GrWebDev - Grand Rapids Web Development Group

Panel Discussion on Freelancing

February 27, 2012 · 6:00 PM
The Factory - 4th floor

Freelancing: You wish you could. We'll show you how!

Socializing and Networking
5:45PM - 6:15PM

Drop in before the presentations to pick brains and rub elbows with other members. We'll also have the food set up so you can grab a bite before the main event begins. Please consider donating a few dollars to help cover the cost of food.

Intro
6:15PM ~ 6:20PM

Welcome, sponsor recognition, interesting upcoming events, miscellaneous babbling.

The Main Event
6:15PM ~ 7:45PM

We are going to be discussing the pros and cons of going mercenary with our panelists who have either fired their boss and worked for themselves, or fired their boss and worked for an employer. We are still rounding out the lineup, but it includes:

-A.J. Penninga

-Topher DeRosia

-Ray Brown

-Jason Swett

-Wayne Schaaf

-Frederick Polk

-Todd Stuart

-Paul Kortman

Post-Meeting Activities
Join other members for drinks and discussion at a local watering hole afterwards. If you'd like to suggest a different or additional post-meeting location, please let us know about it.

Join or login to comment.

Ben Rousch

Video of the Freelancing Panel meeting can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...

0 · March 27, 2012
Dan Lin

Difficult to hear some of the panelist. Next time, perhaps use a microphone or at least project your voice.
Loved the meeting. Thanks to those who participated.

0 · February 28, 2012
Glen De Young

Thought Panel was good; maybe a little too large and limited the number of questions that could be asked in the time frame permitted.

0 · February 28, 2012
Chad Warner

It was great to hear firsthand the pros and cons of freelancing. It was nice to hear different, and even opposing, perspectives.

0 · February 28, 2012
Jason Wagner

Just like in so many things in life...there are many correct approaches to freelance. You need to be disciplined and follow what works for you.

0 · February 28, 2012
Jason Johnson

Loved this topic and the panel of speakers did a great job sharing and Ross asked the perfect questions. Great job all around. Thank you!

0 · February 28, 2012
Jonathan Pichot

Great panel discussion. A good diversity of experiences and opinions shared.

0 · February 28, 2012
wayne schaaf

Great questions and dialog.

0 · February 28, 2012
Topher

The panel rocked!

0 · February 28, 2012
AJP

I thought it was pretty good. If anything, too many panelists, but there were no major hiccups.

0 · February 28, 2012
Mel Bugai

I really loved that there were non-design/developer panelists. I wish the questions/topics had been better, deeper. Most the questions and answers were predictable for anyone who's been in the industry for a while.

0 · February 28, 2012
Emily Lynn

Loved the discussion and the topic. Only thing I would suggest is having the panelists/people speaking have microphones? Was hard to hear some of the people, especially for those of us in the back.

0 · February 27, 2012
Jarrod Pyper

I know it's last minute, but if you're looking for more on the panel I would be willing to jump in tonight. I've been freelancing full time for about 5 months now, so I've got a really "fresh" (and therefore maybe a little green) perspective.

0 · February 27, 2012
Frederick Polk

@Ross Yes, I am interested in presenting! Catch me on Twitter: @oneblackcrayon

0 · February 21, 2012
Boyink

I'd be happy to be on the panel as well. This May marks 10 years on my own experiencing everything from standing in line for food to spending year traveling the US by RV with my family.

0 · February 5, 2012
Frederick Polk

I would love to be on this panel. :-)

0 · February 5, 2012
Ross Hunter

Let me know if you are interested in being on the panel. You can also submit your questions to me if you aren't the type to raise your hand at the meeting.

0 · February 5, 2012
Jason Swett

I was at that particular Drupal meetup and I shared some of my experiences. I'd be willing to do the same thing again. (I talked about the differences between going through a vendor and going totally solo, the factors to consider when determining your hourly rate, and some other things.)

0 · March 4, 2011
Ross Hunter

We had a freelancing discussion in the Drupal group a couple months ago. It was good stuff.

0 · March 2, 2011