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The specific question was about "coding expertise," but the writer and Chip miss the bigger problem faced by anyone dreaming of starting a business on their own - very few of us are good at everything. I have seen more entrepreneurs fail due to a lack of sales skill rather than any missing technical ability. It's really easy to get complacent after picking up that first contract from a previous employer, but what happens after you've worked your butt off for six months and the project is over? How do you find that next client, and how do you scale the business (assuming that's a goal) if you have to alternate between sales mode and project mode?

Also, if you could magically acquire one "coding" skill what would it be? Mobile app development is very different from designing a data warehouse. Integrating multiple databases after a company merger, building a new e-commerce site, or implementing a CRM system all require very different skills. Being a plumber or roofer can be a great job, but it doesn't qualify you to be a general contractor.

It's hard to make specific recommendations without more info about Kavita's background or goals, but here are two suggestions. First, start by focusing on projects that don't require actual coding. I can provision and manage Linux servers today from a simple app on my iPad - no technical skill required. Content/document management systems like Wordpress or Alfresco, and cloud-based collaboration tools like Google Apps don't require any coding. Second, find some developers that prefer sitting at a computer to making sales calls - that should be easy. Check their references, review previous projects, and just talk to make sure your personalities are compatible. Find and keep in touch with several people like that before you have a project so that when you do land a new customer the resources are already available. Informal partnerships can work really well for everyone and might lead to more formal arrangements if the business grows.

Good luck.