Thanks, Jake! Great to have you here. You are always welcome, my friend!

@Sara, great that you've taken an active step toward making it happen. As with many aspects of business, it's really about volume: Not every relationship is going to result in referrals (or GOOD referrals), so the more diversity you have, the better the odds.

@Cathy, those feelings are mutual, of course! For the record, I've searched but haven't found a replacement for Xtranormal, the program I used to make those silly videos. Unfortunately, the DIY animation programs all seem to be pretty expensive, and I can't justify the ROI. If anyone has any suggestions for a FREE animation program, let me know!

@Yo, if you think about it, it's a step in alignment with your post on worth/customer value. 😉

@Paula, your Super Friends will also evolve over time, but to me, it's really a more=merrier situation. I was very bummed last fall when one of my go-to designers decided to take an in-house gig.

As it happens, I learned something about our last name the other day: Sometime in the '20s, when my granddad was in grade school, they forced him to use the French pronunciation. I imagine it was being pronounced "Poynyer" at the time, but we now say "Poynyay"–sorta half-Frenchified. (They also forced him to write right-handed.) Thank you for the kind words on Science, Art and Voodoo, and hope 2016 continues on a positive trajectory!

When reading about your first few years and your biggest challenge, Jake, something jumped out: So many of us who Lori interviewed used those tough times as motivators, not reasons to give up. Like you said, the pressure of being the only income in the household can generate tremendous focus. At least in people too stubborn to give up.

I haven't (yet) read the Well-Fed Writer, but I have read Jake's book, "The Science, Art and Voodoo of Freelance Pricing and Getting Paid" and am still trying to implement many of his suggestions…which could be why this year's been going pretty well for me so far. But there's always room for improvement.

One question though, Jake: How does one pronounce your last name? I'm leaning toward the French "Pwan-ee-ay" but can think of a few other pronunciations.

I also don't recall where I first "met" you, Jake. Just glad I did. I loved the freelance cartoon videos you used to do. ☺ I always know I can get good, sound advice from you and I've enjoyed watching your career move into your books on freelancing. I love the idea of "complementary creatives."