Hi, we’re Kat & Nikoleta your hosts of the “Work in Progress” the podcast for surviving solopreneurs. Join us to recharge and unwind as we get honest about the ups and downs in our solopreneur journeys. We talk about relatable issues we have as small business owners ourselves and how to overcome those. We’re not experts, we’re both just works in progress - so together let’s laugh at our flaws and figure out how to make the best out of this thing called solopreneurship. If you’ve not yet subscribed to the podcast, please do as it really helps us out a lot to reach more like-minded people. See you next time!
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April 8, 202557 min
The Yes Trap: How Freelancers Choose the Right Projects
In this episode, we talk about the challenges of burnout, career transitions, and the evolving demands of freelancing and solopreneurship. Our guest, Virginia Vila, shares her journey of moving from corporate roles to startups, eventually going solo, and now working with multinationals. We explore how to find fulfillment in your work, even amidst political struggles and routine fatigue.We also discuss:The importance of reevaluating your career path when it no longer feels fulfilling.Stories of professionals transitioning between fields like UX design and Content Design!The pressures of content creation in today's fast-paced digital landscape.To wrap up, our guest provides actionable UX writing tips to improve your designs, including:Prioritizing text size for mobile users.Enhancing contrast for better readability.Optimizing button copy to increase engagement with actionable verbs and clear messaging.Key Takeaways:Burnout is a signal to reassess your career goals and explore alternatives.Career shifts are common and can lead to surprising new opportunities.Simple UX writing fixes can have a monumental impact on user experience and engagement.Links & Resources Mentioned:Little Big Details: https://littlebigdetails.com/Follow Us:Subscribe to the podcast for more insights on freelancing, UX design, and career growth!
March 11, 202546 min
AI - Genius, Overhyped or Just Confusing?
AI – Genius, Overhyped, or Just Confusing? 🤖 Are you a solopreneur or freelancer navigating the rollercoaster of running a business alone? In this episode, we dive into how AI tools like ChatGPT and design generators can support independent business owners — from content creation to overcoming self-doubt. Whether you're curious about using AI for productivity or skeptical about its hype, this conversation blends honest experiences with practical insights to help you leverage AI without losing your human touch. Tune in to discover if AI is truly a game-changer or just another buzzword.
February 4, 202549 min
Is Designer Your Final Form?
In this episode titled "Is Designer Your Final Form?", the host explores the complexities of defining one's career and passion, reflecting on how these elements intertwine with personal identity and societal expectations. The conversation begins with the common question, "What do you do?" which often leads individuals to define themselves primarily by their careers. The host suggests that asking about interests outside of work can foster deeper connections and understanding. A notable TikTok post about passion garnered significant engagement, illustrating the platform's potential for visibility compared to Instagram, which has faced criticism for its algorithm that often limits creators' reach.The discussion transitions to the challenges creators face on Instagram, particularly regarding its algorithm that prioritizes wider audiences over followers, leading to low engagement for niche content. The host reflects on personal experiences with social media, including the impact of algorithms on content visibility and creator frustration.As the episode progresses, the host shares personal reflections on their birthday, discussing their busy week filled with social events and a desire for creative expression through activities like visiting a smash room. This leads to a broader exploration of career aspirations and personal growth, questioning whether being a designer is a final career destination or part of an ongoing journey.The host emphasizes the importance of discovering one's passion through experimentation and curiosity, highlighting that many people feel unfulfilled in their current roles. They discuss the evolving nature of personal passions and motivations over time, suggesting that as individuals mature, their values may shift towards making a positive impact in the world.A significant theme is the idea of "ikigai," which represents finding fulfilment through a combination of passion, profession, and purpose. The host argues that having a passion is crucial for happiness and can provide direction in life. They also touch upon societal pressures to adhere to traditional career paths while advocating for flexibility in exploring different interests throughout life.The conversation delves into productivity and self-doubt among designers, acknowledging that external pressures can lead to feelings of inadequacy despite personal satisfaction with one's work. The concept of a "minimum viable product" (MVP) is introduced as a way to test ideas without extensive planning.Family dynamics are also discussed, particularly how parental expectations can influence career choices. The host reflects on their parents' differing approaches to passion—one valuing work-life balance over prestige while the other pursued aviation due to familial influence.Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to embrace varied interests and passions throughout life rather than feeling confined to a singular identity or career path. The host advocates for stepping out of comfort zones and trying new things as essential steps in personal exploration and growth.This insightful dialogue not only addresses the intersection of career and identity but also inspires listeners to pursue their passions authentically while navigating societal expectations.
