We recently had the chance to connect with Julie Cortés and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Julie, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I’m not much of a morning person. So, while I wake up at a decent hour, I still need time to ease into my day. That usually includes sitting on my couch with my dog every morning while drinking coffee and eating breakfast. I’ll scroll through the news, email and social media, maybe play a game or two. Afterwards, I’ll take my dog for a walk, and then get in a workout prior to getting ready for the day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Julie Cortés. Copywriter by day. Freelance Rockstar by night. I live, breathe, teach, speak and coach on all things freelancing / self-employment. My career has included 25+ years of slaying deadlines, building brands, and teaching the next generation of freelancers. I’ve launched a trade org (The Freelance Exchange of KC), created and taught a college-level course (Freelancing 101) as an adjunct professor at the KC Art Institute, and spoken on stages near and far. My journey has taken all sorts of turns along the way (I like to call them plot twists!), leaving me nowhere I thought I’d be, yet 110% everywhere I’m supposed to be. Now, I’m on a mission to help other creative freelancers and solopreneurs fuel their passion, experience success, and find that same joy as well.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was *just* a freelance copywriter. That was my role for so many years. I didn’t know I could ALSO be a founder, creator, adjunct professor, business coach, and speaker. No one I knew had this career path, so I didn’t even know it was possible. And yet, now, here I am, busting through barriers and forging my own path.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs over the years, as surely, we all do. However, once I started speaking my truth and openly talking about my experiences (both in-person and on social media) … that’s when I began to regain my power. And, not only that, I got the support that I so desperately needed from my friends and colleagues following those troubling times. Exposing bad actors for who they are and the offensive behavior they conduct has been a game-changer.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Two places: empathy and etiquette.
Lack of empathy—this seems to be rampant in our society these days and, for the life of me, I will never understand why. Yet, it’s not helping anyone. Many of these people think that their way of thinking is the only way of thinking and, therefore, others are wrong. And that’s simply not the case. I like to flip the script on them. If they say something like, “You’re too sensitive,” I’ll ask, “Am I too sensitive or are you not sensitive enough?”
Lack of etiquette—this is a big pet peeve of mine. Not sure what happened, yet it very much appears that gone are the days of having basic manners and common courtesy. Saying please and thank you, being responsive (i.e., not ghosting)—and in a timely manner, being on time, following through on commitments, etc. These things are not hard yet seem to go by the wayside for so many, with the offenders not realizing at all how much they’re damaging their reputation.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember the fight I put in for freelancers, as it hasn’t been easy. For way too long, solopreneurs were treated like second-class citizens. And now, we’re taking back our power. I’ve experienced so many of the same hardships many of my fellow creatives do today. And I’ve spent the majority of my career standing up for what is right, empowering others to do the same, and stop letting clients take advantage of us nor dictate the rules of our businesses.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.juliecortes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freelancerockstar/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freelancerockstar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreelanceRockstar
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@freelancerockstar
Image Credits
Jumping pic only: Alison Barnes Martin
