Yes, you can build a freelance business without quitting your 9–5.
I can’t wait to share Liz Denny’s story with you! Liz is a Live Free Academy alum who has been building her freelance business on the side while still working a demanding corporate job. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s actually possible to get started without quitting your 9–5 first, Liz is living proof that you can.
Her journey shows that freelancing is possible even in the busiest seasons of life—working full time, raising a toddler, and still chasing big dreams. The truth? It is possible. And Liz’s story is the perfect reminder of that.
Liz’s Story: From Corporate America to Freelancing on the Side
For the past 15 years, Liz has worked in digital marketing in the healthcare industry. While she values her career, the demands of corporate life made it hard to carve out time for what matters most—her son.
She wanted more flexibility, so in March of last year, Liz joined the Live Free Academy. Armed with the strategies from the course, she started simply by reaching out to her own network. Her massage therapist and aesthetician became her first clients.
At first, Liz traded services to prove her value. Within a couple of months, both businesses signed 12-month contracts—and she was officially in business.
Growing Through Relationships and Results
Fast forward to today: Liz works with five retainer clients, all in the health and wellness space, including massage therapists, an aesthetician, nutritionists, and a yoga teacher.
Her success hasn’t come from cold pitching—it’s come from building relationships in her own circle and delivering results her clients can see.
Some of the ways Liz helps her clients include:
SEO & Local Marketing – helping brick-and-mortar businesses like massage therapy and aesthetics attract new customers.
Email & SMS Marketing – nurturing long-time clients with consistent communication.
Funnels & Lead Magnets – building systems for nutritionists to attract new clients online.
Live Launch Support – guiding clients through launches that have generated $10,000+ in sales.
Because she focuses on results, her clients happily sign year-long contracts—giving her stable, predictable income.
Balancing Freelancing and a Full-Time Job
You might be wondering: how does she do all this on top of her corporate job?
Liz has built her success around routine and structure. She works on freelance client projects from 7–9 AM three days a week before her corporate job. She batches work and plans newsletters and content months in advance so nothing falls through the cracks. She prioritizes self-care with yoga and therapy to help prevent burnout.
And while she admits there are hard days, her motivation is clear: creating a life with more freedom, flexibility, and financial security for her family.
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Big Dreams Ahead
What’s next for Liz? She’s launching her own digital marketing agency—BirdDog Marketing.
Her vision is to build a small team of specialists (copywriters, graphic designers, ad experts) so she can take on larger projects and serve more clients without burning out. By 2026, her goal is to have 20 full-time clients, a thriving agency, and the freedom to leave corporate America for good.
As Liz says: “Don’t live with what could have been. Just do it. You don’t have to have 20 clients right away—just get started.”
Lessons From Liz’s Journey
Liz’s story is packed with lessons for anyone dreaming of freelancing:
Start with your network. Your first clients might be closer than you think.
Trade services if needed. Prove your value, then confidently move to paid contracts.
Focus on results. Happy clients who see growth will stick with you long term.
Be intentional with your time. Even a few hours a week, consistently, can add up to big wins.
Know your why. Whether it’s more family time, financial freedom, or both, your “why” will keep you going.
It’s okay to say no. Not every client will be a good fit, and that’s okay. Protect your time and energy.
Liz’s journey is proof that you don’t need to quit your job tomorrow to start freelancing. You can begin small with the people you already know, and grow from there.
The Live Free Academy
If you have read Liz’s story and feel inspired to learn more about freelancing and how it can help you make a flexible, stable income from home. Please reach out, and ask me any questions about getting started or what it could look like for you to become a freelancer!
Send me a message on Instagram @micala.quinn, I’m happy to chat through that with you!
As always, if you want to become a freelancer and are ready to get started, the most hands-on way I can help you is through my program, The Live Free Academy!
LFA will walk you through the exact steps to build your business and land clients. There are templates and tools to help you implement every step of the process. Plus, it comes with my trifecta of support–weekly coaching calls with me, monthly challenges to help you land clients, and the student community to connect with and build relationships with other women building their businesses!
There are job leads and skills training in the top freelance services businesses are hiring for as well. Sign up for The Live Free Academy course here!
