Thinking about quitting your 9-to-5 but scared of uncertainty?
In this episode, we speak with Brian Gallagher, a Corporate Escape Artist and creator of Simple Man Guide, a platform dedicated to helping others leave the corporate world behind, about how to regain power over their most precious asset - time, and build a successful solo business in 90 days 🤩
From this episode, you'll learn how to:
✅ Financially prepare before leaving your job.
✅ Find the right freelance business idea and first clients.
✅ Shift from an employee to a business owner mindset.
✅ Avoid common mistakes that hold new freelancers back.
✅ Take one simple action today to kickstart your freelancing journey.
Watch now and take control of your freelance journey! 🚀
🎧 Or listen to it here on Spotify
Why most people fear quitting their 9-to-5?
Leaving a stable job is terrifying, and fear of the unknown often stops people from pursuing freelancing.
The most common worries include:
🔹 Financial insecurity: “What if I don’t make enough money?”
🔹 Fear of failure: “What if I can’t find clients or my business doesn’t take off?”
🔹 Loss of status: “What will people think if I leave a ‘respectable’ career?”
🔹 Uncertainty about what to offer: “Do I even have skills people will pay for?”
Our guest, who left a high-paying career in investment banking, experienced all of these fears firsthand. However, he found that taking small, intentional steps before quitting made the transition much smoother.
So, where do you start?
1. Prepare financially before quitting
One of the biggest concerns for aspiring freelancers is money—and rightfully so. Before quitting, it’s crucial to set up a financial safety net so you don’t feel pressured to take low-paying jobs out of desperation.
Here’s how to prepare financially:
✔️ Save 3-6 months of living expenses to cover bills while you get clients.
✔️ Lower unnecessary expenses to reduce financial pressure.
✔️ Start freelancing on the side while still employed to test your services.
✔️ Detach emotionally from a steady paycheck—freelancing income fluctuates, but proper planning makes it manageable.
💡 “Having savings gave me emotional permission to take risks and focus on growing my business instead of worrying about survival.”
2. Find a problem you can solve before branding yourself
Many new freelancers think they need a website, LLC, logo, or fancy branding before launching. The truth? You don’t need any of that to land clients.
Instead, focus on these three key things:
🔹 The problem you solve – What skill or service can you offer?
🔹 Who you solve it for – What type of client or business needs this?
🔹 The outcome you provide – What results will they get from hiring you?
Once you have these answers, start talking to potential clients. Join communities, reach out on LinkedIn, or offer your service to someone for free or at a discount to gain experience and testimonials.
💡 “Freelancers don’t get hired because of a website—they get hired because they solve a problem.”
3. Shift from an employee to a business owner mindset
One of the hardest parts of freelancing isn’t finding clients—it’s learning to think like a business owner instead of an employee.
Most freelancers struggle because they still expect work to come to them, like a paycheck. But successful freelancers proactively create opportunities by:
✅ Building a network – Freelancing is about relationships, not job applications.
✅ Selling themselves – You need to pitch your value, not just list your skills.
✅ Being strategic about pricing – Don’t just charge hourly, think about value-based pricing.
To develop a business owner mindset, take action before you feel ready:
🔹 Write a LinkedIn post sharing what you do and who you help.
🔹 Reach out to 5 potential clients and offer to help them.
🔹 Test different offers to see what resonates most with people.
💡 “Action is the antidote to overthinking. If you’re stuck, just start.”
4. Common mistakes new freelancers make
Most freelancers waste months on tasks that don’t bring clients. Here’s what to avoid:
🚫 Building a website before talking to clients. No one will find it if you don’t have an audience yet.
🚫 Waiting for the perfect offer. Freelancing is about testing, learning, and adjusting.
🚫 Spending too much time on branding. Focus on real client interactions first.
🚫 Thinking they need an LLC before making money. Start as a sole proprietor and upgrade later.
🚫 Undercharging or working for exposure. Value your time from day one.
💡 “Instead of working on things that feel productive, focus on activities that actually bring in clients.”
5. One simple step you can take today
If you’re feeling stuck, here’s one easy but powerful action you can take today:
👉 Find someone who needs your help and offer your service for free or at a discount in exchange for a testimonial.
Why this works:
✅ You gain experience delivering your service.
✅ You learn what clients actually need.
✅ You build social proof that makes it easier to attract paid clients.
💡 “Freelancing success comes from solving problems—not from having a fancy website or perfect business plan.”
TL;DR
Quitting your corporate job doesn’t have to be a reckless leap. With the right financial plan, clear offers, and an action-oriented mindset, you can build a thriving freelance business.
✔️ Save money and test freelancing before quitting.
✔️ Find a problem to solve before worrying about branding or websites.
✔️ Think like a business owner, not an employee.
✔️ Avoid common mistakes like waiting for perfection or focusing on the wrong things.
✔️ Take action today—offer your service to someone and learn from real experience.
Freelancing isn’t about jumping blindly—it’s about taking smart, strategic steps.
Quotes
1️⃣ “You don’t need a website, a logo, or an LLC to start freelancing—you need a problem to solve, a person to solve it for, and a way to show them you can help.”
2️⃣ “The fear of leaving a stable paycheck is real, but the truth is, freelancing isn’t a one-way door. If it doesn’t work out, you can always go back—so why not try?”
3️⃣ “Action is the antidote to overthinking. Stop waiting for the perfect plan—start, learn, adapt, and grow.”
4️⃣ “Your first client doesn’t have to be perfect. Offer your service for free or at a discount, get real-world experience, and build social proof. Confidence comes from doing.”
5️⃣ “People spend months building a website and a brand before they ever talk to a client. The fastest way to success? Start conversations, solve problems, and build relationships first.”
