I get it. You hate the idea of working for a big boss. That's why I started freelancing too. But the road is rough. The market is flooded and AI tools are everywhere. Still, clients do exist. You just have to be patient. What worked for me was starting on a smaller platform that was less flooded. The commission was high but it helped me build a portfolio. I also used social media to show my work and connect with people. Joining groups helped me browse freelance work by category more effectively. I found businesses looking for freelancers that way. Newsletters helped me stay on my clients' radar. Local networking groups also worked.