Inside My Freelance Life: Last Quarter 2024 & Start of 2025

Let's Dive in

Hey dear,

It’s been a while since my last “Inside My Freelance Life” update. I wasn’t sure if I’d continue this series, especially after getting some questions from close friends about whether I should keep sharing my numbers and insights. But for now, I’ve decided to switch from monthly updates to quarterly ones—giving a deeper look into what’s happening every three to four months.

Financial Update

This quarter, I’ve been averaging around €50K per month between consultancy and other activities. It’s been a long journey from zero to this point, and let me tell you—it was not easy. People see the numbers but rarely see the work behind them.

The hardest part? Not the projects, not the clients—but the work on myself.

• Rebuilding self-belief to aim higher.

• Learning how to think and operate differently at every stage.

• Understanding that success isn’t just about working harder, but working smarter.

Of course, this business is still a rollercoaster—some months are great, others are tough. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned recently, it’s that cash flow is king.

It’s not just about how much you earn, but when you get paid and how you get paid. Delayed payments can kill momentum, so I’ve been focusing on optimizing invoicing, contracts, and payment terms to keep things smooth.

That said, 65% of my earnings go to taxes, and a significant portion of the remaining amount is reinvested into software development and tools to scale my work.

Growth & Hiring

After months (maybe years?) of debating, I’ve finally made the decision to hire.

I’ve been talking about this for a while, but I kept postponing—maybe out of fear, maybe out of perfectionism. Now, the decision is made. My first hire starts next month.

What this means:
✅ More availability for new clients.
✅ Less burnout from doing everything solo.
✅ More focus on high-value work.

Over the past few months, I had to turn down several projects simply because I didn’t have the bandwidth. Now, with the extra help, I can open up new spots. So if you need support with clinical strategy, CEP, CER, or regulatory documentation, now’s the time to reach out.

Health, Productivity & Balance

The biggest lesson from the past quarter? Health is everything.

If your health, relationships, and family life aren’t in good shape, your work will suffer. No question about it.

Lately, I’ve been:

• Investing in better health habits (though Capoeira consistency is still a challenge).

• Spending more time with family and friends—because business isn’t everything.

• Refining my productivity systems to keep work running smoothly without overloading myself.

On the productivity side, I’ve continued investing heavily in education. Over €10K+ spent on online courses in the past few months—covering everything from consulting strategies to attending conferences for professional growth.

Was it worth it? Absolutely. I’ve already seen a 10X return from what I learned.

Side Project Progress

My SaaS project is still moving forward—slowly but steadily. So far, I’ve logged over 4,000 hours of work into it.

The goal? Reduce the regulatory burden in the medical device industry and help notified bodies review clinical documentation faster.

I know the standard advice is to “launch fast and iterate,” but I want to get this right. More details will come at the right time.

The Power of Giving

Lately, I’ve had several clinical evaluation consultants reach out to me, struggling to find clients.

I did what I could—referred them to potential clients, shared advice, and gave insights. I don’t ask for commissions because I believe in helping without expecting immediate returns.

Business has its ups and downs. Today, I might have more clients than I can handle; tomorrow, I might need help myself. That’s just how it works.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned—it’s that if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Whether it’s clients, collaborations, or advice, don’t be afraid to reach out.

The Market in 2025

We’re two months into 2025, and the medtech industry is feeling the pressure.

• France & Germany: Many startups are shutting down—not just in medtech, but across all industries.

• U.S.: My clients there seem unaffected (for now).

• UAE: The best business climate I’ve seen recently.

Arab Health 2025: A Must-Attend Event

As you know, I attended Arab Health 2025 in Dubai, and it was a great experience.

The biggest takeaway? Dubai is a land of opportunities, but it’s not for everyone.

Pros:
✔ Unmatched safety—you can leave your bag and phone on the table in the street, and no one will touch it.
✔ Massive networking potential—Arab Health is now a World Exhibition for medtech.

If you’re in this industry, I highly recommend attending.

Looking Ahead

• Bringing on my first hire.

• Expanding my consultancy while maintaining high standards.

• Continuing to optimize cash flow and client management.

• Developing my SaaS platform to simplify regulatory compliance.

Let me know:

• Do you find these updates valuable?

• Would you find value in a specialized consulting resource for medical device professionals?

Until next time—stay consistent, keep pushing forward, and take care of yourself.

✌️ Peace,
Hatem
Your Clinical Evaluation Expert
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