From an overworked designer posting “a visual diary” on Instagram to running a multi-stream creative business, Itzel Islas has built a freelance life entirely on her own terms.

After almost a decade in apparel design, she started illustrating for fun - and quickly realised people loved her colourful, playful style. “Little by little I started creating art… and then I started getting clients through it.”

Today she runs YAY Itzel, blending branding work, her online shop, Patreon sticker club, brand partnerships with Adobe and Wacom, murals, workshops and even organising pop-ups, all rooted in her Mexican culture. “I’m just chasing whatever is fun for me. And if it sounds fun, I’m all in.”

She talks building a business organically, finding clients who share her values, and why being authentic is her biggest asset. “I’ve always seen everything I do as a big package of what is my business and how I sustain myself as an artist.”

Hosted by freelance podcast and video podcast editor Steve Folland.

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Freelance market research consultant Katie Tucker shares how being intentional - with her time, energy, and choices - helped her build a freelance life that truly fits.

From walking away from a corporate job for a family adventure to launching her freelance business Product Jungle and writing excellent business book Do Penguins Eat Peaches?, Katie opens up about patience, priorities, and the reality of balancing work, parenting, and wellbeing.

You can watch the video podcast of this episode on Spotify or YouTube.

In this episode we cover:

• The leap from corporate to freelancing after a family gap year
• How writing Do Penguins Eat Peaches? helped shape her business
• Balancing client work with parenting and self-care
• Why understanding your customer starts with asking better questions
• The power of patience, pricing, and permission

Plus ,we discover the one market research mistake that freelancers and small business most often make. Make sure you catch it.

Find Katie Tucker at https://www.productjungle.co.uk/

Get Katie's excellent business book: https://amzn.to/4hQ60bh

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Hosted & produced by freelance podcast editor & video creator Steve Folland.

EPISODE SPONSORED BY FREELANCER MAGAZINE

Much more than a magazine these days - but come on, who doesn't love sweet glossy pages dropping through your door helping you explore the world of freelancing?

Visit freelancermagazine.co.uk

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

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

From choreographing dance routines and directing a TV show at a South African megachurch… to running her own freelance business - Lineo Kakole’s journey into branding was anything but traditional.

When no one would hire her after she quit her job, Lineo started sharing passion projects on Instagram. From there, she built her creative identity design studio, Get Ready With Me, around beauty, strategy, and intentional living.

But freelancing wasn’t always smooth. Burnout forced Lineo to rethink everything - from how she planned her day to how she tracked her emotions. Her solution? Turning to her 16-year-old self for guidance.

Her high school self packed a lot in without burning out, how did she do it?

Paper planners. Quarters, not just years. Dance breaks. Report cards. Slowing down.
Now she does client work just four focused hours a few days a week - and she’s built a business that truly fits her life.

In this episode, Lineo shares how she:

- Built her freelance brand from scratch with no client experience

- Discovered her niche through joy, not just opportunity

- Designed a unique way of tracking emotional productivity

- Learned to value her unconventional career path

- Built market access beyond South Africa — into London, Sydney, Berlin and more

Lineo reminds us: No one’s chasing you.
You don’t need to be 'Forbes 30 Under 30'.
You just need to design a freelance life that works for you.

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Hosted & produced by freelance podcast editor & video creator Steve Folland.

EPISODE SPONSORED BY FREELANCER MAGAZINE

Much more than a magazine these days - but come on, who doesn't love sweet glossy pages dropping through your door helping you explore the world of freelancing?

Visit freelancermagazine.co.uk

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