In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host AJ sits down with Samantha Elizabeth, a coach and consultant with 25 years of corporate experience, to unpack her powerful journey from repeated layoffs to building her own thriving consulting business.

Samantha shares how hitting a breaking point after 11 layoffs pushed her to finally step off the corporate “rollercoaster” and step into the role of CEO of her own life. From navigating uncertainty to mastering the difference between marketing and sales, this conversation is packed with real, practical insights for anyone considering self-employment.

You’ll discover how to shift from an employee mindset to a CEO mindset, why networking (even as an introvert) is the most powerful lead-generation tool, and how saying “yes” to opportunities can unlock unexpected growth.

This episode is especially valuable for consultants, coaches, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to build multiple income streams without burning out.

✨ Key topics covered:
• The real definition of “thriving” and why it goes beyond survival
• Samantha’s journey through 11 layoffs and career pivots
• The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur
• Why marketing alone isn’t enough (and how to sell with confidence)
• The power of networking and building genuine relationships
• How to identify your ideal client and refine your niche
• Why becoming a “yes person” can transform your business

If you're feeling stuck in your career or thinking about starting your own business, this episode will give you the clarity and courage you need.

🔗 Connect with Samantha:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-m-elizabeth/

👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on thriving through life, business, and personal growth.

#ConsultingBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #CareerGrowth #Networking #SelfEmployment #ThrivingThrough #BusinessCoaching #PersonalDevelopment

AJ welcomes Gaby Sedra to the Thriving Through Podcast for a powerful conversation on resilience, entrepreneurship, and building a successful consulting business.
In this episode, Gaby shares his journey from working in the corporate world to becoming a self-employed consultant, highlighting the importance of mindset, ownership, and perseverance. He explains what it truly means to “thrive through” challenges and how embracing discomfort can lead to growth.

You’ll also learn how Gaby navigated early struggles like client acquisition, marketing failures, and financial learning curves, and how networking and partnerships became his strongest tools for success. He dives into building multiple revenue streams, including launching an e-learning platform, and how consultants can scale without burning out.

This episode is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs, consultants, and professionals looking to take control of their careers and grow sustainably.

✨ Key Topics Covered:
• Thriving through challenges & resilience mindset
• Transition from corporate to self-employment
• Client acquisition & networking strategies
• Building multiple income streams
• Importance of partnerships & mentorship
• Marketing realities & competition
• Scaling with e-learning platforms
• Adapting to AI and future business challenges

🔗 Connect with Gaby Sedra:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabysedra/

🎧 Like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring conversations!

#ConsultingBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #SelfEmployed #BusinessGrowth #ThrivingThrough #Podcast #StartupJourney #Networking #Leadership #AIinBusiness

In this powerful episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, Sara Orellana shares her deeply personal journey from navigating trauma, toxic environments, and rebuilding her life to becoming a successful self-employed consultant and business owner.

Sara opens up about:

Overcoming personal and professional adversity
Transitioning from nonprofit CEO to independent consultant
The hard lessons learned after 8 years in business
Why sleep, self-care, and boundaries are non-negotiable
How to price your services with confidence
Building stable, recurring revenue streams
Turning rejection into growth opportunities
The mindset required to keep going when things get tough

If you're an entrepreneur, consultant, or anyone navigating a difficult season, this episode is packed with real talk, practical wisdom, and inspiration to keep pushing forward.

Key Takeaways:
✔ Believe in yourself even when it’s hard
✔ Say no to what doesn’t align
✔ Your pricing reflects your value
✔ Stability comes from clarity and consistency
✔ Healing and growth go hand in hand

Connect with Sara Orellana:
🌐 Website: www.3raptorconsulting.com
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-c-orellana/

About the Podcast:
Thriving Through is a podcast dedicated to real stories of resilience, growth, and navigating life’s ups and downs with strength and purpose.

👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring conversations!

