The BFF World Podcast: Recent Episodes
Laura K. Wise
The BFF World Podcast is all about sharing tips, tools, resources, and stories, to support Black women building profitable freelance businesses.
**About this episode
In this video, I breakdown three truths about the mindset of freelancing that you should remember when building your profitable freelance business:
- Perfection doesn’t exist
- Rethink your strategy often
- Consistency is the real work
CHECK OUT MY NEW E-BOOK, “THE F.R.E.E.L.A.N.C.E.R. CLARITY WORKBOOK”: https://www.laurakwise.com/shop/the-freelancer-clarity-workbook
**Follow Me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurakwise/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurakwise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/laurakwise
**My Websites
Connet with me to speak: www.laurakwise.com
Connect with me for comms help: www.contentwisecomms.com
For Black women freelancers and those looking to hire Black women freelancers: www.thebffnetwork.com
** Black Women—Join The BFF Network
If you’re a Black woman freelancer, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebffntwrk/
This video is all about:
Freelancing
Entrepreneurship
Mindset
Perfection
Consistency
Strategy
Giving yourself grace
Building a profitable freelance business
**About this episode
In this video, I share four cons to a freelance career
- If you don’t work, you don’t get paid. (Work = Pay)
- The money can be inconsistent. (Inconsistent Money)
- You’ll have to secure your own health insurance plan and retirement plan. (Benefits)
- Freelancing doesn’t scale. (Not scalable)
**Follow Me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurakwise/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurakwise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/laurakwise
**My Websites
Writer, Speaker, and Content Creator: www.laurakwise.com
Communications Agency: www.contentwisecomms.com
The Black Female Freelance Network: www.thebffnetwork.com
**Join The BFF Network
If you’re a Black woman freelancer, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebffntwrk/
This video is all about:
Freelancing
Entrepreneur
Health Care
Retirement
Scaling a Business
Side Gig
Financial Planning
**About this episode
In this video, I share four pros to a freelance career
- Freelancing is the single easiest way to start a new business.
- Freelancing gives you the opportunity to 10x your skills.
- Freelancing allows you to work remotely, 100% of the time.
- Freelancing gives you the opportunity to design a life you love.
I end with a recommendation for anyone and everyone interested in freelancing.
CHECK OUT MY E-BOOK, “HOW TO PRICE YOURSELF HOURLY AS A FREELANCER”: https://laurakwise.kartra.com/page/p5f329
**Follow Me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurakwise/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurakwise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/laurakwise
**My Websites
Writer, Speaker, and Content Creator: www.laurakwise.com
Content Marketing Agency: www.contentwisecomms.com
The Black Female Freelance Network: www.thebffnetwork.com
**Join The BFF Network
If you’re a Black woman freelancer, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebffntwrk/
This video is all about:
Freelancing
Entrepreneur
10x Skills
Remote Work
Flexible Work
Personal Priorities
Professional Priorities
Travel
Mental Health
**About this episode
In this video, I share three reasons why the gig economy is helping the freelance economy to grow:
- Technology
- COVID-19
- Changing workplaces
I end by sharing three reasons why freelancing is an opportunity:
- Make more money to spend, save, or invest
- Hone your skills
- Start a business
After watching this short explainer video, you make look at work differently!
CHECK OUT MY E-BOOK, “HOW TO PRICE YOURSELF HOURLY AS A FREELANCER”: https://laurakwise.kartra.com/page/p5f329
**Follow Me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurakwise/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurakwise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/laurakwise
**My Websites
Writer, Speaker, and Content Creator: www.laurakwise.com
Content Marketing Agency: www.contentwisecomms.com
The Black Female Freelance Network: www.thebffnetwork.com
**Join The BFF Network
If you’re a Black woman freelancer, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebffntwrk/
This video is all about:
Freelancing
The future of work
The Gig Economy
Being a solopreneur
Being a contractor
Being a consultant
Business growth
Business Trends
**About this episode
In this video, I answer a few really important questions you need to know before landing your first freelance gig:
- What exactly is a freelancer?
