From Burnout to Balance: Pacing Your Business as a Neurodivergent Freelancer with Celie Nigoumi

Photographer and creative facilitator Celie Nigoumi shares her journey from severe burnout and chronic health challenges after university to building a thriving freelance business that works for her in a way normal employment and fluorescent offices never could.  Celie talks about navigating neurodivergence, merging multiple niches into a single authentic personal brand, and using boundary-setting tools like quarterly planning and bi-weekly 'buffer' days to safeguard her well-being.  We also get deep into pricing/packages her freelance business, and her About page messaging that spills across her website steeped in her core values - this helps her attract ideal clients while turning away the wrong fit. Topics Covered include: Transitioning from in-house corporate photography to full-time freelancing Managing ADHD, chronic fatigue/ME, and burnout in a self-employed career Merging wedding and personal branding photography into one personal brand Using Instagram, story-led email newsletters, and SEO to generate client leads Establishing clear core values on your website to attract the right clients Hosting community photo walks and collaborating with purpose-led organisations Structuring personal branding packages and conducting discovery calls Using support tools like Toggl and the UK Government's Access to Work scheme Implementing bi-weekly buffer days, quarterly planning, and extended time off How a mentor and community have helped focus her and encourage her forward You can find Celie's website at celienigoumi.com More details on the UK Government's Access to Work scheme: get support if you have a disability or health condition. JOIN THE COMMUNITY You're not alone being freelance. Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends). beingfreelance.com/community   NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU! The Being Freelance course is made for you! Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.   FREELANCER MERCH Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on: Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.