#ThrivingThrough #Entrepreneurship #Consulting #Resilience #BusinessGrowth #SelfDevelopment #Mindset #WomenInBusiness #NonprofitLeadership #PersonalGrowth

In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, Tommy Rhoads shares his incredible journey from line cook to high-level consultant, revealing the mindset, habits, and strategies that helped him build a powerful consulting alliance.

Tommy talks about growth mindset, entrepreneurship, networking, imposter syndrome, and modern stoicism, along with practical insights on getting consulting clients, using LinkedIn for business development, and building strategic partnerships.

If you're an aspiring consultant, entrepreneur, or professional looking to start a consulting practice, this conversation is packed with real-world insights and inspiration.

🚀 What You'll Learn in This Episode

✔ What “thriving” really means in business and life
✔ How Tommy went from restaurant work to consulting leadership
✔ Why growth mindset and curiosity are critical for career success
✔ How to start and grow a consulting business
✔ The power of strategic partnerships and alliances
✔ How consultants use LinkedIn and networking to get clients
✔ Managing imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur
✔ Daily routines, journaling, and modern stoicism for productivity
✔ How discipline and structure help consultants stay focused

💡 Key Topics Covered

Consulting business strategy
Client acquisition for consultants
LinkedIn marketing for consulting
Growth mindset and entrepreneurship
Stoicism and productivity habits
Overcoming imposter syndrome
Building a consulting network
Personal development for entrepreneurs

👤 About the Guest

Tommy Rhoads is a consultant and alliance builder who helps organizations drive transformation, operational excellence, and leadership development. He is part of the Strategy Elevation Alliance, a collaborative consulting network focused on helping companies navigate complex strategic challenges.

🔗 Connect With Tommy -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-rhoads-8191358/

🎧 About the Podcast

The Thriving Through Podcast explores the journeys of entrepreneurs, consultants, and leaders who share real lessons on growth, resilience, and building meaningful careers.

#ConsultingBusiness #Entrepreneurship #GrowthMindset #ConsultantLife #BusinessStrategy #LinkedInMarketing #ImposterSyndrome #Stoicism
#StartupAdvice #ThrivingThrough

In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host AJ Riedel sits down with consultant and entrepreneur Leo Sevigny to explore the realities of launching (and relaunching) a consulting business.

Leo shares his journey from early success after publishing The Personal Vision Workbook to building his consulting practice, stepping away, and then restarting nearly 20 years later with a completely different mindset. The conversation dives deep into what it really takes to build a sustainable consulting practice from overcoming imposter syndrome to finding clients, setting boundaries, and creating meaningful conversations instead of “selling.”

If you're starting a consulting business, transitioning out of corporate, or trying to build momentum with your independent practice, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest reflections.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why saying “yes to everything” can hurt your consulting career
The biggest mindset shift from employee to independent consultant
How to build a consulting pipeline using existing relationships
Why most consultants overthink websites instead of talking to clients
The role of confidence, curiosity, and genuine conversation in winning work
How Leo structures his day to avoid “procrasti-working”
Why boutique consultants can thrive in uncertain economic times
How AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude can become creative partners for consultants

Connect with Leo Sevigny:
🌐 https://www.linkedin.com/in/leosevigny/ 

About the Podcast

The Thriving Through Podcast with AJ Riedel shares conversations with experienced consultants and business leaders about building resilient, successful consulting practices.

👍 If you found this conversation helpful, like, subscribe, and share to support more insights for consultants and independent professionals.

#ConsultingBusiness #IndependentConsultant #ConsultingCareer #BoutiqueConsulting #Entrepreneurship

In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, AJ speaks with Nicole Sithithavorn, founder of YC Partners, about her journey from corporate CFO to building a successful fractional CFO consulting firm.

Nicole shares the real story behind launching a consulting business including the early challenges of networking as an introvert, figuring out how to generate leads, and discovering the power of outbound email marketing that eventually drove most of her client growth.

