From Employee to Entrepreneur: Nithin James’s Journey into Freelance Data Professional

For many with an entrepreneurial spirit, the idea comes early in life. The same was for Nithin James, a freelance data and AI specialist, who got the bug already in college: 

 “I have always wanted to start my own company. Back then, I was just freshly out of college and got a couple of freelance gigs, but felt unsure as I didn’t have any other experience besides a bit of data science and machine learning engineering work while doing my master's thesis. So I decided to gain some work experience first.” 

Nithin has a master's degree in computer science and information security. After graduating, he worked full-time for ten years in data and machine learning (ML), in positions like DevOps engineer, data scientist, and architect, both in large consultancies and in-house teams. He familiarised himself with AWS, GCP, Azure, Python, Java, and Scala. 

During the years, Nithin saw some of his friends and colleagues going into freelancing and starting their own companies. It made him revisit the idea of freelancing in the autumn of 2024. 

“I felt I had gained enough experience to start my venture. Many of my colleagues from my previous company started their own companies, which motivated me to follow their path,” Nithin says.  

Nithin feels that starting the company and handling the paperwork was relatively quick and easy. He advises anyone considering their own business to get a good accountant to help with the financial and tax-related questions. 

He didn’t need to spend much time on the sales side either, as Nithin got on a client project straight away via AI Roots. He now develops an MLOps platform for a client, where a unified data platform gathers data from previously separate services for the data scientist. He is already working on new features. 

“With a few months' experience, I can already say that I like the freedom of choosing what type of work I want, which is not always true for full-time employment. I also think the work experience you gain from freelancing is very valuable for the future.” 

Delivery and communication
When working as a freelancer, it is essential to understand the customers' needs, answer them, and deliver what is promised. Nithin wants to make sure that the client’s first impressions are positive. 

“You are on probation every time you start with a new client. So when you are on board with a new project, you must show them you are the right person for the job. It presents a kind of pressure, but it's fun, too,” Nithin says with a smile. 

Besides proofing oneself, it is about showing results and informing the client about the project’s progress. 

“At the start of a freelance project, I deliver something within the first two or three weeks of a project to show the client some progress. From that point onwards, I keep delivering in this rhythm, and if there are any blockers, I swiftly communicate with the client about them. So delivering and communicating are the main key aspects for the client to get that confidence of ‘okay, we chose the right guy,’” Nithin says. 

Nithin ensures frequent feedback from the client through daily and weekly meetings with different stakeholders. He is also considering sending a feedback survey once the project is completed. 

Nithin sees that freelancing might become more common in the IT industry. He advises anyone considering freelancing first to gain profound work experience and good communication skills. Then, it’s about finding the right networks and partners to support on the way. 

AI Roots helps freelancers connect with the right clients and projects. While they focus on sales, the freelancer can concentrate on shaping a rewarding career while enjoying higher compensation. 

“I’ve had a great experience with AI Roots. They have been helping me to take the right opportunity as they know my skills. I know if something comes up that matches my skill set, I will get notified. There is also a good webpage about their open positions, with transparent job descriptions and requirements,” Nithin advises.

Are you interested in a career in freelancing? AI Roots is the leading agency for data freelancers in Finland. Join our roster here.