Episode 79: How to build an independent consulting business with Syed Raza
“We are perfectly suitable to take risks because we understand risks.
We understand the downside risks. I knew that in case this does not work out, I can always go back and work as a full-time permanent actuary in a company.
Going independent allowed me to basically cut the middleman, cut to the chase, go directly to the clients and make an impact.”
Syed Raza, Independent Actuarial Consultant.
Experienced actuary Syed Raza shares his lessons from building an independent consulting business.
In this interview Syed shares:
Why he left a safe actuarial career path to become an independent consultant,
The biggest lesson he learned from his experience as an independent consultant, and
His advice for actuaries considering starting their own consulting business.
Syed Raza is an independent actuarial consultant and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in life insurance and annuities. After spending much of his career in traditional actuarial roles, Syed made the leap into independent consulting, where he now advises insurers, consultancies, and startups on complex valuation, modelling, and transformation initiatives.
In addition to his consulting work, Syed is the creator of MyActuary Weekly, a widely read newsletter and media platform focused on the business side of actuarial careers, independent consulting, and emerging trends like AI in insurance. Through his writing, speaking, and community-building efforts, Syed helps actuaries think beyond technical work and take greater ownership of their careers.
Syed is passionate about empowering actuaries to build flexible, fulfilling careers while creating real-world impact through their actuarial “superpowers.”
Connect with Syed on LinkedIn.
Connect with Julia on LinkedIn.
Views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not represent the views of their places of work.
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