If you are reading this you must have some interest in what I have been writing. I am a freelance writer, blogger, and coach.

Part of the generation known as a Millennial (born 1982), I stand as one of the older members. It took me a long time to embrace that title. We get such a bad rap. Some say we’re entitled brats that need a participation award. Well, I’m going to change that. Most of us are hard workers and trailblazing our own path. We saw our parents work the same job for over 20 years, only to see them forced out by corporate downsizing. As we came of age, technology was starting to revitalize the workforce. Unfortunately, many companies failed to change with the times.

Like a lot of my peers, I did the traditional route of school (graduated summa cum laude from Loyola University at Chicago. Go Ramblers!) and landed a job. Only to find that my expectations failed miserably at reality. Yes, I heard the mantra to “follow my dreams” throughout my school years.  Well, that “dream” never consisted of doing menial work in a soul-sucking office job. Millennials need some sort of “meaning” to our work. But the business world does not want “dreamers” or “creatives.” They want people who fit nicely inside the box. Right now, there is a workforce culture clash between the Baby Boomers and Millennials. Doing “business as usual”  is alienating us in my generation. Companies need to adapt to the changing world. Many ignore this and are losing valuable workers.

There’s more to life than this, right?

My moment of clarity came when I was talking to an older co-worker at lunch one day.  She told me, “Well, I was only going to stay here for a year and now I’m retiring in a couple years.” I asked her why she had stayed. She responded, “I had no choice.” That made my blood run cold. I could not stay in a place for all those years knowing there were better options in the world. It was too much for me. I had to do something. For my own peace of mind, I needed to found out what else was in the world.

But first, I had to start from the beginning. Now we all know the internet is a great thing. But trying to find out how to begin a freelance career is frustrating. You read success story after success story but no solid foundation on how to start. It’s like talking to the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. You leave confused and forgot what you even were doing there. I know, I’ve lived it.

That’s why I started Freelance Millennial. I want to give other freelancers the opportunity to start from the ground floor. I’m not going to publish income reports or other made up stats. That doesn’t help anyone! Plus most of the time, they are false anyway. The last thing newbies want to see is someone “making” 9K a month, while you are struggling to get 100 page views. I understand the frustration of starting out. I want to give you the basics of how to begin and grow your own freelance business.

These are your first steps…

It is going to be a hard path so I want to encourage you to move forward even when it’s you against the world.  Let me be the Yoda to your Luke (except I’m not short, green or wrinkly). I want to be your freelancer life coach! It has not been all sunshine and rainbows. But I’m here to give you encouragement as you walk through the Land of Freelance.

But be aware, it is a tough career path to begin. You will face many challenges and naysayers as you start. Just think, you are going “outside the norm.” That scares many and stirs feelings of jealousy from others.  I have made many mistakes in the freelance life. I want to help those in the community to avoid the same ones. My expertise will help you navigate the rough water of independent business-ing.

Being a freelancer is more than sipping lattes and being a lady (or man) of leisure. The reality is much different. It can be a struggle to find clients, working odd hours and keeping motivated in the rough times. At least take comfort in the fact that someone else has been there. So join me and together we can take this amazing journey of freelancing together. I’m here to offer tips, tricks, and encouragement for the Freelance Generation.