Conversations with Julie Cortés

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Cortés.

Julie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m nowhere I thought I’d be yet everywhere I’m supposed to be.

My career path has taken all sorts of twists and turns… and I’m along for the ride!

I’m a copywriter by day, freelance rockstar by night. I started my own business more than 20 years ago and quickly discovered a void for freelancers… a void in education, community, and even respect. Looking back, I apparently set out on a life-long mission to rectify that.

While I’ve worked with scores of clients and accounts over the years, winning my fair share of advertising awards, I’m probably best known as the founder of The Freelance Exchange (FX) of KC. In 2003, I started this community of advertising/marketing ‘solopreneurs’ that—as a professional organization—offers continuing education, mentoring, networking, social, and promotional opportunities. This collective also serves as Kansas City’s largest (and free!) resource for area ad agencies and businesses to find talent.

After starting FX, I soon found myself as the go-to resource in KC for all things freelance. For years, I’ve been sought out for mentoring, presentations, and media interviews. It finally dawned on me: this needs to be taught in the classroom!

In 2017, I developed a much-needed college-level course, Freelancing 101, and began teaching as an adjunct professor at the world-renowned Kansas City Art Institute. Never in a million years did I ever think I’d be teaching (a business class, at that!), but here I am … and absolutely loving it!

Since then, I’ve expanded my business to also include coaching for my fellow freelancers as well as public speaking, sharing my message far and wide to audiences across the country. I am truly loving life, living out my passion for helping other freelancers succeed.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are struggles to every journey. I’ve powered through down economies, national tragedies, and now a global pandemic. I’ve faced fear and failure. Dealt with difficult clients and gaslighting peers. And had my fair share of depression and personal struggles.

Life happens. It affects us all and our work. And, somehow, I’ve figured out a way to keep going. To persevere. To rise above. And come back stronger each and every time.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What makes me unique is my personality. And I ensure it shines through in everything I do. From copywriting and coaching to teaching and speaking, folks know that they’re going to have fun working with me.

I’m apparently one of those people who—when they see a need, injustice, or gap that needs filling—they do something about it.

I’ve been a copywriter in the advertising/marketing industry for more than 25 years, most of that as a freelancer, running my own business and working with ad agencies, design studios, large corporations, and small businesses. I’ve won my fair share of local industry awards along the way for my creativity and copywriting, including ADDYs, Fountains, Ambits, ICE, and more.

I’m best known for starting The Freelance Exchange of Kansas City—a professional trade organization that offers continuing education, networking, support, promotional and social opportunities for freelancers in the advertising/marketing industry. The club also serves as a free, easy-to-use resource for local companies to find the talent they need. The organization was formed in 2003 and now boasts over 175 members.

After years of being asked to give a one-hour presentation on freelancing to local and regional colleges and universities, it dawned on me that these tips need to be taught in school. So, I developed my own course, Freelancing 101, in 2017 and have been teaching as an adjunct professor at the KC Art Institute ever since. What started as a spring-semester-only course quickly outgrew its capacity with long waitlists and – for the first time ever beginning fall 2021 – will be taught year-round to accommodate its popularity. This class caters to both commercial artists (graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, filmmakers, animators, etc.) and fine artists (those studying painting, fiber, sculpture, ceramics, and more).

Once I began teaching this course on freelancing, many of my professional peers told me they wanted to sit in on the class. Though, of course, one would need to enroll, pay and go back to school to do that. (And not many are willing to do that at this stage.) So, it became another light-bulb moment for me. Why didn’t I open up a coaching arm to my business to accommodate those professionals who were seeking the same education? And so I did. I’ve been coaching for a couple of years now, both those who are first starting out in their freelance careers as well as those who’ve been at it a while and need a kickstart.

All of this has led up to more speaking opportunities as well, locally, nationally and internationally. I’ve been tapped to speak to audiences both large and small on the topics of freelancing/solopreneurship, branding & promotions, networking, and general badassery. In fact, recently, I’ve been able to fulfill a longtime dream of mine, having been hired by HOW Design to speak on stage (albeit virtual, thanks pandemic) for the HOW Creative Freelance Summit.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Becky Wilson has been an unbelievable supporter, nominating me for – and championing many awards, honors, PR, and speaking opportunities for me and my business. I am inherently grateful for what she saw in me and for propelling my company’s reputation forward.

I hired Alicia White as a speaking coach a few years back, and she has turned into an incredible support system, accountability partner, mentor, and friend.

Rick Stasi has also been an amazing cheerleader and advocate throughout the years. I will always be forever grateful for his kind words and support.

Additionally, there have been many, many board members, volunteers, and active members of The Freelance Exchange who have helped the organization throughout the years. It truly takes a village to make a not-for-profit work, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without their help and support.

Contact Info:

• Email: copydiva@juliecortes.com
• Website: http://www.juliecortes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kccopydiva/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCCopyDiva
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KCCopyDiva
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZJDmm0BC_quqP9mWNjecA
• Other: https://www.kcfreelanceexchange.com/

Image Credits
Image #BeBadass card (and this pic only) was taken by Jason Dailey Photography.
Main Picture was taken by Basilio Silva