Building and growing my own business as a freelancer working from home

Celeste G.

Back in 2014, I wanted to be able to work from home because I had 3 kids at the time and wanted to be around more for them. I had some experience working as an instructional designer and creating online courses for students at the university I graduated from, as well as a degree in Mathematics. So I decided to take those skills and find people who needed short term help on projects or others who wanted a freelancer to do some overflow work from time to time. My first freelance job only paid $50 for probably a full days work, but it helped me begin to get an online reputation for quality work on a freelancing site. Soon I had a longer term contract that paid fairly well, and slowly was able to work my way up to several regular clients and consistent part time work. During this time, I learned how to negotiate for higher rates, manage client expectations, and when to turn down job offers, as well as juggle multiple projects, and market myself effectively in the freelance world. Over several years, my clients became increasingly better quality, and I was able to begin working full time. Now I have an employee myself, so that I can pass off extra work to him, and I have been through the hiring process several times since I worked with independent contractors as well. Most of what I have learned came through trial and error and running things by my husband who has served as my business coach. I also talked to a small business development center to take things to the next level a couple of years ago.

Starting over and reskilling at any age

Alex H.

I’ve spent much of my adult life in pursuit of a creative career — primarily as an actor — but that journey has often required side paths, pivots, and full-on reinventions to make ends meet or rediscover momentum. Along the way, I’ve tried everything from retail and logistics to graphic design, real estate, web development, and even full-time programming after completing a coding bootcamp. Some of these paths stuck longer than others. Some didn’t go the distance. But each one taught me something about resourcefulness, resilience, and what it means to choose a life on your own terms. At the heart of each shift was the desire to support myself in ways that felt aligned — to earn a living without selling out the core of who I was. That wasn’t always easy. Learning new skills as an adult — especially under financial pressure — takes grit. And while I often carry a deep belief in my ability to learn and adapt, that doesn’t mean the fear of making a wrong move wasn’t real. What’s helped me most is learning to tune into my gut: regularly checking in and asking if where I’m headed still feels like home to me. I’ve come to see that the only real mistake is staying stuck in something that no longer reflects who you are, just because it once did. Perhaps the biggest lesson has come from my forays into real estate investing and entrepreneurship — ventures that reshaped how I relate to money, risk, and possibility. They helped me shed a scarcity mindset and embrace one of potential. I’ve learned not to regret the things that didn’t pan out. Every attempt taught me how to pivot with love instead of fear. And even when circumstances forced my hand, like when a lucrative startup job collapsed beneath me, I found ways to turn disruption into opportunity. Whether or not I always “succeed” in the way I imagined, I’m proud to keep choosing a life that reflects who I am. That’s the kind of success I now measure by.

When your career doesn't go your way

Ambika M.

Leaving graduate school early, job loss, poor fits - all traumas I've had to navigate through. Whatever nebulous point represented my dream career now has a circuitous route to get there. Add to that the mental toll that professional, financial, and social shifts take on our well-being, especially when we don't learn "corporate speak" in school! I'd love to share ways that I've handled these setbacks - such as becoming a content creator - as well as practical ideas for job seeking. As important as our careers are, they don't represent our entire identity.

Leaving a job that was hurting your mental health while parenting alone

Carleen H.

In 2021, I completely broke down. I was a single mom raising a 9-year-old, managing a demanding job, and trying to pretend I had it all under control. The truth? I was crying behind closed doors, forgetting things, losing sleep, and snapping at the people I loved most. I was barely surviving and felt like I was failing as a mom and a professional. One night, after yet another meltdown in the kitchen, I knew something had to give. I quit my job with no safety net—no partner, no backup plan, and very little support. It was terrifying. But that leap gave me space to rebuild. I started a company focused on helping parents teach their kids life skills for the real world. I had to learn to believe in myself again, redefine success, and accept that doing it all perfectly isn’t the goal—doing it with presence is. I’ve also been able to support others through similar struggles. A close friend of mine, also a single parent and startup founder, hit a deep depression recently. I sat with him in the darkness, shared my story, and helped him start seeing a way forward.

Your business or idea without the pressure

Christine D.

If you’ve ever had an idea that won’t leave you alone—or you’re building something that feels both exciting and overwhelming—I see you. Being an entrepreneur isn’t all pitch decks and perfect branding. Sometimes, it’s late nights, self-doubt, and wondering if you’re the only one who still hasn’t figured it out. I’ve been there—spiraling on ten different directions, unsure which idea to follow, second-guessing launches, and wondering if I’m doing too much or not enough. I’ve felt the high of a creative breakthrough—and the crash when things didn’t go as planned. But I’ve also learned how powerful it is to share your ideas out loud. To have someone reflect them back without criticism or “expert advice.” Just presence. Just care. Sometimes you don’t need a guru or a growth hack. You just need space to be real. To talk through your vision, your confusion, your “what ifs,” and your “why the hell nots”—without feeling like you have to have it all together.

Navigating the challenges of sober living after homelessness and cocaine addiction

Deborah C.

