going indy
TRANSCRIPT
GOING INDEPENDENT 101LESSONS LEARNED FROM A DECADE OF INDEPENDENCE
Michael Eaton
@mjeaton on twitter
Who is Michael Eaton? Owner / Validus Solutions
Custom Software Development / Training / Coaching
Speaker C# MVP, MCSD Kalamazoo X Conference lead organizer Ann Arbor Give Camp lead organizer [email protected] Blog: http://mjeaton.net/blog Twitter: @mjeaton
How did I get started?
I had no clue what I was doing I made mistakes
I walked outI burned bridgesI did EVERYTHING wrong at the beginning
How should you get started? Plan
But not too much
Running a Business
Find a good accountant Find a good attorney Reduce friction
SoftwarePeopleProcesses
Finding Clients
Networking Headhunters
Be waryBe strong
Cold callingNever done it, never will
Setting Your Rate
Things you should NOT doDivide your current salary to get an hourly
rateUndervalue yourselfBe afraid
Things you should doValue yourselfCharge what you think the market can bear
NEVER
Work without a contract Waste your clients’ money Waste your time Lie
ALWAYS
Be honest Be happy Be looking for what’s next
Best and Worst Things
BestHome since my oldest was 4 months oldFlexibleI am in controlGood money (when times are good)
WorstFeast/famineKeeping the pipeline fullAlways working
Other Stuff
Sub-contracting Keeping up
Contact Info Email: [email protected] Blog: http://mjeaton.net/blog Twitter: @mjeaton