Name: Stephanie Inman, 28
Title: Stephanie Inman Graphic Design and Hand Lettering
Location: Boise, Idaho
Years as an Independent Contractor: 2

1. What kind of independent contractor/freelancer are you?
I am a graphic designer. My work consists mainly of creating logos, brochures and point-of-sale and marketing materials. I also do a lot of hand-lettering work and the occasional illustration.

2. What (or who) pushed you to go solo?
I knew I'd want to go out on my own part-time from a home office when my daughter was born. It was an easy decision for me.

3. At what point did you realize that you could actually make a living on your own?
When I could actually pay all of my expenses on my own three months in a row (Whoo-hoo!) and I was doing work for agencies I respected.

4. What's the biggest mistake you've made to date?
I'm sure I will make many, but starting out with no client base at all was a big one. I also thought that all of my time would be billable, like at the company I used to work for. I forgot about all the support that goes with it -- billing, bookkeeping and the time it takes just to show your portfolio and talk on the phone add up fast.

5. Tell us about your most memorable contract.
I have had a huge variety of clients in just the two years I've been on my own. One week I did an organic bread bag and a motorcycle-jumping-contest poster. I love that contrast.

6. What has working solo meant to you personally?
Work seeps into everything because I'm at home and on my own. Going to the grocery store and then dropping off a comp to a client run together. I work a lot at night -- and often until the wee hours.