Shift your Freelancing Into High Gear
with the business skills they don't teach you in design school. Develop the mindset and conquer the mechanics of building and growing a thriving freelance business from your creative work.
Design school helped you create an amazing portfolio. But it didn't teach you how to create a thriving business from your creative work.
Things you don’t learn in design school but you need to know if you want to build a thriving business from your creative work:
- How to set your prices
- How to attract the clients you're best suited to serve
- How to manage projects and clients
- How to write contracts and proposals
- Where to find good clients
- How to budget on a fluctuating income
- How to market your skills and services
- How to set up business systems, manage your tax obligations, and generate profit
Freelance Road Trip is the most practical, complete business training for creative freelancers and creativepreneurs available anywhere.
My goal is to transform the landscape for independent creatives by helping them become more confident and profitable through strategies and systems that make their freelance road smoother. The Business School is for you if:
You’re new to freelancing and want to build a business that can sustain you for the long haul
You’re an experienced freelancer who’s stalling out and struggling to move forward
You’re a frustrated creative who wants to attract their ideal clients
You’ve been working for someone else and want to start freelancing to build something for yourself.
Freelance Road Trip is specifically designed to jump start your independent creative career.
If you’re feeling a tug that you’re not doing the work you were called to do, if you’re really an entrepreneur at heart, you’re not stuck where you are. You can get unstuck and accelerate into what you are really meant to do as a creative.
Freelance Road Trip is specifically designed for creatives.
For designers, illustrators, photographers, and writers, building a business is often the most creatively challenging thing they can do. But most creatives don’t naturally succeed in the business. They focus on being creative, and end up with frustrating clients relationships, leave money on the table, and simply struggle to survive.
I created Freelance Road Trip because I saw too many of my fellow freelancers frustrated, ready to give up, and considering a return to a soul-crushing day job.
Avoid common freelance problems like these:
ENROLLMENT OPENS IN JANUARY 2027
"Freelance Road Trip has taken away my fear and confusion."
“The Freelance Road Trip training Alvalyn has created is absolutely outstanding. It has provided me with a wealth of knowledge essential in running my design business as an independent creative. She has created a virtual classroom combining videos, worksheets and a member forum. This training has taken away my fear and confusion on the business end and has been a true road map for me, one that I will be using throughout my career. I highly recommend Alvalyn’s Freelance Road Trip program to anyone wanting to become an independent creative…or is one but needs assistance as I did. Thank you so much Alvalyn!” — Nadja F., North Carolina
GET PRACTICAL BUSINESS STREET SMARTS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR CREATIVES
Freelancing allows you to invest time and talent into what matters most to you. As an independent you have control over your time, where and when you work, who you work with, and the types of projects you take on. It allows you to do significant work and generate full time income without full time effort.
- Attract your best clients
- Price your work and products for profit
- Write contracts, proposals, and estimates
- Promote and market your services
- Structure your business
- Manage projects, and client relationships
- Manage money, taxes and reporting responsibilities
THE BUSINESS SCHOOL CORE SERIES
WHAT YOU'LL Learn
Twelve core lessons equip you in the mechanics of setting up your business the right way, the mindset of purpose and mission, and the necessary marketing and messaging to position, differentiate, and find the right clients, all for long-term success.
CORE SERIES MODULE 1
Create Your Independence
5 VIDEO LESSONS WITH WORKSHEETS
Starting with your motivations and goals, you are guided through the steps to build your business foundation. Upon completion of Module 1, you will have done the basics of setting up your business, if you do all the work. It’s not a business until you treat it like a business.
LESSON 1.1 Find Your Focus
LESSON 1.2 Know Your Why
LESSON 1.3 Set Up Your Business
LESSON 1.4 Establish Your Values
LESSON 1.5 Make Your Plan
CORE SERIES MODULE 2
Value Your Work
5 VIDEO LESSONS WITH WORKSHEETS
Many of the potholes a freelancer can stumble into can be avoided by having the right information and a plan of action. Upon completion of Module 2 you will have established your pricing structure, created a contract template and explored copyright basics.
LESSON 2.1 Name Your Price
LESSON 2.2 Working Relationships
LESSON 2.3 Know Your Rights
LESSON 2.4 Get It In Writing
LESSON 2.5 Coming To Terms
CORE SERIES MODULE 3
Attract Great Clients
2 VIDEO LESSONS
Marketing and branding are necessary to running a business. Create strategies for your web site, promotions and social media. Upon completion you will have started your prospect list, planned your website, and have a plan in place to promote your work.
