Freelancing vs. Partnerships
From the time I graduated from High School, I’ve wanted to do one thing: design awesome websites. Initially I wanted to work for some corporate agency or become the in-house guy for a couple bigger companies like QuikTrip or Blockbuster Video. (Boy am I glad I didn’t do that!) Over time, I began to see that I had my own flavor in the way I designed, created, and even pitched my skills. I decided that the best move would be to go freelance. In 2003 I decided to do just that.
And nobody cared.
I didn’t have the money to join the local Chamber, and I just wasn’t that experienced (yet) at networking. The pounding on the door, the phone calls and the crazy mob never came. Even though I nailed a couple of locally high-profile clients, folks in my area just never caught on. So I steadied on.
Perusing the Freshbook Forums, I landed a gig for guy in Chicago, IL. He and I caught on quick and he liked my work so much that he asked me to quit Upward Media and throw in with him.
What? Are you crazy? I’ve worked hard for the last 4-5 years at building this… nothing. What did I have to lose? He already had more work waiting in the wings, which was better than what I was getting. We ironed out the details and even though we live in completely different states and have never met face-to-face, Rocket No. 9, LLC is by far the biggest success I’ve ever been a part of. And now, I’m very glad I decided to give up on my own “dream” and get involved with this one:
Partnerships are good for creativity. They give you the opportunity bounce ideas off each other. This, as most freelancers know, is a great caveat of freelancing–the socializing or rather, the lack thereof. The commitment to a partnership requires me to check in, get on the same page and just shoot the bull sometimes.
Partnerships are good for accountability. One thing that Colin (my partner) has kept pushing me into is the idea that Rn9 is “every bit as much your business as it is mine”. He reminds me that my ideas, my opinions and my talent are completely necessary to keep the business running. It’s nice to feel needed, but more importantly, it’s great that I work with guy who honest and brave enough to throw the weight of a company on your shoulders, yet you don’t have to carry it yourself. Colin and I both understand what’s required of us in order to keep Rn9 afloat and although we’ve had some difficult times, we have a mutual respect of each other for the burden he bears.
Partnerships are good for business. Maybe it doesn’t happen much where you live, but in my portion of Oklahoma, I’ve found that folks are generally more receptive to actual businesses than just go-it-alone freelancers. Not saying that it’s that way everywhere, and I’m certainly not saying that it’s not my own fault that folks didn’t receive me well, but getting properly established and accredited has helped us out quite a bit.
I don’t know for certain whether or not Rn9 will last forever and be my ultimate destination, but I know that the experience I’ve gained as a business partner–for all it’s faults–has been an experience like no other and I certainly wouldn’t trade it for anything.
schuessler:
Hi, yes partnerships are good for experience. Freelancer is like freedom, as long there is the right income.
Christian:
So, what about freelancers under one LLC or “Clearing House” manner?
Some of us in the Aurora Illinois area are trying to band together, but don”t want to have 1099 troubles…
Any thoughts?
Sandeep:
Hey, you are right, i think partnerships are well for partners. As of these together helps for his business.
Sandy
Full Impact Studios:
partnerships are a great thing as long as you both see eye to eye and can work efficiently together as a team and have respect for one another. Partnerships are relationships that need to be cultivated over time, like a fine wine, they need time to ferment and grow in flavor, otherwise if things are rushed, you could wind up with sour grapes for all involved.
My partner and I have a great relationship that’s built on trust and mutual respect and we each listen to each other and consult each other. Something else we do well is speak our mind and push to make our point with each other.
Give serious thought into any partnership, prior to just jumping in and leaving something else behind.
My two cents, but a good blog post.
Aaron H
What Do You Think?