Caught Between Freelancer and Entrepreneur

Building a Business While Breaking Old Habits

When You’re Stuck in the Middle: Freelancer vs. Entrepreneur

Let me paint a picture: You’re freelancing, searching for the next job, and grinding through client projects. At the same time, you’re dreaming of building a business—something bigger than one-off gigs. You want to focus on your website, brand, and services, but the thought of “I need to find a job” keeps pulling you back.

Sound familiar? That was my reality for a long time. I’d spent years freelancing in localization, translations, and admin support, which naturally involved a lot of time searching for projects. But as I started shifting toward website design, branding, and marketing, I kept falling into the same trap: looking for work instead of focusing on growing my business.

It was frustrating. One minute, I’d feel inspired to work on my website and create templates. The next, I’d find myself scrolling through job boards thinking, Maybe I should just apply for this. And honestly? Sometimes I still do.

Why? Building a business is hard, especially when you’re used to the freelancer mindset of finding jobs instead of creating opportunities.

Freelancer vs. Entrepreneur: A Tale of Two Mindsets

Here’s why this transition is so tricky: freelancing and entrepreneurship require different mindsets.

Category	Freelancer Mindset	Entrepreneur Mindset
Work Approach	“I need to find my next project to pay the bills.”	“I must create systems that attract clients and build a sustainable business.”
Focus	Short-term: Delivering services to meet immediate needs.	Long-term: Building a brand and offering value that draws in clients.
Comfort Zone	Searching for jobs feels familiar and safe—it’s what you’ve always done.	Pitching your services as a business feels daunting, especially when growth isn’t immediate.
Time Spent	Spent chasing job boards, sending applications, and replying to freelance project postings.	Spent marketing your services, optimizing your website, and building relationships to attract the right clients.
Income Source	Comes from individual projects, often on a per-job or hourly basis.	Comes from a mix of active work (e.g., custom projects) and passive streams (e.g., templates, retainers).
Challenges	Risk of getting stuck in a cycle of project-to-project survival.	Risk of self-doubt when growth feels slow or unclear, especially if you still feel like a freelancer deep down.

The Struggle of Falling Back

Even when you’ve decided to grow your business, the pull of freelancing can be hard to resist.

Why?

1. It’s Familiar: You know how to find freelance jobs. It’s a process you’ve done before, and there’s comfort in that predictability.

2. It Feels Immediate: Job boards and freelance gigs offer instant opportunities to earn money while growing a business feels slower and less certain.

3. Self-Doubt Creeps In: When you’re building a business and things get complicated, it’s tempting to think, Maybe I’m not ready for this yet, and go back to what’s familiar.

For me, this tug-of-war was constant. I’d spend hours working on my website or templates, but when client inquiries slowed down, I’d panic and start browsing job listings. It felt like I was stuck in the middle—wanting to grow a business but falling back into old habits.

How I’m Learning to Shift the Focus

Here’s what I’ve learned: Transitioning from freelancer to entrepreneur is not a straight line. It’s a process with setbacks, self-doubt, and plenty of moments where you question if you’re on the right path. But every time I refocus on my business—even if it’s just one small step—I’m reminded that growth takes time.

Steps I’m Taking to Stay Focused on Growth:

1. Stop Chasing Job Boards: Instead of looking for projects, I’m focusing on attracting clients to my services. This includes improving my website, writing blog posts, and showcasing my templates.

2. Build Systems: I’m working on processes (like onboarding templates) to save time and streamline my business.

3. Shift My Mindset: I remind myself that building a business is about the long game, not immediate results. Freelancing is reactive, but entrepreneurship is proactive.

4. Celebrate Progress: Even small wins—like completing a website template or getting an inquiry—are steps in the right direction.

When Falling Back Happens (And Why That’s Okay)

Here’s the truth: Falling back into old habits doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human. Transitioning from freelancing to running a business isn’t about never looking back—it’s about recognizing when you’ve fallen back and finding your way forward again.

Funny Example:

Imagine working on your website business and thinking, This is it! I’m an entrepreneur! Then a quiet week hits, and suddenly you’re Googling “remote jobs near me” at 2 a.m. The panic sets in: Maybe I need to go back to freelancing!

But then you remember: Building a business is about weathering the slow weeks and trusting the process. So you close the job board and return to work on your next client pitch.

Freelancer, Entrepreneur, or Expatpreneur: Embrace the Transition

Wherever you are in your journey, it’s okay to feel like you’re in the middle. You can still wear your freelancer hat while working toward your entrepreneurial goals. And if you’re doing all of this while navigating expat life and raising a family, you’re not just an entrepreneur—you’re an expatpreneur.

The key is to keep moving forward, even if progress feels slow. By focusing on building your business, you move closer to your goals.

What I’d Leave You With

Next time you find yourself scrolling through job boards, ask: Am I searching for work because I need it—or because it feels easier than building my business? Then remind yourself of the bigger picture.

It’s not about how fast you grow—it’s about staying focused on where you’re going. Whether freelancing, building a business, or balancing family life as an expat, you’re creating something bold, step by step.

What about you? Do you ever feel stuck between freelancing and entrepreneurship? Let’s chat in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re navigating the transition!