Thriving Through

In this insightful episode of the Thriving Through podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Jessica Powell, owner and brand amplifier at Social Balances. Jessica describes herself as a marketing consultant focusing on early-stage companies that need marketing expertise but can't afford a full-time CMO.

Throughout the conversation, Jessica shares her journey from being hesitant about self-employment to embracing entrepreneurship. Key discussion points include:

- How Jessica builds innovation ecosystems and communities with a "give first, get later" mentality

- The importance of outsourcing tasks that don't bring you joy

- Why hiring coaches and experts helped her overcome initial fears of business ownership

- Marketing strategies for consultants, including "leading with the need" and understanding client problems

- Lessons from interviewing 1,300 founders on the Startup Hustle podcast

- Building community as a business growth strategy

- The power of belief and mindset in entrepreneurial success

Jessica's three key pieces of advice for struggling consultants: seek mentors who are further along, develop a positive mindset, and be willing to try different approaches when things aren't working.

Connect with Jessica Powell on LinkedIn to learn more about her work helping businesses find their people and grow through effective marketing strategies.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-powell-kc/

Show Notes

"Marketing Magic: Building Your Consulting Business Through Community"

In this episode of the Thriving Through podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Jessica Powell, owner and brand amplifier at Social Balances, a marketing consultancy focusing on early-stage companies that need marketing expertise but can't afford a full-time CMO.

Episode Highlights:

Jessica's Background: Self-described as an "innovation ecosystem community builder, values aligner, and all in for KC," Jessica explains how bringing the right people together creates opportunities and benefits everyone involved.
Transition to Self-Employment: Initially hesitant to become a consultant, Jessica shares how hiring a coach helped her clarify her vision and realize this was the path to achieve what she wanted.
The Power of Outsourcing: Jessica emphasizes the importance of focusing on what you're good at and outsourcing the rest to experts, from marketing to accounting.
Marketing Magic Defined: Breaking down what "marketing magic" means for consultants, Jessica explains it's about helping people find their audience by leading with needs, building relationships, and authenticity.
Community Building Strategy: Jessica details how she built Back to KC and New to KC communities, creating value for everyone involved while simultaneously growing her own network and business opportunities.
Lessons from Founders: Having interviewed 1,300 founders on the Startup Hustle podcast, Jessica observed successful entrepreneurs surround themselves with smarter people, listen more than they speak, embrace failure, and maintain realistic expectations.
The Mindset of Success: Jessica discusses the critical role of belief in entrepreneurial success and how to feed that belief daily.
Advice for Struggling Consultants: Her three key recommendations: find mentors higher up the mountain, choose a positive perspective, and be willing to innovate when things aren't working.
Connect with Jessica Powell on LinkedIn to learn more about her work helping businesses find their audience and grow through effective marketing strategies.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-powell-kc/

#thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

In this insightful episode of the Thriving Through podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Jessica Powell, owner and brand amplifier at Social Balances. Jessica describes herself as a marketing consultant focusing on early-stage companies that need marketing expertise but can't afford a full-time CMO.

Throughout the conversation, Jessica shares her journey from being hesitant about self-employment to embracing entrepreneurship. Key discussion points include:

- How Jessica builds innovation ecosystems and communities with a "give first, get later" mentality

- The importance of outsourcing tasks that don't bring you joy

- Why hiring coaches and experts helped her overcome initial fears of business ownership

- Marketing strategies for consultants, including "leading with the need" and understanding client problems

- Lessons from interviewing 1,300 founders on the Startup Hustle podcast

- Building community as a business growth strategy

- The power of belief and mindset in entrepreneurial success

Jessica's three key pieces of advice for struggling consultants: seek mentors who are further along, develop a positive mindset, and be willing to try different approaches when things aren't working.

Connect with Jessica Powell on LinkedIn to learn more about her work helping businesses find their people and grow through effective marketing strategies.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-powell-kc/

Show Notes

"Marketing Magic: Building Your Consulting Business Through Community"

In this episode of the Thriving Through podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Jessica Powell, owner and brand amplifier at Social Balances, a marketing consultancy focusing on early-stage companies that need marketing expertise but can't afford a full-time CMO.

