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!rant

Well kinda, more like first world problems.
I started freelancing almost three years ago, it took a lot of hard work, sweat blood and tears to get this whole thing running.
I am currently in a very good place, have a lot of retainer contracts and the awesome freedom that comes with being a freelancer.

Two days ago I got an offer from one of my clients, they really want to have me on board, full time, it's a small, already established startup company, that has big clients, they want me to go into partnership with them, see still haven't talked numbers but they are very "generous".
the idea is to get me ASAP full time on board and start working on a partnership contract specifying all the small details.

I love being a freelancer, the freedom is amazing, client acquisition is Eons away from being a problem, but I miss the team work, and I miss working on products and building teams, freelancers are kind of a lone wolves.

I love working with these clients, there is a lot of mutual respect, they are very transparent and we really are on the same wave.

This could be an amazing opportunity for the next steps in my carrier.
I'm having a hard time making a decision, I'm basically changing my mind about it every two hours...

I mean I guess I'm planning to open my own company at some point anyways... so maybe going into a small but stable company is the way to go..

What would you do?
Would you take the offer? Or would you keep freelancing?

Comments
  • 4
    0 work before contract and details on salary.
  • 1
    Yeah, not just zero work, but zero changes in life before you have a contract on salary. I get that it might seem really interesting and all, but don't drop what you have now until you see and agree to a salary and contract.

    That said, if you agree with the contract (salary, working conditions, freedoms, etc), and if the job seems interesting enough to balance out the loss of freedom/benefits you get from freelancing, go for it man!

    Edit: in the end, nobody can make that decision for you, other than yourself. Go with what feels better for you. The network and other things you've built up while freelancing won't go away.
  • 1
    Dude what a dilemma! I hope whatever you decide is the best for you!
  • 6
    Once you have an offer, I would keep the freelance work going on the side, give it a chance. If it works out, shut down the side hustle. If it doesn't, shut down the albatross.
  • 1
    Which is riskier?

    Pick that one. It's more likely to be lucrative in time and/or financial returns. The safe choice is almost never as beneficial.
  • 2
    Could you keep the freelancing on the side legally? Perhaps you could sub contract out some work and keep both. Do the full time gig for a while and still keep the freelancing brand out there getting some work. Then if you ever need to fall back on it you aren’t starting over. I’d certainly be up for some subcontracted work.
  • 0
    @NoToJavaScript yeah of course, I mean I worked with them for a while now, they don't do anything without contracts.
    It is Germany after all ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
  • 2
    @thealex yeah you're right, I mean it does feel right and it does feel like the next step, I'm just being sentimental, I feel like I'm gonna Kill my own "baby" you know?
    Another example, today (Thursday morning 10:30)
    I just decided I'm not gonna do anything today because I really need to just think about it, heck I'm still in bed.
    You can't do that working for a company
  • 2
    @jeeper legally kinda, it's tricky, I'll have to pay a lot more taxes but I'll probably have no time, they have a long busy roadmap and I'm supposed to be fully integrated as an "equal partner" or shit like this... so I guess I'm also supposed to "feel" a part of the company, they did say that I'm allowed to keep projects that I'm working on if they are important to me, but I probably won't have the time for them anyways
  • 1
    @c3r38r170 thanks man! Appreciate the support
  • 0
    @Root you are not wrong.... I guess riskier is joining them, it is definitely a bigger step
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