Sania Khatib’s Post

Find your path I've chosen to freelance. Freelancing isn't just a career choice—it's a mindset. And I've learned that the journey is never as smooth as you might think in the beginning. There are days when you feel on top of the world and days when you wonder why you left the "safety" of a 9-5. And even prayed to go back. But here's what I realized: ✨ The power is in your hands. Freelancing means creating the life and work that you want. It's about building something from the ground up, even if that means you'll experience a roller coaster ride along the way. HAHA. And trust me, those "failures" are actually growth in disguise. 💡 Some days will be hard, some clients will be difficult, and some projects will stretch your limits. But that's where this journey feels so exciting and scary at the same time. Every step forward—no matter how small—is still progress. Here's what I've learned about freelancing: You're allowed to have bad days. You're allowed to rest and recharge. You're allowed to pivot, change directions, and redefine what success looks like to you. So, if you're in the thick of it right now, know this: You're exactly where you need to be. Keep going. You're building something amazing—one step at a time. 🌟 What's been your biggest lesson in freelancing so far? Let's chat in the comments! 👇

The Real Deal of Freelancing: It’s Tough but Totally Worth It I wasn’t very active on LinkedIn last month. Why? Because I've been hustling hard behind the scenes with client calls, project deadlines, and balancing work and life. Here’s the truth: the freelancing life that looks dreamy and easy online? It’s not the whole story. Freelancing is exciting but also really hard. We’re the ones always looking for the next job. We’re the ones staying up late to meet deadlines. We’re the ones doing everything ourselves. Yet, many people think we're just lounging around, not really working. They don’t see the endless emails, the constant planning, the never-ending grind. But we choose this path for a reason. Because we have something to prove. Because we believe in ourselves when others don’t. To all the freelancers out there: Embrace the chaos. Smile through the late nights and early mornings. Accept the challenges. It’s tough, but the freedom and satisfaction of creating your own path are worth it. Freelancing isn’t easy, but if you have the passion and grit, it’s the best journey you’ll ever take.

Trying to Figure Out Freelancing? Same Here! 😅 I’ve just started on this freelancing journey, and it’s been a mix of exciting wins and “oh no, what am I doing?” moments. Here are a few things I’ve picked up along the way (still learning, so take it with a grain of salt!): 1️⃣ Rates Are a Bit of a Guessing Game Deciding on pricing has been tricky. Sometimes I wonder whether to charge a single upfront fee for the project or go with an hourly rate. So far, here’s what’s worked for me: if the project scope is clear, I set an upfront price. But if things are a bit vague, I stick to an hourly rate—it gives both me and the client some flexibility. 2️⃣ Boundaries Are Key I’ve learned (the hard way) that setting boundaries is crucial. When you’re freelancing, it’s easy to feel like you have to be “on” all the time, but I’m realizing that burnout is real. Blocking out time for myself is now non-negotiable. 3️⃣ Finding Clients Is Tough! Honestly, the biggest struggle so far has been finding clients consistently. I’m still experimenting, but joining freelancing groups and reaching out to people in my network has helped. 4️⃣ Celebrate Every Win 🎉 Every “yes” from a client, every project completed—it’s all worth celebrating! Freelancing is a rollercoaster, but those little wins keep me going. Any fellow freelancers out there? What’s a lesson you’ve learned that’s helped you? Or if you’re just starting too, let’s connect and figure this out together!

In the last few days, I have had two separate conversations about freelancing. In both cases, I gave them a little too realistic (read: scary) perspective on it. Do I think freelancing is bad? God, no. In fact, it can be a wonderful way to learn and earn and honestly, have fun because you can take up diverse projects at the same time. But I do think people should be prepared to wait months for payments despite responding to urgent tasks with drafts/creatives immediately. Though I realise I shouldn't generalise. I have worked with founders barely making ends meet but paying people on time. I have also worked with really big companies and went through shit for payments. So, yes, I won't generalise. However, it's about the mindset. You need to be prepared for the worst if you are planning to get into freelancing. It's crucial for survival. That's all. That's all I told them. I hope I didn't scare them too much 🤞

Why Freelancing is better than a 9-5 job if you are in your 20s: Hear me out (I’ve done both 9-5 and freelancing) - The growth of a freelancer is directly tied to your effort, skills, and how well you build your personal brand. Meanwhile, in a full-time job, your progress can be influenced by office politics and how you get along with your boss. - As a freelancer, you could go from making 20k per month to 1 lakh in just 6 months. On the other hand, in a full-time job, it might take years of promotions and hard work to move from 50k to 1 lakh a month. Freelancing has massive potential. If you learn how to sell and scale, you could earn lakhs or even crores. There’s a unique thrill in freelancing. You’re always pushing yourself, constantly working to stay ahead, and that brings its own kind of excitement. Sure, freelancing isn’t for everyone, but more and more people are choosing it for the freedom it offers. - Freedom to set your own schedule - Freedom to work from anywhere - Freedom to choose your clients - Freedom to decide which projects you take on There’s something deeply satisfying about working hard and pulling all-nighters for your own business. Yes, freelancing comes with greater risks, but when you’re young, why play it safe? There’s no better time to take risks than now.

Freelancing Isn't for the Faint of Heart Here's What You Should Know Freelancing sounds like a dream, right? No boss, flexible hours, and unlimited earning potential. But here's the truth: It's more challenging than it seems. If you're considering freelancing, here's what you should know: 🩵Client Management: Every client is different some are easygoing, others can be very demanding. 🩵Time Management: With structure, it's easy to stay caught up, set clear deadlines, and stick to them. 🩵Burnout is Real: Pushing too hard without breaks will lead to burnout, so learn to balance work and rest. 🩵The Reward? Freedom: Even with the challenges, freelancing offers the freedom to shape your career. 🩵Financial Control: Put in the effort, and the money will flow. You are in charge of your income. 🩵Continuous Learning: You need to keep up with changes and improve your skills constantly. Let's discuss whether you're a business owner looking for a freelancer who knows the hustle. I specialize in content that delivers results. P.S: The road can be challenging, but the destination is worth it. P.S.S: Every challenge helps shape you into a stronger freelancer.

