Finding your niche and first gigs

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Scott Robohn's journey from corporate network engineer to successful independent consultant offers a roadmap for anyone considering the entrepreneurial path in tech. After 35 years in the networking industry, Scott found himself ready to build something of his own—not necessarily a product, but an enterprise he could be fully responsible for.

The transition wasn't without careful consideration. Scott spent a full year planning his exit, having extensive conversations with his wife and financial advisor to ensure he had sufficient runway (approximately three years) if things didn't go as planned. This preparation phase wasn't just about the numbers; it was about creating psychological safety and family buy-in for what would be a significant life change.

What stands out most in Scott's experience is how he navigated the unexpected challenges of independence. On just his second day of self-employment, he had the jarring realization that he was no longer part of a team—something that had been constant throughout his career. This led him to intentionally create new communities through co-founding the Network Automation Forum and engaging with local networking user groups, demonstrating that entrepreneurship doesn't have to mean isolation.

Finding clients represents perhaps the biggest practical hurdle for new consultants. Scott shares how his initial work came through his existing network, with LinkedIn playing a surprisingly crucial role in business development. As his practice evolved, he discovered an unexpected passion for certain specialty areas, including his Total Network Operations approach, which examines how network operations teams need to reorganize for modern networks and tooling.

For those contemplating their own leap, Scott offers candid advice about the realities of American entrepreneurship—including the significant hurdle of healthcare costs—while providing encouragement that with proper planning, the transition can lead to greater fulfillment. As his wife observed at his one-year anniversary: "I've seen you work this hard before, but always accompanied with stress. Now I see you working this hard and I don't see the stress."

Ready to explore entrepreneurship in tech? Join Scott at the Network Automation Forum events in Prague (May 2025) or in the US (November 2025), and discover how you might thrive on your own terms.

Connect with our guest:

https://packetpushers.net/podcast/total-network-operations/

https://networkautomation.forum/a

Purchase Chris and Tim's book on AWS Cloud Networking: https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Advanced-Networking-Certification-certification/dp/1835080839/

Check out the Monthly Cloud Networking News
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkBWCGwXDUX9OfZ9_MvSVup8tJJzJeqrauaE6VPT2b0/

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