Abbey, this is a topic I’ve struggled with for years, and I even wrote a piece about my take on it. I’ve been a freelance designer for a long time, and have never found an acceptable way to scale that didn’t compromise what I love about my business right now. Growth always leads to less hands-on work and more people-managing. Or less flexibility in return for the potential for future profits. I’ve never been willing to make those trade-offs. I may never do it.

Freelancers often fall into the trap of wanting to become entrepreneurs without realising that their work will drastically change once they make that leap. I’ve come to terms with the fact that being an excellent freelancer is enough. Not everyone needs to grow a business beyond themselves. And if they do, they need to understand what they’re giving up to get there.