This week I celebrate 1 year on freelancing as many who starts business doesn't reach this milestone. It is time to make a summary.

I invested 35k RMB in this initiative. After taxes, Coderbunker fees and expenses to run operations here I earned 160k. 28k is on my balance in China right now. (rate is under NDA with my client)(*)

My burn rate is near 10k where 7.5k is fixed cost. Bottom line is 8k - the cost of ticket to home (my finance obligations I do my best to pay upfront). 20k was the cost to start, in total loss was 24k loss. Coderbunker takes 10%, tax rate varies depends on how I receive money. The longest delay in payment was 45 days.

During this time I worked on 3 projects. The shortest was 2 weeks, the longest would be 6 months. Through Coderbunker and my personal network I established relationships with 10 people who might be interested in my expertise. I did dozen of meetings for initial consultation, few hackathons and several public speaking events. Made weekly linkedIn updates as a part of marketing activity.

The focus on next year is to increase value I bring to my customers.

(*) corporate world offers 240k - 450k RMB before taxes for Junior-Senior world level talent in my field (source: world level recruiting agency)

Originally published on LinkedIn