Is This Cheating?

Is This Cheating?

Author: Millo April 2, 2026 Duration: 23:52
Layla from Bright Horizon Media has built something real — a small social media marketing agency with two part-time team members and real momentum. Now she's facing the question every growing agency owner hits: how much of your client revenue should you give to your sub-contractors? Is it cheating to charge high and pay low? Preston and Christine Olivas dig into the art of agency pricing, the mindset shift around articulating value, and why who you target matters just as much as what you charge. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask This episode has been aired previously. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a common gap between working for yourself and truly building something that lasts, and Freelance to Founder lives in that space. This isn’t just theory; it’s a daily conversation for freelancers who are tired of the unpredictable income and ready to create a real business. Host Preston Lee draws from his own journey from freelancer to someone who has built and sold companies, and he brings that grounded perspective to every episode. Nearly every weekday, Preston is joined by other founders and entrepreneurs who’ve navigated the same path, breaking down the practical steps you can take to scale your solo operation. The call-in format means you’re hearing real questions from people in the trenches, facing the same client issues, pricing dilemmas, and growth plateaus you might be. Listening to this podcast feels like having a direct line to a supportive and experienced mastermind group, one that focuses on actionable strategies over vague inspiration. It’s for the designer, writer, developer, or consultant who’s ready to move beyond the feast-or-famine cycle and lay the foundation for something more substantial and sustainable. The discussions are candid, the advice is tested, and the goal is always clear: helping you transition from a solo practitioner to the founder of a thriving business.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Freelance to Founder
Podcast Episodes
Drowning? Here's the Fix. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:06
Christine Olivas scaled from solo freelancer to leading a 24-person operation—but the path wasn't as simple as just "hire when you're busy." Preston and Christine dig into one of the most misunderstood decisions in freel…
Do Clients Care About 'Expertise'? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:31
CodeCrafter is talented, working hard, and building something real—but a nagging voice keeps whispering that he's not expert enough to charge more, land better clients, or call himself a professional. Preston digs into o…
Subcontracting = Invisible? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:14
Subcontracting can feel like a smart move—until you realize your business is quietly disappearing into someone else's brand. Sound familiar? In this solo episode, Preston digs into a question from Garrett, a 30-year-old…
Big Client, No Team...Do You Say Yes? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:00
Dream client. Huge project. Zero team. Do you say yes and figure it out later—or build the team first and hope they stick around? Preston and Austin break down the classic chicken-and-egg trap every growing freelancer hi…
Can Non-US Freelancers Actually Get US Clients? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:10
Does your zip code actually matter to American clients? Dieter's freelancing from Europe and wondering if the US market is even worth chasing. The answer might surprise you. Preston and Austin break down why being "forei…
Hiring a VA? Here's What Actually Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:41
Think you're ready to hire a VA... but have no idea where to start? You're not alone. Every growing freelancer hits that wall — a million tasks, not enough hours, and zero clue who to trust with the work. In this episode…
Are You Charging Enough to be an Agency? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:59
Still leaving money on the table? Here's the uncomfortable truth: most freelancers underprice themselves—not because they lack skill, but because they're scared of what clients will say. In this episode, Preston and Aust…
When You Just Need More Clients... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:59
Lana runs Homewear Designs and has built a steady stream of home staging clients through real estate agent referrals in New York and the Hamptons. It's working — but she wants to scale up. Is it smarter to double down on…
Proposals = Waste of Time? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:00
Melissa is spending hours on custom proposals—and she knows something is off. The pricing second-guessing, the laborious back-and-forth, the sinking feeling that all those unbillable hours may not even convert. Preston a…
Feeling Major Guilt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:51
Mark has built something real—a growing agency with contractors doing solid work and clients getting results. But success has come with an unexpected side effect: guilt. He’s making money from other people’s labor, and i…