LESSON 3.1 Branding Basics
LESSON 3.2 Becoming A Marketer
TOPICAL TRAININGS
JUMP START SERIES
JUMP-START COURSE:
Managing Creative Projects
JUMP-START COURSE:
Crafting Project Proposals
JUMP-START COURSE:
Your Marketing-Smart Website
JUMP-START COURSE:
Crafting Meaningful Goals
JUMP-START COURSE:
Project Management Through Creative Briefs
JUMP-START COURSE:
Bookkeeping and Budgeting Basics for Freelancers
"Freelance Road Trip is a game-changer."
“Alvalyn’s courses helped immensely in developing a solid business structure for my creative work. Creativity generally comes easily, but taking the time to really think out and plan how to freelance effectively just does not seem to get focused on enough. Alvalyn’s expertise and knowledge of this area really showcased for me how to do this well.” — Kate Hauber, Pasadena, CA
WHY ENROLL?
Freelancing By Design is an online education series structured in a cohort model.
What YOu'll DO INSIDE FREELANCE ROAD TRIP BUSINESS SCHOOL
- Discover your WHY
- Discover your vision and mission
- Write a business plan
- Set up your business legally and avoid misclassification
- Price your creative services
- Create a spending plan
- Create a marketing plan
- Manage your time effectively so you can work on the essential things
- Use your copyright to protect your work
- Write a contract and related docs specifically for how you work
- Create project proposal templates
- Onboard clients and streamline your workflow
- Create a marketing-smart online portfolio
- Identify, attract and manage your ideal clients
What's under the hood in Freelance Road Trip ?
Freelance Road Trip is a complete business road road map that guides you through the process of launching or tuning up your business to thrive and prosper from your creative work. Your enrollment includes:
The core lesson series consists of 12 core lessons you can complete in just 12 weeks that cover purpose, mission, business structure, legal and tax aspects, copyright, contracts, marketing, account management, planning, pricing, and getting paid.
At the end of the 12 weeks, if you do the work, you’ll have everything in place to launch your business, or you’ll have tuned-up your business to run smoothly.
Topical Jump Start trainings dive deeper into specific topics to help you craft systems and design strategies for ongoing success.
Each lesson includes worksheets and actions you can implement right away.
If you choose the Premium enrollment option, you also get twelve monthly group mentoring sessions to build a peer community, apply what you’re learning, and provide solutions to specific problems. Share ideas. Ask questions. Get answers. Encourage and be encouraged.
Both Regular and Premium level participants are invited to join the Freelance Road Trip Discord community.
Whether you’re looking to jump into full-time freelancing or pursue part-time options, Freelance Road Trip Business School is the foundation for your success.
My mission is simple… To help you thrive as an independent creative.
I’m a freelancer just like you, and I teach from more than 40 years of experience.
I’ve dealt with the very same common problems freelancers deal with: non-payment, scope creep, the proverbial feast-or-famine cycle…
I figured out I needed more than just creative skills to thrive. I needed business skills. But they don’t teach those in design school. There’s a skill gap — and a mindset gap — between building a creative portfolio and building a creative business.
That’s why I created Freelance Road Trip — to help my fellow freelance creatives shift gears, master the art and craft of business so they can thrive in a career and lifestyle they love.
I’m actively engaged in my own creative business, so you can be sure I’m not teaching you empty theories. I know what I’m talking about. I’ve pulled together everything I know into a one-of-a-kind, proven road map to help you fine-tune your freelance career, make a living creating meaningful work, serve your clients well, and fulfill your life mission.
What's under the hood in Freelance Road Trip Business School
Courses
Starting with your driving motivators, unique approach, and specific goals, you’re guided through the steps to build or shore up your business. Topics are comprehensive so that you build the sure foundation to grow and thrive, attract your best clients, and profit from your creative work.
- Core Courses
- Jump Start Trainings
- Tools, templates, and worksheets
- Full year access
Mentoring
Encouragement and advice from a veteran freelance creative.
- 12 monthly group roundtable sessions
- Opportunity for hotseat focus
- Opportunity for podcast feature
- Opportunity for video feature
Online Community
Join for the training, stay for the community. Freelancing doesn’t need to be isolating. Here you are part of a supportive, online community of like-minded people. Connect, share advice, get questions answered, and stay focused and motivated through mutual encouragement.
- Cohort Exclusives
- Pit Stop Replays
- Get to know your fellow freelancers
"Incredibly valuable."
“Alvalyn presents material that is detailed and thorough and engages her students to explore the topics deeply and with purpose. I have found it incredibly valuable to learn the ins and outs of being a creativepreneur from her as she has the first-hand experience and perspective of being a creativepreneur herself. I’ve gained a mindset shift that gives me the understanding and confidence to be a successful business owner. I look forward to learning more through her podcast, blog and other materials, and I passionately recommend her to fellow creatives.”
