and her marketing whilst remaining fun and happy . Realising that when no one can offer exactly what you offer, you have no direct competition, so embrace it.

This episode is sponsored by With Jack - insurance for creative freelancers.

Not sure why you need insurance? Check out this awesome With Jack guide and take that first step to becoming a confident freelancer.

New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is literally made for you!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. 

Find out more about the course.
 

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links, show notes and transcript for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance.
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!
The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

Afoma trained to be a doctor. Yes, an actual medical doctor. So how did she end up worrying more about the health of her business than of patients?

Hear how Afoma forged a career as a freelance writer & editor working with clients from around the world from her home in Nigeria. First via UpWork, then through her own contacts. All without losing her love of writing.

Alongside freelancing, Afoma runs a successful book blog, which serves as an income stream, living proof of her SEO skills, and as a place to just enjoy writing without a client’s feedback.

And all this whilst working a four-day week?! 
Just what the doctor ordered.

This episode is sponsored by With Jack - insurance for creative freelancers.

Not sure why you need insurance? Check out this awesome With Jack guide and take that first step to becoming a confident freelancer.

New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is literally made for you!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. 

Find out more about the course.
 

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links, show notes and transcript for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance.
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!
The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

Vic realised he didn’t just want to be a Spanish copywriter. He knew his strength was in being bilingual.

He also knew other freelancers were using LinkedIn to great effect to find clients. So he formed a LinkedIn strategy and stuck to it.

Creating quality content and making real connections. Now Vic has great recurring clients and writes in Spanish and English. Confident to say adiós (or goodbye) to the work that no longer interests him.
 

This episode is sponsored by With Jack - insurance for creative freelancers.

Not sure why you need insurance? Check out this awesome With Jack guide and take that first step to becoming a confident freelancer.

New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is literally made for you!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. 

Find out more about the course.
 

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links, show notes and transcript for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance.
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!
The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

Chronic pain had left Kendyll unable to work. Stuck at home, depressed, her sister gave her a watercolour set, saying ‘If Henri Matisse can paint from bed, then you can too”.

And she did. Every single day. Sharing her illustrations of food and household objects on Tumblr.

Kendyll’s fine art education had helped her find relief from the pain. Unexpectedly, it also helped her find work when a celebrity chef with a magazine got in touch. A year and a half after that first commission Kendyll had the confidence to realise this was actually a career. She was a freelance illsustrator.

From dealing with clients, budgets, contracts, deadlines, health, starting a family, diversifying her income… there’s been a lot to learn. And each client gives her a chance to do just that. Now Kendyll paints a picture of life for her being freelance as she chats to Steve in the first episode of Season 15. Enjoy!

This episode is sponsored by With Jack - insurance for creative freelancers.

Not sure why you need insurance? Check out this awesome With Jack guide and take that first step to becoming a confident freelancer.

New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is literally made for you!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. 

Find out more about the course.
 

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links, show notes and transcript for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance.
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!
The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

Tom began freelancing right out of university after realising that the suit-and-tie life wasn’t for him. 12 years on, he’s built a strong and successful web development business and he’s now ready to branch out and try his hand at other things.

When one of his tweets blew up and gained 2.5 million impressions, Tom seized the moment and wrote an ebook; the first in a lineup of digital products he’s creating to help freelancers get ahead. He’d always wanted to write a book and sell a product and he finds meaning in helping other freelancers to make their way.

Tom shares that story and chats to Steve about finding clients, pricing his services and balancing his time.

This episode is sponsored by the very first Being Freelance course!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.

Find out more about the course.
 

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance.
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!
The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.