Toowoomba marketing freelancer Jane Farrugia urges regional women to stay local with new platform Freelancing Gems

A Toowoomba freelancer has urged other women working in the gig economy to stay in their local areas, pointing to platforms like a new female-only portal.

LOCALLY BASED: Toowoomba freelancer and marketing consultant Jane Farrugia says accessing networking platforms like Freelancing Gems has allowed her to remain locally while working with top firms across the country.

Jane Farrugia has worked with massive international brands like Pandora, Calvin Klein, David Jones and Tommy Hilfiger, all from the comfort of her Toowoomba home.

The marketing, events and communications specialist believes freelancers can remain regionally based and still compete with major operators in the capital cities.

“The stigma around the concept of remote working has changed, opening up opportunities for people regionally to work with clients across Australia and even internationally in a consulting capacity,” Ms Farrugia said.

The director of Farr and Co credits her success over the past two years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, to joining online platforms like Freelancing Gems.

The women-only online portal connects freelancers with companies and firms that need services, while also offering participants masterclasses and other support services.

Ms Farrugia said she now had a full work schedule, thanks in part to the opportunities it presented.

“I’ve had a huge amount of random opportunities — I’ve worked in agencies based in Brisbane and been in talks with a pilates company to do their branding (recently),” she said.

“There are great opportunities, and it’s the ease at which you can connect with people.

“It’s made it super easy to find additional work and I have a good workload right now.”

There are currently more than 2400 women who have signed up to Freelancing Gems across Australia.

For more information about its services, head to the website at freelancinggems.com.