Start freelancing after 10+ years with same employer: experience or advice?

Hello,

I’ve been working for the same company for over 10 years as a system engineer in a robotic R&D environment. Lately I feel a bit stuck in a “silver cage”.

I take a lot of ownership in my projects, I’m very flexible with working hours, and it is always possible to contact me anytime of the day. Over the last few years however, I feel that this flexibility and responsibility are no longer reflected in compensation (wages, company car policy, bonus structure, etc.).

That made me start looking around and consider freelancing. In practice, I already give my employer a lot of the flexibility you’d expect from a freelancer, but without the corresponding freedom or compensation in return. I believe my profile could bring real value to other companies as well.

The motivation is mainly financial freedom but also freedom to develop skills (switching projects, multiple clients, choosing my own courses/trainings)

At the same time, I really like my current job, my colleagues, and the team atmosphere.

So my questions:

• Has anyone here gone freelance while continuing to work for their current employer?
  • How did you approach this?
  • Was it a difficult negotiation?
• If freelancing with my current employer is a no-go, what would you do in my situation, knowing that I still like the job itself?

Thanks for any experiences or advice.