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Watch: Building a long-term independent career in financial services

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Independent work offers flexibility, variety, and the opportunity to shape your own career. But building a successful independent career takes more than technical expertise. It requires commercial awareness, strong professional relationships, financial planning, and the ability to continually adapt.

In this #myconsultingjourney session, we speak with independent consultant Tony Yunnie, who has spent more than 14 years working independently across banking, insurance, and technology. Drawing on over three decades of industry experience, Tony shares how he transitioned from permanent employment, built a long-term consulting career, secured repeat opportunities, and navigated the realities of working independently.

Watch the full recording here:

 

What you'll take away from the session:

  • How to successfully transition from permanent employment into independent consulting

  • Practical considerations before going independent, from company setup to financial planning and taxation

  • Why networking and professional relationships remain one of the strongest drivers of new opportunities

  • How to determine your consulting rates and position your services effectively

  • The realities of managing workload, multiple projects, and work-life balance as an independent

  • How to build credibility through thought leadership, speaking engagements, and professional visibility

  • Why understanding client culture is essential to succeeding on independent projects

  • The mindset shifts that help build a long-term, sustainable independent career

If you're considering your first independent project or wondering how to build a sustainable career outside traditional employment, this conversation offers practical advice from someone who made the transition early and continues to grow through project-based work.

How do I transition from permanent employment to independent consulting?

Plan beyond the work itself. Consider your business structure, financial runway, taxation, pricing strategy, and how you'll build a pipeline of future opportunities before making the move.  

How do independent professionals find new clients?

Most opportunities come through networking, referrals, recruitment partners, professional communities, and consistently building visibility through content, speaking, and industry relationships.  

How should I prepare financially before becoming an independent consultant?

It's important to have a financial buffer, understand your tax obligations, choose the right business structure, and prepare for periods between projects while your pipeline develops.  

What skills help independent professionals build long-term success?

Beyond technical expertise, successful independents develop strong networking skills, commercial awareness, relationship management, adaptability, and the ability to continuously learn across different organisations and projects.  
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