From Corporate to Indie Consulting: My Career Transition Journey (And Maybe Yours, Too...)

Thinking about leaving the corporate world to go solo? I’ve been there.?

And now I manage a seven-figure consultancy.?

It wasn’t an easy path: there are a lot of things to prepare – yourself included.?

Becoming an indie requires nerve.?

But when anxiety surfaces, there’s probably a good reason for it.?

For many, the transition to independent consulting starts with frustration – burnout, bureaucracy, and the nagging sense that there’s a different path to a more fulfilling life.?

I started growing frustrated in my corporate role because despite meeting every goal and doing everything asked of me, I was still told to wait in line for a big promotion.?

I realized that if I was on my own and working that hard, then I could be twice as successful.?

So, I made a bold move.?

When the opportunity for a voluntary severance package was presented, I took it - and never looked back.?

What follows is what worked for me – and if the idea of independent consulting has been sitting at the back of your mind rent free, it might work for you too.?

Pedro Girardi has a lot more to say about running yourself like a business after leaving the corporate world. Make sure to stay tuned for his full podcast interview.?

The Reality Check: Am I Really Ready for This??

The perks of going indie are obvious – more freedom, more control, and more potential for higher earnings.??

Beyond the financial upside, there’s an even more powerful perk: the ability to shape work on your own terms.?

Of course, stepping out of a corporate structure means taking on more roles. Indies become consultants, salespeople, and business owners all at once.??

But instead of seeing that as a burden, think of it this way:??

Independent consulting is the perfect opportunity to build something that reflects your strengths and ambitions.?

Instead of asking yourself, “Do I really WANT to do this?” Turn the question around to: “Am I READY to build something of my own?”?

The moment the answer is a resounding yes, everything shifts and the determination to take the leap intensifies.?

What You Gain and What You Leave Behind?

Independent consulting opens doors to more work that aligns with personal goals, interests, and expertise. It’s the chance to set the terms, choose the projects, and shape the kind of business that feels right.?

But there’s a reason why not every consultant takes the leap.?

Gone are the steady paychecks, healthcare benefits, and built-in corporate support. There will be an adjustment period – financially, emotionally, and even socially. Sometimes, transitioning can feel isolating, but these challenges build resilience.?

I learned to navigate through the uncertainties because it’s part of the process. And eventually, the independence outweighed the growing pains.?

What felt like risks at the beginning eventually became strengths.?

Set the Scene: What to Prepare Before Quitting?

It always helps to have a plan.?

Laying the groundwork before handing in your resignation means setting yourself up with the financial stability, network, and mindset to hit the ground running instead of scrambling to stay afloat.?

Strengthening Your Support Systems ?

Big changes don’t happen in isolation. Family, friends, and close networks will feel the transition, too. While the decision to go indie is personal, having the right support in place can make all the difference.?

Open conversations about what’s ahead, such as fluctuating income, longer hours in the early days, and the mental shifts that come with running a business. This helps set the stage for smoother transitions.?

Being upfront about the challenges allows for better support. It’s not just about reassurance – it’s about making sure those closest to you understand the why behind the move.?

When the intention behind the transition is clear, support becomes a powerful force. The best approach is to address fears, plan for the future together, and move forward on the same page.?

Some consultants also find that having a mentor, coach, or even a tight-knit community makes the transition easier. A strong support system outside the family will help you navigate challenges, remain grounded, and build confidence through the ups and (inevitable) downs.?

Reevaluating Your Motivations and Realities?

Before taking the leap, one big question loomed: Would self-employment make sense financially – not just in the long run, but through the unpredictable early months??

Leaving behind a steady paycheck and employer-sponsored benefits was an adjustment, but it also unlocked real financial control.?

Asking myself whether self-employment was the right answer changed everything.?

Every dollar had a purpose – covering essentials, reinvesting in growth, and maximizing tax advantages. The early months brought lessons in managing cash flow, handling slow-paying clients, and making trade-offs to build something sustainable.?

But once stability took hold, the transition felt like freedom.?

Laying the Foundation Before Leaving?

The smartest moves happen before handing in that resignation letter.?

