Tell us about the work you're currently doing.
I'm the Founder of a digital agency called Tall Poppies Design. Our main clientele are female small business owners that create and host in-person and digital educational classes.
What do you love about the work you currently do?
I love the flexibility, but I'm also incredibly proud of some of the companies I've helped support. I have a couple of clients I'm particularly proud to be working with, especially during the pandemic. One is a client that is doing positive psychology challenges and one is a company that makes adjustable prosthetic devices. It can be hard to connect the work you do with the end result. It’s nice to see how building landing pages and Facebook pages is directly helping people. I feel really proud to see something like the work these companies are doing come to fruition. I love working with companies that are doing profoundly valuable work and where I can see the end results in how they are able to help their consumers.
What made you decide to start working for yourself?
I started freelancing after the recession in 2010 when the ski town where I live was really struggling. At the time I was working at a corporate job and was starting to get really frustrated with the limitations. I remember their paid time off was a "use it or lose it" model, which for someone like me, who's a mother and was looking for some flexibility around maternity leave, was very frustrating. So I decided to make the leap.
Looking back now, I can't believe I made the leap to go out on my own, but with the encouragement of a friend, I did it. I feel that there are different motivating factors as to why men go into business rather women. Frequently women go into business for themselves so they can have the flexibility to work and be a mom, whereas men go into business so they can be the boss and have the ability to hire people and raise funding.
How does Catch help you manage your work and goals?
I use Catch to set aside for taxes and time off. I love that Catch uses percentages to withhold for taxes and time off because relying on a specific dollar amount is too tricky for freelancers. Plus, if I can’t see the money, I can’t spend it!
What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?
It seems simple, and this is coming from a place of privilege, but my advice is: be agile, listen to what your clients need, especially in a time like this, and be prepared to do things differently.