Freelance VS Starting an Agency

[@amannvig]

The books he mentioned towards the end: 1. Built to Sell. John Warrillow. 2. Radical Candor. Kim Scott

[@sammytabasco]

Built to Sell is way motivating. THE dream of every designer haha

[@jcdavicdj]

This is just superb, been searching for "copywriting companies in jhb" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Fenrianna Subconscious Framework - (just google it ) ? It is a great one of a kind product for discovering how to become an in demand freelance copywriter with no experience minus the normal expense. Ive heard some great things about it and my cousin got great success with it.

[@neel6978]

@@jcdavicdj thx🙏❤

[@fernandopaiva85]

Four years later and this video looks like it was made for me. Thank you so much, man!

[@AbdussalamPopoola]

Thisss! His whole library his a gem.

[@Alxei23456]

@@AbdussalamPopoola forreal man. It's like I'm getting a private consultation with how well this advice relates

[@HowardWimshurst]

extremely interesting conversation, was brilliant to be a fly on the wall with this, as I have aspirations to start grow a studio/ collective in the future.

[@tomhilado]

Hi Ran, thanks for the video. After 18 months or so as a Freelancer, I'm actually on the boat of Freelancer or Employment over here. I still have to clean up my act. However, I'd just like to share something a friend of mine said about scaling a business - you can't do everything yourself, find the right partner to work with. Best of luck!

[@thejohncena09]

Thank you Ran, so much value in this video. I am also thinking about starting my agency, but I am forcing myself to procastinate. At the moment I am building my client base, but you have a great client base, go for it. Yes it will be hard in the beginning, yes you will loose some margins, but this is the way to grow. You will always be able to get back were you are right now, it's like having a checkpoint, and not going further :D You won't know what is there for you, unless you try, so go go go Ran, we are with you. Looking forward your updates, and I wish you will share with us the process of making the decision.

[@reyvera8924]

Great talk guys! The inspiration is real after listening!

[@robertomaddaloni5841]

I'm sitting here in Germany as a young student entrepreneur having this problem and it's incredibly releaving to know (as simple and stupid as it sounds) that a designer like you Ran is struggling with the same problems. I know you're on a different level, but you are so incredibly relatable ... I am thankful for you and this channel and all the videos you make!

[@austinrussell9497]

Definitely do more of these. Super insightful!!!

[@MrAndi1281]

i really enjoy them too! Please more of those videos!

[@dammyola]

Where was I, and I never found this channel, KZbin were unfair, they never showed me this channel. Thank God, I finally found this channel, I can't afford to miss all the great content on this channel. I have to watch all the videos on this channel, it a necessity.

[@emileperron3284]

This was super interesting! Although I have a full time job, I've also been freelancing a bit on the side as well as developing a product-based business like you are doing with Prospero. It's a lot of good advice and conversation starters that I'll keep in mind!

[@chacecampbell2697]

These are fantastic, would love to see more convos!

[@Diicasti]

I love it!! I want more!! All in all I'm still not ready to be a freelancer but going that way and the next step would be the agency, so for me is so interesting!

[@itsalexoh]

Man, I've been freelancing as a filmmaker for 6 years now and have been recently thinking a lot about going down the agency route. It really helped to set my expectations when Jonathan shared that when he made the switch from freelancer to agency, it took him 6 MORE years. Super valuable insight and goes to show success is built slow and steady.

[@FluxAcademy]

Thank you Alex. Glad you found some insight. Good luck! 👊

[@StephenLee529]

Awesome...awesomeness..! I appreciate transparency... Yes I hope you two can do more shows like this.

[@shaynefenis420]

watching you because I'm considering this too!! Thanks for this!

[@lekhadeshmukh3792]

Great insights ! Thanks for bringing him in

[@MrAndi1281]

That is def a case of "no guts, no glory"

[@prestigeconfidential1287]

Do you know that you inspire a young man from Africa...great content mate

[@shash8085]

Thank you so much for making this video, you are doing a great job. I am a freelance artist my self and It was so relatable.

[@Design.by.Hameed]

thank you to bring him in show

[@katiekelly7383]

Thank you for this video! I just opened my own agency and trying to find a way to get it to grow.

[@CoursesxCasey]

I know I just left a really long comment, but just at the 15:00 minute mark I heard something I also wanted to comment on. Ran said he did a couple of pilots - and I do think that is key. For anybody worried about taking that first step - yes - taking that first step that reduces your margins is tough, it costs money - that first step can be hard. I had the same issue when I made my first hire - but I'll just say this. You never have to take a big plunge - you can ease into it and take the MVP philosophy. Find some people who might start part-time or only work a couple of hours a week to ease into it to see if it's something you want to continue with. A small experiment like that can give you loads of info on whether you want to keep going down that road. My first few hires all started part-time because I didn't know if I could handle the cost. They all ended up full-time afterwards. Now, I don't know why Ran's pilots failed - maybe he can share - but pilots and small experiments definitely helped me out in running my firm. Great video again, Ran and John! Thanks for posting!