— Rima B., Thousand Oaks, CA
QUESTIONS?
Freelance Road Trip is the most practical, complete business training available for freelance creatives.
Unlike other programs, we don’t focus on one or two aspects of your freelance business. We cover the totality of setting you up for business success, protecting your work and marketing your creative brand.
We cover the four main areas where freelancers hit roadblocks and potholes in earning income from their creative work: clients, money, systems, and marketing.
That’s great! Just start with Core Training 1.1 and follow in sequence from there.
Absolutely, you’re in the right place. Many success stories are from people whose businesses were already generating income, but they needed help getting to the next level.
Freelance Road Trip teaches you how to craft a successful business, but we cannot guarantee you will be successful, earn a certain level of income, or work with the best clients.
We make no claim about income or guarantee success. What you do with the information and tools we provide is up to you.
The cohort cycle is 12 months, January — December. Trainings and coaching sessions are scheduled every month. The course catalog is available on demand.
You decide how much time you’ll spend working on your freelance business. If could be 2–3 hours per week, or 10–12 hours per week — your choice.
The idea is to build your business as you go or fix the things that aren’t working well.
You can take a test drive by checking out the content on our YouTube channel.
Live coaching and trainings take place on Thursdays at 4:00pm Pacific Time and are available only to enrolled participants.
Do you have other questions? ASK ALVALYN
You get access to the online video library at Freelance Road Trip for as long as you maintain your membership.
You can download all of the worksheets and resources that go along with each lesson.
You cannot download the video trainings.
No. Freelance Road Trip is designed specifically for creatives: designers, artists, illustrators, photographers, and writers.
Freelancers from related fields including interior architecture and fashion design have benefitted from the program.
The concepts and principles apply across many sectors and professions.
Because you get immediate access to the lessons and coursework upon enrollment, we offer a refund conditioned upon the effort you made with the coursework. You must demonstrate that you have attempted to implement the trainings and provide evidence that they didn’t work. Read the policy here.
Yes. You can purchase a single coaching session or a multi-session coaching package without enrolling in Business School.
When you enroll in the cohort and complete the 12 months, you will have access for life to the catalog of existing and new courses and the mastermind sessions.
If you don’t complete the 12 months your access expires at the end of the 12 months and you will have to re-enroll to regain access.
In the case of a refund you will lose all access to the business school and the online community.
Since it’s your choice, you are able to learn as you wish to. There are no “shoulds.”
You can spend hours figuring out what you need to build a thriving freelance business. And you can learn through your own experiences.
What Freelancing By Design offers is a proven fast track for knowing what to do, for anticipating problems, and for launching your business or fixing those pesky problems that are holding you back.
If you’re not sure about joining the business school, don’t enroll until you are sure.
Because Premium level is a cohort that enrolls only in January, you won’t be able to upgrade. You can join a cohort in January.
ENROLL TODAY
CORE SERIES
Established in 2014 by Alvalyn Lundgren, a practicing creative professional, Freelance Road Trip covers the totality of building an independent creative business. The strategies and systems you’ll learn through the Business School have been tested and fine-tuned over 30 years of successful freelancing in the creative marketplace.
The Freelance Road Trip Business School has enabled hundreds of your fellow freelancers to launch and run successful, profitable creative businesses. Prepare to launch, pivot, or streamline your existing business.
CORE SERIES MODULE 1
Create Your Independence
5 VIDEO LESSONS WITH WORKSHEETS
Starting with your motivations and goals, you are guided through the steps to build your business foundation. Upon completion of Module 1, you will have done the basics of setting up your business, if you do all the work. It’s not a business until you treat it like a business.
CORE SERIES MODULE 2
Value Your Work
5 VIDEO LESSONS WITH WORKSHEETS
Many of the potholes a freelancer can stumble into can be avoided by having the right information and a plan of action. Upon completion of Module 2 you will have established your pricing structure, created contract templates addressing the specific concerns of creative work, and explored copyright protection and registration.
CORE SERIES MODULE 3
Attract Great Clients
2 VIDEO LESSONS
Marketing and branding are necessary to building a business. The right strategies attract your best clients. You’ll create strategies for your web site, promotions and social media. Upon completion you will have started your prospect list, planned your website, and have a plan in place to promote your work.
THE JUMP START SERIES
TOPICAL TRAININGS
JUMP-START COURSE:
Managing Creative Projects
JUMP-START COURSE:
Crafting Project Proposals
JUMP-START COURSE:
Your Marketing-Smart Website
JUMP-START COURSE:
Crafting Meaningful Goals