Posts Tagged ‘freelance’

31% of Americans are Freelance, Temp or Self Employed

// October 8th, 2009 // Comments // Uncategorized

When people asked me 10 years ago what I did (freelance developer), most nodded their heads but couldn’t relate. Well it seems that a whole lot more people do now. According to money magazine, 31% of Americans are now freelancing, part time workers or self employed. Personally, I don’t get the difference between the first and third, but that point aside, holy cow that’s a huge shift in our economy and the work life balance.

Freelance Camp Las Vegas on Sept 26

// July 15th, 2009 // Comments // Las Vegas 2009

Freelance Camp Las Vegas 2009 is an organized BarCamp for freelancers and independent contractors. We are proud to host this under the bright lights of fabulous Las Vegas, NV.  You ask: What is a BarCamp? BarCamp is an international network of user generated conferences — open, participatory workshop-events, whose content is provided by participants.  The day consists of sessions proposed by attendees and the schedule is created on site the morning of the event. BarCamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn from each other in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos and interaction from participants.

DONT QUITE GET IT!?

The concept is easy. Show up. Express interests and concerns. Break off into smaller discussion groups and exchange information and knowledge. Don’t know much about personal health insurance? legal issues facing startups? personal branding? Well, the maybe somebody else does! Hang out and find the answers in a RELAXED and FUN environment!
WHAT TO EXPECT AT FREELANCE CAMP:

The day will start at 10am with an hour of socializing over coffee and pastries.  It is really important you arrive by 11am so you can participate in creating the day’s agenda.  At 11am sharp we will give directions on how to propose a topic and then we will create a schedule. We will be harvesting the minds and expertise of all the people in the room to come up with topics pertinent to freelancers. If you’d like to lead a session you’re going to want to speak up with your topic idea at 11am, when the schedule is being created.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING:

  • Your own coffee mug
  • A head full of topic ideas
  • Your laptop (free wi-fi provided.) If you are not so inclined to arrive with electronic note-taking items a simple notebook and pen will do.
  • Lots of business cards.  This is a great networking opportunity. You can get a quick turnaround from Zazzle.com or Moob.com if you are in need of cards.

VENUE

TBA

If you are a Las Vegas freelancer, please join us over at www.meetup.com/lasvegasfreelance where we will keep you up to date on all the upcoming events for freelancers and designers alike!

Santa Cruz 09 Sponsor: Palace Office Supply & Office Interiors

// June 15th, 2009 // Comments // Santa Cruz 2009

Palace started in Monterey in the 1890’s, expanded to Santa Cruz in the ’40s and was purchased by the Trowbridge family in 1949. Palace has grown exponentially acquiring 9 other independent office supply companies throughout the Central Coast.

Today, we are the largest independent dealer of art and office supplies, and office furniture in Santa Cruz and Monterey. We clearly understand that we are the Local Alternative to the Mega Companies and we know that we must try harder, be more creative, add value, offer equal to/or better pricing and out service our competition everyday to continue to earn the privilege of being in business. We have built this family owned company and our reputation on doing exactly as we have promised: giving world-class service locally and truly saving our customers money everyday on both office supplies and office furniture.

Need Furniture or Supplies? Visit Palace Office Supply & Office Interiors

Santa Cruz 09 Sponsor: Small Business Development Center

// June 3rd, 2009 // Comments // Santa Cruz 2009

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located at Cabrillo College, offers numerous resources and tools for business to thrive and survive. Given the current economic climate, the SBDC is a true gem for all the services and guidance they provide in running a successful business. New and existing businesses can leverage the Center’s consulting services to review existing processes, operations and cash flow while planning for the future. For potential business the SBDC offers an array of services from Quickbook assistance, business plan preparations to marketing plan assistance. The SBDC works closely with local lenders and can provide information on targeted loan programs including micro-loans and SBA Loan guarantee programs. In addition, they specialize in Restaurant/hospitality management, Childcare providers, Retail management, and Government contracting. We would like to announce the Small Business Development Center as one of our most generous and proud sponsors.

Visit them at http://www.centralcoastSBDC.org
Or call 831/479-6136

Santa Cruz 09 Sponsor: Cruzio

// April 28th, 2009 // Comments // Santa Cruz 2009

Technology For Your Next 20 Years

Cruzio Internet is the largest and longest running Internet Service Provider in Santa Cruz County. They are the high-speed DSL and Web Hosting leader for local business and home subscribers. Committed to changing and growing to meet their members’ needs, Cruzio now offers in-store computer repair and Joomla, SEO and ecommerce classes. It’s hard to believe that Cruzio first opened their doors when most current UCSC students were just born. As time flies by, their commitment to quality service and supporting local non profit organizations has never wavered.  With over 10,000 members, Cruzio provides excellent Internet services coupled with one of the most flexible and intelligent tech teams out there. 

Visit them at http://www.cruzio.com/
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Santa Cruz 09 Sponsor: Elance

// April 28th, 2009 // Comments // Santa Cruz 2009

Elance is the leading site for online work where businesses connect with independent professionals to get work done.

On Elance, businesses find the experts they need plus the tools to manage online work from hiring to collaboration to making payment.

Elance offers companies flexibility, cost effectiveness and instant access to a vast pool of skilled and tested talent. Professionals use Elance to find work, deliver great results and get paid for doing what they do best.

Visit them at http://www.elance.com/

Santa Cruz 09 Sponsor: NextSpace

// April 28th, 2009 // Comments // Santa Cruz 2009

NextSpace Logo

Come in. Connect. Catalyze. Create.

NextSpace is a coworking and innovation space located in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, CA.  The mission of NextSpace is to catalyze local talent, local ideas, and local capital in Santa Cruz to create products, services, and solutions for the global marketplace. Our members are part of a community of innovators who are passionately committed to building the next generation of the Santa Cruz economy.  Santa Cruz is full of talented freelancers, entrepreneurs, designers, engineers, programmers, consultants, and investors. But what happens when all these people come together in a productive and collaborative work environment?  The result is the NextSpace Effect(TM).

Visit them at http://nextspace.us/


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10 Reasons that Freelance Camp Ruled

// September 1st, 2008 // Comments // Featured

1. I was introduced to a design community that I knew existed but didn’t know how to find.

2. People who are already well established were there simply to share their expertise, hear from other creatives and be a part of our community.

3. I became a better designer, coder and business woman in the course of one day.

4. I realized that I am not alone in some of my concerns and insecurities related to marketing myself.

5. I met and exchanged cards with some of the city’s biggest movers and shakers.

6. I had many opportunities to share my experience and ideas regarding design, e-commerce, sales and marketing, pricing structures, balancing work and family…etc.

7. It was made clear that the city of Santa Cruz is investing in the future of our creative community as a new, growing industry.

8. I was completely inspired and stoked to forge ahead with all my ideas.

9. I was encouraged to set up meetings with people who have shared and mutually beneficial interests.

10. We were given coffee (with soy milk even), breakfast, a nice cafe lunch, a cool T-shirt and treated to an after party with pizza and beer…all for FREE – Thanks to all the sponsors.

I’m looking forward to my next BarCamp and the next Freelance Camp. It was awesome.

More info: http://barcamp.org/Freelance+Camp and http://www.freelancecamp.org

This article was originally written on Cat Johnson’s blog: http://catjohnson.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/10-reasons-that-freelance-camp-ruled/