19 Comments
User's avatar
Danielle Dalisay's avatar

Oh gosh. This is exactly how I feel right now. Before - scaleup operator. Now (as freelance), I am the startup. I am the product. I am sales, delivery, cs all in one.

Katie Barnes's avatar

Yesss. All of the above. All the hats. It’s a lot!

Chris Tottman's avatar

I'm a huge proponent of "plural" careers - the variation, the multiple challenges, the diverse people - love it. Your thinking, actions and systems are constantly upgrading 🧡

nihal | deeptech decoded's avatar

I so feel you! Thanks for this candid sharing! :)

Laura Ferraz Baick's avatar

This is what growth looks like when you strip out the LinkedIn theater and focus on what actually changes you: living both sides of the table. Loved it!

Ella Ruby Marketing's avatar

I've been in business for myself for over 13 years and wouldn't have it any other way! Even though the lure of predictability that a 9-5 can offer has been calling...

Being able to put yourself in the shoes of your clients makes you an even better support system!

Dennis Berry's avatar

Yes we wear a lot of hats, while juggling knives, babysitting and putting out fires… all while taking the perfect selfie to show the world how great we’re doing. 🤣

Thanks for sharing your honest journey. 🙏🏼

Katie Barnes's avatar

Ohh the knives would be new to my repertoire! Might as well add something else.

Dennis Berry's avatar

:-)

Katie Barnes's avatar

THE SELFIE! Do not forget the selfie. Thanks for being here for it :)

m.i.m.s.'s avatar

Great take! I keep saying this (and I've been actively building toward it):

The future is fractional.

Juan Salas-Romer's avatar

Love how authentic this article is! You expressed what it takes in such a vivid way. This is what’s building from the trenches mean. Just write what you feel and you’ll connect!

Katie Barnes's avatar

That is really the goal!! Decided early on in my fractional journey that my way of "nicheing" down would be to just be unapologetically me. It's usually what makes people love working with me. (Or hate it LOL) Either way, it should attract the right people, right?

Juan Salas-Romer's avatar

Every good and productive business relationship starts with empathy. So keep doing what you are doing. Unless you are getting too many rejections. 🤣

Katie Barnes's avatar

L O L. Nope seems to be working so far :)

Anny He's avatar

Love this phrase: When you run a one-person company, visibility is your pipeline.

Makes me feel less guilty for dedicating time to writing :)

Ran Eitan's avatar

Considering going fractional myself and eagerly looking to read more about your journey.

Elena | AI Product Leader's avatar

Your authenticity is on another level, Katie!! Kudos for sharing all your journey with us in such a transparent and honest way! 👏👏

Katie Barnes's avatar

Appreciate that!! It's really the goal. Hoping it will bring my people to me! So far so good on this platform. Glad to meet so many others building their amplifier.