Why not both? The more side work you do, the more extra income you can earn. The more you learn, the more marketable skills you'll have to offer your clients?

Why not both? The more side work you do, the more extra income you can earn. The more you learn, the more marketable skills you'll have to offer your clients? I don't think it's an either/or proposition. I think it's a both/and... This has proven to work very well for me. I had a day job. I also had side work. One of my side customers asked me to come on with their org as a full-time employee. Instead, I started a company - and they are my biggest customer.