
From Freelancer To Studio - The Power Of Positioning
From Being Freelance by Steve Folland
February 8, 2026 · 56 min · Episode 352
About this episode
Laura Viola Maccarone discusses her journey from freelancer to studio owner, emphasizing the importance of niching and relationship-led networking.
After starting freelance out of necessity when childcare costs in Manhattan outweighed rent, Laura Viola Maccarone has spent nearly two decades building a design career on her own terms. In this episode, Laura shares how a brutal freelance interview became the catalyst for creating Rizbee Studio, how niching transformed her business, and why relationship-led networking - not selling - has driven consistent growth.
People in this episode
Host: Steve Folland
Guest: Laura Viola Maccarone
Topics covered
- freelancing
- design career
- niching
- networking
- business growth
Keywords
- freelance
- design
- Rizbee Studio
- networking
- business growth
- niching
- interview
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Rizbee Studio
Places: Manhattan
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- Chase Those Late Payments - Graphic Designer Laura Whitehouse · March 8, 2026 · 55 min
- How to Find Your Freelancing Niche · March 1, 2026 · 19 min
- When Freelancing Goes Quiet: Getting Proactive with Mark Grainger · February 22, 2026 · 40 min
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