I was an independent consultant for almost 10 years - the first year or two can be the toughest. One of the best pieces of advice that I got before I started w

I was an independent consultant for almost 10 years - the first year or two can be the toughest. One of the best pieces of advice that I got before I started was that you know that you're ready to be a consultant when people are calling you and offering you money to do work for them (i.e. your network and reputation is already mature). If you resort to a brokered arrangement the rates aren't nearly as compelling. If you think you've got contract work that will take you through your time period, go for it. If you want to discuss further, or are interested in discussing F/T work (the company I work at - Monetate - is hiring in the Philly area) feel free to email tjanofsky at monetate dot com.