I see these sorts of "just do it" comments all the time on HN, but short of becoming some cold calling Glengarry Glen Ross-type, it's not at all clear to me how one goes from being an employee programmer to a one-man, bespoke software shop.
Start consulting on the evenings or weekends. Even if it's just setting up Shopify stores or making someone a portfolio site.
If you don't have any leads, skip Craigslist and Rent-a-Coder and start going to tech/business meetups, asking friends and family if they know anyone who needs anything, and talking to random strangers at the bar. I've gotten ridiculously profitable clients at the bar.
Oh, and never do anything for free. In fact, always get a deposit, even if it's for a friend.
I understand the downvotes, but I think there is some truth in 'put the coffee down'. A lot of people think about the how to, but sometimes you just have to put the coffee down and act.
When you feel the step is to big to take at once, just take babysteps. Start in the evening (try not to work for yourself at your dayjob). (see the post of jarin)
