[zidar]

From what I know, you've freenlanced even before you've opened your own company. So this step up probably wasn't as hard as maybe for someone who hasn't done as much freelancing before. Any advice for anyone that just realized "gee I feel like I should be a freelancer" and doesn't have much exposure or contacts to start with.

[Swizec]

Going from freelancing next to college for 10 hours a week to full-time freelancing and having to pay all the government fees all week is a beast. Nothing to sneeze at.

Your last few words explain what somebody fresh should do: "doesn't have much exposure or contacts to start with" -> get those. Work on finding contacts, here on HN works really really great, talk to people in the industry, attend events, give talks, gain exposure.