If you’ve ever typed “how to start freelancing with no experience” into Google, you’re not alone. It’s easy to feel like freelancing is only for people with amazing skills and experience or impressive client lists. But here’s the truth: everyone starts somewhere.

When I was a graphic design student, I knew I wanted more than class projects—I wanted real freelance work. But I didn’t have clients yet. I didn’t have years of experience. What I did have was motivation, a creative skill set, and a willingness to put myself out there.

Fast forward to now: I’ve run my own branding and Squarespace design business for 10 years, working with small businesses across New Jersey and beyond. And I created tools, like my Freelance Proposal Templates, specifically to help creatives like you become a freelancer and land those first clients with confidence.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to go from beginner to having a freelance career, even if you’re starting from scratch.

In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to start an online store without inventory, how platforms like Squarespace and Printful work together, and even share real-life examples from my own design studio and clients. Whether you’re a wellness coach wanting to launch branded merch or an artist looking to sell prints, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap for starting your own store—no stockpile required.

Looking to start a graphic design business? You’re probably standing in the same place I stood in 2016—excited, nervous, and wondering what you’re missing. I left agency life to become a business owner after six years and built my studio as a brand and web designer serving small businesses in New Jersey and all over the United States (with some clients in other countries!). I didn’t have anything figured out. What I had was a desire to start a freelance business, a willingness to learn in public, and a clear vision for the different kind of life I wanted.