- Are freelancers and entrepreneurs the same thing?
- What are the 3 types of freelancers?
This is a quick, but in-depth look at who and what a freelancer really is.
**About the host, Laura K. Wise
Laura K. Wise is a writer, speaker, and content creator dedicated to helping women rethink work. You can learn more about Laura on her website, www.laurakwise.com, and you can find her across all social media platforms @laurakwise.
The BFF Network is a community of Black women freelancers. Together, we’re sharing tips, tools, resources, stories, and most importantly, creating a hiring pipeline. You can learn more about The BFF Network at www.thebffnetwork.com.
**About this episode
In this episode, I chat with Laurel Bush, dot connector and founder of Whitney Peak, a consulting firm specializing in helping smaller organizations make big waves.
Right before the pandemic, Laurel decided to make a career shift, not yet aware of the impact the pandemic would have on our economy. After not landing the dream job that she’d hoped for, Laurel made a pivot, started freelancing, launched a business, and is currently thriving.
More than anything, freelancing is an opportunity. An opportunity to launch, scale, or pivot.
This is a must-hear (and incredibly inspiring) story of how one woman recognized the opportunity freelancing presented and has used it to create a new professional world for herself.
**About Laurel
Laurel Bush is a dot connector. Serving as a community engagement expert, strategic advisor, and thought partner to several national, regional, and local nonprofit organizations, she has a proven track record of helping executives and political leaders launch and scale successful fundraising campaigns.
In 2021 she launched Whitney Peak, a consulting firm specializing in organizational strategy for nonprofits and small businesses. Her mission is to help smaller organizations make big waves.
You can learn more about Laurel on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/laurelbush, and find her on Instagram @laurbush. She can be contacted at hi@whitneypeak.com.
**About the host, Laura K. Wise
Laura K. Wise is a writer, speaker, and content creator dedicated to helping women rethink work. You can learn more about Laura on her website, www.laurakwise.com, and you can find her across all social media platforms @laurakwise.
The BFF Network is a community of Black women freelancers. Together, we’re sharing tips, tools, resources, stories, and most importantly, creating a hiring pipeline. You can learn more about The BFF Network at www.thebffnetwork.com.
**About this episode
In this video, I share my thoughts on if freelancers should use UpWork. The long and short of it is: only in the beginning. Here, I lay out the pros and cons of looking for work on UpWork, with a caveat for newbies.
**About the host, Laura K. Wise
Laura K. Wise is a writer, speaker, and content creator dedicated to helping women rethink work. You can learn more about Laura on her website, www.laurakwise.com, and you can find her across all social media platforms @laurakwise.
The BFF Network is a community of Black women freelancers. Together, we’re sharing tips, tools, resources, stories, and most importantly, creating a hiring pipeline. You can learn more about The BFF Network at www.thebffnetwork.com.
**About this episode
In this episode, I chat with Emily Miller, who is the Director of Marketing & Development for Manhattan Neighborhood Network.
Emily has been a freelancer and has hired freelancers throughout her career. In this interview, we have a candid chat about what’s going through an employer’s head when in the process of hiring freelance talent. Emily shares a few do’s and don’t that every freelancer should be aware of.
Trying to land a job as a FTE (full-time employee) or as a freelancer can be hard. Please listen to this episode if you’re interested in landing something new, soon.
**About Emily
A resident of Washington Heights, New York, Emily Miller has over two decades of experience in non-profit marketing, communications, and development, currently as the Director of Marketing & Development for MNN (Manhattan Neighborhood Network), the home of 5 NYC public access tv stations and NYC's largest media education organization. Some of her previous positions include leading communications and development efforts for the global mission and disaster response agency of The United Methodist Church and serving as the Creative Director for United Methodist Women. She has been Adjunct Faculty for Pace University’s Graduate Department of Publishing and the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Department of Communication Design and holds a B.A. in Foreign Policy from the University of Virginia and an Executive MBA. Emily also has served on the board of the Appalachia Service Project for almost 15 years. She's an avid traveler, watercolorist, and photographer.
