My TEDx Talk: The Art of Freelancing and Redefining Career Success
I was given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to speak in front of a crowd and share a part of my life story through a TED talk. I would like to share in this blog what I actually wrote vs. what I said during my talk. One of the most exhilarating and fulfilling things I've done in my life- no copy, no slides, no monitor. I talked from heart.
The Art of Freelancing: Redefining Career Success by Kate Henry, March 29th, 2025
Who among you here has figured out what you want to do in your life, especially in your career? Or let me ask simply, "What is your dream job?"
Do you picture yourself being successful by landing a perfect job? Having a corner office in a high-rise building? Earning 6 figures? Getting promotions? Work with your dreams until you retire happily with a pension? Do all of these guarantee a happy and successful life? Or are there any other possible ways to attain a contented, fulfilling, and meaningful career?
I am Carell Henry, a proud Filipino pianist in Tokyo City, a part-time KG music teacher at Seisen International School, a piano pedagogue, a music education advocate, author of piano books for children, and finally, a full-time freelancer. If you count how many jobs I mentioned, yes, you heard it right, I have five jobs. All these jobs encompass what I do as a freelancer.
Let me take you to the world of freelancing — a world where you're not just an employee; you're the leader of your skills. A world where any salary doesn't cap your income, but by your courage to step out, take risks, and prove your value. In our evolving world today, it is indeed very challenging to keep up with the changing currents- industries are evolving, skills are becoming obsolete, and new ways of working are emerging, and one of these is freelancing, which is not just another job, but it is a revolutionary work. It's a paradigm shift in not only hoping to survive but also to thrive.
In my talk today, I want to share with you what it takes to be a full-time freelancer- what it is, and what it is not. This talk is not to discourage those who are happy doing their current jobs. This is for those who are stuck in their present career situation, where they experience a loss of motivation, vision, and purpose, and want to make a huge change in their lives. This is also for our young generations who are thinking about what they truly want to do in the future, or those who have no idea. Whether you have something in your mind right now but are unsure, maybe this talk can inspire you to voice out what you truly want to do in life.
How did I start as a freelancer?
It all traces back to my teenage years. I was already a working student, and my experiences helped me thrive by combining my studies, teaching piano, conducting choral groups in our neighborhood and the church, and performing piano to earn extra money. We were always told that we should get a degree someday, get a full-time job, earn a monthly salary, and be part of the corporate world, and our lives would be successful and happy. I worked hard for that idea of a happy and fulfilling career, and I always knew that I am happiest doing what I love, and that is music, be it working as a full-time employee or as a freelancer.
I remember when my parents asked me what I wanted to pursue in college. I will never forget the shock in their faces when I told them that I wanted to study MUSIC. To be truthful, I came from a very poor family, we were financially deprived and in below the poverty level, so you can imagine my parents' reaction to why I wanted to study music, and why I would not take the more practical fields like law, medicine, business, or engineering, which will surely make me more successful in their eyes. Despite all of these high expectations, my parents did not fail to give me one of the greatest gifts in life- EDUCATION. I am deeply grateful to my parents for allowing me to study piano from the age of 6 until I graduated from high school despite financial struggles. I strived hard to maintain full scholarships throughout my education so my parents would not need to pay for any tuition fees, so they could still support my piano education. Fast forward, I moved to Manila, Philippines' capital city, to pursue music in college and eventually moved to Hiroshima, Japan, and earned my Master's degree. I gladly told my parents I was finally graduating with flying colors, and they jokingly told me, "Finally, you can now go to law school!"
When I reached 30, which is usually the age when society has an unwritten rule that you should have already achieved many things by then, I never expected to do something, given that I already had a stable job as a full-time music teacher for three years. I think my greatest accomplishment when I reached 30 was… handing out my resignation letter.
I know it sounds risky, but that was when I finally took charge of my life and gained control over what I truly wanted to do and pursue in my life. That's when I decided to be a freelancer in the field of the arts.
What is freelancing, and what is it not?
Freelancing is more than just following your passion and doing what you love. It is not a side hustle or a hobby. It is not something you collect fees under the table. It isn't just a way to make quick cash.
Freelancing is not a trendy opportunity. It is not a phase, a gig economy experiment, or something people do just to pass the time. Freelancers are writers, designers, developers, consultants, and experts in countless fields—running their businesses, setting their rates, and choosing work that matters to them.
Freelancing is not avoiding responsibility. This isn't just about working from home in pajamas or avoiding a boss. It's about taking control of your career, your income, and your future.
