If you're an independent consultant, the idea of taking time off—whether it's for maternity leave, a sabbatical, or just a much-needed break—probably raises some big concerns.

• Is it even possible to step away? 
• Will your business still be there when you come back?

In this episode, I’m talking with Anuska Chhaya, the founder of Chhaya Consulting, who recently navigated maternity leave after the birth of her second child. She shares her firsthand experience of balancing a new baby with a growing consulting business, and how she successfully managed to take time off without derailing her business.

We dive into the tough questions:

• How do you build resilience into your business model to ensure it survives (and thrives) while you're away? 
• What systems do you need in place to keep things running smoothly?
• And most importantly—how do you take time off without wondering if your business will still be standing when you return?

Whether you're planning for maternity leave, a sabbatical, or any other type of extended time off, Anuska’s advice offers valuable insights for independent consultants in any field who want to ensure their business remains strong and sustainable, no matter how long they’re away.

Key takeaways include:

• How to create processes that can support your clients during periods of limited capacity
• The challenges (and surprising benefits) of stepping away from your business
• The three essential planning phases for taking extended time off

So, what would happen to your business if you had to step away for a while? Could you truly afford to take that break—and would your business still be there when you come back?

Tune in to episode 203 to hear practical advice and real-world strategies that will help you answer these questions and feel confident about taking time off when you need it.

Full show notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-203/

Companion Resource: 🔗 Today’s Companion Resource is The Consultant’s Yearly Planning Guide. Download it at https://www.melisaliberman.com/plan

FOR MORE RESOURCES SPECIFIC TO THE INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT —

• Anushka’s Consulting Business: https://www.chhayacpa.com/
• Coaching: Interested in working with Melisa? Visit consultmelisa.com to apply for a Coaching Exploratory call, 
• Book: "Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality" by Melisa Liberman - melisaliberman.com/book
• YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/channel 
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 
• Website - melisaliberman.com/ 

If you want a predictable pipeline in 2026, I’m hosting a live training to show you how to create steady consulting opportunities, even when you’re busy delivering. You can choose from two dates, January 13 or January 15. There are no replays. 

Go to ICworkshop.info to grab your spot. 

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.