**About the host, Laura K. Wise
Laura K. Wise is a writer, speaker, and content creator dedicated to helping women rethink work. You can learn more about Laura on her website, www.laurakwise.com, and you can find her across all social media platforms @laurakwise.
The BFF Network is a community of Black women freelancers. Together, we’re sharing tips, tools, resources, stories, and most importantly, creating a hiring pipeline. You can learn more about The BFF Network at www.thebffnetwork.com.
**About this episode
In this episode, I share 6 steps that every freelancer needs to prepare for tax season. I also share 5 mistakes I’ve made, the lessons I learned from those mistakes, and I share one big recommendation that every freelancer should implement ASAP.
**Resources mentioned
- Quickbooks - I use Quickbooks Essentials, but if you’re a new freelancer, Quickbooks Self-Employed would work well.
- 8 Top Free Accounting & Bookkeeping Software Apps for 2022
**About the host, Laura K. Wise
Laura K. Wise is a writer, speaker, and content creator dedicated to helping women rethink work. You can learn more about Laura on her website, www.laurakwise.com, and you can find her across all social media platforms @laurakwise.
The BFF Network is a community of Black women freelancers. Together, we’re sharing tips, tools, resources, stories, and most importantly, creating a hiring pipeline. You can learn more about The BFF Network at www.thebffnetwork.com.
**About this episode
In this episode, I chat with Nacondra Moran, a licensed Tax Accountant, and owner and CEO of Exceptional Tax Services.
In this conversation, Nacondra breaks down the differences—and tax implications—for W-2 and 1099 employees, describes in detail the different options available to incorporate your business, and explains all things taxes. April 15 is coming! Don’t get caught slipping.
Be prepared to take notes because Nacondra shares so many practical tips here!
**About Nacondra
Nacondra is a Tax Accountant and Owner behind Exceptional Tax Services, where she helps create exceptional businesses through proper bookkeeping, tax preparation, and tax planning for small business owners. Her mission stems from her passion for bridging the wealth gap for Entrepreneurs by giving these businesses the tools and support necessary to grow.
You can learn more about Nacondra on her website, www.exceptionaltaxservices.com, and you can find her on Facebook and Instagram.
**About the host, Laura K. Wise
Laura K. Wise is a writer, speaker, and content creator dedicated to helping women rethink work. You can learn more about Laura on her website, www.laurakwise.com, and you can find her across all social media platforms @laurakwise.
The BFF Network is a community of Black women freelancers. Together, we’re sharing tips, tools, resources, stories, and most importantly, creating a hiring pipeline. You can learn more about The BFF Network at www.thebffnetwork.com.
**About this episode
According to the Gartner Glossary, the future of work describes changes to how work will get done over the next decade, which is influenced by technological, generational, and social shifts.
In this video, I share 5 reasons why I’m 100% sure that freelancing is part of the future of work. Freelance opportunities are growing, which presents a huge opportunity for those who want to design their lives and careers in the future.
**About the host, Laura K. Wise
Laura K. Wise is a writer, speaker, and content creator dedicated to helping women rethink work. You can find Laura across all social media platforms @laurakwise.
The BFF Network is a community of Black women freelancers. Together, we’re sharing tips, tools, resources, stories, and most importantly creating a hiring pipeline. You can learn more about The BFF Network at www.thebffnetwork.com.
**About this episode
In this episode, I chat with Chris B., a decade-long insurance agent and salesman.
I’ve got to be honest, this isn’t a happy conversation about how freelancers can triumph over the confusion and secure the perfect health insurance plan. Instead, it’s an honest conversation, an exposé really, around the brokenness of the health insurance industry.
There is a lot of information here, but it’s an important conversation to hear for W-9 and W-2 workers.
**About Chris
Chris is a decade-long insurance agent and salesman, the husband of the most amazing woman, and most importantly ambassador to humanity.
**About the host, Laura K. Wise
Laura K. Wise is a writer, speaker, and content creator dedicated to helping women rethink work. You can learn more about Laura on her website, www.laurakwise.com, and you can find her across all social media platforms @laurakwise.
