I've transitioned back and forth between employment and independent consulting several times. The number 1 thing you need to be successful as an independent is

I've transitioned back and forth between employment and independent consulting several times. The number 1 thing you need to be successful as an independent is A CUSTOMER. Make sure you have work lined up in advance of leaving your employment. Seems simple, but often overlooked. Especially when a person has a S/W project they've been working on, and plan to launch it into a business.