After years of addiction to drugs and alcohol, I hit rock bottom and found myself homeless. I had lost everything: my home, my job, and most of my relationships. The pain of being at the bottom was overwhelming, but it also became the turning point for my recovery. I attended outpatient programs, AA meetings, and Cocaine Anonymous, and slowly began the process of rebuilding my life. The challenge wasn’t just staying sober; it was surviving each day, finding a sense of purpose, and learning to live with stability in a world that felt like it had fallen apart. I got low-income housing and began receiving SSDI benefits, which provided a foundation to start over. Through all of this, I learned that staying sober requires much more than just not using substances, it requires a shift in mindset and lifestyle. I learned to be patient with myself, seek help when needed, and build a new life one step at a time. Today, I run a successful dog boarding and walking business, and I’m proud to say I’ve been sober for over 16 years. I know how hard it is to rebuild from nothing, but I also know it’s possible, and I want to share the tools and mindset shifts that helped me along the way.

Balancing motherhood and health challenges

Jessica I.

Life hasn’t always been easy, and I’ve faced my share of struggles. Growing up as the second oldest of six kids, I learned early how to juggle responsibilities, including helping raise my older sister’s children in their early years. My own journey as a mom has had its challenges, too—infertility, pregnancy loss, and health issues like POTS have all shaped my path. But perhaps the most challenging experience was a serious car accident that left me feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. I struggled with suicidal thoughts before seeking therapy, and it was through that therapy that I was able to heal and rebuild my sense of purpose. As a parent, I’ve encountered many obstacles, from advocating for my son’s speech development to learning that a small but significant health issue—an ear bead that had been lodged in his ear for eight years—was affecting his hearing and development. Through patience, perseverance, and a willingness to explore natural and alternative solutions, I’ve learned how to face the obstacles in my life with resilience.

Financial disagreements when love and money throw punches

Kari K.

Money is never just money. I've learned this through marriage, divorce, and building a business. I'll share how I've navigated tension, set boundaries, and made peace with being the one who has to talk about the budget first - without losing my mind or my dignity.

Side hustles, burnout, and building income streams around your interests

Micah L.

From October 2020 to September 2021, I was unemployed and navigating a really tough job market. To stay afloat during that time, I tapped into the gig economy and explored side hustles. I started with Shipt deliveries, then leveraged connections from college to land freelance work in PR and copywriting. Once I landed a full-time job in September 2021, I stepped back from side hustles to focus on my new role. But when I was unexpectedly laid off again (and then re-hired a week later), I jumped back in. I began freelancing in social media for a skincare brand—work I kept doing for a full year, even while transitioning into my current job in May 2023. These days, I also post my own skincare content online, which lets me combine a personal passion with creative work. I’ve learned that side hustles can be a powerful way to make progress toward your financial goals (whether it’s saving for a car, building an emergency fund, or just having extra money for travel or fun purchases). They can also be an outlet for creativity and personal interests that your full-time job doesn’t fulfill. While side hustles can be great, balancing everything takes strategy, boundaries, and self-awareness to avoid burnout. I’d love to help others find that balance and build side income in a way that feels sustainable.

Leaving a toxic marriage while raising kids

Rebecca G.

I was in a toxic marriage for over ten years. On the surface it looked fine, but underneath there was infidelity, emotional abuse, and a constant feeling of being stuck. I tried counseling many times but often walked away feeling like no one really understood what I was going through. It wasn’t until I leaned on peer support that things started to click and I could finally see a way forward. As a full-time working mom of four, I had to find a way to keep everything afloat while also rebuilding myself. Some days I crushed it. Other days I cried in my car between meetings. But I never stopped moving toward a better life. Now, I’m in a relationship that began during total life chaos and has become something healthy and grounding. I’ve spent years helping other women navigate this kind of mess, especially those trying to juggle motherhood, work, and self-worth all at once. I share honestly because I’ve lived it. And I’m here if you need someone who gets it.

Building confidence when you feel like an imposter

Sami C.

For much of my life, I struggled with imposter syndrome—feeling like I didn’t truly belong in spaces where I was achieving success. Despite my experience, accomplishments, and talents, I would often second-guess myself, thinking I wasn’t “enough” or that I was somehow faking my way through life. It wasn’t until I took a deeper look at my own fears and doubts that I realized how much of it was rooted in a deep sense of perfectionism and the unrealistic pressure I’d placed on myself to always be “the best.” Whether in the professional world, in relationships, or in my personal journey, I often found myself wondering if I was capable of truly owning my worth. Through years of self-reflection, counseling, and embracing the imperfection of growth, I’ve learned to identify the triggers of imposter syndrome and use them as stepping stones toward building authentic self-confidence. It wasn’t an overnight shift, but through acknowledging my doubts and learning to quiet them, I slowly started to embrace my true self without needing to be perfect. If you’ve ever felt like you were “faking it” or that you don’t deserve the success and opportunities in front of you, I’m here to help you break free from those self-limiting thoughts and walk alongside you in embracing the truth of who you really are.

Staying connected in marriage through life’s toughest seasons

Steve P.

My partner and I have been together for 17 years, married for 11, and we’ve been through just about every kind of high and low together. We met when I was living in Greece, and after moving to the U.S. during the market crash, life shifted quickly. Over time we built a life, a home, and a business together. But then COVID hit, and everything came crashing down—our finances took a huge hit, and at the same time, my wife was undergoing emergency brain surgery. It was one of the darkest, most uncertain times we’ve ever faced. There were moments when the stress fractured our connection, but we didn’t give up. We leaned on counseling, each other, and our shared commitment to grow—not just survive. That season taught us how to be stronger together, even when things felt like they were falling apart. Since then, we’ve adopted our teenage daughter from abroad, which brought its own beautiful challenges and growth. Our bond has deepened in ways I couldn’t have imagined back when we were first building this life.