The problem isn't invoicing. It's leverage

I freelanced for years and tried every invoicing tool out there. Sent invoices faster. Added late fees. Wrote polite follow-ups. Nothing really moved the needle.

Then I realized something: the moment I delivered final files, I had nothing. The client had everything they needed. My invoice was just another task on their list, competing with a hundred other priorities.

The issue wasn't how I invoiced. It was when I invoiced - after all my leverage was gone.

The fix: make payment part of the workflow

I started breaking projects into stages. Each stage has a deliverable. Client reviews, approves, pays - then the next stage unlocks.

Simple concept. But it changed everything:

• Clients knew exactly when payments were due (no surprises)

• I never delivered more work than I'd been paid for

• The awkward "just following up" emails disappeared

• Bad clients filtered themselves out early

Most clients actually preferred this. It gave them clarity too.

Why I built MileStage

Managing this manually was a mess. Spreadsheets, reminders, tracking what was paid, what wasn't, who needed a nudge.

So I built MileStage to handle it:

• Stage-based projects - break work into clear milestones

• Client portal - clients see progress, approve work, pay in one place

• Automatic locking - next stage won't unlock until current one is paid

• Automated reminders - system sends follow-ups so you don't have to

• Zero transaction fees - payments go straight to your Stripe account

That last part matters. Most platforms take 2-3% of every payment. MileStage doesn't touch your money. Flat subscription, that's it.

What MileStage is NOT

• Not an invoicing tool (plenty of those exist)

• Not an all-in-one project management suite

• Not for hourly billing

It does one thing: helps you get paid stage-by-stage without chasing clients.

Who it's for

Freelancers who work in stages - designers, developers, content creators, photographers, consultants. Anyone who's ever delivered work and then waited weeks (or months) for payment.

If you bill hourly or work with big corporate clients who have 60-day AP cycles no matter what, this probably isn't for you.

But if you work with small businesses and individuals who just need a nudge and a clear structure? This might save you a lot of headaches.

I'd love your feedback

This is a solo project. Built it nights and weekends because I needed it myself.

If you try it, I genuinely want to know:

• What's confusing?

• What's missing?

• What would make you actually use this?