From Redundancy to Running My Own Studio: What Freelancing Really Taught Me

It started on a Friday afternoon.

No big dramatic build-up. No warning signs. Just me and my boss, sat in an office that suddenly felt a lot smaller than it did that morning.

I’d been headhunted for the role. In my head, this was the place I’d settle into. The long run. The “this is it” job.

And then… it wasn’t.

Shock first. Then frustration. Then that quiet, slightly uncomfortable question creeping in:

What now?

The Turning Point I Didn’t Expect

A few days later, I was back in interview mode. Smiling, nodding, saying all the right things.

But something had shifted.

I walked out of one interview and knew almost instantly it wasn’t for me. Not because it was a bad role, but because for the first time, I had a different thought:

I could do this myself… and probably with less stress.

That idea had been sitting in the background for years. Like a tab open in your brain you never quite click on.

This time, I clicked it.

My wife gave me the push I probably needed long before that moment. The kind of nudge that’s equal parts belief and “just go for it already.”

So I did.

Month One: Confidence (Maybe Too Much of It)

The first month of freelancing? Honestly… great.

That dangerous kind of great where you start thinking, why didn’t I do this sooner?

Then reality quietly taps you on the shoulder.

Because talent, it turns out, is only part of the job.

The rest? Finding clients. Starting conversations. Putting yourself out there… repeatedly.

And that’s where things got interesting.

The First Real Win (and a Bit of Nerve)

My first proper project didn’t come from a strategy or a funnel or some perfectly crafted outreach message.

It came from a friend.

He asked if I knew anyone who could design his brand and website.

I said, “Yeah… me.”

No long pitch. No overthinking. Just stepping forward.

What surprised me most wasn’t landing the project. It was how natural it felt once it started.

No layers of approvals. No agency back-and-forth. Just a clear process, direct communication, and the freedom to do the work properly.

He was happy. I was happy.

And just like that, something clicked: This could actually work.

The Bit No One Talks About Enough

Here’s the honest part.

Freelancing comes with a quiet background noise.

It sounds a bit like: Where is the next job coming from?

Some days it’s loud. Some days it’s barely there. But it never fully disappears.

The outreach, the waiting, the follow-ups… it can feel like you’re always spinning plates you can’t quite see.

And yeah, there are still moments where I question the decision. Usually when things go quiet.

But those moments don’t mean it’s not working. They’re just part of the rhythm.

Something I’m learning to get better at… not eliminate.

Why Networking Changed Everything

Early on, I thought networking meant adding people on LinkedIn and hoping something happened.

It doesn’t.

Real networking is just… conversations.

It’s commenting on someone’s work because you actually rate it. It’s sending a message that isn’t copied and pasted. It’s jumping on a quick call and talking like a normal person.

That’s where things start to move.

Through those connections, I found:

• New client opportunities through referrals

• Advice from people who’d already figured things out the hard way

• Collaborations that pushed my work further

• And, honestly, reassurance that I wasn’t the only one figuring it out as I go

  
  

One casual conversation led to a project that fit perfectly. Right timing, right style, right everything.

That doesn’t happen if you stay quiet.

How I Use LinkedIn (Without It Feeling Forced)

LinkedIn has been a big part of my growth, but not in the way people usually think.

I don’t treat it like a portfolio dump.

I use it to:

• Share work and the thinking behind it

• Start conversations, not just collect likes

• Reach out with actual intent, not generic messages

• Jump on short video calls to turn connections into real relationships

  
  

Those quick calls? Probably the most underrated thing.

Fifteen minutes can do more than months of liking each other’s posts.

The Process That Keeps Everything Sane

If networking brings the work in, process is what keeps it together.

Over time, I’ve shaped mine into four simple stages:

Discovery → Design → Build → Launch

Nothing complicated. Just clear.

• Discovery: Understanding the business, the goals, and what actually matters

• Design: Exploring ideas, shaping direction, and building something with intent

• Build: Bringing it to life properly, not just making it look good

• Launch: Delivering everything clean, ready, and easy to use

  
  

Clients often say the same thing: They like that it’s just me.

No bouncing between departments. No repeating themselves. No gaps in communication.

Just one person, owning the whole thing.

And that simplicity makes a big difference.

What Freelancing Really Taught Me

Five months in, this is what freelancing really taught me: I don’t see freelancing as going it alone anymore.

If anything, it’s the opposite.

It’s conversations. It’s shared advice. It’s people helping each other figure things out a bit faster.

I feel more confident in my work. Clearer in how I present it. Better at guiding projects from start to finish.

But more than that, I enjoy it in a way that feels different.

Less boxed in. More… mine.

If You’re Thinking About Going Freelance

You don’t need everything figured out.

You just need to start.

Talk to people. Put your work out there. Say “I can do that” when the moment shows up.

It won’t always feel stable. It won’t always feel certain.

But it will move.

And sometimes, that’s all you need.

Thinking About Your Own Brand or Website?

If you’re building something and want it to feel like you from day one, that’s exactly what I do at Studio Onya.

No layers. No handovers. No confusion.

Just a clear process, honest thinking, and design that actually works.

👉Let’s have a quick chat Whether you’ve got a full brief or just an idea in your head, we can figure it out together.

The Journey Ahead

As I look ahead, I see endless possibilities. Freelancing is not just a job; it’s a journey. Each project teaches me something new. Each client brings a fresh perspective.

I’m excited about the future. I’m ready to embrace the challenges and celebrate the victories.

So, if you’re on the fence about taking the leap, remember: it’s about the journey. It’s about growth.

Let’s create something amazing together!