It’s Time to Go Solo: Why I’m Taking the Leap into Freelancing

Here I am. Finally making the leap to run my own business. After months of back-and-forth decisions, countless late-night discussions with my husband after our daughter was asleep, and crunching the numbers more times than I can count, I knew it was now or never.

And I know I’m not alone. Hundreds of working parents across marketing and many other industries face the daily juggle of career and family. Whether it’s the limitations of childcare, managing kids at home while working, or the constant guilt of not being fully present. I felt it all. Something had to change.

Stepping out on my own is daunting. Saying goodbye to a steady income, navigating tax and BAS statements, and putting myself out there in ways I never have before. t’s all outside my comfort zone. But the ability to work on my own terms, collaborate with a variety of businesses, and reignite a passion I hadn’t felt in years? That’s worth the risk.

Even writing this feels strange. I’m more used to telling other people’s stories than my own.

But if I’m constantly advising clients on the power of storytelling, it’s time to take my own advice.

Introducing Paula Dodd Digital

Your digital marketing resource without the full-time headcount.

Even 20 years after the launch of Facebook, many businesses still struggle to navigate the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. For companies with physical products and brick-and-mortar locations, justifying a dedicated digital marketing role can feel like an uphill battle.

So they turn to agencies- who (no offence to my agency friends!) often promise big, charge big, and hand accounts over to junior managers with little real-world experience. The results? Usually underwhelming.

That’s where I come in.

With over a decade of experience as a brand and digital marketing manager, I know firsthand what it’s like to be in-house. I understand that digital marketing isn’t just about campaign KPIs- it’s about driving real business growth. That perspective is often lost in the agency world.

I want to give businesses that can’t justify a full-time digital marketing hire access to the expertise of an experienced marketing manager- at a flexible, reasonable rate.

I’m incredibly grateful for the strong professional network I’ve built over the past 10+ years. My colleagues know my work ethic, trust my expertise, and are willing to support me in this new chapter. I’m hopeful these relationships will help me hit the ground running.

If we’ve worked together before, or if you or someone you know needs digital marketing support,

I’d love to chat. Let’s make something great happen.