December 31, 202449 min
How We Met in Spain | Behind the Scenes
Better late than never - We recap our summer in 2024 where we met in real life for the first time! We touch upon our impressions of travelling solo, meeting a stranger we have only talked to online, and what we found out we have in common. Our Malaga highlights too!Ever feel that the beginning of a project is a minefield of stress? In this episode, we share relatable anxieties about client feedback. But the real story begins with a leap of faith: a solo trip to Spain! One host, fueled by encouragement, booked a vacation, and the other, in a twist of fate (and perhaps a shared dream!), followed suit.After two years of online connection, they met in person in Malaga. Forget awkwardness! They spent 3-4 days exploring, talking non-stop, and discovering a shared travel style. Imagine comfortable silences on the beach, the joy of shared tapas, and collaborative planning, discovering hidden gems like a five-star restaurant down a random street after following its delicious smell. From the detailed flyer of the Botanical Garden to less successful trips to museums, like the Picasso Museum, they embraced new experiences, even grocery shopping at Mercadona and sampling local treats like horchata and pastel de ata. Cafeteria culture was experienced with Chocolate and churros and they even got used to ordering iced coffees.This trip wasn't just about paella and museums. It was about the magic of meeting online friends in real life, the joy of shared silence, and the importance of similar travel styles. It was about learning new things about each other, sharing culinary adventures, and trusting Cat's planning skills.But what happens when the vacation ends? The hosts discuss the slow transition back to work, feeling burnt out after the pandemic, and the challenge of finding meaning in their work amidst global issues. They explore redefining success beyond financial goals, focusing on joyful projects with clients making a positive impact. The conversation shifts to content creation, authenticity, and the illusion of social media "success stories," and the importance of having a business mindset.Ultimately, it's a story about genuine connection, the courage to take risks and travel, and the power of aligning your work with your values.Keywords: Podcast, show notes, project stress, client feedback, solo trip, Spain, Malaga, online friends, meeting in person, shared travel style, comfortable silence, tapas, collaborative planning, botanical garden, museum visits, Mercadona, horchata, pastel de ata, cafeteria culture, chocolate and churros, iced coffee, post-vacation reflection, burnout, redefining success, financial goals, content creation, authenticity, business mindset, pandemic, social media, clients.
December 23, 20241 hr 11 min
New Year, New You? Set Goals in a No-Pressure Way
There is so much pressure at the end of the year to set goals for next year. We've all said "Next year will be MY year" knowing that those New Year resolutions don't stick after a few months. In this episode, we talk about how to set goals without the pressure, what has worked for us in the path and our holiday plans 🎉🎄
April 24, 202448 min
Work Life Balance | SEO, Entrepreneurship, And Life With Samantha Blake
Join us in this episode as we sit down with Samantha Blake, a successful entrepreneur and SEO expert. Samantha shares her journey of balancing a 9-5 job with freelancing, and how she manages to prioritize work, relationships and me-time. She also shares her tips and hacks for managing energy and avoiding burnout. In this episode, we dive into: - The reasons behind Samantha's decision to start freelancing and her ultimate goal. - How she balances her workload and schedules her time, including her non-negotiables and how she prioritizes her energy. - Her answers to questions from our social media audience, including her favourite tools for web design and SEO, how she manages her energy, and where her clients come from. - Her practical advice for managing entrepreneurs who struggle with their work-life balance. Samantha also shares what she is currently working on and cooking if the conversation goes that way. Don't miss this inspiring and informative conversation with Samantha. Watch the full episode and subscribe for more content on entrepreneurship, and work-life balance.
