The Early Days: A Designer with Big Dreams (and Big Struggles)

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Freelancing often begins with a spark. For Ran Segall, it was the dream of doing creative work on his own terms. After working in-house for agencies and startups, Ran decided it was time to step out on his own. The freedom was exciting—he could choose his projects, work from anywhere, and set his own schedule.

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But reality hit quickly.

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While Ran was passionate about design, passion alone didn’t pay the bills. Clients didn’t show up magically, and there was no blueprint to follow. Some months, he’d land a couple of solid projects. Other months? Crickets. The unpredictability was draining.

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And then there was pricing. Ran started with hourly rates, like most freelancers do. It felt safe—after all, if he worked 10 hours, he’d get paid for 10 hours. But something didn’t feel right. He’d pour his creativity, energy, and skills into projects, but the numbers didn’t add up. Was his work really worth just the hours he put in?

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Ran began asking himself questions every freelancer knows all too well:

• Where do I find clients who value my work?
• How do I stop feeling like I’m undercharging for my skills?
• Can I actually make this sustainable?

It’s a tricky place to be—talented but unsure how to turn that talent into something reliable. But instead of giving up, Ran decided to take a leap of faith. He’d try something different.

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The Shift: Start Sharing Your Process

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Freelancers often believe their work has to be perfect before sharing it. Not Ran.

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Instead of waiting for perfection, he started sharing his design process—warts and all—on YouTube. His videos weren’t overly polished or rehearsed. They were raw, honest, and real. He talked about what he was learning, how he approached projects, and even the mistakes he made along the way.

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To Ran, sharing his process wasn’t about showing off—it was about connecting.

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At first, it felt strange. Who would care about a designer walking through his messy drafts or explaining why he chose one font over another? But to his surprise, people did care.

• Clients started reaching out because they saw how he worked. They saw his attention to detail, his problem-solving mindset, and his love for great design.
• Designers began following him too. Watching Ran’s videos made them realize they weren’t alone in the challenges they faced.

Here’s the magic of sharing your process: It builds trust.

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Clients aren’t just hiring you for the final result; they’re hiring you for the way you think. When you share your process, you give them a peek into your mind. You become more than a freelancer—you become a partner they can trust.

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“I didn’t wait for things to be perfect. I just showed up, shared what I knew, and kept going. That’s what made all the difference.”

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The Pricing Problem: From Hourly Rates to Value-Based Pricing

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As Ran built trust with his audience and attracted more clients, he faced a new challenge: Pricing. Like most freelancers, he started with hourly rates. It seemed logical—work an hour, get paid for an hour. But there’s a flaw with hourly pricing: It undervalues creative work.

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Take web design, for example. A website isn’t just pixels on a screen; it’s a tool that helps clients grow their business. It attracts customers, builds credibility, and drives revenue. That’s worth far more than 10 hours at $50/hour.

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Ran realized he wasn’t selling time—he was selling results. So he switched to value-based pricing.

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Here’s how it works:

1. Understand the Client’s Goals: Instead of focusing on tasks, Ran focused on the outcomes his work would achieve.
2. Communicate Value: He positioned himself as someone who could solve business problems, not just “do design.”
3. Charge Accordingly: If a website could help a client generate $100,000 in new revenue, it made sense to charge $5,000–$10,000 for it—not $500.

This shift changed everything. Clients began seeing Ran as an investment, not a cost. And because he delivered results, they were happy to pay premium rates.

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“When you focus on outcomes, not hours, you stop competing on price—and start competing on value.”

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The Birth of Flux Academy: From Freelancer to Educator

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As Ran shared his process and pricing strategies, something unexpected happened. Other designers started asking him for advice:

• “How do you find high-paying clients?”
• “How do you price your work?”
• “How do you build a business as a freelancer?”

Ran realized he wasn’t alone in these struggles. Thousands of talented designers were trying to figure out the same things he had figured out—how to make freelancing work.

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So he did something bold. He launched Flux Academy, an online platform to teach designers how to build profitable freelance businesses.

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Flux Academy wasn’t just another design course. It was practical, actionable, and built on Ran’s real-world experience. He taught what he knew worked because he’d done it himself:

• How to attract high-paying clients.
• How to charge what you’re worth.
• How to create systems to grow your freelance business.

And designers loved it.

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Within a few years, Flux Academy grew into a thriving business, generating over $1 million annually and helping thousands of designers worldwide.

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The Results: A Career Built on Sharing

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By consistently showing up, sharing his process, and focusing on value, Ran Segall turned freelancing into something extraordinary. Here’s what he achieved:

1. A Reliable, Six-Figure Freelance Career: No more feast-or-famine cycles. Ran attracted high-quality clients who valued his work.
2. A Thriving Education Business: Flux Academy grew into a $1M+ platform, empowering designers to succeed.
3. A Strong Personal Brand: With 400,000+ YouTube subscribers and a global audience, Ran became a trusted voice in the design community.

But perhaps the biggest result? Ran made an impact. His work inspired thousands of freelancers to take control of their careers, believe in their value, and build businesses they’re proud of.

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5 Lessons You Can Steal from Ran’s Success

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Ran’s journey isn’t just inspiring—it’s actionable. Here are 5 lessons every freelancer can apply:

1. Share Your Process—Start Today
   • Don’t wait for perfection. Share your work, your thoughts, and your lessons. Start small:
     • Post a case study.
     • Write about what you’re learning.
     • Show behind-the-scenes of your next project.
2. Think Like a Partner, Not a Vendor
   • Clients want solutions, not tasks. Understand their goals and position yourself as someone who can help them succeed.
3. Stop Selling Time—Start Selling Value
   • Focus on outcomes, not hours. Ask yourself: What is this project worth to the client?
4. Build Systems to Make Your Business Run Smoother
   • Create templates, workflows, and tools to save time and reduce stress. Systems give you the freedom to grow.
5. Invest in Your Brand
   • Show up consistently. Whether it’s through YouTube, LinkedIn, or a personal blog, building a brand makes you more discoverable and trustworthy.

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Your Next Step

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Ran Segall didn’t have all the answers when he started. He just took action. He shared what he knew, improved along the way, and stayed consistent.

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Today, he has a career that’s both successful and fulfilling. He’s not just designing websites—he’s inspiring and empowering others to thrive.

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And here’s the truth: You can do this too.

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Freelancing isn’t just about landing the next project. It’s about building something that grows with you—something that reflects your skills, your value, and your vision.

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So what’s your next step?

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Start small. Share your work. Believe in your value. And keep going. You got this.

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Inspired by Ran’s Journey? Here’s What You Can Do:

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1. Start sharing your process today—your work matters.
2. Learn more about value-based pricing, systems, and freelancing strategies at Flux Academy.
3. Explore more tools, guides, and resources right here on Usefreelance to build a business you’re proud of.