Swapping the Commute for Clients: Sarah’s Freelance Leap

Welcome back! In today's episode, we sit down with Sarah, a former special education teacher who transitioned from the structured world of classrooms to the flexible, fulfilling life of freelancing—all while navigating new motherhood, pregnancy, and the realities of being a full-time work-from-home parent.

After spending six years teaching elementary special education, Sarah made her first big shift into a leadership role as an education director at a tutoring company. It was there that she unexpectedly picked up business and marketing experience—skills she didn’t realize would later become the foundation of her freelance career.

When Sarah gave birth to her daughter in November 2023, her priorities shifted. She knew she wanted to be more present at home, but she also wanted to continue using her skills and contributing financially. So, during nap times and commutes, she began exploring new possibilities and binge-listening to podcasts. In August 2024, she enrolled in a freelancing course, determined to see if she could make this work.

Despite a full plate—juggling a baby, pregnancy, and part-time work—Sarah pressed forward. She took her time building confidence, practicing her pitch, and applying what she learned. Just two months later, she landed her first client through word-of-mouth: her boss’s husband needed help with social media. That small “yes” opened the door to more opportunities, and by December, she had a second client from a local Facebook group. By March, she had transitioned her existing employer into her biggest freelance client—pitching her own custom role focused on marketing and social media.

Now, Sarah is a freelance marketing professional working part-time, with a growing client roster, a flexible schedule, and the ability to be present for her growing family. In this conversation, she shares what it looked like to take intentional steps (not giant leaps), why word-of-mouth is still powerful, how she used her existing experience to get started, and the honest truth about building a business with a baby.

Whether you're a teacher wondering what’s next, a mom craving flexibility, or someone curious about starting a business with limited time, Sarah’s story will show you what’s possible when you trust your gut, take the first step, and keep showing up.

Check out the show notes for more information and any links or resources mentioned in today’s episode!

SHOW NOTES: www.micalaquinn.com/324

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