Get out. Make friends. Meet people in NJ.

Are you a freelancer? What is your expertise? Where do you work out of?

I'm looking to connect freelancers so that they can more easily refer work to each other, collaborate and ultimately make more money. Just wanted to hear your entrepreneurial story

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin Haughwout on September 5, 2010 at 3:51pm

I have not been freelancer, but I'm interested in giving it a go until I find a full-time opportunity. I'd love to pick your brain on what one needs to make sure he or she knows for such a role.

My areas of expertise are brand marketing and social media.

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Permalink Reply by Nicole on September 7, 2010 at 10:13am

Hi Noelle,

I've been doing a little freelance work here and there. I have a Masters Degree in Communications, so my specialty is public speaking/presentation training, marketing communications, public relations, writing/editing, and a few other things.

I use freelancing as an opportunity to earn some side money in addition to my adjunct work at 2 colleges, since I don't have a full-time job. I enjoy it, but it would be easier to do if I had someone to help me put together a basic website with my info and portfolio pieces.

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Permalink Reply by Drew on September 7, 2010 at 3:58pm

Hi Noelle, great topic!

I'm doing freelance now along with some part-time jobs. I have a B.A. in Communications with a specialty in Print Design. Although my specialty is in print graphics I do dabble and have experience with Multimedia such as: Web Design, 3D Modeling, Package Design, Flash Presentations etc...I'm also taking night classes at Ramapo to stay current with new technologies and Advertising trends.

As for where do I work, well my clients are mostly in Northern Jersey, Bergen County area. As for where I do my work, I have a laptop, so It's really anywhere I feel I can be the most productive that day; coffee shops, bookstores, Panera Bread basically anywhere with a wifi connection.

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Permalink Reply by Keith on September 8, 2010 at 10:06am

I'll help you out and help you get a site with portfolio up and running, if you want. All for the price of a beer at some event haha.

I do some freelance engineering work - circuit design/ electronics prototypes. I am also a small business entrepreneur, so if you guys need help figuring out web presence/ stuff like that I'll help out.

Also, Kevin - who knows I might pick your brain one day.

I'm starting to think there should be some kind of unofficial entrepreneurs/freelancer/self-employed coffeehouse.

Nicole said:

Hi Noelle,
I've been doing a little freelance work here and there. I have a Masters Degree in Communications, so my specialty is public speaking/presentation training, marketing communications, public relations, writing/editing, and a few other things.
I use freelancing as an opportunity to earn some side money in addition to my adjunct work at 2 colleges, since I don't have a full-time job. I enjoy it, but it would be easier to do if I had someone to help me put together a basic website with my info and portfolio pieces.

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Permalink Reply by Noelle Stary on September 8, 2010 at 11:48am

Actually this is a few freelancing/coffee shop/ entrepreneur type places! The concept is co-working and currently there are three locations in New Jersey. This trend has been huge all over the major cities, and is now hitting suburbia and other parts of the world! In the last 6 months the three spaces that opened in New Jersey are....

Converge -- On Kean Campus, in Union
Launchpad Creatives - On Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ
CoWerks - In Asbury Park

Coverge and Launchpad Creatives are offer FREE two weeks passes during the month of September. Feel Free to check it out.

Please note, I am a co-founder at Launchpad. I started this with a friend of mine who had another business because we had the same issues you might be experiencing while working on your own. Both our productivity and sales have been up since working in this space. Def come check out any of the locations.

Keith said:

I'll help you out and help you get a site with portfolio up and running, if you want. All for the price of a beer at some event haha.

I do some freelance engineering work - circuit design/ electronics prototypes. I am also a small business entrepreneur, so if you guys need help figuring out web presence/ stuff like that I'll help out.

Also, Kevin - who knows I might pick your brain one day.

I'm starting to think there should be some kind of unofficial entrepreneurs/freelancer/self-employed coffeehouse.

Nicole said:
Hi Noelle,
I've been doing a little freelance work here and there. I have a Masters Degree in Communications, so my specialty is public speaking/presentation training, marketing communications, public relations, writing/editing, and a few other things.
I use freelancing as an opportunity to earn some side money in addition to my adjunct work at 2 colleges, since I don't have a full-time job. I enjoy it, but it would be easier to do if I had someone to help me put together a basic website with my info and portfolio pieces.

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Permalink Reply by Keith on September 8, 2010 at 11:52am

I've heard of Launchpad and like the idea. You should host an open house there so some of us would be/starting out/currently are entrepreneurs/freelancers can check it out or meet up and discuss stuff.

PS - anyone at launchpad need help with anything technical? Engineering design/web work/IT stuff etc?

Noelle Stary said:

Actually this is a few freelancing/coffee shop/ entrepreneur type places! The concept is co-working and currently there are three locations in New Jersey. This trend has been huge all over the major cities, and is now hitting suburbia and other parts of the world! In the last 6 months the three spaces that opened in New Jersey are....

Converge -- On Kean Campus, in Union
Launchpad Creatives - On Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ
CoWerks - In Asbury Park

Coverge and Launchpad Creatives are offer FREE two weeks passes during the month of September. Feel Free to check it out.

Please note, I am a co-founder at Launchpad. I started this with a friend of mine who had another business because we had the same issues you might be experiencing while working on your own. Both our productivity and sales have been up since working in this space. Def come check out any of the locations.

