FROM FEAR TO FREEDOM

Leaving a stable job can be one of the most daunting decisions you’ll ever make. It certainly was for me. I had a secure position with a regular income, holiday pay, and all the comforts of financial stability. But something inside me kept nagging—was this really it? Was I truly happy, or was I settling for the comfort zone because I was too scared to take the leap?

In the end, I chose to leave my job and pursue self-employment, renting a chair and working for myself. Here’s how I found the confidence to make the leap, figured out the financial side of things, and took control of my future.

THE FEAR OF LETTING GO.

Like many, my fear wasn’t unfounded. My job came with all the “perks” that make life predictable—consistent pay, paid time off, and a safety net. Walking away felt reckless, irresponsible even.

But beneath the surface, I knew I was craving freedom. I wanted to take ownership of my time, build something for myself, and have the flexibility that employment couldn’t give me. Still, the fear of losing my financial security loomed large.

What helped me take the first step was reminding myself why I wanted this change. I wasn’t just chasing a dream for the sake of it—I was doing it to gain more control over my life and happiness. For example, I imagined being able to attend a school performance or an important appointment without having to ask permission. Every time fear crept in, I asked myself: “Do I want to stay stuck in a job I’ve outgrown, or do I want to take the chance to grow?”

Figuring Out the Finances

Once I got over the emotional hurdle, I turned to the practical side—could I actually afford to leave my job? I wasn’t naïve about the challenges of self-employment, especially the financial uncertainties. So I sat down with a calculator and broke it down step by step:

• My current salary was £2,000 per month (net).

• Self-employment means I’d need to set aside money for tax and National Insurance contributions. To be safe, I estimated I’d need to save roughly 20% of my income for this.

• I also wanted to account for four weeks of unpaid holiday per year. That meant I had to earn enough in 11 months to cover 12 months of expenses.

This is how I worked it out:

1. Monthly Earnings Target:

To maintain my £2,000 net income, I needed to make £2,400 per month to cover taxes (20%).

2. Holiday Savings:

To cover a month’s holiday, I divided £2,400 by 11 months, which meant I’d need to earn around £2,550 each working month.

3. Clients Needed:

At £50 per client, I’d need 51 clients per month to meet my target (£2,550 ÷ £50 = 51). That’s approximately 13 clients per week.

Breaking it down into manageable goals made it feel less overwhelming. Thirteen clients per week sounded challenging but achievable.

The Challenge of Building My Clientele

Once I made the leap, the challenge of building up a clientele became exciting. I had fun being proactive—creating content for social media, running introductory offers, handing out flyers, and spreading the word wherever I could.

The hard work paid off faster than I expected. Thirteen clients a week soon turned into eight clients a day, five days a week. Before I knew it, I was fully booked for eight weeks in advance, with a cancellation list! That’s when I decided to increase my prices and cut down to a four day week, which gave me incredible work /life balance.

Looking back, I couldn’t help but ask myself: why didn’t I do this sooner?

Staying Ahead of the Game

Even with a busy schedule, I knew the importance of staying ahead of trends and keeping my skills sharp. I followed the top hairdressers in the industry and spent endless hours watching tutorial videos. When I saw a new technique I liked, I practised until I had the confidence to try it on my own clients. Staying on top of the latest trends helped me stand out and kept my clients coming back.

The Freedom I Gained

One of the most rewarding aspects of becoming self-employed is the freedom it’s given me. I don’t have to ask permission to take time off for a school performance or an important appointment. I set my schedule, control my time, and make decisions that align with my goals.

The financial rewards have been fantastic, but the sense of autonomy and fulfilment is what really makes this journey worthwhile.

Lessons I’ve Learned

Looking back, I realise that the fear of leaving my job was mostly about the unknown. Once I took the time to understand the numbers and plan my next steps, it didn’t feel so scary anymore.

Here are a few things that helped me:

1. Do the Maths: Breaking down your financial goals into clear, achievable numbers makes it feel far less overwhelming.

2. Have a Safety Net: Savings gave me the confidence to take the plunge without the pressure of immediate success.

3. Embrace the Challenge: Building a clientele was hard work, but the effort was incredibly rewarding.

4. Keep Learning: Staying ahead of trends and improving my skills helped me grow my business and my confidence.

Final Thoughts

Taking the leap to become self-employed was one of the scariest yet most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. Yes, there were moments of doubt, but the freedom and fulfilment I’ve gained far outweigh the initial fear.

If you’re on the fence about leaving a secure job, my advice is this: trust your instincts, do your research, and take it one step at a time. With the right planning, what feels impossible today could be your reality tomorrow.

Kindest regards,

Sally Delandro