Whitney Hess http://whitneyhess.com/blog

I’m the freshman

Whitney Hess user experience designer

Independent consultant based in NYC

Quit my full-time job to go indie in August 08

Whitney Hess http://whitneyhess.com/blog

Why I quit

Greater control over my career

Wider variety of projects

Didn't fit into the corporate environment

Whitney Hess http://whitneyhess.com/blog

How I started

Incorporated August ‘05, freelanced while full-time

Built a client base, from tactical to strategic projects

Learned about the realities from seasoned indies

Gathered template deliverables

Created a reserve fund

Whitney Hess http://whitneyhess.com/blog

Creating success

3-4 clients at time for 2-week to 4-month projects

Work with major corporations (Hearst), start-ups (boxee), and agencies (Happy Cog)

5-10 hours a week on business development

Supplement consulting with speaking, writing and teaching

Whitney Hess http://whitneyhess.com/blog

Facing challenges

Pricing structures

No design crits!

Being strategic about what's next

No structure or routine

Fear and anxiety are plentiful