Maher Ayari
Are you a freelance designer who wants to stand out and secure top-tier clients? Let's find out what to do before you do it and become one of the top 1% designers from the rest!
In this episode of Designer Talk, we discussed the challenges and opportunities for freelance designers with Esteban, Founder and CEO of Team&Tonic. Tune in below for the full episode!
We are going to see Esteban's journey to creating Team&Tonic, including how he positioned Team&Tonic as a premium service for high-quality design talent and worked with high-profile tech startups and big brands like Disney, Netflix, and North Face!
Double-sided Challenges: Companies and Freelancers
Starting out with the challenges between companies and freelancers! Well, It is not just about quality or finding the right person. It is more than that.
Challenges for Freelance Designers :
Struggles with client acquisition, payment processing, and administrative tasks.
Difficulty in scaling as an independent freelancer.
Lack of a community or team to provide feedback and support.
Challenges for Companies :
Companies struggle to find and hire top-tier designers. Many platforms, like Upwork, Fiver, and others, offer various freelancers, but they are expensive and of inconsistent quality.
Lack of a structured design process - Without a clear workflow, projects can drag on due to confusion or misalignment.
Designers struggle with feedback and revisions – If a freelancer doesn't properly communicate or iterate quickly, projects get delayed.
Realizing that both startups and designers faced significant challenges, Esteban saw an opportunity to solve them by creating Team&Tonic!
How Does Team&Tonic Solve This Issue?
✅ Curates elite designers who have proven fast and high-quality execution.
✅ Provides structured workflows to ensure projects stay on track with deadlines.
✅ Matches designers with the right startups so that both parties are aligned on expectations.
As of now, Team&Tonic has grown significantly! The company has access to 120,000+ designers worldwide and only accepts the Top 0.8% of Designers, meaning it is known for high-quality design talent.
Tips on Joining the 1% of Designers
1. Specialization Over Generalization
The best freelancers are not generalists—they master a niche. Startups want to hire freelancers who focus on a niche and build deep expertise.
2. Build a Portfolio That Solves Problems
Top freelancers don’t just showcase visuals; they present solutions!
Instead of just showing design work, case studies should include:
The client’s challenge
The design process & strategy
The impact & results
3. Join Exclusive Communities & Networks
The top freelancers don’t rely on freelance marketplaces like Upwork, Fiver, etc. Instead, they join curated networks that match high-end designers with premium clients.
Being part of exclusive communities also gives access to mentorship, feedback, referrals, etc.
4. Adapt to Modern Tools & Follow Emerging Design Trends
There is definitely more demand for designers who combine creativity with AI-assisted workflows!
We believe that Freelancers who stay ahead of design tech (like Webflow, Framer, and AI-enhanced design tools) will dominate the market in the future!
Modern Payment to Grow your Freelance Business
At its core Sorbet is a payment experience that fits the needs of modern digital freelancers. You will also have tools to manage your business from portfolio showcasing to sending invoices.
Here’s how it works:
Send Invoices to Clients Globally
Clients can pay via USD (ACH or Wire) or USDc
For a 0% global fee (during Beta)
Funds get automatically transferred to USDc in Your Sorbet Wallet
Withdraw your USDc to your Wallet
Ready to become a global freelancer?
Take your career further with a borderless wallet to collect money with ease.
🌐 Global Invoicing: Stop chasing payments. Create and send invoices easily.
🔀 Payment Flexibility: Clients pay how they want, in USD (ACH, wire) or USDc.
💰No Fees, No Worries: 0% Freelancer Fees for Full Creative Freedom.
Start collecting money today ➡️ Sign Up!
Step into the future of freelancing with Sorbet, and be part of a community that's shaping the industry.
Shaping the future of freelancing, one gig at a time 🌐
