Sarah Sharkey, Freelance Writer, Florida

Sarah Sharkey is a freelance writer who has built a career from the ground up. For years, the flexibility of working as a freelance writer allowed her to tap into the lucrative opportunity of her in-demand skill. With the ability to set her own hours and rates, she was able to work around her demanding day job to achieve a measure of financial security.

After five years of freelancing on a part-time basis, Sarah transitioned to working on her business full-time. As a small business owner, she serves a wide range of clients by providing quality written copy for websites in the personal finance industry. Transitioning into the role of a small business owner has transformed her life for the better. She loves the freedom to set her own hours and rates. If she doesn’t enjoy working with a particular client, she can find another that values her skills.

If the DOL’s proposed rule, “Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act,” is passed, Sarah’s ability to earn an income on her own terms is in jeopardy. As a woman juggling several responsibilities beyond the workforce, this would severely limit her opportunities for a stable financial future as the owner of a business that took years of hard work to build.