Portrait of a Freelancer: Jessica Girard
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<p><em>Freelancer Profile - Get to Know Freelancers - Step into the dynamic world of freelancers through poignant portraits.</em> <em>This month, we meet with Jessica Girard, a management consultant.</em></p>
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<h3>1-Tell us About Yourself</h3>
<p>Hi! I am Jessica Girard. I live in a small town between Montreal and Quebec City and am a management consultant. I help self-employed people and entrepreneurs with many things accompanied by a small team with many things. It is mainly with the goal of increasing their profitability, creating a work schedule that satisfies them, innovating and improving their offers, finding the blind spots, and working on the business structure.</p>
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<h3>2-Where Does Your Interest in Management and Finances Come From?</h3>
<p>Not so long ago, I had no great relationship with money. I firmly believed that it was one thing or another. Let me explain. I never thought that I could buy expensive coffees and save money. It was unthinkable. </p>
<p>It is because the only thing I saw on the internet was publications that would make me feel guilty. I needed to prepare my coffee at home and avoid debts at any cost (they were evil!). I found it unfortunate to have this negative view of finances and money in general. When others talked about these topics, I had the habit of leaving because I did not understand anything.</p>
<p>One morning, I decided to learn about it and take my place. Then, I learned how to enjoy finances and see them from another perspective.</p>
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<h3>3-How Did You Become Self-Employed?</h3>
<p>By accident. I can say that I have had this fire since I was a teenager. I was making business plans and would escape in my thoughts until I found the perfect business idea! I thought about every field: construction, beauty and care, catering, clothes, etc.</p>
<p>During my second year at university, I had the opportunity to start a career as a self-employed financial security advisor. To be fully honest, I did not know at that time what it represented to be self-employed. I learned ‘’on the job’’ while being a full-time student.</p>
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<h3> 4-What Is the Most Challenging Part of Self-Employment? </h3>
<p>The need to wear all hats simultaneously. Our heads are so preoccupied with our business that sometimes it is challenging to step up and make the right decisions for the future of our professional activities. </p>
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<h3>5-Which Part of Being Self-Employed Do You Like the Most?</h3>
<p>I work with amazing people, create trustworthy relationships, and see some sparkles in my clients’ eyes. </p>
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<h3>6-Tell Us About Your Work Routine.</h3>
<p>It changes according to the season, but I like to start my morning softly with a warm coffee, listen to music, and start answering my emails and messages. I mostly work using time frames to separate my days.</p>
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<p>I often have meetings with my clients on Mondays and Fridays;</p>
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<p>I enjoy having marketing and creative time frames before noon;</p>
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<p>I work on my clients’ cases generally in the afternoons or evenings.</p>
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<h3>7-What Are the Online Tools You Could Not Live Without?</h3>
<p>I am a huge fan of online tools: Canva, Momenteo, Clockify, Google Agenda, Telegram, Tally, and Flodesk.</p>
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<h3>8-How Did You Learn About Momenteo, and How Long Have You Used It?</h3>
<p>After some research on the internet, I found Momenteo. I have been using it for a few months but have used a premium version since January 2023. I could not work without it.</p>
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<h3>9-What Makes Momenteo Different from Other Accounting Tools?</h3>
<p>Its simplicity. I tried various accounting tools, and no one offered a simple client experience and ease of use. Momenteo is undoubtedly a software with a beautiful interface (a plus); it is simple and has everything I need.</p>
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<h3>10-How Did You Find Your First Customers? </h3>
<p>It is my clients who found me on Instagram! I started to build my personal branding on Instagram in June 2021. Since then, I have been very active on this platform, and it is also where most of my clients discovered me. </p>
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<h3>11-What Are Your Tips for Someone Who Would Like to Get Into Freelance?</h3>
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<p>You can save money and try to calculate everything to reassure yourself, but you will never be prepared enough. Just leap!</p>
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<p>Someone once told me that I had some safety nets. It is what helped me to jump. </p>
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<p>The book Le facteur latté changed my perspective completely. I recommend it.</p>
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<h3>12-What Are Your Tips for Someone Who Would Like to Hire a consultant?</h3>
<p>Working with a consultant lets someone enter the heart of your business, at the heart of the challenges and successes. </p>
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<p>The first step is to know what you want to improve.</p>
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<p>Ask questions to the consultant to understand their services well and see how they can meet your needs.</p>
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<p>Read testimonials from other clients.</p>
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<h3>13-Why Are You Proud of Being a Freelancer?</h3>
<p>I am working with exceptional people (collaborators, clients, etc.) and creating trusting relationships with them. It makes me really proud to know that I help others and that my work has a real impact.</p>
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<h3>14-Do You Have any Big Plans for 2023?</h3>
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<p>I am transitioning from being a financial security advisor to a management consultant. I am then targeting to develop a personal brand on this new identity. </p>
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<p>A new service offer is coming in collaboration with another entrepreneur by the end of April. </p>
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<p>I am considering being active on another platform. I will think about it during the year.</p>
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<h3>15-How Can We Contact You?</h3>
<p>I am active on Instagram: @iamjessicagirard </p>
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