“There’s never a perfect time to be a freelancer. It’s always a leap of faith. Nothing will fully prepare you for the challenges but you can at least prepare your skills and take the first step.”
Glen Chan is a freelance hairstylist who spent nearly ten years working as a professional stylist before deciding to step into freelancing. While he loved his craft, the routine of full-time salon work eventually left him feeling creatively stuck.
“I was a hairstylist for maybe ten years,” Glen shared. “Mid last year, I felt that I needed a little bit more freedom. I was getting quite still in the lifestyle where you just come in, do your things, and then leave. Creativity-wise, it was not the best.”
That sense of stagnation pushed Glen to question how far he could go creatively if he had more control over his work. Once he started freelancing, the pressure of being on his own became a motivator rather than a limitation.
“There’s a certain pressure on you,” he said. “And I feel like I thrive on that. I kept asking myself, how far can I push my artistic creativity for hair?”
Taking the Leap into Freelancing
Glen’s transition from full-time employment to freelancing happened quickly. Within one to two months, he was preparing to move into his new home and setting up a private studio space where he could work independently.
“For the transition from full-time to freelance, it was actually quite fast,” he explained. “It was maybe one or two months of prepping, especially finding the space in my new house to set up whatever I needed.”
Despite the speed of the transition, the emotional weight of the decision was heavy.
“I was definitely scared at first,” Glen admitted. “I was very nervous to take the first steps, especially because it was a new experience. You’re by yourself, and you don’t really know how to take that first step.”
At the same time, Glen had just received the keys to his new home. Everything was happening at once moving in, setting up a studio, and starting a freelance business.
“It was a very fast-paced and hectic time,” he said. “But I’m actually very happy that I took this step.”
Building Confidence Through the Right Foundation
While Glen was confident in his hairstyling skills, one major concern remained: how to market himself as a freelancer.
“If you have all the skills in the world, but you don’t know how to take the first steps, it’s very hard,” he shared.
That was when Glen decided to enrol in a digital marketing course at Equinet Academy. Through the course, he learned the foundations of building and improving his social media presence, from understanding how audiences behave to creating content with intention.
“They gave me the foundations and the basics,” Glen said. “How to start or revamp your social media presence, how to edit, and how to get people more interested in what I do for a living.”
This foundation made a significant difference in how confident he felt moving forward.
“That was basically the foundation,” he explained. “And I felt more secure because of that.”
Applying What He Learned
One of the key takeaways Glen found most impactful was understanding how audiences consume content.
“One of the things I learned is that the first three seconds are very important. “The human brain gets bored very fast now. You need to capture attention in the first three seconds, where people are already intrigued or know the purpose of the video.”
He also learned how to make content visually engaging by varying shots and adding depth.
“It can’t always be very still,” Glen explained. “You need close-up shots, mid-shots, and background shots. That keeps viewers more engaged and makes it less flat.”
These practical insights helped Glen present his work more intentionally and confidently, rather than relying on guesswork.
Growth Beyond Skills
Freelancing came with challenges. There were days when doubt crept in and moments when giving up felt tempting.
“There are some days when I wake up and feel like giving up. “But when you climb a mountain, each day is one step of progress. Sooner or later, you will reach where you want to be.”
Despite the difficulty, Glen found the experience deeply rewarding.
“Even though it was very difficult for me, I had a lot of people who believed in me,” he shared. “You have to believe in yourself enough to pursue this dream.”
Looking back, the growth he experienced surprised even him.
“In this one year of freelancing, the techniques I’ve learned and the drive I have to push myself to be a better person and a better stylist. I never saw growth like this for the longest time. “The fire got sparked back.”
Advice for Those Considering Freelancing
For anyone afraid to take the leap, Glen offers honest advice drawn directly from his own experience.
“There’s no right time to be a freelancer,” he said. “You will never feel that it’s the perfect time.”
Instead, preparation matters.
“The best thing you can do is prep the skills you have, know what you want to do, and understand how you’re going to reach people who need your service. “That’s where taking courses and building a foundation really helps.”
He also shared a message he wishes he had listened to earlier.
“If your life feels mundane and everything feels grey, especially if you work in a job you love, maybe it’s time to add some colour back into your life. “You’ll learn more taking that risk than staying comfortable.”
Final Thoughts
Glen Chan’s journey is a reminder that freelancing isn’t about having everything figured out before you start. It’s about taking a leap, building the right foundation, and trusting yourself enough to move forward, one step at a time.
If Glen’s story resonated with you, Equinet Academy could be the place to start your own journey, explore all courses and programmes.