A Jewish businesswoman in Overland Park, Kansas, is celebrating the 20th anniversary this year of the networking not-for-profit she founded.
Julie Cortés (nee Klinock) established The Freelance Exchange (FX) of Kansas City as a resource for self-employed advertising and marketing professionals and for businesses seeking outsourced creative services.
Cortés, 49, graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School and holds an undergraduate journalism degree (with an emphasis in advertising) from the University of Kansas.
She became a bat mitzvah at Congregation Ohev Sholom and was part of the second confirmation class at Congregation Beth Torah. She is the daughter of Jerry and Susie Klinock of Overland Park.
Cortés participated in BBYO growing up and considered it a “great place to find people like myself” since her high school did not have many Jewish students. She credits Judaism with imbuing her with a “strong sense of curiosity that has opened up all sorts of possibilities that I never would have dreamed of.”
Cortés is working with the Freelancers Union, a national nonprofit based in New York City, to replicate the FX model in other communities. Freelancers in Buffalo, New York, Knoxville, Tennessee, and beyond have expressed interest in establishing chapters.
FX’s core mission is to foster the success of self-employed advertising and marketing professionals by way of continuing education, networking, mentorship, social and professional opportunities. FX also serves as a resource for businesses seeking outside creative talent by offering a free directory.
Cortés said the work-from-home experience of many employees during the pandemic accelerated a trend toward solopreneurship. Half the workforce could be self-employed even before the pre-pandemic estimate of 2027, Cortés said.
Whatever the case, she said, “FX is primed and ready to help people when they go out on their own.”