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Ask any indie consultant and they will tell you that a financial cushion makes all the difference. Savings cover personal expenses in the first few months and help indie consultants buy time to establish a client base without immediately causing financial instability. ?

Another key move? Tapping into an existing network to help you lay the foundation before transitioning to indie.?

People already familiar with past work can be the first clients. They can also be sources of referrals, recommendations, or even insights.?

Some consultants even start taking on side projects within their network while still employed, giving them a head start to build experience and credibility before going all-in with independent consulting.?

Making the Most Out of a Severance Package?

One of the best safety nets? A severance package.?

Looking back, taking advantage of that severance package made the first few months of transition a bit easier for me. I was able to focus on moving forward and figuring things out as I went.?

For anyone leaving the corporate world, a well-negotiated severance package can be a game-changer. It provides financial breathing room so indie consultants can invest more in their business or cover personal expenses as things ramp up.?

Using it strategically – whether to bridge the gap between projects, fund marketing efforts, or upskill – can make a real difference in those early months as an indie consultant.?

Ready for Launch: What the Beginning Looks Like?

The most successful indie consultants don’t just leave – they launch.?

The first six months are about momentum – turning ambition into action, connections into clients, and challenges into stepping stones for the business of your own terms.?

It’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to be rewarding in the end.?

Hustling Hard During the First Six Months?

My early days as an indie consultant were intense – both from chaos and excitement.?

The to-do list didn’t shrink, it just multiplied. One moment it’s refining a service offering, and the next it’s navigating invoicing and marketing.?

For me, it took about 18 months before things felt truly stable.?

Three years to feel comfortable.?

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The first six months were full-on hustle mode. No shortcuts or magic formulas – just consistent effort and strategic networking. Clients didn’t just appear out of thin air. I had to find them one conversation, one project, and one referral at a time.?

Some days were exciting, and others were about keeping the lights on for one more day. But every challenge was a step forward. After all, the early grind was about building something of my own.?

Once the momentum kicked in, the only path left was forward.?

Running Yourself Like a Business?

Transitioning to indie consulting will also require you to manage money differently.?

It’s a shift from earning a paycheck to running a business, where every dollar has a job. Expenses like software, marketing, and health insurance, once covered by an employer, now become part of the monthly budget.??

The first few months aren’t about deprivation, but about smart choices – holding off on big purchases, skipping the splurges, and focusing on financial stability.?

A dream vacation or a new house can wait; the foundation of a thriving business comes first.?

For me, that meant shifting from spending freely to making every expense intentional.?

Less impulse, more strategy.?

Every dollar was weighed against the bigger goal: creating something sustainable.?

One way to make this easier for you is to track your expenses and cashflow – learn a bit of accounting if you must. But I found that using QuickBooks helped me budget better.?

A Note About Taxes -?

Guess what? Taxes are also your responsibility now.??

But don't worry - businesses are eligible for a whole new set of tax benefits and deductions.?

The tax code, after all, isn’t built to punish small businesses – it’s designed to support them. Indie consultants don’t need to find loopholes; they just need to use what’s already there.?

You can download our Business Guide & Tax Planner to crack the code for tax write-offs.?

And my advice? Talk to a tax professional who specializes in self-employed individuals. They’ll get you through the tax maze.?

My Consulting Journey: The End Note (For Now)?

Transitioning to indie consulting was a bold move, and it’s not for everyone. But with the right preparation and mindset, it can be incredibly rewarding.?

I didn’t have a foolproof plan going into this venture. But now, Keenan Reid Strategies has grown into a seven-figure consultancy that exists in the service of its clients.?

If you're considering this career path, take the time to lay a solid financial foundation, strengthen your support network, and define a unique value.?

This was my journey – maybe it could be yours too.?

Stay tuned for the second part of this journey: how I built a business that lasts.?

If you’re a corporate consultant considering the move to independent consulting or fractional work, join our consultant open house every 4th Friday of the month to learn more about what’s in store for you.?

Did you enjoy this article? I publish articles like this, along with the templates, frameworks, and hacks I’ve developed in my 20 years as a management consultant, in my weekly newsletter, The 2x2. ?? Subscribe Here?

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