Episode Highlights:

• Jessica's Background: Self-described as an "innovation ecosystem community builder, values aligner, and all in for KC," Jessica explains how bringing the right people together creates opportunities and benefits everyone involved.
• Transition to Self-Employment: Initially hesitant to become a consultant, Jessica shares how hiring a coach helped her clarify her vision and realize this was the path to achieve what she wanted.
• The Power of Outsourcing: Jessica emphasizes the importance of focusing on what you're good at and outsourcing the rest to experts, from marketing to accounting.
• Marketing Magic Defined: Breaking down what "marketing magic" means for consultants, Jessica explains it's about helping people find their audience by leading with needs, building relationships, and authenticity.
• Community Building Strategy: Jessica details how she built Back to KC and New to KC communities, creating value for everyone involved while simultaneously growing her own network and business opportunities.
• Lessons from Founders: Having interviewed 1,300 founders on the Startup Hustle podcast, Jessica observed successful entrepreneurs surround themselves with smarter people, listen more than they speak, embrace failure, and maintain realistic expectations.
• The Mindset of Success: Jessica discusses the critical role of belief in entrepreneurial success and how to feed that belief daily.
• Advice for Struggling Consultants: Her three key recommendations: find mentors higher up the mountain, choose a positive perspective, and be willing to innovate when things aren't working.

Connect with Jessica Powell on LinkedIn to learn more about her work helping businesses find their audience and grow through effective marketing strategies.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-powell-kc/

From Full-Time Employment to Thriving Consultant: Interview with Ryan McGovern

In this insightful episode of the "Thriving Through" podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Ryan McGovern of Sales Haven, who shares his journey transitioning from W-2 employment to self-employed consulting. Ryan discusses:

Why he left full-time employment for consulting (higher ceiling for compensation and growth)
His unique position working with Revenue Haven and its family of companies
Lead generation strategies using LinkedIn and social media
Valuable lessons from his entrepreneurial failures and successes
The "Valley of Despair" framework and how to push through challenges
Finding mentorship and building community as a consultant
Common sales mistakes self-employed consultants make
Whether you're considering self-employment or looking to level up your consulting business, Ryan offers practical advice about embracing failure, setting clear offers, and achieving time freedom through entrepreneurship.

Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-m-mcgovern/

Show Notes

 Episode Overview

Host AJ Riedel interviews Ryan McGovern, a fractional sales director with Sales Haven, who shares his journey from W-2 employment to self-employed consulting and offers valuable insights for consultants and entrepreneurs.

 Key Topics

Ryan's Background & Transition to Consulting

- Recently transitioned from full-time W-2 employment to consulting

- Chose self-employment for higher ceiling on compensation, growth, and learning

- Works primarily with Revenue Haven, which owns multiple business units (Sales Haven, Talent Haven, Growth Haven, Ops Haven)

- Currently serves as fractional sales director for two agencies with a third coming soon

Lead Generation Strategy

- Uses LinkedIn as primary lead generation platform

- Maxes out connection requests daily and actively engages with ideal clients

- Recently expanded to TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook with video content

- Spends approximately 60-90 minutes daily on marketing and lead generation

- Generates higher compensation when securing clients independently vs. through Revenue Haven

Ideal Client Profile

- Agency owners doing at least $1M+ annual revenue or $100K MRR

- Focus on digital marketing agencies (SEO, PPC, CRO, web development)

- Leverages background in digital marketing to provide added value

Lessons from Past Business Failures

- Importance of vetting business partners thoroughly ("like a marriage")

- Avoid spreading yourself too thin with too many roles

- Be selective about which responsibilities to take on personally

- Dangers of poor quality control when outsourcing fulfillment

Embracing Failure Philosophy

- "Fail fast, fail often" as foundational advice 

- Treating failure as a friend rather than something to fear

- Learning more from failures than successes

- Reframing failure as part of the process

Work-Life Balance When Working From Home

- Psychological trick: Change clothes after work to mentally switch modes

- Creates clear delineation between work and family time

- Challenge of working from basement vs. having dedicated office space

The Valley of Despair Framework

- Moving from uninformed happiness to informed happiness

- Most people quit in the valley of despair when reality hits

- Warning signs of being in the valley: constantly questioning if you're cut out for it, obsessing over quick fixes, consuming content without executing

- How to push through: reframe failure, focus on inputs not just outcomes, seek external feedback

