Illustrator Helen Ridley

Helen may have studied fashion illustration. But the idea of a career freelancing in it never occurred to her. So she waved goodbye to creativity and went to work for a decade in retail. It was the 2020 lockdown period that redrew her plans.

Now Helen's a successful live illustrator with brand collaborations, weddings, pet portraits, workshops and a retreat. Having fun being creative and sociable, whilst getting serious about her marketing and what's profitable.

illustratorSteve Folland10 February 2025networking, pivot, career change, email marketing, eventsComment

Photographer Xavier Buendia

Meet Xavier Buendia and his journey from Mexico to England, and more importantly from the world of hospitality as a sommelier to a career as a successful freelance photographer.

10 years of freelancing. A lot has changed. From building a business via Twitter to COVID & Brexit decimating the restaurant industry he’s was shooting for. A lot of food for thought.

photographerSteve Folland27 January 2025networking, pivot, retainer clients, ai, career change, local, seoComment