Brodi is the founder and creative boss behind Brodi-Rose Creative Co, a bespoke Graphic Design agency specialising in Brand Design, Custom Canva templates, and illustration. She is passionate about helping women curate the business of their dreams. In this interview, we chat to Brodi about the importance of mindset, community, and how Covid fast-tracked her plans to start her freelance career full time.

To kick things off, tell us a bit about your background and how you ended up working for yourself?

Where do I start!? My corporate background was in local government, training organisations and events. I was working as an Event Planner when I started studying Graphic Design at Shillington Design School and then progressed into being an in-house designer for the event company I was working for (which I loved!) When I graduated, I started freelancing before work, during my lunch break and in every spare minute I could. I've always been very driven, and being able to grow my own business was addictive! Fast forward to COVID times, and unfortunately the events industry was fairly decimated so it fast-tracked my plans of running my own business full time. While it happened due to a world-wide pandemic; I'm grateful I had the foundations of a freelancing business to support myself!

Was there a defining moment when you knew it was time to make the leap and do your own thing?

The moment when I no longer had job security; it forced me take the leap and start working for myself full time.

What was your biggest fear before you started working for yourself?

Funnily enough, I naively thought it would be easy (#LOL) - I knew it was going to be a lot of work and long hours, but I've never been afraid of that. There's so much to running a business that I really didn't know. I think your capacity to learn new skills, figure shit out and upskill just keeps growing which has allowed me to keep going.

What advice would you give to others to help them overcome fear and make the leap to self employment?

Do what you can to have a safety buffer of money incase things don't go to plan in the first few months. Believe in yourself and work on your mindset.

What is the best and worst part of working for yourself?

The best part is having the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. The worst part is being lonely - the best thing you can do is create a community.

Let's talk morning routines, what do you do to set your day up for success?

I'm crazy and start work at 4:30am, followed by a run with my dog at 6:00am. Then I shower, eat and am back online by 7:30am. My creative brain works best in the morning, and usually by 3pm onwards I'm doing admin-ey stuff.

Name three qualities you need to succeed as a freelancer?

Perseverance, Confidence, Adaptability

What habit(s) or tools help you to be your most focused self?

Coworking! Using a timer to do focus sessions (I learnt that trick from the best)

What role has community played in your success as a freelancer?

THE BIGGEST ROLE! It keeps me sane, keeps me accountable and keeps me vibrant.

Do you have any stand out books, podcasts or spaces that are inspiring you in business right now?

I'm loving "Everything is Figuroutable" by Marie Forleo

Finally, tell us a little about your business and where people can find you?

Brodi-Rose Creative Co is a bespoke Graphic Design agency specialising in Brand Design, Custom Canva templates, and illustration. Bro is hell-bent on bridging the gap for small businesses to access beautiful and intentional design through templates, easy to use websites and brands that were made to be used. Bro is a qualified Graphic Designer, Approved Canva Creator and works with brands all over the world.

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View Bro’s profile on Cool Wow Collective here >

Visit www.brodi-rose.com to explore Brodi’s creative offerings.

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