Finding and Working with Mentors

- Connected with current mentor through LinkedIn networking

- Value of having someone who has successfully walked your path

- "Don't take advice from people who haven't walked your path successfully"

- Don't take criticism from those who aren't doing better than you

5-Year Goals

- Earning $1M+ annually before taxes

- Complete financial independence (no debt, house paid off)

- Creating a course teaching others his methods

- Employing people to generate revenue for the business

- Establishing trust funds for his children

- Maximizing family time with no daycare for children

Common Sales Mistakes by Self-Employed Consultants

- Marketing mistake: Inconsistent messaging across platforms

- Sales mistake: Not having a clearly defined and documented offer

- Importance of understanding the client's problem before creating an offer

Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-m-mcgovern/

#thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

80% of Businesses Fail Within 5 Years: How This Ex-Marine Shields Entrepreneurs Through Business Credit Mastery
YouTube Video Description
Thriving Through the Business Credit Maze | William Graham Interview
In this eye-opening episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host AJ Riedel sits down with William Graham, a business credit and lending expert who's on a mission to help entrepreneurs beat the staggering business failure statistics.
Drawing from his 20-year Marine Corps background and corporate experience, William shares how he helps business owners establish proper credit structures using their EIN instead of relying on personal credit. Learn why separating personal and business finances is critical not just for funding but for legal protection as well.
William reveals: 
• The alarming SBA statistic that 80% of businesses fail within 5 years 
• What banks really look at when evaluating your business credit profile 
• How "piercing the veil" can put your personal assets at risk 
• Practical strategies for time management  
• His data-driven approach to marketing and lead generation
Whether you're a new entrepreneur or looking to strengthen your existing business foundation, this conversation provides actionable insights on building a business that can stand on its own and thrive for the long term.
Show Notes
In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, AJ Riedel interviews William Graham, a business credit and lending expert who helps entrepreneurs establish business credit on their EIN rather than their SSN.
 Episode Highlights:
- William's Background: After 20 years in the Marine Corps and corporate experience, William started his business credit consulting firm in September 2023.
- The Failure Statistics: Nearly 80% of businesses fail within 5 years, with most failing in the first year. William's mission is to help business owners avoid becoming part of these statistics.
- Business Credit Importance: There are 125 points in a business credit profile that banks evaluate. Without proper business credit, owners are forced to provide personal guarantees, putting personal assets at risk.
- Legal Protection: William explains "piercing the veil" - how commingling business and personal finances can expose personal assets in legal disputes.
- Time Management: As a solopreneur wearing multiple hats, William uses time blocking to structure his day efficiently.
- Marketing Evolution: From using virtual assistants for lead generation to transitioning to paid advertising on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, William takes a data-driven approach to testing strategies over 3-month periods.
- Target Clients: On the business credit side, William focuses on businesses under 5 years old with less than $1M in sales and fewer than 20 employees. His lending services primarily target real estate investors.
- Future Challenges: William identifies finding and hiring the right people as his biggest upcoming challenge, with the goal of building a team that allows him to work "on" rather than "in" the business.
 Connect with William Graham:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamwilliamc/
goodcreditrocks.com (Company)
linktr.ee/ProCreditSolvers (Portfolio)

#thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

In this episode of "Thriving Through" podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Pete Cafarchio, an executive coach and consultant with over 8 years of experience following a 22-year career in tech startups. Pete discusses his journey from tech professional to founding his coaching practice and later establishing Oculus Consulting.

Throughout the interview, Pete shares valuable insights about businesses staying true to their original vision and values, highlighting how companies often flounder when they drift away from their core purpose. He explains that the biggest problems in tech companies typically stem from leadership and people issues rather than technical or business challenges.

Key topics covered include:

Pete's transition from tech executive to coach/consultant
The challenge of charging appropriately for your expertise
Managing imposter syndrome as a self-employed professional
The importance of building a community of peers for support
Pete's book "Align with Your Design" and its core message about authenticity

The interview concludes with Pete's inspirational advice for consultants, including his memorable "ABC" philosophy - "Action Brings Clarity" - encouraging professionals to take action rather than overanalyzing, and his reminder that each person brings unique value to the world.

