Thinking about going out on your own? Read this first.

If you’re thinking about freelancing or becoming a consultant, you’re not alone.

Lately, I’ve been hearing from a lot of people—former coworkers, friends, strangers on LinkedIn—who are either choosing or being nudged (read: laid off) into self-employment. Some are excited. Some are terrified. Most are asking: Should I try this? Can I actually make it work?

It’s a fair question. And one I’ve answered many times, always with a long pause and an honest disclaimer: while I’ve built a successful business, I’m hesitant to dish out generic advice. Because truthfully? I had a lot of things going in my favor that most folks don’t.

How I got here (and why that matters)

I was lucky.

I worked for a company that encouraged me to build a personal brand. They put me in front of conferences, helped me publish content, and gave me opportunities to teach. At the time, I thought I was just doing my job. In reality, I was building equity in myself.

Five years later, I left to go out on my own. But I didn’t jump blind. I had a 20-hour-a-week client locked in, several leads lined up, and (just as important) three months of salary saved. I was still scared—but I had a plan.

That kind of ramp makes all the difference. And right now, fewer people have it.

The job market is shaky. Layoffs are everywhere. People are burned out, undervalued, and increasingly looking at freelancing or consulting as a next step. Some are excited. Others are just trying to stay afloat.

The numbers back it up: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of self-employed workers jumped by nearly 10% in the past year alone. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are seeing record signups. LinkedIn is turning into a digital farmer’s market of solo shops, indie strategists, fractional leaders, and “ex-[insert big brand here]” bios. Everyone’s hustling. Everyone’s hanging a shingle.

But under all that optimism? Reality. Which brings me to this.

What no one tells you about becoming a freelancer or consultant

Here’s what I wish someone told me when I started.

You can do everything right and still have slow months. Clients will ghost—sometimes mid-proposal, sometimes after you’ve delivered final work and are waiting to get paid. Invoices will get stuck in accounting purgatory. You’ll spend more time promoting your work than actually doing it. And yes, you’ll wonder—often—if you made a huge mistake.

You’ll also miss the stuff you never thought you’d miss: hallway chats, Slack threads that derailed your afternoon, coworkers who offered a quick joke or gut-check when you needed it most. As a solo business owner, those moments don’t happen unless you build them in. The loneliness can sneak up on you, especially if you’ve come from a team-driven culture.

You will work harder than you ever have. You’ll stretch every skill you’ve ever used—and learn five more you didn’t realize you needed. You’ll be your own project manager, strategist, creative lead, bookkeeper, and emotional support system. And most of the time, no one will be there to acknowledge the effort.

That might sound negative. It’s not. It’s just real. This is the part no one shares in those shiny LinkedIn posts or “I’m thrilled to announce…” updates.

But here’s the part that makes it all worth it: you will learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible.

You’ll learn what kind of work actually excites you. What kind of clients you never want to work with again. What it takes to stay focused without structure. How you respond to failure—and how you recover. You’ll see your patterns, your values, your voice, and your resilience more clearly than you ever did in a full-time role.

And if you let that clarity guide you, it can change everything.

I want people to succeed at this. But I also want them to walk in with their eyes open. Because this path—freelancing, consulting, self-employment—isn’t just a career move. It’s an identity shift. One that’s full of uncertainty, but also full of possibility.

If you’re serious about going solo, start here.

[Ad break] I don’t coach freelancers—but I do help leaders get their sh*t together

Let’s be clear: I’m not the guy who’s going to walk you through building a six-figure consulting business on vibes and Canva templates. That’s not my lane.

But I have coached plenty of leaders through big transitions—into new roles, new responsibilities, and better ways of leading. I help teams run smoother, communicate like adults, and actually get work done without burning out or checking out.

At Same Team Partners, we work with teams and leaders who want clarity, efficiency, and fewer “this could’ve been an email” moments. If that sounds like something you need more of, I’m your guy.

Let’s make work better.

So you want to become a consultant or freelancer? Here’s what you need to know.

1. Don’t quit your job on a hunch

Save three months of expenses—at least. Have real prospects lined up. When I left my first job, I had part-time work and other gigs in the pipeline. I was nervous, but I had a soft landing. Plan for one.

2. Show that you’re great at what you do

A website alone won’t cut it. Any dummy can spin up a decent homepage. What matters is social proof. Build credibility through LinkedIn, speaking engagements, a blog, testimonials, even a few awards if you’ve got them.

3. Marketing is a necessary evil (and I still hate it)

I overthink everything. I’ve abandoned my own blog more times than I can count. But here’s what I’ve learned: people won’t hire you if they don’t know you exist. YouTube is full of tips. Try stuff. Get weird. Just don’t try to please everyone—be real, and your people will find you.

4. Make time for the admin stuff

Bookkeeping. Taxes. Paperwork. Expense tracking. It’s all on you now. And I won’t lie—it’s exhausting. You are now your own office manager. Good luck. I hate it too.

5. Freelancing can be lonely

I went from being on a team to being totally solo. I missed the camaraderie immediately. Thankfully, I’d built a community—professional friends, past colleagues, other consultants—and that helped. If there’s one thing I’ll always bet on, it’s community. Find or build yours, because you will need the support.

6. Everything takes longer when there’s just one of you

Want to get better at time estimation? You’ll need to. You will underestimate how long things take. (And no, I won’t tell you what to charge. Know your worth, and make sure you get it.)

TL;DR

The rise in self-employment is real—but so are the challenges. If you’re thinking about freelancing or becoming a consultant, don’t go in blind. Build your runway, know your value, show your work, and find your people. You can do this. Just know what you’re walking into.