From Hustle to Success: QuickOffice Freelancer Spotlight Series (Episode 2)
Welcome back to the QuickOffice Freelancer Spotlight Series, where we dive deep into the journeys of freelancers who’ve turned grit, hustle, and innovation into thriving businesses. In Episode 2, we’re sitting down with Ahsan Afzal, a banker turned global e-commerce powerhouse. From battling a tough job market to leading a team of 20, Ahsan’s story is one of resilience, strategy, and ambition.
Let’s unpack his journey and uncover the lessons that aspiring freelancers can take to heart.
The Beginning: From Job Market Struggles to Solopreneurship
Ahsan’s story starts in a place many freelancers can relate to: frustration. After returning from China, where he’d been immersed in the fast-paced world of product development, Ahsan found himself back home, staring down a brutal local job market. “I couldn’t secure a local job,” he recalls, his tone matter-of-fact but tinged with the weight of that struggle. For someone with his skill set—a software engineer with global exposure—this was a wake-up call. But instead of letting rejection define him, Ahsan decided to carve his own path.
“I started my journey as a solopreneur,” he says. His business? A private-label operation on Amazon, sourcing products from China and shipping them to marketplaces like the US, UK, and beyond. Today, Ahsan’s operation spans Amazon, TikTok, Walmart, eBay, Shopify, and Facebook—a global empire built from scratch. But back then, it was just him, a laptop, and a vision.
The Grind: Capturing That Elusive First Client
Every freelancer knows the pain of chasing clients in the early days, and Ahsan’s story is no different. “The biggest challenge is at the starting of the journey when you’re not able to capture a client,” he says. He tried everything—LinkedIn, Facebook, Upwork. “We didn’t leave any platform where we didn’t make sure of our presence,” he adds, emphasizing the relentless hustle that defined his early days.
But here’s the kicker: it took Ahsan over a year to land his first long-term client. A year of pitching, tweaking strategies, and facing rejection. So, how did he stay motivated through it all? “I had market insights,” he explains. “I knew there were clients. I knew there was business. If I’m not being able to secure clients, it means I’m not approaching them in the right way.” From self-doubt to strategic recalibration this mindset shift was pivotal. Eventually, his persistence paid off: he landed his first big client on LinkedIn, proving that consistency and adaptability can crack even the toughest markets.
Why Freelancing? Dollarized Income and Freedom
Ahsan’s decision to freelance wasn’t just a reaction to a tough job market, it was a deliberate choice. “The main reason behind that is the dollarized income,” he says, referring to the financial stability that comes with earning in stronger currencies. But it wasn’t just about money. “I’m free to work remotely, which is the biggest perk of freelancing,” he adds. For Ahsan, freelancing offered a rare blend of financial independence and lifestyle flexibility, a combo that traditional jobs couldn’t match.
Scaling Up: From Solopreneur to Team Leader
Fast forward to today, and Ahsan is no longer a one-man show. He now leads a team of 20 across four departments: Operations, Compliance, Marketing, and Graphics. His business has evolved from a solo hustle to a well-oiled machine, helping brands scale and achieve their goals. But this transition wasn’t easy. “The freelancer doesn’t know team management in the beginning,” Ahsan notes. “He must focus on it because ultimately, he will either remain a solopreneur and his dollarized income will be limited, but in order to grow, he has to do team management.”
This insight is gold for freelancers looking to scale. Mastering a skill set is crucial, but so is learning to delegate, lead, and manage client expectations. “Clients’ expectations increase,” Ahsan warns. “If you’ll not improve your skill set, you’ll be out of the game!” It’s a reminder that freelancing isn’t static—it’s a dynamic, evolving journey that demands continuous growth.
Ahsan’s Advice for Freelancers: Master, Manage, and Evolve
As we wrap up, Ahsan shares three pieces of advice for freelancers looking to follow in his footsteps:
- Master One Skill, Know the Basics of Others
“You should be mastering one skill set,” Ahsan says. “It is not like that you should know how to do Graphics, how to do Content Writing, or how to do Online Marketing.” Instead, focus on becoming an expert in one area while understanding the basics of related skills. Depth, not breadth, builds credibility.
- Learn Team Management
- Solopreneurship has its limits. To scale, you need to lead. “Ultimately, he will either remain a solopreneur and his dollarized income will be limited,” Ahsan explains. Team management is the bridge between hustling and scaling.
- Stay Ahead of Client Expectations
- Clients aren’t static, they evolve, and so must you. “If you’ll not improve your skill set, you’ll be out of the game!” Ahsan warns. Continuous learning and adaptability are non-negotiable.
Ahsan’s Journey Is Just Beginning
Ahsan Afzal’s story is a masterclass in turning adversity into opportunity. From struggling to land his first client to leading a team, he’s proof that freelancing isn’t just a gig, it’s a launchpad for global impact. His journey reminds us that success isn’t handed to you; it’s built through persistence, strategy, and a willingness to evolve.
So, whether you’re a solopreneur hustling on Upwork or a seasoned freelancer looking to scale, take Ahsan’s lessons to heart. Master your craft, manage your growth, and never stop adapting. For freelancers out there wondering if they should keep pushing forward, Ahsan’s journey offers a clear answer: Yes, keep going. Success is waiting on the other side of perseverance.
Stay tuned for the next episode of the QuickOffice Freelancer Spotlight Series, where we’ll meet another freelancer who’s rewriting the rules of success. Until then, keep hustling—and remember, your “I made it” moment might be just one pitch away.