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞-𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐝 Freelancing sounds amazing. You can work from anywhere, set your hours, and live the dream—until a client asks for "𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞" at 2 AM. When I started freelancing, I thought I’d be sipping coffee by the beach with my laptop. But deadlines and Clients don’t care about beaches. 🌊💻 Here’s what freelancing actually taught me: 1️⃣ 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞. You’re not just a developer or designer—you’re the marketing team, customer support, and accounts payable. Learning to juggle these hats is a skill on its own. 2️⃣ 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝. “Can we hop on a quick call?” sounds innocent until it eats half your day. I learned to prioritize contracts, timelines, and those magical words: “This is out of scope.” 3️⃣ 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬. Starting as a freelancer, I realized it’s not just about completing tasks—it’s about creating an experience that keeps clients coming back. Clear communication, timely delivery, and going the extra mile make all the difference. Freelancing isn’t just a way to make money—it’s a bootcamp for learning about yourself, your skills, and how much caffeine your body can handle. ☕ So, what’s your wildest freelancing story? Or the best lesson you’ve learned?

As the year comes to an end, I thought I’d share - freelancing highs, lessons, and all the things I didn’t see coming. I’ve been a bit quiet here recently, and here’s why: things have been wild! Since I started freelancing, this has been my busiest season yet, and honestly? I didn’t plan my time well enough to keep up with posting on socials. Trying to improve on that! The ball has really started rolling since summer ended, and I’m feeling all kinds of excitement (and maybe a little “oh no, how do I balance it all?” vibes). This spring will mark two years of freelancing full-time! 🎉 But let me tell you—it didn’t start like this. In my first year, I had one long-term client and one small project. That’s it. Slow beginnings, anyone? 🙋♀️ I spent a lot of time learning. Listening to freelancers and mentors, asking questions, and figuring out the ropes. One big turning point for me has been embracing mistakes. It wasn’t easy, but once I let go of the fear of messing up, everything started to shift. Fast forward to now: ✨ I’ve got THREE more long-term clients! ✨ We’ve already completed projects together and are planning even more. ✨ My confidence has grown so much—it’s been a game-changer. No really, confidence can be a b***h. What’s also helped me immensely is the amazing community of fashion freelancers. I’ve made so many online friends, shared honest conversations about the ups and downs, and asked what I thought were “stupid” questions (spoiler: they weren’t). Thank you for being there! 💛 This year, I also explored a new side of my work: 🏭 Visiting local factories (and low-key thinking about offering factory connections as a service someday—stay tuned 👀). 🎨 The game changer for sure was deep diving into real-life-looking 3D sampling! It’s a whole new way of bringing my patterns to life, and let me tell you—it’s as fun as it is different from prepping patterns for production. Looking ahead, I’m ready to level up my skills, take on new challenges, and keep building something I’m proud of. If you’ve been part of my journey, whether through advice, collaboration, or simply cheering me on, THANK YOU. Here’s to growth, mistakes, and all the exciting stuff ahead. 🥂 _____________________________ 👋 I help start-up and small brands develop well-fitting, sustainable collections that delight customers and reduce production waste. 🗨️ I would love to hear from you and discuss how I could help!

There were so many tasks in freelancing that just felt... dull. Constant tracking of engagement, responding to comments & DM, keeping track of leads, building my network and whatnot! These tasks are dull, boring AND IMPORTANT too!! Honestly, I’d rather have done anything else. They are so important that if avoided, my freelancing will not make any profits. I often get asked on how I handle the boring & uninteresting tasks in freelancing. And there's only one way to handle it. Force yourself to do the boring stuff too. “Tinaga tinaga vemu tiyyanundu,” (Telugu proverb) which basically means even something bitter like neem leaves can start to taste okay if you eat them every day. I took this to heart. I decided to force myself to tackle these boring tasks every single day for a month. And you know what? At first, it was still just as dull, but over time, it became part of my routine. The more I did it, the more I started to get used to it—and even appreciate it. What once felt like a drag became just another part of my day. So, if you’re slogging through tasks that seem never-ending and boring, hang in there. Consistency can turn that drudgery into something you might actually start to like. What is the most boring task in your profession?

This is probably the WORST thing you can do as a freelancer...and it’s why many quit. Chasing instant success. When I started freelancing, I believed: that freelancing would mean freedom, big clients, and easy money right away. But the truth? It’s far from glamorous in the beginning. Freelancing takes discipline, patience, and consistency. It’s not about quick wins; it’s about building a sustainable career over time. Here’s why playing the long game matters as a freelancer: 1. Quick gigs come and go, but relationships build careers. → Clients who trust you keep coming back, but trust takes time to build. 2. Mistakes make you better. → The long game teaches you things instant wins never will. Every misstep is a chance to improve. 3. You grow your reputation, not just your income. → Freelancing isn’t just about getting paid. It’s about building a name people remember and recommend. 4. You stand out from the crowd. → Many freelancers drop out when things get tough. Staying consistent sets you apart. 5 → Your goals evolve with experience. → What you want at the start might change as you grow. Giving yourself time allows your vision to take shape. Freelancing isn’t about chasing quick success. It’s about committing to the craft and building something that lasts. How are you playing the long game in freelancing?