• Episode 9: A Day in the Life
    Apr 22 2025

    Guess who's back to spill the entrepreneurial tea? Sean and Michelle are pulling back the curtain and letting you sneak a peek at what really goes down in the wild world of boss life. Spoiler: it's way more than just vibes and vision boards.

    Think freelancing is just chillin’ in your PJs, sippin’ mimosas while the money magically appears? We wish! Our hosts kick off their days with caffeine, obviously! Then Michelle’s breaking a sweat while Sean’s off channeling his inner spa day. After that, it's go-time: emails, social media deep dives, and big-brain biz ideas. Sprinkle in some serious skill-stacking - Sean’s all about that "liquid learning" while Michelle’s earning her degree from YouTube U. Throw in photoshoots, tasting events, admin days and voilà! they’ve officially outworked your average 9-5. Freelance AF? More like Fierce And Full-time.

    This week's cider pour is Porter's Perfection from our homegrown hero, Heeman's Cellar, right here in good ol' London, Ontario!

    Show more Show less
    38 mins
  • Episode 8: Mythbusters
    Apr 15 2025

    Throw on that lab coat, grab your safety goggles and get ready to bust some myths, freelancer style! This week, your fabulous neighbourhood hustlers are channeling their inner MythBusters – sorry, no Bigfoot or aliens here (though we’re not ruling out intergalactic side gigs). That means diving into the wild, wacky world of entrepreneurial myths. You know, the kind people love to whisper about behind their lattes, and, even more dangerously, the ones entrepreneurs believe about themselves.

    Think you have to be rolling in dough, grinding 24/7, or under 30 with a ring light to make it? Think again. Sean and Michelle are calling BS on those tired clichés. They’re breaking it all down, from the “I must do everything myself” delusion to the “success should be instant” fantasy. And don’t even get them started on the obsession with social media followers.

    Believing a myth now and then? Totally human. Letting it steer your business? Major red flag. Stay sharp, freelancers – these streets are no joke, but with the right mindset (and a handful of sass), you’ve got this!

    This week’s pour is Reif Estate Winery’s Drea’s Dornfelder, a deliciously smooth and fruity red wine from Ontario’s Niagara wine region!

    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • Episode 7: Community Totally Slays Competition
    Apr 8 2025

    Oh, it's that time again! Your favourite freelancer squad is back at it, sipping cider and throwing down the real talk about community vs. competition.

    After Sean gives Michelle a lesson in "equidistant" (yep, it’s a word), and Michelle takes a victory lap for being the only one who did the homework, the hosts dive into the juicy stuff – why building a solid community of fellow entrepreneurs is EVERYTHING. We’re talking real, no-strings-attached connections, endless support, and finding those ride-or-dies who vibe with your values. Plus, they get real on how even a simple social media interaction or client referral can make a world of difference for a small biz, and how sticking together is the secret sauce to leveling up. Strength in numbers, baby!

    So grab a zesty drink, kick back, and let’s get into how Community Totally Slays Competition!

    Show more Show less
    22 mins
  • Episode 6: Resourceful AF: A Very Brief Overview
    Apr 1 2025

    Oh lawd, they comin’!

    Sean and Michelle are back, bringing the laughs and a dash of wisdom as they chat about their favourite resources!

    Did you know Michelle might actually work at a library in some parallel universe? Neither did Sean! Between deciding if Michelle’s dream café could survive the current economy (spoiler: it’s touch-and-go) and Sean emphatically declaring that he’s definitely not a vegetarian, they dive into the good stuff. They’re talking the three F’s (nope, not THOSE F’s), small business centres and libraries, and why Canva is their go-to for social media magic. They also share why continuing education is a must, why reaching out to a pro is always worth it, and how having a squad of small biz pals can save you from Thelma and Louise-ing your business off a cliff!

    Hey, just because they’re Freelance AF doesn’t mean they don’t know how to be Resourceful AF.

    This week’s pour is Thornbury Craft Co.’s Blood Orange cider, a spectacular cidery-exclusive from Thornbury, Ontario!

