Good article - lots of very valid points. Having freelanced for 5 years and turned that into an actual consulting business with staff on payroll I can relate to much of the article. When people have asked me how to get started I usually suggest that they start freelancing once they actually have a client - preferably one that needs ongoing work. One good way to do that is to quit your job and negotiate having them retain your services as a freelancer. Many companies are agreeable to this because they get the same work without having to pay all of the insurance costs. In return you get a stable client on which you can build a business.