A Summer of Freelance

What does a summer look like for someone who is full-time freelance? 

In this post, I’m going to highlight the summer of 2022 and how building my freelance business the way we teach in Break Into Web has made it all possible … well, that and some music lessons my parents forced on me for years (thanks Mom & Dad!).

But first, a rant…

“Work from home” and “freelancing” are not the same.

Some people equate “freelancing” to “working from home”.  Working from home used to be a huge selling point for someone to become freelance.  But now, thanks to COVID, a lot of people have experienced working from home … but they haven’t experienced freelancing.  At least not the kind we talk about.

The freelancing we talk about does include working from wherever you want (which could be your home if you choose); but it also includes working whenever you want, and for who you want.  I would argue those 2 things alone are just as important as the freedom to work from home.

You may have worked from home during the pandemic … and may still be working from home now … but it’s not the same as freelancing.

The kind of freelancing we talk about … and teach … is much more than all of these benefits (working from home, whenever you want, for who you want, etc).

In my mind, the separator … and the reason I will do whatever it takes (and did whatever it took) to freelance … is the ability to build (dare I say … control) my future.

Build and control my future?

Obviously, there are things in life we can’t control. I recognize that. Life throws everyone a curve ball now and then.

But what about the 95%+ rest of the time?

The rest of this post will be me talking about this past summer and how freelancing has allowed me to keep chasing my dreams, hang with my family, all while my business grows.

As you may know from my bio, I play in band called VOTA. The last few years we’ve averaged playing 60-80 shows.  Add travel days and we’re looking at 100-120 days on the road.

However, if it’s a place we love being … like a beach in Florida during February … we’ll hang an extra day.

Also, I’m able to bring my wife and daughter on the trips we choose.

It may come off as “bragging” … I’m not intending it to.  I’m intending it to be motivating and give you hope.  Hope that a life of freedom is possible for those who really want it.

June

We were lucky to hit 2 of our favorite states in June … Florida & Colorado. I brought my family out to Colorado the week we were there.

We also played a Tom Petty Tribute Show with the drummer from Tom Petty & The Heartbrakers … Steve Ferrone.  It was such an honor to share the stage with him.  He’s played the Super Bowl, and countless other venues musicians dream to play.

July

Highlights from July was a sweet 4th of July show with one of our songs timed with fireworks.

I was also able to take my family out to a couple shows in Cape Cod.  We got booked at a resort on the Atlantic ocean for a week.

It’s not all roses though … we played an outdoor show where it got to 114 degrees during setup.  Definitely the hottest gig I’ve played.

August

In August we played a festival up in New England at a ski resort. The stage was at the bottom of the mountain.  For an acoustic set we did, we had to go up a ski lift with our instruments.

We also went to Iceland for a week.  We’re the “house band” for a group that takes folks to Estes Park, Colorado … Coronado Island, California … and every few years … Iceland.

This trip to Iceland was extra special as we got to hike a couple hours up a mountain and see a volcano erupting.

All while building my business.

How?