From Zero Reviews to $4K Clients: How Danielle Steman Broke Into Freelance Fashion With Just 8 Pitches

Ever wondered how to stand out on Upwork without a single rating, review, or testimonial? Danielle Steman did just that—and banked $4,000 from her first two freelance clients.

In this episode, you’ll meet Danielle, a former engineer from The Netherlands who left behind a stable tech career to carve out a bold new path in fashion. Specializing in made-to-measure and latex pattern making, she built a niche business from scratch—landing high-paying clients with just eight targeted pitches and zero experience on her profile.

You’ll hear how her technical background gave her an edge, how she uses mobile scanning and CAD to wow clients, and why saying no to non-niche work helped her grow faster. She also shares the mindset shifts that helped her go all-in, and the exact steps she took to start attracting international clients (hint: it’s simpler than you think!).

If you're new to freelancing or have been at it a while, click play now to learn how confidence, clarity, and a super-specific niche can unlock your freelance fashion career.

About Danielle:
Danielle Steman is a freelance patternmaker for liberated brands committed to sustainable practices and inclusivity.

She specializes in designs that fit like a glove, focusing on made-to-measure and latex garments. A fashion tech aficionado, she thrives on technical challenges and is a strong advocate for Made to Measure and Made to Order as the future of fashion. Over the past two years, she has been deeply engaged in exploring the integration of 2D, 3D, and scanning technologies to craft perfectly fitting patterns at the touch of a button.

Connect with Danielle:
Visit her website: https://daniellesteman.nl/
Email her at info@daniellesteman.nl

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Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

No degree, no industry connections, no Illustrator skills—and still crushing it as a fashion freelancer! Tabitha Calvin proves you don’t need the "perfect" background to make it happen. Just a year ago, she was a Spanish teacher with a dream—and now she’s designing streetwear collections for clients, including a former NBA player!

In this episode, we get real about what it’s like to build a freelance fashion career from scratch. From teaching herself Illustrator to landing $2,500 streetwear clients through LinkedIn and Upwork, Tabitha’s story is packed with hustle, discipline, and major mindset shifts. We talk about hitting that first $1,000 month, dealing with tough client feedback, and the confidence it takes to own your worth as a freelance fashion designer. If you’ve ever doubted whether you can break into fashion without a degree, connections, or years of experience, this episode will leave you fired up to chase your freelance dreams.

If you're just getting started or ready to go all in on your freelance fashion career, click play now and see what’s possible when you bet on yourself.

About Tabitha:
Tabitha is a certified Spanish teacher and freelance fashion designer, finally living the dream she’s had since she was 8. After getting into her dream fashion school but unable to afford it, she studied Spanish instead—but fashion never left her heart. She tried the boutique life in college but realized she just wanted to design. Everything changed when she discovered FAST through Heidi’s YouTube channel and went all in. Now, she’s building a steady client base, growing her network of fellow designers, and working toward her ultimate goal: transitioning into full-time freelance fashion design.

Connect with Tabitha:
Email her at tatacalvin@gmail.com

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Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

Curious how a self-taught freelancer with zero fashion experience charged 4x the going rate—and landed the client anyway? Fathima’s story is the bold confidence boost you didn’t know you needed.

This episode follows Fathima Thasneem’s surprising entrance into the freelance fashion world, where a single LinkedIn message turned into a high-paying opportunity. With no degree and no prior design clients, she faced tough questions about her background—and didn’t flinch. Instead, she leaned into her worth, set bold boundaries, and delivered with confidence. You’ll hear how she used LinkedIn to find leads, why she priced higher than anyone expected, and how her honest, strategic approach paid off.

If you’re new to freelancing or have been at it a while, click play now to hear how trusting your instincts and taking risks can lead to your first big client win.

About Fathima:
Fathima Thasneem is a freelance womenswear designer specializing in Young Contemporary fashion, with a passion for fun, playful, and feminine designs. She helps brands create standout collections that blend creativity with wearability, turning ideas into polished, production-ready visuals. Her streamlined approach refines concepts quickly and ensures a smooth transition into production. With precise fashion CADs and thoughtful detailing, she brings clarity to the design process, ensuring every piece aligns with the brand’s vision.

Connect with Fathima:
Email her at ft.thasneem@gmail.com
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Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.