    Show more Show less
    23 mins
  • Episode 5: Getting the Brand Together
    Mar 25 2025

    This week, get ready to roll with our hosts as they work on Getting the Brand Together!

    Michelle’s in the hot seat, schooling everyone on the importance of branding. She’s quick to remind you that she's all self-taught, but Sean is here to drop the mic by saying that as a branding photographer, Michelle really knows her stuff—like, way more than most.

    After they totally veer off track discussing the ridiculous winter weather at the time of recording (and whether Sean should be wearing hats that are strictly décor), our Freelance AF duo finally gets into the branding basics module that Michelle created from scratch. We're talking everything from uncovering your brand values (like, don’t be a d***), to figuring out your ideal customer, and how choosing the right colours, fonts, and being consistent can craft a visual story that’s unforgettable, recognizable, and oh-so-authentic to your biz. Of course, it all makes way more sense when you hear it for yourself, so go ahead, give it a listen and discover the real secrets behind branding!

    This week’s pour is West Avenue Cider House’s Firecracker fire cider, a deliciously rich and robust specialty cider from Ontario’s Golden Horsehoe!

    Show more Show less
    37 mins
  • Episode 4: Bossin' it from the Start
    Mar 18 2025

    Oh, it’s on! This week our Freelance AF hosts are about to drop some tips on how to kickstart your own business.

    Let’s face it – turning your entrepreneurial dreams into a reality can feel pretty daunting, especially if you’re a newbie. But hey, every business owner has been there, and getting started with a solid foundation is key to cruising through the chaos.

    Big surprise, Sean and Michelle were total opposites in how they started out – one went with the flow, the other plotted every move. This episode they’re chatting about why you should build your network, when to ask for advice (professionally or not), and the importance of always doing your homework. While it’s not an exhaustive guide, these two are pointing fresh freelancers in the right direction – no matter your hustle – so you can be bossin’ it from the start!

    This week's pour is Ardiel Cider House's Apple Dry Cider! Hailing from Beaver Valley in Ontario's Blue Mountains, this classic dry cider features rich apple flavours and balanced acidity, with a crisp, clean finish.

    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • Episode 3: Corporate Escapees - Part 2
    Mar 11 2025

    Our hosts are back at it, ready to sip some cider and uncover the juicy details of Michelle's career in the conclusion of this two part series! Spoiler alert: she's all about commitment!

    Even though her career aspirations changed faster than she switched outfits (classic Libra move), she was in it for the long haul with her employers. Michelle spills the tea on enjoying her time in the corporate grind and what it was like working for an employer that valued her hard work. Of course, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows - Michelle gets real about craving flexibility to be there for her family, not being a morning person, and working like a boss until the job was finally done!

    Other hot topics? How to pivot your business when the world throws a curveball (looking at you, COVID), staying true to your vibe on socials, and the never-ending learning that comes with being Freelance AF!

    (This episode and the last ran a little longer than anticipated, but rest assured our episodes will return to their 20-30 minute target next week.)

    Show more Show less
    47 mins
  • Episode 2: Corporate Escapees - Part 1
    Mar 4 2025

    Your favourite corporate escapees are back in the first of a two part series to tell the tale of how they broke free of their corporate overlords' chains and struck out on their own to become freelance AF.

    Michelle and Sean start by fulfilling a promise from the first episode - to have a drink! This episode's pour is Duntroon Cyder House's Empire Extra Dry cyder, a deliciously dry offering that is similar to a traditional English cyder.

    From there, Michelle delves into a thought-provoking series of questions, tracing Sean's career journey from his childhood aspirations to the corporate role he held before launching his own business. They discuss the peaks and valleys of working in both large corporations and small enterprises, highlighting the invaluable insights diverse work experiences offer budding entrepreneurs. Sean opens up about his mental health journey, reflecting on how he discovered the right mindset and strategies to realize his career ambitions. He concludes the interview with three pieces of advice he would give to his pre-entrepreneurial self.

    Show more Show less
    42 mins
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro768_stickypopup