Thrive: Flourish as a Freelancer

This six-week programme is designed specifically for freelancers to gain knowledge to set yourself up for success.

“Somewhere someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer.” — Louise Hay, Motivational Speaker and Author

This programme will enable freelancers like you to embark on an entrepreneurial journey to discover your values, strengths, creativity, and resilience, whilst also equipping you with all the knowledge and know-how to start your very own freelance business. We will help you to gain confidence, knowledge and form a strong network of like-minded people.

Each week we will explore different elements of freelance business start-up from real life freelancers across a range of industries. We will hear their inspiring stories and the journey they took to get to where they are today.

Each session takes place on a Thursday from 1pm-3.30pm, starting 25 January 2024.

Programme schedule:

Week 1: 25 January – Purpose: Your why, values, mindset, and self-reflection.
Guest speaker: Matt Dowling, Freelance Club

Week 2: 1 February – Goals and resilience: Setting goals, resilience and creating heathy habits.
Guest speaker: Sanj Sandhu, Little & Often

Week 3: 8 February – Customer journey: How to find your customers, networking, customer journey and proposals.
Guest speaker: Bella Culley, Bella Louise Digital and Adam Faulkner, FreelanceAF

Week 4: 15 February – Marketing and branding strategies: Branding yourself and your business.
Guest speaker: Tom Broome, Constellation Marketing

Week 5: 22 February – Finance and Growth: Financial know-how and personal finances.
Guest speaker: Magdalena Mahdy, University of Essex Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Week 6: 29 February – Pitching: Growth and scale, prepare to pitch for funding.
Guest speaker: James Cracknell, University of Essex Entrepreneur-in-Residence

After completion of all six weeks, participants will have the chance to pitch their freelance business ideas to win a share of £1,000 to develop their freelance portfolio.

The pitching event will be held on Thursday 7 March 2024.

You must attend all six weeks of the programme to be eligible to pitch for funding.

Please note: All sessions will be held in person in Studio X on the Colchester Campus.

Please complete the application form to be considered for the programme, without a complete application you will not be eligible to attend the sessions. Spaces are limited to 25 participants, and you will be contacted to inform you of the outcome.