Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Cortés.
Hi Julie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Like many self-employed folks, I lost my job. It was unexpected … and terrible timing. While I searched for my next full-time job, I started freelancing to help pay the bills. What I didn’t know at the time was what would come of it. Not only have I grown an award-winning freelance copywriting business from the ground up, I’ve also become an industry organization founder, a course creator and adjunct professor, business coach, and public speaker. I’m no where I thought I’d be … yet everywhere I’m supposed to be. And it’s all thanks to losing my job early in my career.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always struggles as a freelancer. From slow periods and difficult clients to imposter syndrome and late / non-payments. The trick is to learn to identify things early on, be pro-active—if possible, and shift your mindset for more positive outcomes.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Julie Cortés Freelance Rockstar, LLC?
I live, breathe, teach, speak and coach on all things creative self-employment. I help freelancers of all types fuel their passion, find their joy, and experience success. I’ve run my own freelance copywriting business for more than 25 years, yet I’m probably best known as the founder of The Freelance Exchange of KC. Since creating the organization in 2003, my career path has taken all sorts of twists and turns, leading me to develop a Freelancing 101 course for the world-renown KC Art Institute—where I taught for several years as an adjunct professor. That then inspired me to open up a coaching arm to my business so I could offer those same lessons from the classroom to my creative peers. Today, I’m now also a sought-out public speaker on the topics of self-employment, branding / self-promotion, and embracing badassery. So, if anyone reading this needs an advertising / marketing copywriter, business coach for solopreneurs, or energetic and empowering speaker, let me know!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
We’ve said for years that “The future is freelance.” Only that’s no longer the case. It’s here. Now. Being self-employed used to be frowned upon. People would stick up their noses at the thought, thinking a freelancer was someone who couldn’t find a full-time job. Yet, today, being self-employed is highly sought out! People want to freelance! Why? Because there’s so much flexibility to it. And, during the pandemic, so many discovered the benefits of working from home and having a more flexible schedule. While the U.S. workforce was already seeing this upward trajectory of self-employed workers, the number pretty much skyrocketed post-pandemic. And, at the same time, we saw agencies and companies realize they could cut costs by using remote workers and outsourcing only when they needed an extra pair of hands. Over the next 5-10 years, I really see this trend continuing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.juliecortes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freelancerockstar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreelanceRockstar
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freelancerockstar
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@freelancerockstar
- Other: https://www.kcfreelanceexchange.com
