Freelance Coach. Speaker. Copywriter.

Hi! I’m Julie Cortés.

Copywriter by Day.
Freelance Rockstar
by Night.

In 1998, I got the boot from my job. It was sudden … brutal … and terrible timing. (As if there’s ever a good time to be shown the door.)

But that detour? It lit a fire underneath me.

What started as a “What now?” moment turned into a HELL YEAH kind of career—one that I built from the ground up, following my natural talent, relentless drive, and rebellious energy.

Today, I get to help clients across the globe find their voice, own their brand, and show up like the rockstars they were meant to be.

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Freelancer Coaching
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“Nowhere I thought I’d be. Exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

I didn’t choose the freelance life. It chose me.

I freelanced out of necessity … filling in the gaps between soul-sucking job offers that didn’t fit.

For a while, I played the “half-freelancer, half-job-hunter” game. (Spoiler alert: it sucks … and doesn’t do you any favors.)

But when I finally went all in on my freelance copywriting business, everything changed.

Fast forward 25+ years, and here’s the highlight reel:

⭐ Founded The Freelance Exchange of KC—a kickass community for solo creatives

⭐ Built + Taught a college-level Freelancing 101 course at the KC Art Institute

⭐ Became a Business Coach for freelancers / solopreneurs ready to level the hell up

⭐ Spoke on stages across the country, lighting fires and dropping truth bombs

None of this was in the plan. But damn, I wouldn’t trade it for anything …

Today, I help creatives, solopreneurs, and bold brands get noticed while owning every part of their badassery.

Wanna Be One of Them?

Work with Julie
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Interviews and Media Appearances with Julie Cortes

Interviewed by:

Julie Cortes, Award Winner for Ad Copywriting and Business

Check Out the Magic:

Great Day KC

Great Day KC

KCTV5

KCTV5

Better KC

Better KC

Rounding the Bases Live

Rounding the Bases Live

Read & Rock on:

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Logo of Thinking Bigger magazine, featuring a plus sign, and the words 'thinking bigger' in bold text with 'thinking' in dark blue and 'bigger' in orange.
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Logo for Freelancers Union featuring a beehive and three bees above it, with the organization’s name and website, established in 1995.
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Early in my Freelancing Career, I Discovered a Void … a Void in Education, Community, and Even Respect for the Self-Employed.

So, I made it my mission to do something about it.

Because, when creatives have access to tools, resources, and real talk, they can do hella good things!

Whether you’re a freelancer, consultant, marketing director, event planner, or anyone craving clarify, confidence, and results, working with me will:

⭐ Upgrade your brand presence
⭐ Give you the edge your competition wishes they had
⭐ And empower you to unapologetically #BeBadass

You’ll bust through fear, dodge burnout, and crush your goals—all without selling your soul.

Let’s make some noise together. You bring the spark. I’ll bring the strategy.

You ready? Let’s ROCK!

How to Run a Creative Business
Julie Cortes, Coach, Copywriter, Speaker

Let’s Amp Things Up:

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I don’t bite … unless, of course, you ghost me.

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Let’s build your brand, boost your biz, and own your badassery.

Sh*t I Love:

A happy, smiling dog with a black and white collar sitting in a living room.
A picture of Julie with her husband, smiling and standing close together outdoors on a grassy area with buildings in the background.
Gray Nissan convertible car parked in driveway with houses and green lawns in the background.
Pair of purple Converse All-Star sneakers with white laces on a dark carpeted floor.
Julie taking a selfie, wearing a pink ball cap and a black tank top with the text "Jazzercise & Wine: Because punching people is frowned upon" in white. She is smiling slightly, standing indoors against a white wall.
A concert stage with a large screen displaying the text 'Sammy Hagar' and a lightning bolt logo, with musical equipment and a performer in front.
Julie and her husband smiling at each other in front of a wooden fence.
Two tall palm trees silhouetted against a sunset with string lights hanging between them
Julie wearing a pink baseball cap and hoop earrings, smiling and holding a black sign with pink lettering that says 'Wine Diva!'
A smiling dog lying on its back on a purple yoga mat, with its nose and face close to the camera.
Sammy Hagar with curly hair, sunglasses, and a beard holding a microphone and singing.
A blue high-top Converse All Star sneaker with white laces and white rubber sole, positioned on a marble surface against a dark background.
A hand holding a glass of red wine with a vineyard and hillside landscape in the background.
Julie with sunglasses and pink striped hair sitting in the driver's seat of a silver convertible car parked on a suburban street, with houses, green lawns, and a tree in the background.
Julie smiling and posing outdoors near a river in Colorado, wearing sunglasses, a pink cap, a denim jacket, and black pants, with a forest and mountain scenery behind her on a sunny day.
Colorful butterfly tattoo—highlighting Project Semicolon—with pink, purple, and black details on Julie's wrist.
Concert stage with signature Van Halen red and white lighting, band performing with drums, keyboard, and vocalists. Audience in foreground, large screens displaying abstract visuals above stage in Red Rocks.
A man and woman sitting at a wooden table at an outdoor event, smiling and holding beer mugs. The man is wearing a traditional Bavarian outfit with a straw hat and sunglasses, while the woman is wearing dark sunglasses and a colorful dress with a bra
A grid of nine awards with white feather design on a black background, each with different titles and organizations in white text.

Street Cred, Verified:

Kansas City Award Winner, Julie Cortes
Stevie Award Winner, Julie Cortes
Kansas City FX, Julie Cortes
Fountain Award Winner, Julie Cortes

Fresh Drops & Power Moves:

Your Backstage Pass to Me