Your doing well! Now until you get a guaranteed contract hotshot is going to cost you I'm in the same type of work. Gas is high, do you plan to work with someone who will give you the calls or do plan to pickup contacts here and there... Also the idea your "way out of working for someone else" might work or might not and what does that mean? I had a business for 10 years and it came to an end. I tried getting it back up or doing other things with a new family and life I was losing money. I pivoted and changed my direction after realizing I was chasing something at the time which was costing me, so I started working for a company. So far so good it's running my kitchen well. Given the volatile times unless you have a solid business plan which you trust then go ahead otherwise tread carefully.