Keith said:
I'll help you out and help you get a site with portfolio up and running, if you want. All for the price of a beer at some event haha.

I do some freelance engineering work - circuit design/ electronics prototypes. I am also a small business entrepreneur, so if you guys need help figuring out web presence/ stuff like that I'll help out.

Also, Kevin - who knows I might pick your brain one day.

I'm starting to think there should be some kind of unofficial entrepreneurs/freelancer/self-employed coffeehouse.

Nicole said:
Hi Noelle,
I've been doing a little freelance work here and there. I have a Masters Degree in Communications, so my specialty is public speaking/presentation training, marketing communications, public relations, writing/editing, and a few other things.
I use freelancing as an opportunity to earn some side money in addition to my adjunct work at 2 colleges, since I don't have a full-time job. I enjoy it, but it would be easier to do if I had someone to help me put together a basic website with my info and portfolio pieces.

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Permalink Reply by Noelle Stary on September 8, 2010 at 12:08pm

Keith,

Absolutely! Go to our website, www.launchpad-creatives.com, sign up for our meet up group we have 2 meet-ups a months, the next one is actually about iphone apps.

If you like, I'd love to have you stop by.

Keith said:

I've heard of Launchpad and like the idea. You should host an open house there so some of us would be/starting out/currently are entrepreneurs/freelancers can check it out or meet up and discuss stuff.

PS - anyone at launchpad need help with anything technical? Engineering design/web work/IT stuff etc?

Noelle Stary said:
Actually this is a few freelancing/coffee shop/ entrepreneur type places! The concept is co-working and currently there are three locations in New Jersey. This trend has been huge all over the major cities, and is now hitting suburbia and other parts of the world! In the last 6 months the three spaces that opened in New Jersey are....

Converge -- On Kean Campus, in Union
Launchpad Creatives - On Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ
CoWerks - In Asbury Park

Coverge and Launchpad Creatives are offer FREE two weeks passes during the month of September. Feel Free to check it out.

Please note, I am a co-founder at Launchpad. I started this with a friend of mine who had another business because we had the same issues you might be experiencing while working on your own. Both our productivity and sales have been up since working in this space. Def come check out any of the locations.

Keith said:
I'll help you out and help you get a site with portfolio up and running, if you want. All for the price of a beer at some event haha.

I do some freelance engineering work - circuit design/ electronics prototypes. I am also a small business entrepreneur, so if you guys need help figuring out web presence/ stuff like that I'll help out.

Also, Kevin - who knows I might pick your brain one day.

I'm starting to think there should be some kind of unofficial entrepreneurs/freelancer/self-employed coffeehouse.

Nicole said:
Hi Noelle,
I've been doing a little freelance work here and there. I have a Masters Degree in Communications, so my specialty is public speaking/presentation training, marketing communications, public relations, writing/editing, and a few other things.
I use freelancing as an opportunity to earn some side money in addition to my adjunct work at 2 colleges, since I don't have a full-time job. I enjoy it, but it would be easier to do if I had someone to help me put together a basic website with my info and portfolio pieces.

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Permalink Reply by Rohan on September 8, 2010 at 4:12pm

Can you still be a freelancer if you work at a law firm? I do legal work for my partners but I also have my own clients. I've written patent applications and legal opinions for small entrepreneurs and large multinational companies.

I took a look at launch pad. I might be a good idea for lawyers who don't want to use the office supplies and have that overhead hurt your bottomline. 50 bucks a day isnt bad for a semi-private workspace.

I'll have to come check out launch pad.

Rohan

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Permalink Reply by Noelle Stary on September 8, 2010 at 6:25pm

Rohan,

Definitely! We understand that freelancers are not industry specific. I'd love to have you come in and check the place out. When is a good time?

~ Noelle

Rohan said:

Can you still be a freelancer if you work at a law firm? I do legal work for my partners but I also have my own clients. I've written patent applications and legal opinions for small entrepreneurs and large multinational companies.

I took a look at launch pad. I might be a good idea for lawyers who don't want to use the office supplies and have that overhead hurt your bottomline. 50 bucks a day isnt bad for a semi-private workspace.

I'll have to come check out launch pad.

Rohan

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Permalink Reply by Keith on September 8, 2010 at 6:30pm

I would also imagine, Rohan, that being near other entrepreneurs is a good connection for future work for yourself.

Noelle - can you just have an open house session after work on afternoon in the evening so we can explore the space, and maybe sit down and chat about our experiences/ make potential connections?

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Permalink Reply by Noelle Stary on September 8, 2010 at 6:34pm

Let's do an Open House next week. How does Thursday the 16th from 5pm - 7pm work?

~ Noelle

Keith said:

I would also imagine, Rohan, that being near other entrepreneurs is a good connection for future work for yourself.

Noelle - can you just have an open house session after work on afternoon in the evening so we can explore the space, and maybe sit down and chat about our experiences/ make potential connections?

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Permalink Reply by Keith on September 8, 2010 at 6:36pm

Works for me, though I don't think I'll have business cards ready by then - still waiting on logo design hahahaha. Yes, I'm in the early development stages of the launch.

Here's an idea - ever do lightning lectures? We do them sometimes at the hackerspace I help started.