The Starting Point
I left corporate work in late 2023 with clients lined up but zero idea how to price my services. I knew what I was worth hourly as an employee, but translating that to a sustainable consulting rate? Complete mystery. I was undercharging badly.
The Turning Point
Learning to calculate my actual costs changed everything. Once I factored in taxes, insurance, unbillable time, and the income variability, I realized my rates needed to be nearly double what I was charging. It felt scary to raise prices, but the math was clear.
Current Situation
Now I price confidently and can explain the value clearly to clients. My business is sustainable, I'm not constantly stressed about money, and I can actually plan for slower months because I understand my cash flow patterns.