Noel Ranger: Freelance consultant and entrepreneur

Noel Ranger is a real Australian soloist operating a professional service business. Basically, if you pay his hourly rate he’ll pretty much do whatever.

He secretly loves it when people call him an entrepreneur. Although deep down he knows he is too lazy to put in the effort needed to grow a huge business. Noel hides his failure to build a fortune by trumpeting on about the importance of ‘a balanced life’.

All his friends work for big corporates. Often, when he sits alone in his home office, he yearns for a BlackBerry, an expense account and an annual bonus. That’s why he is so cynical about corporate life.

He lives with his wife, kids and several large chips on his shoulder. He refers to himself as ‘Big Noel’. Noel can be contacted at noel.ranger@hotmail.com

Noel's memorable quote

"If at first you don't succeed, have a crack at something else."

Articles by Noel

• Noel Ranger is out of the office

  Tis the season of the email auto responder. Here’s what’s going in my festive message this year, you are most welcome to model yours on my inspiring words. Your clients will love you for it.

  • 23 December 09
  • Noel Ranger
  • 7 Comments

• Why your clients are like dogs

  I mean no disrespect, but your clients are like dogs and should be treated as such. When they come bounding up to your business with their big hopeful eyes, wet noses and wagging tails, don’t be fooled.

  • 10 July 09
  • Noel Ranger
  • 14 Comments

• 25 lies told by freelancers and clients

  Liars are everywhere, but they’re hard to spot, even if their pants are on fire. Never fear, I’ve researched the top 25 business lies told by freelancers and clients. Actually, there are only 14, but 25 will attract more RSS and Twitter readers.

  • 13 May 09
  • Noel Ranger
  • 26 Comments

• Can you run a business from the beach?

  Inspired by those cheesy images of freelancers working blissfully from the beach, I took a towel, sunnies, big straw hat and my trusty laptop down to the beach to write my Flying Solo article in the sun. Here’s the unedited result.

  • 25 December 08
  • Noel Ranger
  • 19 Comments

• Is a ballpark too much to ask?

  Whilst in the market for a new Thingy, I struggled to get a straight answer about cost. I mean, how hard can it be to make a rough guess? Very, it turns out.

  • 13 June 08
  • Noel Ranger
  • 13 Comments

• 

  22 things you MUST do every day

  With so many self-help books around, keeping up with the latest tips can be a major challenge for the time-poor solo business owner. Never fear, Big Noel sat down in Borders with a super-size latte and summarised just a few of the gurus’ tips.

  • 14 December 07
  • Noel Ranger
  • 18 Comments

• Stop thief! When customers don't pay

  Missing: One Word document, three ideas and a truckload of expertise. If seen, please return to Noel Ranger. I've been robbed and am not happy, Jan.

  • 19 October 07
  • Noel Ranger
  • 17 Comments

• 

  Confessions from the third bedroom

  The next time some well-meaning relative asks me how my 'little' business is going, when I’m getting an office, or, if I’m still 'just' freelancing, I’m going to chop down the family tree. It really gets my goat.

  • 24 August 07
  • Noel Ranger
  • 45 Comments

• Ideal clients? Man, you just gotta love big ones

  Dear big, massive, ideal client, Thank you for getting in touch to request a proposal for my services. I was so honoured when you selected little old me to be officially added to your ‘strategic solutions partners preferred supplier list’.

  • 20 June 07
  • Noel Ranger
  • 8 Comments