Permy role -> Consulting role -> Contracting is the way I did it.
Although as a lot of people say, clients come from my network and referrals. So build that up first. Also, I started my own consulting gig in the UK, which is pretty much consulting central (I don't know any other country that normalises contracting to such an extent).
Possibly something like TopTal would work if your network hasn't reached critical mass yet. They'll take the pain out of finding clients. But that's never been an issue for me.
I think starting from scratch now might be a bit trickier. I have a Saas that's in an industry that's sort of dependent on relationships. And those are harder to build in today's virtual world (or at least, I'm finding it so). I don't think I have any great wisdom on what to do differently though. My pipeline is sort of an organic subsconscious thing.
Although as a lot of people say, clients come from my network and referrals. So build that up first. Also, I started my own consulting gig in the UK, which is pretty much consulting central (I don't know any other country that normalises contracting to such an extent).
Possibly something like TopTal would work if your network hasn't reached critical mass yet. They'll take the pain out of finding clients. But that's never been an issue for me.
I think starting from scratch now might be a bit trickier. I have a Saas that's in an industry that's sort of dependent on relationships. And those are harder to build in today's virtual world (or at least, I'm finding it so). I don't think I have any great wisdom on what to do differently though. My pipeline is sort of an organic subsconscious thing.