TL;DR
Starting your freelance business can feel like drinking from a fire hose — but it doesn’t have to. In this lesson, Rachel breaks down what really matters when setting up your business legally, financially, and operationally. You’ll get a no-fluff checklist, tool recommendations, and permission to skip the perfectionism.
Watch the replay:
Lesson Recap:
What you need to set up your freelance business:
- Business Structure:
- EIN & Licenses:
- Banking & Bookkeeping:
- Contracts & Invoicing:
- Website & Portfolio:
- Project Management:
- Savings & Retirement:
- Health Insurance:
Decide between sole prop, LLC, or S-corp — with real talk about what actually matters when you're just starting out.
Get your EIN (for free!) and check local rules for licenses. Don't get scammed.
Open a business bank account (Novo + Found are great). Choose a system — spreadsheet, app, or pro.
Set up a way to get paid and protect yourself. Tally.so, PandaDoc, or even a simple Google Doc will work.
Start scrappy with Notion or templates. Don’t sink time or money into perfection right away.
Choose one “source of truth” like Notion or Trello. Keep everything in one place to save your ADHD brain later.
High-yield savings for taxes and emergencies (Rachel uses Wealthfront). Consider a Roth IRA when you’re ready.
Check your state’s marketplace. You have options, and yes — freelancers can get coverage without spending a fortune.
What You Don't Need Yet:
- Fancy branding or a “perfect” website
- A social media presence (unless it fits your niche)
- Expensive tools you might not even use
- To understand everything from day one
Final Pep Talk:
Messy action > perfect delay. You’ll figure it out as you go. Rachel’s got your back with resources, coaching, and community.
Connect with Rachel Online: