How To Get A Self Employed Visa In Spain & Build Your Dream Creative Career

On today’s episode of Reclaiming Bossy, I’m sitting down with Nena, a fashion photographer who moved to Madrid and built her creative business from scratch while navigating the Spanish freelance visa process, finding clients through social media, and learning how to back herself in a completely new country. If you’ve ever dreamed about moving abroad, becoming self-employed, building a creative career, or starting over in a new city, this episode is for you.We talk about the realities of becoming self-employed in Spain, writing a business plan for a creative visa, building a portfolio, networking as an introvert, freelancing in the creative industry, and how to stop waiting to feel “ready” before putting yourself out there.This episode is full of practical advice for creatives, freelancers, digital nomads, and ambitious people trying to build a life that feels more aligned, independent and exciting.TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction and welcoming Nena00:50 - Nena’s background and journey into fashion photography02:20 - Navigating the Spanish visa process and becoming self-employed03:51 - Advice for international expats dealing with Spanish bureaucracy05:34 - The creative community in Madrid vs other cities06:41 - Networking and making friends as an introvert abroad07:28 - Transitioning from student work to a professional portfolio08:46 - Getting your first freelance clients through social media09:34 - Overcoming the fear of embarrassment online11:10 - Writing a business plan for a creative visa13:37 - Learning business skills as a creative freelancer15:37 - Protecting your mindset and mental health as a freelancer16:34 - Dealing with imposter syndrome on big production sets18:46 - Ignoring criticism and taking small brave steps20:16 - Founding Swap Party Madrid and building community events21:31 - How to become more action-oriented with your goals22:35 - Where to find Nena online22:56 - Reclaiming the word “bossy” as a woman in business23:53 - Final reflections and episode wrap-upFollow/ connect with Nenahttps://www.instagram.com/artisticmind.n.p/https://www.threads.com/@artisticmind.n.p?xmt=AQG0raAAprmUhuEwOQ6cxrxawvB0cSCNl4Ml1V4F2BVVUxEBUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREERBossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes⁠WORK WITH MECreator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1⁠Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07⁠Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1⁠Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header⁠Follow The Podcast/ Connect With MePodcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossyPodcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossyMy Instagram: @maahika.sMy TikTok: @maahika.sCollaborations + enquiries: [email protected]