Many developers harbour the dream of throwing off the shackles of corporate serfdom and experiencing the glorious freedom of self-employment. So is the grass really greener on the other side? As a developer who took the plunge a few years ago, I can offer some honest feedback and practical advice on things like: * what to consider when assessing whether self-employment is right for you. * the different software development business models, the pros & cons of each. * setting up a business/company - which structure is best. * knowing when to quit your job. * pricing yourself correctly. * sales & marketing - critical activity or soul destroying waste of effort? * why on earth can’t people just pay you on time. * what to say to friends and relatives who think you don’t do anything all day. * generally everything else that I know now, that I wish I knew then. Attendees will either walk out with a solid plan of attack for starting their own business, or thankful they have a job and don’t have to deal with that rubbish.