Let's talk about what it takes to be a freelancer.
1. You need to know yourself, your abilities, and your strengths
As a freelancer, you need to know yourself- what are your passions? What makes you, you? Do you like working with crafts, baking, arts, sculpting, music, therapy, and so on? Once you know what strengths and abilities you have, you can easily bring these to the table and offer them as services and products.
I have always known I want to create something on my own, not just a business, but I want something original and important to society. I built my music school in the Philippines, which still thrives today, and I have written a piano book series for children, which is my music research and hopefully contributes to my music education advocacies, and at the same time earns passive income. I created my piano teaching business in Tokyo when I resigned from my full-time job in 2022, and I have a stable income teaching piano students. I work part-time at Seisen International School and can hone and practice my teaching skills. I am also a lounge pianist in a 5-star hotel where I share my music with others. I am a Filipino pianist, and I want to promote the Philippines' rich cultural and musical heritage, so I founded the Philippine-Tokyo Concert Series.
Once you know your skills, your abilities, and your strengths, think about how you can use your abilities to earn and be fulfilled at what you do.
2. You need to be credible and legitimate
In a world where anyone can claim to be a freelancer, credibility is what sets real professionals apart. You need to work on your qualifications, licenses, certifications, and degrees, if you must, to be a trusted service provider, practitioner, or professional. If you want to succeed as a freelancer, you need to be more than just skilled—you need to be credible, professional, and legitimate. I cannot work at Seisen as a classroom music teacher if I don't have the license to teach. How can my piano students trust me as their piano teacher if I don't perform very well and don't lead by example? Credibility is a must, and as a freelancer, you must be a trustworthy professional and not just another scammer.
3. Grit
If freelancing has a secret ingredient, it is GRIT- it's perseverance, passion, and resilience in one. Our passions cannot survive alone if we don't persevere. When uncertainty comes, we need to be resilient and adaptable to change. In times of self-doubt, when you get rejections or projects being halted, grit will keep us going. Grit keeps you learning, adapting, and improving rather than giving up.
4. Real-life skills
Freelancers must wear multiple hats. To thrive, you need more than just talent - entrepreneurship, time management skills, marketing, setting work-life balance, communication skills, financial and mathematical skills (especially filing your taxes), organizational skills, and self-discipline.
Now, let's talk about its challenges
1. Uncertainty
Freelancing offers freedom, but it also comes with unpredictable income, inconsistent work, and the pressure of managing everything alone. Unlike a traditional job with a fixed paycheck and benefits, freelancers must learn to navigate uncertainty and turn it into opportunity.
2. High Competition
Yes, freelancing is highly competitive. The freelancers who stand out aren't necessarily the most talented—they're the ones who position themselves effectively, deliver results, and build trust.
When I first started as a private piano teacher, I knew I was just one of the many hundreds of thousands of piano teachers out there. I knew there were a lot of music schools and great piano teachers to choose from. I have to offer something different from other piano teachers. I found my niche in teaching piano in English and providing unique piano recitals and concerts twice a year. Tokyo has 34 million residents. I just needed 10 out of the millions. So when I resigned, I knew exactly what to promote, what to offer, and who my potential students were. I was able to get 20 inquiries in just one month and selected the most convenient location and hours for my students and theirs. For the past 3 years of piano teaching in Tokyo, we have built a piano community, where the families of my students gather together and celebrate our musical achievements through recitals.
3. Rejections
Rejections are inevitable in freelancing. No matter how talented you are or how polished your pitch may be, you'll hear the word "no." We should know that rejection is part of the process, not the end of the road. Because in freelancing — and life — rejection isn't the opposite of success. It's part of the path to it.
Freelancing isn't easy — it's unpredictable, challenging, and at times, overwhelming. But here's the truth: every challenge you face is a chance to grow. Every moment of uncertainty is an opportunity to build resilience.
Freelancing isn't just about finding students, clients, partners, or making money — it's about creating a life where you are fulfilled, contented, and happy. It's about discovering what you're capable of when no one's handing you a roadmap. Freelancing does not promise an easy ride. We need to learn to ride the tide of changing currents of instability with adaptability, resourcefulness, and grit.
I want to end my talk with my art, and there is no better way to end it than music. No words and only music, and I hope my talk and music will leave a nice stamp in your heart.
This is Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, "How Much I Love You," composed by National Artists for Music in the Philippines, Levi Celerio and Ernani Cuenco. Performance (5 minutes).