Show notes

In this illuminating episode of "Thriving Through," host AJ Riedel interviews Pete Cafarchio, an accomplished executive coach and business consultant. With over 8.5 years of full-time coaching experience following a 22-year career in tech startups, Pete shares valuable insights on the journey from corporate executive to successful self-employed consultant. This conversation is filled with practical wisdom for consultants at any stage of their business journey.

 Key Topics

Introduction & Pete's Background

- Pete's transition from tech startups to coaching/consulting

- Why leadership issues, not technology or business problems, are often the core challenge for companies

Mindset Challenges for Consultants

- Overcoming the hurdle of charging appropriately for your services

- The value of peer community and collaboration

- How to avoid isolation as a self-employed professional

People-Centered Solutions

- Approaching challenges that appear technical but are actually people issues

- Using tools like 360 assessments and strength finders effectively

- The importance of earning trust before delivering hard truths

Personal Insights from Pete's Journey

- Pete's transformative realization about leaning into his natural strengths

- The freedom that comes from accepting your limitations

- How self-awareness reduces self-centeredness and increases client impact

Final Wisdom & Advice

- Dealing with imposter syndrome: "manage it, don't try to fix it"

- The value of partnerships and staying in your zone of excellence

- "ABC - Action Brings Clarity" - Pete's formula for getting unstuck

- "You are God's gift to the world" - the importance of bringing your authentic self to your work

 Notable Quotes

"True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less." - Pete sharing one of his favorite principles

"Remember: there are people less qualified than you doing the things you want to do simply because they chose to believe in themselves." - Pete quoting Marshall Goldsmith

"ABC - Action Brings Clarity. You can overthink this. You can just be stuck analyzing over and over and never launch out. Just get out there and try stuff." - Pete Cafarchio

Featured Book

"Align with Your Design" by Pete Cafarchio - Available in paperback, hardback, audio, and Kindle formats on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR9KFYLT/ref=sr_1_1

Connect with Pete Cafarchio

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petecafarchio/

petecoaching.com

consultoculus.com

#thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

In this episode of the Thriving Through podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews David Balbi, an experienced AI consultant who transitioned from a 40-year career as a PGA golf professional to helping small businesses implement AI solutions. 
David shares valuable insights on how AI is revolutionizing small business operations, particularly for consultants and coaches. He discusses time-saving AI applications, strategies for distinguishing valuable tools from "shiny objects," and real-world examples of how AI transformed client workflows—like creating in 15 minutes what previously took days.
The conversation covers David's journey into AI consulting, how business coaches can leverage AI to deliver better services, and advice for consultants just starting to explore AI. David emphasizes that "adapt or die" is the reality for consultants in this rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Whether you're a small business owner, consultant, or just curious about practical AI applications, this interview offers actionable advice for implementing AI to improve efficiency, profitability, and client service.

Connect with David Balbi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saasio/
Website: https://balbi.ai/ 

#thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

Rick is an organizational development consultant who specializes in understanding why people support or resist change in organizations. His book "Beyond the Wall of Resistance," which he wrote 30 years ago, changed his career trajectory.

In this insightful conversation, Rick shares his expertise on managing resistance to change, how his musical background influences his consulting approach, and valuable advice for self-employed consultants.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rimaurer/

Website: https://rickmaurer.com/ 

Show Notes

In this insightful episode of the Thriving Through podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Rick Maurer, an organizational development consultant with over 30 years of experience who specializes in understanding why people and organizations support or resist change.

Key Insights and Career Journey
Rick shares how his book "Beyond the Wall of Resistance," published 30 years ago, fundamentally changed his career trajectory. The book challenged conventional wisdom about organizational resistance, arguing that people resist for good reasons - they're afraid, have other plans, or see different priorities. Rick explains how his thinking evolved from focusing solely on reducing resistance to understanding the full spectrum from resistance to active support.

His approach views support and resistance as a dynamic sliding scale rather than fixed states. Over time, he's refined his model to be fundamental yet simple to understand, making it accessible to clients while remaining profound in application.

