Expert Story: Kalle Laine

Kalle, how did you become an entrepreneur and a NeXec Consultant?

I had been thinking about becoming an entrepreneur for a while. I had a positive image about NeXec before I joined, and the company had a good reputation for having seasoned and competent professionals in their network. I also knew a few NeXec consultants beforehand. As I was looking for an assignment to work as a freelancer, partnering up with NeXec was my number one choice. After a few discussions I was introduced to a suitable client assignment, and I’ve been working there ever since.

Tell us about your career before entrepreneurship.

I have over 10 years of experience in various expert roles such as Project Manager, Product Owner, Scrum Master and Release Train Engineer, primarily in the financial sector and mostly working in IT projects. In recent years I’ve worked mainly as a Project Manager both in an in-house role and as a consultant. A few years ago, I decided to become a freelancer and have since worked as a Business Analyst helping out with Business Requirements.

How has NeXec supported you in the beginning of your entrepreneurial career?

In the beginning we went through potential customer cases and sparred together about the upcoming assignment before the interview. During my current assignment NeXec has also taken care of the contract renewals. I feel like I’ve been kept well informed about the current contract status, and I can easily reach out to the NeXec team if I need help with anything.

Did you contemplate any particular aspects about entrepreneurship before starting as a freelance consultant?

When you’re starting freelancing there are some things to take care of first. One is financial, tax and legal matters – how to get everything up and running. Once I got an accountant, things became much easier to manage and I no longer have to worry about financial and tax-related matters, which allows me to focus on other aspects of the work.

Second is the continuity of work which is of course something you think about when you compare freelancing to employment. I’ve noticed now that with NeXec I can count on a steady stream of work, which provides a sense of continuity and stability. When at some point my current project comes to an end, I trust that new opportunities will arise, and I am confident that NeXec will find the next assignment for me soon after.

Do you feel that being an entrepreneur has given you more freedom?

I think it depends on yourself how much freedom you are looking for, what kind of company you have and what you want to do as an entrepreneur. Working as a freelancer or a consultant in a client assignment, the difference between the two of them is actually almost non-existent, but I think that as an entrepreneur you look at the client assignment from a different angle.

Any advice for other experts considering entrepreneurship?

For someone who is considering becoming an entrepreneur, I would advise them to ask a lot of questions. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and start a conversation to see if this is the right path for you. Not everyone has a friend who has been in a similar situation but us current consultants are happy to share our experiences with those who are considering entrepreneurship and joining the NeXec network.

Would you like to hear more about NeXec?

We support our customers throughout their digital transformation journeys. This work is done by our expert network – by the expert best suited for the project. If you want to learn more about our project opportunities and working with us as a freelance consultant, contact us and let’s talk.