Sounds good. Having clients before you start is essential. Focus on delivering good work, document it, so the next conversation with a potential client can be quicker.

I never really wanted to do consulting and freelance work, but through my network I got to a point, where more projects are lined up than I have time to do.

Also, one thing that helps me a lot is to just live frugally. Even though I charge a bit below market value I still could build up a financial cushion, so I do not have to work for the next 15 years or so, if something should happen.