Advice for Self-Employed Consultants
Rick offers valuable advice for consultants dealing with resistance:

Two categories of resistance: One category involves the relationship between people, which is where Rick's model helps. The second involves personal fears about lacking skills, which requires different approaches.
Handling uncomfortable situations: When clients are "freaking out," Rick emphasizes staying open to what's happening in the moment, being prepared with expertise, and maintaining a calm presence while collaborating on solutions.
Music and improvisation: Rick's background as a musician deeply influences his consulting approach. He values improvisation, adapting to unexpected situations, and dancing with clients rather than forcing predetermined solutions.
Project selection criteria: One of Rick's most transformative filters is asking, "Will this assignment give me as much pleasure as playing music?" This question emerged after experiencing three lucrative but unsatisfying contracts, helping him recognize when to decline work that doesn't energize him.

On Specialization vs. Flexibility
Rick recommends that early-career consultants try various projects to discover what truly energizes them while paying attention to when it's time to say no. His recommendation changes for consultants who already know their passion - for them, specialization makes more sense earlier.

He cautions that while you might love doing something, it needs to solve problems clients are willing to pay for. Being clear about your specialty can actually create more opportunity if it resonates with market needs.

On Books, Marketing, and Building a Practice
Rick shares candid thoughts on writing books in today's market. While his book dramatically elevated his perceived expertise (he jokes that "my IQ jumped 25 points" after publishing), he questions whether books have the same impact today given how easy self-publishing has become. He suggests consultants might consider YouTube content or shorter-form materials that showcase their expertise instead.

Final Advice
Perhaps the most actionable advice Rick offers is for consultants who are just starting or feeling plateaued: intentionally talk to ideal clients without selling. He recommends information interviews where you seek to understand their challenges, keep the time request reasonable (less than an hour), and always ask, "Is there anyone else I should talk to?" He credits this approach with helping him build his network and understand client needs authentically.

The interview concludes with Rick sharing his excitement about his upcoming webinar on getting organizational changes "unstuck" - demonstrating how even after three decades, he continues to find joy and energy in his work by exploring new angles of his expertise.

Rick’s contact info

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rimaurer/

Website: https://rickmaurer.com/ 

#thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

Kit Brown-Hoekstra: Building a Thriving Consulting Business | The Thriving Through Podcast

In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Kit Brown-Hoekstra, founder of Comgenesis, who shares her 20+ year journey as a consultant helping global companies build effective content systems.
Kit reveals how she accidentally fell into consulting after being laid off during the dot-com crash and built a successful practice working with medical and biotech companies. She offers counterintuitive business wisdom including why raising your prices when business is slow actually works, the importance of valuing your expertise over your time, and how to build your "Jedi High Council" of business advisors.
Discover practical insights on evolving your marketing strategy, creating passive income streams, the value of hiring a virtual assistant, and critical advice for new consultants. Whether you're an established consultant or considering the leap to self-employment, Kit's transparent discussion about pricing, client relationships, and business development provides a roadmap for sustainable success.

Don't miss the surprise appearance of Kit's cat Yoda, who reminds us all of the realities (and joys) of working from home!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kit-brown-hoekstra/
Website: comgenesis.com/ 
Blog: pangaeapapers.com 

#thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

This interview features AJ Riedel hosting Cheri Smith on the "Thriving Through" podcast. Cheri is the founder of Crevay, a company that provides project support to small and medium-sized businesses looking to execute their major initiatives more effectively.
Throughout the conversation, Cheri shares her entrepreneurial journey, including why she started her own business after years of traditional project management, the challenges of being self-employed, and how she developed her unique approach to helping companies improve their project execution capabilities.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pm-for-everyone/ 
Website: https://www.crevayco.com

Download the Playbook to Connect Vision and Delivery:  
https://www.crevayco.com/playbook-download

#thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

In this insightful episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Mike Wood, founder of legalmorning.com, a digital marketing and Wikipedia consulting firm with 15 years of experience. Mike shares his remarkable journey from being unexpectedly fired to building a six-figure consulting business within a year.

Key highlights include:
- How Mike transformed a side freelancing gig into a successful consulting business
- The importance of finding and focusing on your niche (and why narrowing down can actually lead to greater success)
- Practical strategies for handling client relationships, pricing, and rejections
- Valuable insights on maintaining integrity while growing your business
- Tips for overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence as a consultant
- The crucial lesson of staying focused and avoiding distractions in your business journey

Whether you're an aspiring consultant or an established business owner, this conversation offers practical wisdom from someone who's built a thriving consulting practice through both challenges and successes. Mike's candid sharing about his experiences and lessons learned provides a realistic look at what it takes to succeed as a self-employed consultant.