Meet Sourav – The Man Who Built a Freelance Business on the Side of a Full-Time Job
I was serving the nation from 10 to 7. Now, I serve global clients after hours too.
The Backstory
Sourav isn’t your average freelancer.
A dedicated officer in the Indian Defence Forces, his days were filled with long hours, high discipline, and little time for personal pursuits. Despite the demanding nature of his job, Sourav had a vision:
👉 To create an online income stream that he could manage on his own terms.
But balancing his full-time, high-pressure job and a growing online business seemed impossible at first. How would he find time to break into the world of freelancing?
🧭 Lost at the Start
When Sourav first joined ARise, he faced the same challenges that many new freelancers do:
- Unclear on his niche: He had no idea which market to focus on.
- Confused about the services to offer: Sourav wasn’t sure what skill sets to market.
- Uncertain about platforms: He didn’t know which freelancing platform to focus on.
- Time constraints: As a defence officer, his hours were limited, and he needed a flexible system to work around his demanding schedule.
During his onboarding call with Dev, Sourav laid out his doubts and questions. He was unsure how to take the first steps into freelancing, especially with so many other commitments. He needed a plan that would work with his busy lifestyle and not against it.
🔍 Initial Struggles
During his initial onboarding call, Sourav shared his confusion about choosing a niche and figuring out which platform was best suited for him. He had no prior experience with freelancing platforms or building a steady stream of clients online.
Moreover, the biggest hurdle was time. As a defence personnel, his available hours were very limited, which meant he needed an approach that worked within his time constraints.
🔑 The Turning Point
🚀 Closed a Client in Just 5 Minutes!
Everything changed during a short 5-minute call with Dev. Sourav was stuck with a potential client and unsure how to close the deal. In that brief conversation, Dev provided clear and simple guidance on how to handle the client, which led to a successful closing of the deal.
That moment gave Sourav the confidence he needed, it showed him how quick and simple client acquisition could be with the right approach.
🎯 Cracked His First Upwork Sale!
With his new-found confidence, Sourav wasted no time applying the winning strategy Dev shared with him. Shortly after, Sourav closed his first Upwork deal. This was just the beginning of his freelancing journey.
With Dev’s personal mentorship, Sourav learned how to position his offer effectively, respond to objections, and lead the conversation confidently. That first sale became the foundation for his freelance business.
💰 Landed a $1,000 Faceless YouTube Editing Deal!
Riding on the momentum, Sourav landed a $1,000 deal for faceless YouTube video editing through Upwork. Dev’s insights on how to frame a pitch, demonstrate value, and handle client queries led to this significant breakthrough in Sourav’s freelancing career.
🎬 The deal not only boosted his confidence but also marked a significant shift in his journey. Sourav now had the skills and strategies needed to succeed in the freelance world.
📈 First Client on His Second Upwork Account — $250 Earned!
Determined to scale his freelancing business, Sourav launched a second Upwork account. The results came fast. He secured his first client on that account worth $250 almost immediately.
By now, Sourav was in the flow – closing deals, building a reputation, and gaining a strong foothold in the freelancing world. He sent 52 proposals, closed 4 clients, and earned a total of $1,535.
What had once seemed impossible now felt natural.
🔥 Client Closing Became a Breeze!
With consistent guidance from Dev and the ARise support team, Sourav had mastered the art of client acquisition. He no longer viewed freelancing as a struggle. Instead, it had become a reliable growth channel. From feeling overwhelmed to making consistent sales, Sourav’s transformation was undeniable.
What Made Him Win?
“I just showed up consistently and followed the roadmap without overthinking.”
Sourav’s unique blend of discipline (honed through his military career) and the proven ARise system led him to become an unstoppable force. There were no fancy tools, no promises of overnight success—just pure execution and tangible results.
🎯 Your Turn?
Sourav’s story shows that freelancing is not reserved for those with endless free time or specialized skills.
You don’t need 10 hours a day. You don’t need a fancy laptop. You don’t need luck.
What you do need is:
✅ A proven plan
✅ A mentor who’s been there
✅ Focused, consistent effort (just 1–2 hours a day)
If Sourav can build a thriving freelancing business while serving in the Indian Defence Forces, what’s stopping you?
👉 Join FAC today and turn your side hustle into a profitable freelance career and sign up for a Call Now