What Nobody Tells You About the First Year of Going Independent

Two years ago, I left a full-time role and went independent.

At the time, I did not have some big dramatic exit. No grand plan. No sweeping declaration that I was going to build a company.

What I had was a growing sense that there might be another way to do this work.

The Seed of the Idea

The idea did not come out of nowhere. A friend of mine had left his CFO role years earlier and gone independent. When he first did it, I honestly thought, “That could never be me.” It felt too risky, too uncertain, too far outside the path I had imagined for myself.

But over time, I watched him build a practice that really worked. And little by little, I started to realize that this path might be possible for me too.

Not because I had all the answers and certainly not because I was fearless. But I had spent over 20 years building relationships, doing hard work, earning trust, and learning where I could be most useful.

That was really the foundation of year one.

What Surprised Me Most

What surprised me most was not just that there was demand. It was that the work felt more aligned.

The conversations were more direct.

The relationships were more intentional.

The impact felt clearer.

I also found that when you have spent a long time trying to be helpful to people, opportunities tend to come from that. One conversation led to another. One engagement led to a referral. And over time, what I thought might become a small solo practice turned into something bigger than I expected.

Originally, I assumed I would work with one or two clients at a time and keep things very simple. Instead, the demand for the work kept growing, and it became clear that I was not building a solo practice after all. I was building a real company, with real employees, and all the chaos that comes with being a Founder and CEO.

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me

There have been plenty of challenges. Going independent requires structure, discipline, and a tolerance for uncertainty. You have to build systems, manage cash flow, stay organized, and keep delivering at a high level without anyone else creating the container for you.

It also requires humility. You do not need to know everything. But you do need to know what you are good at, where you can add value, and how to show up for clients in a way that is steady and useful.

That is probably the biggest lesson I have learned.

For People Considering This Path

For people considering this path, I would say this: you do not need a massive platform or some perfect launch strategy. You do need credibility, strong relationships, and a real willingness to serve. If people trust you, if your work has been meaningful, and if you are ready to take ownership of building something, you may be closer than you think.

The fractional path is not right for everyone. But for the right person, it can create a professional life with a lot of purpose, flexibility, and impact.

I’m hosting a free webinar on Thursday, March 26 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern to talk more about what this transition really looks like — practically, emotionally, and professionally.

No hard sell. Just an honest conversation for anyone who has been wondering whether this path might be possible for them.

Register here:https://go.strategicnonprofitfinance.com/freeclass