Elina Jutelyte is done tiptoeing around the harsh truths freelancers face every day—outrageous taxes, policy neglect, and invisibility in economic planning.
In this episode, she challenges governments to wake up and recognise freelancing not just as a lifestyle, but as a backbone of modern economies.
Elina opens up about reshaping the Freelance Business Community to serve better seasoned freelancers, who are often stuck in the dreaded mid-career plateau—the messy middle that business gurus conveniently skip.
She shares exactly why being accused of "going commercial" didn’t faze her—it just made her clearer on who she serves and why.
If you’re tired of freelancer fantasies and ready for raw truths about what it takes to level up, this is your call to arms.
Timeline Highlights
[00:04] Emily invites listeners to the next Unreasonable Connexion event
[00:39] Elina introduces her multi-perspective take on the freelance economy
[02:45] How tax policies punish freelancers despite their social benefits
[04:20] Why governments don’t see freelancers—and how that needs to change
[06:04] Bernie asks: Why are we still fighting this battle in 2025?
[08:22] Generational shifts in “going to work” and what that means now
[11:08] How the Freelance Business Community started and why it had to evolve
[14:05] Elina gets blunt about narrowing the focus—and being called “not inclusive”
[15:41] Monetising a community without selling out: hard truths and real talk
[17:11] The forgotten freelance middle: not beginners, not millionaires
[18:21] From event coordinator to consultant—Elina’s upgrade
[19:04] Bernie and Emily echo the pain of growing into business owners
[20:16] Elina lists her latest freelance reports and why data still lags behind
Detailed Episode Breakdown
The Policy Blind Spot
Elina lays out the maddening contradiction: freelancers create jobs, reduce unemployment, and lower healthcare burdens—yet face tax codes designed to punish them.
Why? Because the system wasn’t built for us. And no one’s fixing it.
From Local Meetup to Global Shift
What started as a Belgium-based meetup transformed into an international movement.
But as Elina explains, scaling meant rethinking who the community was actually for.
Broad reach doesn’t equal deep impact.
That Freelance Plateau
Forget six-figure bro-marketing.
Most freelancers reach a plateau after 5 to 10 years.
You’re experienced, but not earning what you could.
Elina opens up about her stall—and how community, coaching, and clarity helped her pivot.
Redefining the Business of Community
Being accused of “going commercial” hurt, but she’s right: communities don’t run on vibes.
Elina breaks down why making the Freelance Business Community financially sustainable was the only way to keep its mission alive.
Links & Resources
One more thing
Coworking brings communities together, helping people find and share their voices.
Each episode of the Coworking Values Podcast explores Accessibility, Community, Openness, Collaboration, and Sustainability—values shaping the spaces where we gather, work, and grow.
If this resonates with you, rate, follow, and share the podcast. Your support amplifies our reach, helping others discover how coworking enriches lives, builds careers, and strengthens communities.
Community is the key 🔑
Share this post