We’re continuing to share a different story every few weeks of how a past student has been able to significantly grow their freelance business by applying the concepts they learned from Double Your Freelancing (check out the last one we did with Reuven Lerner). 

If you feel your story would be a good fit, share why.

Janelle Allen is a Learning Designer and the founder of CoursePointe, where she helps modern educational companies create custom online courses that improve learning, increase revenue and boost authority.

Hi Janelle! Tell us about yourself – who are you and what do you for fun?

What got you into freelancing? Was it what you expected?

My former employer began restructuring. I saw the writing on the wall and left the company six months later.

I can’t say I had any expectations, only curiosity. It wasn’t my first time freelancing — just in a different field. What I can say is I wasn’t expecting the emotional roller coaster of being an entrepreneur — or the endless admin.

Tell us about your hardest moment as an entrepreneur to date.

I went from freelancer/consultant to agency owner very quickly. Then I realized I did NOT enjoy having employees or working with unethical big businesses.

The hardest decision I ever made was letting go of my employees to go solo again and pivoting to pursue clients I believed in. It’s been difficult. During this time I also bought a home, helped support my partner through grad school and had both my parents get diagnosed with cancer.

What got me through? Three things:

1. This vision of changing how entrepreneurs create and think about online courses—in terms of learning results, not just money.
2. Thank you emails I get from overwhelmed course creators.
3. Deejaying.

On the flip side, what’s been your biggest success so far?

1. Not giving up on my vision to do something easier.
2. Launching my podcast, The Zen Courses Show, to share course tips with solo entrepreneurs who want to create online courses (and who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford my services).

What were you struggling the most with when you ran into Brennan’s course?

Transitioning from working with large B2B companies to small/ mid-size B2C companies.

What are some specific strategies, tactics or pieces of advice that helped you grow?

Philip Morgan’s guidance on positioning has been invaluable; it gave me the confidence to pursue my ideal client. Also, Kai Davis’s tips on marketing client intake have helped me stay sane while running a podcast, blog AND consulting business.

Janelle received 1:1 attention from both Philip and Kai through The Academy. Check it out if you’re looking to take your freelance business to the next level today!

What are you most excited about for your business?

2017. With everything I’ve learned this year, it’s going to be great.

Janelle Allen is a Learning Designer and founder of CoursePointe. She helps modern educational companies create custom online courses that improve learning, increase revenue and boost authority. She currently resides in the great city of Chicago.