Should You Take Less Money Just to Stay Busy?

Should You Take Less Money Just to Stay Busy?

Author: Millo June 22, 2026 Duration: 20:39
Jasmine Lee is weighing a decision that trips up nearly every freelancer at some point: a potential client wants to pay less than her rate, and there's a gap in her income that makes the offer tempting. She wants to know if filling that gap with a low-paying client is ever a smart move—or if it always comes back to bite her. Preston and business strategist Chanda Costin dig into the pricing psychology behind the question, when holding the line is non-negotiable, and the specific situations where a little flexibility might actually make sense. Links: Support our show sponsors -> ⁠⁠https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors⁠⁠ Submit your own question -> ⁠⁠https://freelancetofounder.com/ask⁠ Attend The "10X Your Freelancing" Summit -> ⁠⁠https://10XFreelance.com⁠⁠ (FREE) 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: 50

Freelance to Founder
Podcast Episodes
You Hired. But Now You Just Fix Their Errors All Day. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:34
Lucia has hired her first subcontractors—a milestone worth celebrating. But now she's spending more time correcting their work than she is on her own, and she's starting to wonder if the whole thing is worth it. Preston…
This Kind of Project Changes Everything [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:54
Nia has been freelancing solo for years and just landed the kind of project that changes everything—her first big team project. She's excited, but the reality is setting in fast: she can't do this one alone. Preston and…
Are You "So Over" Sales as a Freelancer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:31
Noah loves his work — but the moment it comes to promoting it, something freezes up. He knows he needs to market himself, yet every attempt feels either pushy or performative. Preston and George Azar, CPA and founder of…
Accountant For Freelancers Issues this Warning... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:03
A freelancer scrolling through TikTok sees the same ad for the hundredth time: "Convert to an S-Corp and save $10,000 in taxes—easy!" Preston has seen it too. So has CPA George Azar, who has spent years cleaning up the m…
It's Time for You to Ditch This [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:27
Alicia Martinez is running a freelance business and tracking every dollar in a spreadsheet. It's working — for now. But she's wondering if it's time to graduate to real bookkeeping software, or skip straight to hiring a…
When Your Income is a Roller Coaster, Try This. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:32
Tanya has been freelancing full-time for a year, but her income swings wildly from month to month—and she has no idea how to build a budget around a paycheck that never looks the same twice. Preston and George Azar, CPA…
The Secret to Handling Needy Clients [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:13
Sophia has a client who won't stop asking for small favors after the project wrapped. The work is done, the deliverable was handed off—and yet the requests keep trickling in. Preston and Chanda Coston break down how to s…
Will Switching to Flat-Rate Cost You? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:31
Marcus Thompson is a copywriter ready to ditch hourly billing—but he's worried that switching to flat-rate pricing means leaving money on the table. Preston and Chanda Costin walk through exactly how to make the move: fr…
Do This with Late-Paying Clients [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:55
Priya has a client she genuinely enjoys working with—the work is solid, the money is good, and the relationship is smooth. The problem? They never pay on time. Not occasionally late. Chronically, reliably, always late. A…