How to Build a Freelance Business by Thinking Differently (Not Following the Rules)

What Can You Actually Control in Your Business?

What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't the economy, the competition, or the clients you're trying to attract—but the things you're not doing?

In this episode of The Freelance Insider Show, I’m joined by Major Hillard, entrepreneur and real estate investor, to talk about building a business, developing systems, playing to your strengths, and focusing on what you can actually control.

Major shares how he got started while working three jobs with just $1,500, and how a book called "Deals on Wheels" by Lonnie Scruggs introduced him to mobile home investing.

We also get into the lessons he's learned along the way and why building systems and learning to delegate are essential if you want to grow beyond simply creating another job for yourself.

Whether you're a freelancer, solopreneur, or small business owner, there are some valuable lessons here about taking responsibility, making better decisions, and building a business that can grow without depending entirely on you.

In this episode, we discuss:

✅ Starting with very little: How Major began his entrepreneurial journey while working three jobs and starting with approximately $1,500.

✅ Finding opportunities in unexpected places: The book "Deals on Wheels" and how it introduced him to mobile home investing.

✅ Taking responsibility: Why blaming the economy, competition, algorithms, or clients doesn't move your business forward.

✅ Focusing on what you control: Putting your attention and energy into the things you can actually influence.

✅ Playing to your strengths: Understanding what you're good at, recognizing your weaknesses, and bringing in help where you need it.

✅ Building systems early: Why documenting your processes makes it easier to delegate and train others.

✅ Delegation and growth: How to stop doing everything yourself and create room to focus on the work that matters most.

✅ Building a business, not just a job: Why freelancers need to think beyond simply trading their time for money.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Entrepreneurship, Real Estate, and Freelancing

00:10 Starting With $1,500 While Working Three Jobs

01:36 The Book That Changed Major's Life

02:12 Buying His First Mobile Home Park

04:00 Negotiating Deals and Finding Opportunities

06:00 Building a Real Estate Business From the Ground Up

08:00 Learning Through Experience and Overcoming Challenges

09:00 Why Major Wanted to Share Practical Business Knowledge

11:00 Networking, Collaboration, and Building Relationships

13:00 Turning Knowledge Into Business Opportunities

15:00 Why Entrepreneurs Need to Play to Their Strengths

17:00 Focusing on What You Can Actually Control

19:00 Building Systems and Processes Early

21:00 Why Freelancers Should Think Beyond Selling Their Time

23:00 Delegating and Outsourcing to Grow

25:00 Creating a Business That Doesn't Depend on You

27:00 Avoiding Common Entrepreneurial Mistakes

29:00 Building Confidence Through Experience

31:00 Getting Help and Guidance When Starting Out

33:00 Developing Systems That Can Be Repeated

35:00 Scaling Your Business Without Losing Control

37:00 The Difference Between Building a Job and Building a Business

39:00 Making Your Business More Efficient

41:00 Turning Expertise Into Content and Opportunities

43:00 Why Being Seen and Heard Matters

44:00 Clarifying Your Offer and Serving Your Audience

46:00 Focusing on the Client Instead of Yourself

48:00 Building Trust and Making It Easier to Hire You

50:00 Final Lessons on Growth, Systems, and Entrepreneurship

Resources Mentioned

Deals on Wheels by Lonnie Scruggs

Connect with Major Hillard

Website: https://mhestates.com

Connect with The Freelance Insider Show

Website: https://remoteofficeworld.com

Listen to more episodes: https://remoteofficeworld.com/the-freelance-insider-show/

Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/allan-calder-59066391

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to The Freelance Insider Show for practical conversations about freelancing, finding clients, AI, productivity, and building a sustainable freelance business.