March 28, 202457 min
Digital Nomading and Changing Business With Elisabeth Mayr
Welcome to another exciting episode of the Work In Progress Cast! 😊🎉 In this episode, we delve into the world of digital nomadism and business transformation with Elisabeth Mayr, a freelance UX designer and digital nomad currently based in Japan.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:40 Elisabeth's next destination0:52 Insights on jetlag by @elisabethmayr49984:47 Elisabeth's mindset before venturing into freelancing6:57 Her upbringing and experiences with overachieving8:18 Describing Austrians and addressing stereotypes9:35 Comparing complaints in rich countries11:25 Advocating for travel as a school requirement11:55 Appreciating public transport and a shocking Manila train incident12:59 The motivation behind Elisabeth's digital nomad journey15:58 Embracing challenges and personal growth18:12 Cultural detachment through travel21:58 Rethinking the "Where are you from?" question24:22 Advice for aspiring digital nomads and insights on coliving27:32 Unusual experiences in hostels and coliving28:51 Tips on handling food poisoning and trying local cuisines33:05 Venturing into non-English menu eateries34:08 Elisabeth's business transitions and the role of UX in coaching36:48 Coaching experiences and their distinction from therapy38:43 Importance of networking and coffee chats43:48 Perspectives on the term "coach"47:30 Understanding the essence of coaching50:52 Humorous moments and Elisabeth's business card reveal53:36 Insights on the Financial Freedom for Freelancers course56:06 Where to connect with Elisabeth57:30 Outro
March 23, 202440 min
Dance Movement Balance And Motion Design With Tanya Bendis
Episode Summary:Welcome to another exciting episode where Tanya Bendis shares insights into her life, career, and experiences. The episode covers various topics from her early college days to her creative projects, experiences with burnout, and the role of dancing in her life.Episode Chapters:Intro and Tanya Bendis' JourneyIntroduction to Tanya Bendis and her life path.Journey to Europe and ZagrebHow Tanya ended up in Europe and Zagreb, Croatia.Parental Support and Early CollegeExploring how Tanya's parents support her decisions and the idea of starting college early.Embracing OpportunitiesDiscussing how saying yes to opportunities shapes one's path.Personal Development and Goddess ManifestationSpending time wisely for personal growth and discussing the goddess manifested in Tanya's life.Side Projects and Main JobTanya's side projects alongside her main job at @omnisearch1954.Experience with Burnout and Dancing During CovidTanya's experience with burnout and insights on dancing during Covid times.Saying No, Showing Up, and MotivationExploring the connection between saying no, showing up for others, and finding motivation.Energy, Motion Design, and DancingTanya's experience with energy, motion design, and how dancing influences her work.Regrets and Project ManagementReflecting on regrets, project management, and knowing when to stop investing time in a project.Career Takeaways and Creative FreedomTanya's key takeaways from her career and balancing creative freedom in freelancing and permanent jobs.Where to Find Tanya BendišInformation on where to connect with Tanya Bendiš.Personal Encounters and OutroRecounting personal encounters with Tanya and wrapping up the episode.
February 21, 202434 min
We are back! Let’s open up about the humble beginnings
Introduction: Join us for a cosy coffee chat as Work In Progress returns! Your hosts, Nikoleta and Kat, share insights into our journey and get into the topic of humble beginnings.Catch-Up: Discover the highs and lows of our holiday break and January, including insights on navigating slow business and rethinking client acquisition strategies, and tips on health, recovery, and managing multiple roles.Upcoming Episodes and Hot Topics: Exciting episodes ahead! Tune in for discussions on mental health, burnout, juggling jobs, navigating layoffs, and the solopreneur journey.Reframing and Updating: Explore our early days - designing a 5-6 page website for $100 and creating a mobile app for 70€. 😬 Engage in spontaneous discussions on projects and lessons learned.Takeaways:Update your LinkedIn profile.Acknowledge your achievements.Revisit and strategize your goals.Share your experiences with others.Outro: Stay tuned for more insightful episodes! Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content, and feel free to DM us. Keep working, keep smiling - the best is yet to come!
November 23, 202341 min
Motherhood, Entrepreneurship & Changing Careers. Is It Ever Too Late?
Welcome to another exciting guest episode everyone! 😊🎉We are extremely excited to introduce you to Darija Livaić a former journalist and editor-in-chief for a famous Croatian news portal and now content strategist who is passionate about crafting exciting content for micro businesses and mompreneurs.First topic: Transitioning from Corporate Career to Freelance: Darija shares her personal experiences, ranging from the corporate domain to freelancing and evolving into a content strategist. We explore the motivations driving this shift, the hurdles faced at each stage, and Darija's unique perspective on defining and measuring success in her current role. The conversation reveals valuable lessons and tips for those contemplating a similar career transition.Transition to the second topic: As we pivot to our next focus, we touch upon Darija's emphasis on women and mothers in her new business direction. Embracing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship: Darija opens up about the deep impact of motherhood on her life, providing insights into the shifts in her self-identity and work approach. The conversation goes into the intricacies of being a solopreneur, balancing the demands of work with the priorities of motherhood. We explore Darija's altered definition of success and its implications in both corporate and freelance contexts. The discussion also uncovers the positive aspects of integrating motherhood with entrepreneurship and seeks Darija's advice for fellow mothers venturing into their own businesses.Conclusion: In the concluding segment, we extract Darija's important advice for new freelancers and mothers navigating similar journeys. We thank Dariija for her valuable contributions, allowing her a moment for personal promotions. Listeners are encouraged to share their own career transition stories in the comments or DMs. The episode wraps up with a sincere thank you to the audience, inviting them to stay engaged with the podcast.
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