The BFF Network is a community of Black women freelancers. Together, we’re sharing tips, tools, resources, stories, and most importantly creating a hiring pipeline. You can learn more about The BFF Network at www.thebffnetwork.com.
**About this episode
In this episode, I chat with Phillip Washington, Jr.—Chief Investment Officer at Stone Hill Wealth Management and Host of the Wealth Building Made Simple Podcast.
Our conversation is all about finances, but more specifically, wealth generation.
We’re digging into the history of how money works, the working class versus the investor class, and we even touch on crypto and NTFs.
Phillip shares his thoughts on what freelancers, contractors, consultants, and entrepreneurs could be doing with their money...besides putting it in a 401k.
This is an episode you don't want to miss.
**Tools and Resources Mentioned in this Episode
- The Cash Flow Quadrant
- Rich Dad Poor Dad
- Gary Vee
- The 4-Hour Work Week
**About Phillip
Since 2006, Phillip has been providing advice, guidance, and analysis to investment committees and individuals around the selection and management of their investment portfolios.
Phillip is currently the Chief Investment Officer of Stone Hill Wealth Management, a registered investment advisory firm, the author of “Retirement Investing 101”, and host of the weekly business and investment podcast “Wealth-building Made Simple” with Phillip Washington Jr.
Phillip lives in Grand Prairie, Texas with his amazing wife, Kelley, and his two smart and
energetic boys, Malachi and Kellen.
You can learn more about Phillip on his website, phillipwashingtonjr.com and find him on Instagram @askphillip.
**About the host, Laura K. Wise
Laura K. Wise is a writer, speaker, and content creator dedicated to helping women rethink work. You can learn more about Laura on her website, www.laurakwise.com, and you can find her across all social media platforms @laurakwise.
The BFF Network is a community of Black women freelancers. Together, we’re sharing tips, tools, resources, stories, and most importantly creating a hiring pipeline. You can learn more about The BFF Network at www.thebffnetwork.com.
**About this episode
This episode is all about the economics of freelancing. We’re digging into the history of capitalism and discussing how and why our current corporate structure exists—encouraging people to work for companies, versus yourself.
In this conversation, we're poking holes in “the status quo.” How we live and work is changing quickly; this episode will give you a basic economic lesson that supports how thinking differently about work and career is necessary for the future.
**About Marlissa
Marlissa Collier is the founder of the Dollar15 Blog and Real Quick Podcast —where readers and listeners can find informative and entertaining thought pieces infused with research, humor, and the occasional expletive. Marlissa's work centers on sharing diverse stories that raise cultural awareness, inform on social issues, and provide political insights.
You can learn more about Marlissa on her website, www.marlissacollier.com, and find her on Instagram @BlackGirlFlyy.
**About the host, Laura K. Wise
Laura K. Wise is a writer, speaker, and content creator dedicated to helping women rethink work. You can learn more about Laura on her website, www.laurakwise.com, and you can find her across all social media platforms @laurakwise.
The BFF Network is a community of Black women freelancers. Together, we’re sharing tips, tools, resources, stories, and most importantly creating a hiring pipeline. You can learn more about The BFF Network at www.thebffnetwork.com.
This episode is all about getting to know Laura and The BFF Network.
Laura K. Wise is a writer, speaker, and content creator dedicated to helping women rethink work. You can find Laura across all social media platforms @laurakwise.
The BFF Network is a community of Black women freelancers. Together, we’re sharing tips, tools, resources, stories, and most importantly creating a hiring pipeline.
The BFF Network growing in 2022, and this episode will lay the foundation for what's to come. You can learn more about The BFF Network at www.thebffnetwork.com.
**About our Guest Host:
Nia Jackson is a social media influencer and brand strategist. Nia has a growing following on TikTok where she focuses on childhood, relatable comedy. Nia was able to grow her page from 0 to 25,000 in just four months (!)
You can find Nia on TikTok and Instagram @hxppycookie.