Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julie Cortés, Founder of Freelance Rockstar, located in Overland Park, KC, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Hi, I'm Julie Cortés. Copywriter by day. Freelance Rockstar by night. I've run my own freelance copywriting business for 20+ years, writing advertising and marketing materials for scores of clients, from ad agencies and design shops to large corporations and small businesses. Today, I also live, breathe, teach, speak and coach on all things creative freelancing/self-employment. I'm the founder of The Freelance Exchange, creator and adjunct professor of a Freelancing 101 class, speak on stages near and far, and coach my fellow freelancers on how to run a successful creative business.

Tell us about yourself

Early in my career, I noticed there was a void for freelancers - a void in education, community, and even respect for the self-employed. So, I've made it my mission to rectify that. Many of us creatives went to school to study our craft (writing, design, photography, etc.) yet never took any business classes because they weren't required or we didn't think we'd ever need them. (We were wrong.) My mission is to help fill that gap by offering education, inspiration, and empowerment so my fellow freelancers can find success and happiness in their business much sooner than I did.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Starting (and running) The Freelance Exchange of Kansas City - a beautiful community of advertising/marketing 'solopreneurs' that offers continuing education, mentoring, networking, social, and promotional opportunities. This collective also serves Kansas City's largest (and free!) resource for area ad agencies and businesses to find talent.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Getting in the right mindset. There are many tricks to shifting the narrative in your head to ensure you treat your business like a business and not like a hobby. Embracing those tricks - that shift - is hard if you're not self-aware or prepared to put in the mindset work.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Act like a business to command respect and get treated like a business.
  2. As a business owner, you get to call the shots, not your clients.
  3. Develop a growth mindset to boost your productivity and results.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

There's a lot that goes into running a business. It's SO much more than just doing your craft. Ensure you arm yourself with knowledge, industry standards, best practices, inspiration, community, empowerment, and more to set yourself up with the best chances of success.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.juliecortes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreelanceRockstar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freelancerockstar/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KCCopyDiva
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freelancerockstar/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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