I pulled the Indiana Jones “Leap of Faith”.
I was fresh out of school at my first job, a small corporation, and I was one of three designers in-house, a graphic designer, myself, and the Design Director. I had been working for them for two years, and my husband got an amazing job offer in Costa Rica. We couldn’t pass it up, so I professionally requested to be a remote employee. Without hesitation, they said NO.
I put in my formal request of leave 3 months in advance and was ready to pack my bags. I did the recommendations from above, got a lawyer, accountant, opened an S-corp, and got together all of my software, computer gear, etc. Two days before I left, I was still working for “small corporation” and I was asked if I would continue working on one of the projects I was heavily involved in. I was offered 20 hours a week contract labor with them.
Now, 1 year later, I am contracted for 40 hours per week. It’s like I never left, but I get all the perks of owning my own company (minus taxes - that sucks).