Ep. 1 with Evan Bourcie - Action Begets Luck, Pt. 1

In this conversation, Seth Lowe and Evan Bourcier discuss the ups and downs of freelancing in the creative industry. They share their experiences with slow seasons and the importance of creating financial buffers. They also discuss the challenges of balancing overhead and flexibility in their businesses. The conversation touches on the impact of social media on their careers and the value of learning about the business side of freelancing. They reflect on the joy of setting others up for success and the challenges of navigating multiple roles and identities. They also discuss the difficulties of managing client expectations. The conversation explores topics such as trusting intuition and process, the approach to landing new clients, resistance to pitching and RFPs, the value of not dancing for jobs, the importance of having the right people, the value of advocates and relationships, breaking the rules and challenging the process, financial success and goals, effective communication and feedback, income streams in the film industry, balancing gratitude and ambition, playing bigger games and expanding opportunities, navigating the industry and finding value, creating a transparent and supportive community, and navigating budgets and expectations.TakeawaysFreelancing in the creative industry is like riding waves, with periods of high demand and slow seasons.Creating financial buffers and managing overhead is crucial for surviving slow seasons.Balancing flexibility and low overhead allows freelancers to have more control over their work and take on projects they enjoy.Learning about the business side of freelancing is essential for long-term success.Setting others up for success can be a rewarding part of freelancing, but it can also be challenging to navigate multiple roles and identities. Trust your intuition and process, and don't be swayed by how others do things.Focus on building relationships and advocates who can help remove obstacles and break the rules.Avoid wasting time on pitching and RFPs, and instead focus on understanding the client's needs and providing solutions.Value transparency and open conversations about rates, budgets, and creative approaches.Diversify income streams and explore opportunities for teaching and sharing knowledge within the creative community.Chapters00:00Introduction and Background01:28The Freelancing Waves05:23Creating Financial Buffers07:08Balancing Overhead and Flexibility08:31Learning from Slow Seasons10:20Transitioning to Freelancing12:12Riding the Waves of Freelancing14:31Managing Financial Buffers20:09Navigating the Freelance Journey23:26The Impact of Social Media26:48Shifting Focus to Business Learning28:13Finding Joy in Setting Others Up for Success30:27Navigating Multiple Roles and Identities34:09Challenges in Client Expectations36:03Trusting Intuition and Process36:28Approach to Landing New Clients37:24Resistance to Pitching and RFPs38:18Value of Not Dancing for Jobs39:10The Importance of Having the Right People40:08The Value of Advocates and Relationships41:06Breaking the Rules and Challenging the Process42:00Financial Success and Goals44:19Effective Communication and Feedback46:48Income Streams in the Film Industry49:40Balancing Gratitude and Ambition50:04Playing Bigger Games and Expanding Opportunities52:16Interested in coming on the show, or know someone who would be a good fit? Email us here - [email protected] the show on Instagram - @thesolocreativepod