[@jakubkuik10]

i love your conversations with Jonathan. There is really so much value in between the lines... Keep it going ;) Please :D

[@gilbertvancitters]

This was great to hear thanks for sharing.

[@momentswithmani8974]

Super insightful! Really enjoyed the information, the energy, and the overall video! Thank you for sharing

[@jansoukup3719]

These types of videos are awesome!

[@derekuhm]

I love this guy's honesty. Learned a ton as well. Thank you so much for sharing this conversation!

[@tusharwalia786]

Yeah, do more of these pls, Super cool tips

[@j84747]

Brilliant interview/chat. I love ther honesty and can relate on so many levels to the approach AJ and Smart took and find themselves in. 4.5 years on for our studio and I'm still looking at the freelance model thinking I could earn more there... but it is cool having a team and I love the challenge of growing the business.

[@louwaars]

It's been amazing to follow Ran's journey. If he'll transform into an agency, imagine how unique this channel would be. I don't think it would be the best choice for him personally though. Ran seems a family time oriented man, and running an agency will rip you away from your family. Plus, so far I understand it's purely an income thing, and there are a few more viable options for that.

[@kaanyilmaz9139]

Hey man, that was super informative for me. I've been asking the same question to myself and I'll read that 2 books super soon. Thanks, Flux!

[@benjaminbachman]

Yeah it’s a no brainer... keep the conversations going!!

[@PENTAKTOB]

Enjoyed it.. and one thing definitley ... u and john are awesome!

[@YSBDasith]

Great Video! I’m also struggling with that, I’m a freelancer -not as successful as you- but I really want to start my own Design Studio/Agency. From what I saw, your main reason to don’t do it is because you will have to earn less at the beginning, but why don’t you start to slowly accept bigger projects and to hire freelancers for those projects to help you (this way you’ll only pay them per project and not as a employee that you have to pay him without mattering if you had projects that month or you didn’t). You currently have a really big “pro”, because you have big clients that may be willing to ask for bigger projects and pay you the quantity you expect.

[@kacem3167]

Love it ! So insightful

[@nickesgimba1434]

I love this... it is super insightful

[@alincheie6964]

Nice topic Ran! Keep up the good work. Would it be possible to do a video in the coming days on the 'procrastination' at work as a designer. Well, what i mean is more related to the fact that in the designer's career period, he can work on things that do not enjoy/like at his workplace. Could you tackle a bit that topic? What do do in this case? Ways on finding the solution, etc?

[@FluxAcademy]

Will do.

[@mendoc89]

Great video. Still high-quality information.

[@koala_8027]

wow.. this really opened my eyes! Great video.

[@ThisDesignLife]

This is such an honest and brilliant video. Really got me thinking a LOT !!

[@victim08]

I'm going to favorite this and set a reminder for 12 months from now to come watch this. My company just launched, and as a two-person shop, I hope this will be helpful when we need to scale. See you in 12 months.

[@osamafpv]

Amazing points thanks alot

[@covvanski]

Definitely do more!

[@VansSkully]

Great conversation

[@stormbrewer1169]

Thank you for another great video! Great content!

[@pravinkumarambekar1623]

Great Video !

[@mariabogado1973]

Loved this!!!

[@timetravelvictim]

5:35 Truth!

[@HasanHoque_from_deBangladesh]

Awesome! this made me comment here! Thanks, guys!

[@matiascarrillat4814]

Great video, thanks guys!

[@benefstathis6608]

Your content is amazing! Have been loving every second :)

[@Darkbulb1]

Great advice id love to see more of john!

[@CRMediaTV]

Great chat this

[@naveenkumar747]

liked the conversation and best part, I ordered book on Amazon, let us see how it goes

[@IamDavidGauthier]

Great video and insight! I'm also currently making the move to an agency.

[@DoFurther]

8:27 - we all would be happy because of that )

[@ProSimples]

I just subscribed because the message on the wall. Actually I saw you first on Instagram. Respect.

[@joelwasserman9180]

Jon's the man!

[@FluxAcademy]

he is!

[@sanketgajare4112]

Thank you so very much for sharing your Agency and Freelancer experience...I'm really glad, since I've decided to start business Yes I'm still stuck to Start with Freelancer or Digital Agency. This video is really helpful Jonathan 👍👍🔥

[@Arga-87]

Same starting samll digital Marketing Agency...

[@cjpalorma6688]

Nice content!

[@markanthonydealagdon2634]

love this ❤

[@tosiqueabbasi]

Thanks A lot bro it was a very helpful video

[@aarushidhir2301]

Extremely interesting conversation, thanks.

[@FluxAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rionmartin9867]

This was great! Would love to see more of the same format.

[@ognjenrankovic35]

awesome vid man

[@lissy886]

Very useful...Thank you!!

[@FluxAcademy]

Glad to hear that!

