4 key steps to take before you leave your job and go solo

Written by Lilli Graf

You’ve been doing some soul-searching and might feel more certain that going solo is your next move. That’s exciting! But there’s no need to rush before you’re ready.

While you're still in your full-time job, there are a few strategic steps to set yourself up for a smooth transition into solopreneurship. These are the practical steps I wish I had known before I made the leap.

1. Cultivate your network with purpose

Your network will be one of your most valuable assets when you go solo. The relationships you build now will be the foundation for your future work. Since around 84% of freelance work comes from word-of-mouth, it’s essential to create deep, meaningful connections, not just casual ones.

The benefit of networking while employed? You’ve got credibility from your current role and you are not trying to sell anything—just making genuine connections.

Ask yourself: Who in my network could be a valuable ally or mentor when I go solo? How can I pay it forward?

Action step: Set a goal to reach out to 3 people this week—colleagues, mentors, or peers. Use a simple CRM (or even a spreadsheet) to track these connections and nurture them over time. Don’t have a template? Reply to this email and I’ll share the one we co-created with our solopreneur community.

2. Build your “Independence Fund”

Working for yourself is unpredictable, and financial instability is a common stressor. Start building a financial cushion now—think of it as your "independence fund.” This type of financial security gives you the flexibility to walk away from projects that don’t feel right. It puts you in a stronger position during negotiations and takes away the constant money stress.

Let’s be real—worrying drains both your energy and your time—energy you could spend growing your business and time you could use to focus on projects that matter. The more you save, the more freedom you’ll have to shape your freelance career on your own terms. Plus, with this buffer in place, you can handle slow periods without panicking.

Ask yourself: How much do I need to cover my essential living expenses for 6 to 12 months? How can I adjust my spending to save faster?

Action step: Set up an automatic transfer to a dedicated savings account. Even small, consistent amounts add up over time.

3. Upskill now—no matter your destination

When you go solo, you won’t have a development budget or a team with a wide range of skill sets to rely on. This means you’ll need to become more versatile, learning not just about your core field but also the business side of working for yourself. While you're still employed, take advantage of opportunities to gain new skills, like sales, project management, or client relations.

Think of it as building the toolkit you’ll need to succeed on your own. The more you learn now, the less overwhelming it’ll be when you're responsible for every part of your business.

Ask yourself: What skills will I need that I don’t have yet? How can I develop those skills now, while I have the stability of a full-time job?

Action step: Choose one skill to focus on—sales, marketing, or client management. Consider online courses, podcasts, or asking for more responsibilities at work to build your expertise.

4. Prototype your freelance career

You don’t have to quit your job cold turkey. Transitioning to freelancing is often an evolution, not a revolution.

One of the smartest ways to transition is by prototyping your freelance career while you’re still employed. You can start small—offering workshops, taking on part-time consulting gigs, or starting a passion project.

When I made my shift, I asked to reduce my hours to a 4-day workweek, which gave me one day each week to focus on building my freelance business. Even if reducing your hours isn’t an option, there are still ways to carve out time for low-risk, manageable experiments. These small tests will help you build confidence, gather experience, and maybe even land a few clients before fully making the leap.

Ask yourself: What small projects or side gigs can I take on to test freelancing? How can I carve out time in my schedule to experiment?

Action step: Explore small, low-risk experiments to see if freelancing is the right fit. Like interviewing three solopreneurs or freelancers to learn how they manage time, find clients, and handle challenges. Hearing their stories can give you a clearer sense of whether this path excites you.

Taking these steps before you leave your job can make the leap to freelancing much less daunting. You’ll feel more prepared, financially stable, and already have a network to lean on.

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