That’s a cool and stylish name for freelance consultants!
Or should I say my journey from smart dresses and corporate suits to comfort and casual wear.
When I decided to leave my comfortable, well-paid corporate job, and become a consultant, there were two kinds of people who I came across – some who said “Wow! This is amazing…go for it” and some others who said, “Are you crazy…what’s wrong with you…stop watching Shark Tank kinda shows.” All this gyaan that I was getting was obviously “free advice” because half of them didn’t really care while I know there were some well wishers who were genuinely happy for me and probably even proud of me.
My corporate life was like an old sweater – extremely comfortable but probably a bit worn out. Basically, I felt I was getting worn out. So, I said “goodbye worn out sweater!”
When I told my boss about it, first he was like “why do you want to leave this place…aren’t you happy here?”, but after a lot of discussion, he not only respected my decision but also suggested that I start as a consultant in my current job itself.
It was great as I used to go to work only thrice a week and rest of the time do my own thing. It was going great…money coming in, being my own boss and after 18+ years of working, you tend to be a bit over-confident that work will keep pouring in.
Ultimately, after a year of consulting, my contract came to an end. The stability of a reliable paycheck every month and the ting sound of the msg on the last day of every month when your salary gets credited was out of the window. It suddenly felt like I was leaving the VIP section of a party to join the wild dance floor. I was now on the other side of the fence pitching myself to new clients, which I thought would be easy peezy. Spoiler Alert: Not as easy peezy as you think…it’s quite a rollercoaster.
First of all, getting new clients is not as easy as it looks in movies and shows. Building their trust and confidence takes a long time. When you start, usually it’s the start-ups that show you more interest than bigger companies because you are a freelancer and not an established agency. In a way it’s good as you get more experience with start-ups…really? May be…actually yes it’s true but then…they are always on a frugal marketing budget which means my dear friend…your fees ain’t gonna be that great in the beginning.
Sometimes I felt like I was in a circus… juggling multiple projects, tight roping deadlines, cut to a day when you are whiling away time doing random things. It happens…what’s important is not to let it impact you. I didn’t. The regular monthly income changed into multiple incomes in a month. Every time I got a new client onboard, I had a 50% advance coming into my account..imagine not waiting till the end of the month…super feeling!
My regular practice of Nichiren’s Buddhism helped me stay in Zen mode at most times. And by the way, you will be happy to know that I get time to workout every single day (not that I didn’t have time earlier) and I have been told that I look almost 10 years younger and of course hotter! Credit goes to a lot of things – my meditation, my change in lifestyle, and my escapade of becoming a Happiness Coach…ya ya it’s a real thing…trust me…I am certified by an international university! Now I share my profound wisdom with others and inspire them….
This is the best decision I took. Taking that first step is crucial, and half your battle is won. Even if you stumble, each step forward is a victory. Embrace the uncertainties, learn from the tough days, and watch as your passion transforms into a flourishing reality. This is not just a journey of entrepreneurship; it's a journey of self-discovery, growth, and the fulfillment of dreams.
So peeps take that risk…quit your cushy jobs and become your own bosses…it’s now or never. There will be setbacks but there are rewards too so keep going!!
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