#182: A massive pivot from freelancing to owning a business with her husband, with business coach Jenni Gritters
Today’s guest is Jenni Gritters, from Oregon. She is a business coach for freelancers and creators. She’s also a former journalist, and a current writer who runs a small content and community agency called The Riverwoods Media Group. Jenni is the former co-host of The Writer’s Co-op podcast and workshops. Be sure to check out Jenni’s group coaching program for freelancers, called SUSTAIN. In today’s episode, Jenni shares how she made a massive shift in her business, going from a freelancer; then part-time freelancer while raising two young kids, while her husband was a critical care nurse; then being the primary income earner while her husband took on the primary household and kid duties (and joined Jenni’s business). We talk about all that, but we also talk a lot about building a successful business, from Jenni’s coaching perspective, which I really appreciated and learned from. In this episode, we talk about: The many pivots and iterations of Jenni’s business. How, as a freelancer, she carried over the same negative work patterns she had as an employee. Going from reactive to proactive in our business. The decision for her husband to quit his nursing career and Jenni to become the primary income earner. Splitting her business between coaching and a content agency. How she structures her week — and why she takes Fridays off. How she makes money as a coach. How she switched from sole proprietor to an LLC to an S-Corp. Addressing the pushback against six-figure freelancers. How your identity as a journalist may be holding you back. How to evaluate and reflect on your business through a business audit. How to make micro changes to gradually change the structure of your business. Many freelance writers are experiencing a downturn — tips to find more work in this weird season. Biz Bite: Defining your “needle movers” every Monday Resources: Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Jenni’s group coaching program for freelancers: SUSTAIN. Jenni’s website Jenni on Instagram Jenni on Twitter Subscribe to Jenni’s “Mindset Mastery” free Substack newsletter Download Jenni’s free business planning workbook Gusto online payroll tool