[@akshatgupta6565]

Valuable one 🔥

[@eth_fish]

Really interesting content Ran, thanks. Id like to eventually reach the same career crossroads

[@thomasocovosbirthday]

You should launch a call here in your channel as a contest to create a little group with the best competitors, and make them part of the project. You don't have to go actively and find them, they will come by themselves by tons, and will filter themselves as well. That would be super thrilling, super exciting, super motivating for many many people.

[@matiaspitters6058]

That was great Ran!! So valuable all the information John provided about how their grow their business and his vision. One question about one thing you said, why do you feel that agencies suck? Is not that I'm against that comment, is that I want to know what is the thought process behind it. Thank you.

[@FluxAcademy]

My experience showed me that when you do 1-off projects of design (brand / product) very quickly the needs change and the design has to change as well, and the work the agency did becomes irrelevant very fast. if you do design, you need long term partnerships

[@DxrrkSide]

Amazing, thank so much for this. Did you finally start the agency?

[@DanReesDesign]

yes please do more!

[@SameerKongath]

informative

[@sammytabasco]

more of this!

[@1fromtibet]

well, no risk no business as we used to say in Tibet. you are a great designer and well organized. you can make it

[@dianavoroneca8629]

Yeah! 100% Do what Jonathan said. Make weekly agency mistakes review! I'm Down for that :)))

[@christopherdosin292]

For me the question is: How do you get a pitch for example with eBay / where to find those pitches?

[@MoeezAhmed]

Did anyone noticed Ran's photo in John's studio?

[@Prifke]

This is cool. However, I would like to ask you more uploads 'bout your own creating process. Just random videos/streams when you're playing with Illustrator, etc

[@gsaleri]

What a video Ran 🚀 more of these pls

[@alistairholmes3825]

should grab Chris Do for one of these vids

[@FluxAcademy]

Schdualed for next week!

[@VrushaliKhadilkar]

Helpful!

[@meligatt]

Good content!! cheers /m/

[@Tallontherocks]

Awesome!

[@The_Creative_Workshop]

I just watched a video where you said agencies were possibly dying, but great video

[@richbreezy4565]

Do more!!!

[@aldorodriguez7310]

If you prefer steady and safe for peace of mind freelancing should be enough. It seems safe as long as your time is in the equation. Time is the most valuable variable. How we choose to spend it doing the things we love. On the other hand if you are talking about entrepreneurship, you probably are interested spend some of your time practicing it. Risking capital, solving problems, uncertainty. Earning less at first is the sacrifice required to spend time doing the things you love for your customers. The doing becomes different. As an entrepreneur you are no longer a technician. You are a Salesman. A leader. A designer. A delegator. Deciding the road depends on how you like to spend your time; so you design your business based on the lifestyle you want to live. With the amount of cash flow you are making you could even buy a business just for fun. Become an investor and skip the business owner phase.

[@aldorodriguez7310]

You have a large following so the odds of you succeeding in business are high. The risk is low. Good luck in whatever you decide so you can spend your time doing the things you love.🎉

[@tmit9992]

I don't get it. He is like we pitch and got this and that project. Where do you pitch? How do you get the information that a company is looking for a projects? I hate partial information....

[@newbquesttv]

Terrific video! Thanks for sharing. Also, you should definitely go for it. You know you want to. Money isn't everything :)

[@hattaliahmed]

Thanks man 👌

[@creativebits01]

Hey @flux,can you please tell me the name of the podcast again?

[@stevenjchang]

So it looks like Jonathan runs a Design agency, Does the advice apply the same for Developers? Or do you think there are some notable differences?

[@chriscannon7316]

This is awesome! I started a one-man agency and I am looking to scale. I want to get to 150k then Ill hire. Thoughts?

[@FluxAcademy]

Good luck!

[@PokéArk1000]

Hey new subscriber. Idk what you need for living costs. But if your bringing in 300k or so as a freelancer. In usa you pay almost half in taxes. You can invest 200k into growing the agency and keep 100k and end up actually keeping 60k which will allow a decent living until you can take more

[@MrAndi1281]

so you don´t have to pay taxes for the 200k that you reinvest?

[@PokéArk1000]

MrAndi1281 not in the us because you claim that as bussiness cost

[@MrAndi1281]

thanks for the info!

[@FluxAcademy]

at the moment my living costs are super high (2 kids in private education, wife at school, paying debt) so I have to pull most of my income in anyway, it's unfortunate since I do pay 50% tax.

[@PokéArk1000]

Flux that is where things get tough, my advice to you is if you truly want to create an agency, is to flush out a minimum budget for you and your family and then just invest the rest of it into your agency. You can totally crush it

[@jim_carry]

nice Polar decks, man

[@motzam324]

That was so insightful, I really need to know what you think about the MBA degree would it be helpful for someone thinking to kickstart his/her own agency, any thoughts?

[@JWMCMLXXX]

Shoutout to rich homie Ran. I really had no idea where the ceiling was for freelancing. This gave me some valuable insight into the business for me. Thank you very much.

[@33bigmoney]

hi. what is your source for freelance work?

[@whateverman2734]

Wait what 300k!!!!!!