One thing I never expected in my professional life was creating a freelance brand that empowers me. I originally developed it as a way to showcase my talents, much like a website portfolio. I’ve always blended my lived experiences with my professional interests; human services and special education have long been my focus. For a while, I thought I was a rebel for exploring uncharted territory. In employment, autism is often associated with specific fields, like tech, and I wanted to challenge that. My determination to carve my own path fueled the creation of this brand. Over time, I grew alongside it, and it has truly changed my life. In today’s blog, I want to explore how empowering freelance brands can be and highlight the skills you can gain from developing one. You might be surprised at how many free tools and resources are available.
Andrew Arboe
1. Focus on Your Strengths
My main service, and the one that draws the most attention, is public speaking. I started public speaking in 2018 with a joint presentation alongside a self-advocate at a transition symposium at UConn. I was just beginning to build my network and gain experience with autism nonprofits. Over the next ten years, I presented at numerous workshops, advisory councils, and organizations across New England. My focus sharpened when I began advocating for driver readiness. Sharing my lived experience of obtaining my driver’s license resonated with audiences, leading to projects such as Driving with Autism in 2022.
Initially, I didn’t pursue public speaking for pay. It wasn’t until 2023, with my first keynote for Autism Connections, that I realized its potential. Subsequent engagements, including surprise gifts from parent groups, confirmed this. When I developed my website, I also created social media pages to promote my topics, and attending events helped me build a name for myself.
Networking opened doors to contract work as well. Through connections at the Anderson Center for Autism, I became a consultation associate, starting with a resource fair in Albany, New York. I also consulted on driving research studies for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Southern Connecticut State University. These opportunities created a steady stream of contract work that balanced my public speaking engagements.
2. Learning Through Tools
I wouldn’t have built my brand without tools like Weebly, a free website builder that lets you design your own site. While paid plans exist, I wasn’t ready to invest while in college. Weebly’s drag-and-drop interface and free SEO features helped me design pages that were visually appealing and effectively communicated my message. I had tried Wix and Squarespace, but both felt overwhelming at the time.
Another tool that transformed my work is Canva, a visual design platform I discovered while working as a teaching assistant at an autism school. With Canva, I create flyers, eBooks, social media graphics, and even business cards. I learned to integrate photos, text, and QR codes into my designs, producing materials for resource fairs and promotions. Mastering these tools strengthened my career skills and provided valuable experience to include on a resume, inspiring me to continue building and refining my abilities.
3. Branding as a Healing Process
My brand has also been a source of personal healing. It grew out of Driving with Autism, a driver readiness program that ended due to my former workplace’s closure and fraudulent activity. That loss left a significant void in my life and affected my mental health. My freelance brand became a place to process that grief and channel my experiences into something positive. Creating topics, flyers, and resources allowed me to reclaim control over my career and transform my lived experiences into advocacy.
4. Supporting My Education
Over the last three years, public speaking and contract work have generated enough income, over $7,000 by the end of 2024, to help fund my undergraduate degree in psychology. I was halfway through my program when I started my brand and faced financial challenges. Using my brand’s opportunities, I was able to continue without relying heavily on loans, allowing me to focus on scholarships and grants. The work I’ve built also gives me resources to invest in future certifications and conferences, honoring my dad and grandparents in the process.
Closing Thoughts
Not everyone has the same circumstances to pursue a freelance brand, and I recognize that. Still, I encourage self-advocates and professionals to consider exploring this pathway. A personal brand can diversify your skills, serve as a portfolio, and enhance your resume. Even if it doesn’t become a full-time career, the experience itself is valuable. I’m proud of the work I’ve accomplished, and I hope my brand continues to grow beyond its current limits.
Andrew Arboe is a self-advocate currently employed at FOCUS Center for Autism. He has contracted with Southern Connecticut State University, Autism Speaks, and Neurodiverse Technologies. He also runs a freelance website called Andrew Arboe: Autistic Self-Advocate and Speaker, where he provides public speaking and contracting services to organizations. Andrew’s goals include becoming a leader in transitional services. For more information about Andrew, please visit andrewarboe.weebly.com. To contact him, email arboea@gmail.com.
