[Left it generic and open-ended on purpose]
Not dealing with people, offices or maintaining any kind of professional image.
Not sure what to call it, but a sort of liberation knowing I don’t rely on a company or external force to make my way through this life. A sort of stability and certainty I guess.
I answer only to clients (who I have equal power to fire) and sink or swim on my results alone
I can jump in and out, and go as deep into any of the problem areas as I'm interested in going. Once I satisfy my itch, I can hand off the problem area to someone else and throw myself into a new learning opportunity.
As the company changes, solutions that worked previously need to be revisited and improved.
Unlimited. Learning.
The excitement from earning money you are directly responsible for is unmatched.