How to Start a Small Business
There are many benefits to starting a consulting business—flexible hours, unlimited earning potential, the freedom to choose your own clients and projects—and these benefits have made this career choice increasingly popular. In fact, our 2019 State of Independence in America study found that the independent workforce currently stands at 41.1 million people. However, not everyone…
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There are a myriad of words, phrases, and terms used to describe independent workers. Are you a freelancer, self-employed, independent consultant, independent contractor, side-gigger, on-demand worker, solopreneur, or some combination thereof? To both the outside world and the independent worker, these terms can be quite confusing. Many have conflicting definitions, particularly when it comes to…
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The decision to pursue an independent career can be both exciting and scary. The rewards of being your own boss, working flexible hours, and the ability to pursue what you’re passionate about are great, but as an independent, you also assume the challenges, risks, and infrastructure of running a business. In his webinar, Going Independent: Are You…
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If you’re considering going independent, one big question you should ask is: are my skills in demand? Building a successful business is not only dependent on having great service offerings, but you also have to find and maintain a consistent pipeline of work as well. The following are five popular industries for independents—but don’t worry if…
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The ability to work when and where you like, be your own boss, and turn your passion into a career make independent work broadly appealing, but that doesn’t mean it is for everyone. Running your own business can be stressful and it will require more than a few long hours. Nevertheless, people are often hesitant…
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Big career changes such as retirement can be unsettling for even the most accomplished professionals. But if you’re like many people who still feel like they have great work to do, you can use your transition to retirement as an opportunity to launch a profitable and fulfilling career as an independent consultant, joining a 41 million-strong workforce of…
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An invoice may be the last thing that comes to mind when you think of powerful communication tools for your small business, but an invoice that is put together well can enhance your professionalism, make a good impression, and lay the groundwork for a continuing business relationship. An invoice is a permanent record of the…
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If you are considering quitting full-time employment for a career as an independent consultant, here are several key factors that can help you determine if (and when) this transition is right for you. 1. You are financially ready There’s no magic number needed to quit one’s job and make the leap to self-employment, but typically…
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Becoming an independent consultant is an exciting transition. It’s a chance to be your own boss, pursue projects you’re passionate about, and control when and where you work. At the same time, there’s bound to be mistakes involved when starting a new business venture. Avoid the growing pains of self-employment by learning about common errors and…
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One of the benefits of being an independent professional is having the flexibility to follow your passion and choose the type of work you do. However, project frequency can ebb and flow, and it can sometimes be difficult to establish a steady stream of work. Luckily, there are many ways to keep your pipeline full such as…
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