Full-time, freelance, business, fractional. So where do I fit in?

On 13 June at Secret Place near the Golden Gate in Kyiv, we brought together people who, at different times, chose different ways of working: full-time employment, freelance, their own business and fractional roles. No stage, no slides — an intimate conversation about things people usually keep to themselves.

What we talked about

Every work format looks attractive from the outside and has its own price on the inside. Full-time gives stability — and takes away flexibility. Freelance gives freedom — and brings chaos. A business gives control — and adds responsibility that lasts well past six in the evening. The fractional format promises balance — but requires you to sell yourself as a product.

We talked about changing pace, losing energy, unspoken fears and unexpected wins. About how to tell that your current format has run its course — and what to do next.

Who took part

• Anna-Mariia Sabov
• Yevheniia Glizer
• Alina Dykukha
• Olivia Milton
• Davyd Gviniashvili
• Kiril Treitiak

Key takeaways

• A work format is a tool. It should fit your stage of life; other people’s expectations come second.
• Losing energy has its own cause, separate from laziness. Most often it signals that you’re working against your own model.
• Changing formats is an ordinary decision, and it’s healthy to revisit it every few years.
• The most expensive thing is the years spent in a format that stopped fitting you long ago.

What’s next

This was the first conversation in a series. The format worked: without a stage, people speak more honestly. Stay tuned for announcements — the next meetup is already in the works.

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