If you’ve ever thought, “I’m hustling constantly, but my bank account doesn’t reflect it,” you’re not alone. Many freelancers and design business owners find themselves pouring endless energy into their work, only to feel like they’re spinning their wheels financially.
The good news? It’s not because you’re lazy, untalented, or “bad with money.” The problem often lies in a few hidden gaps—pricing, tracking, and clarity around where your money and time are really going.
That’s why I created the Firm to Freedom Complete Bundle—a set of practical tools to help you charge confidently, track your projects, and finally feel in control of your business finances (without all the monthly subscriptions 🙄).
Let’s break down some questions around the most common reasons you might be working so hard and still feel broke—and how these tools can change that.
1. Where Do I Even Start?
Pain Point:
Starting as a freelancer or launching a design business can feel overwhelming. You suddenly have to manage client relationships, become a marketing expert, learn accounting, track projects, and make business decisions—on top of doing the work you love. Without a clear roadmap, it’s easy to feel lost or stuck.
What this causes:
You waste time figuring out what to do next.
You take on clients or projects that don’t align with your goals.
You feel like you’re constantly reacting instead of building a business intentionally.
How it helps:
The Firm to Freedom Formula Workbook is a 35-page, step-by-step guide for freelancers and design business owners. With checklists, quizzes, exercises, and actionable tasks, it helps you:
Define your business and find your edge (what makes you different)
Identify your ideal clients and projects
Spot red flags in potential clients and jobs
Build sustainable systems for running and growing your business
It’s your starting point with actionable steps to guide you through your journey—a framework to move from confusion to clarity.
2. How Do I Price My Work?
Pain Point:
Many creatives struggle with pricing. You might undercharge because you’re unsure how long a project will take, or you overcomplicate things trying to predict every possible scenario. Without a structured method, it’s easy to leave money on the table—or get stuck in scope creep.
What this causes:
You feel stressed every time you quote a project.
Projects take longer than expected, and you don’t get paid fairly.
You lose confidence negotiating rates.
Enter: TSA Rate Calculator
How it helps:
The Rate Calculator Tool gives you multiple pricing options—hourly or fixed—and allows you to experiment with contingencies. It helps you:
Price hourly when scope is undefined or projects are uncertain
Use fixed rates when you have enough experience to estimate accurately
Factor in contingencies or added value fees to avoid losing money if things take longer than expected, become more complex, or have rushed timelines
This tool helps you charge confidently and profitably, no guesswork required.
3. What if My Income Isn’t Consistent?
Pain Point:
Freelancers and small design business owners often have irregular income. It’s hard to budget, plan for taxes, or even know how much you need to earn each month to stay afloat.
What this causes:
You feel stressed about covering personal and business expenses.
You can’t plan for growth or save for your future.
Tax season feels overwhelming because you haven’t been tracking properly.
How it helps:
The Finance Planner for Creatives lets you:
Track personal and business income and expenses
Gain insights from monthly and yearly breakdowns
Plan budgets for personal and business needs
Spot financial trends over time
Estimate taxes and prepare for tax season
Set financial goals to grow your business sustainably
By giving you a full picture of your finances, this planner lets you make informed decisions without the stress.
4. What if I Miscalculate Costs or Timelines?
Pain Point:
Even with good rates and budgets, underestimating project costs or timelines can eat into your profits. Alternatively, you may completely overestimate time or budget and end up losing jobs because of it. Without tracking, small inefficiencies turn into big losses.
What this causes:
Projects take longer than expected and reduce profitability
Mistakes to be repeated
Earning less and working more
Enter: Project Profit Planner
How it helps:
The Project Profit Planner works alongside the TSA Rate Calculator to:
Break down costs and time by project phase and task
Track estimated vs. actual outcomes
Identify and address problems early
Adjust for future projects
This tool helps you stay on top of every project, improving your estimates and ensuring your business stays (or gets) profitable.
5. How Do I Keep Everything Organized?
Pain Point:
Disorganization slows you down. Files scattered across drives, file names that don’t make any sense, and missing documents make projects feel chaotic—and can even cost you money.
What this causes:
You waste hours looking for files instead of working on billable tasks
Projects feel stressful and unmanageable
You risk missing deadlines or duplicating effort
Enter: Project Folder Template
How it helps:
The Project Folder Template gives you a tailored system to organize every project from start to finish. It ensures that:
All files and communications are easy to find
Your workflow is efficient
You can focus on design and client relationships—not digging through folders
Take Back Control of Your Business and Finances
Working hard shouldn’t mean feeling broke or overwhelmed. The Firm to Freedom Complete Bundle gives you the tools to:
Know where to start and how to run your business efficiently
Price your work confidently
Track finances and income trends
Manage project costs and timelines
Keep everything organized
Whether you’re a freelancer or a design business owner, this bundle is your roadmap from stress and uncertainty to clarity, confidence, and sustainable profitability.
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Thinking of leaving the structured world of an architecture firm to go solo? The transition from employee to business owner is a big shift—personally and professionally. Here are five major changes you’ll experience (and grow from!) when you trade firm life for freelancing or running your own design studio—plus tools to help you thrive along the way.