She explains how her firm grew from a solo consulting idea into a 7-person team, why fractional CFO services are becoming essential for growing businesses, and the systems she built to create strong client relationships and scalable growth.

Nicole also discusses marketing strategies like targeted outbound email, LinkedIn prospecting, newsletters, and networking, and offers valuable advice for consultants on choosing the right rooms, refining messaging, and building a sustainable pipeline of clients.

Whether you're a consultant, entrepreneur, CFO, or business owner looking to scale, this episode offers practical insights into business development, consulting growth, and strategic finance leadership.

Topics Covered:

Fractional CFO services
Starting a consulting business
Outbound email marketing for B2B
Building a consulting team
Lead nurturing and client relationships
Strategic finance leadership
Networking for consultants
Scaling a professional services firm

Connect with Nicole Sithithavorn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolemsith/

Subscribe for more conversations with leaders who are building meaningful careers and thriving through challenges.

#FractionalCFO #ConsultingBusiness #Entrepreneurship #B2BMarketing #BusinessGrowth #PodcastInterview #ThrivingThrough

What happens when a numbers-loving entrepreneur goes from $40,000 in credit card debt to helping solopreneurs master their finances?

In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, Nancy Ward shares her powerful journey from financial struggle to becoming a self-employed financial coach helping solopreneurs untangle personal and business finances.

Nancy explains why many consultants and small business owners don’t actually know if they’re making money until the end of the year and how simple financial systems can completely change that.

If you're a consultant, freelancer, coach, or solopreneur, this conversation will help you understand how to separate business and personal money, create clarity in your finances, and remove the shame around not knowing “money language.”

✨ In this episode you’ll learn:
• How Nancy paid off $40K in credit card debt
• Why many solopreneurs mix personal and business finances
• Simple financial systems every consultant should set up
• The mindset shift that removes shame around money
• Why tracking numbers monthly is critical for business success
• The power of a strong elevator pitch for entrepreneurs

Nancy also shares how she pivoted from consumer financial coaching to helping solopreneurs build clear financial systems that make their businesses sustainable.

Whether you’re starting your consulting journey or already running a solo business, this episode will help you gain clarity, confidence, and control over your finances.

🔗 Connect with Nancy Ward
Website: https://weeklydebtplan.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyward1/

🎙️ About the Podcast
Thriving Through Podcast brings conversations with entrepreneurs, consultants, and thought leaders who share real experiences, strategies, and insights to help you grow your business and life.

What if losing your biggest revenue source could teach you the most valuable lesson about building a sustainable consulting business? Discover the 10-project pipeline strategy that keeps self-employed consultants from ever facing an empty calendar again.

In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Bob Greene, Principal Consultant of RCG Workgroup specializing in business development and leadership strategy. Bob brings a unique neuroscience-based approach to sales training and leadership development, and he's currently rebuilding his practice after being hit hard by the government shutdown.

Why You Should Listen to This Episode
If you're struggling with feast-or-famine cycles, an empty pipeline, or recovering from a major business setback, this conversation will change how you think about consulting business development. Bob shares the exact systems he uses to maintain consistent revenue, including his 10-project pipeline methodology that ensures he always has work in various stages of development. Whether you're building your practice from scratch or rebuilding after disruption, Bob's strategic approach to pipeline management, pricing, and team building offers immediately actionable insights for creating a more predictable and profitable consulting business.

What You'll Learn in This Episode
• [The 10-Project Pipeline Strategy] How to maintain a consistent flow of consulting work by always keeping 10 projects in various stages from prospect to signed contract, ensuring you never face an empty calendar or desperate acceptance of low-paying work.
• [Why Traditional Training Fails] The three critical reasons training doesn't create lasting change in organizations and how understanding the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve can transform your consulting approach and ROI for clients.
• [Building Revenue Through Workgroups] How to expand your consulting capacity and revenue potential by building a network of specialized experts you can bring in on contract, allowing you to serve 5 clients simultaneously without burnout.
• [The Upwork Strategy for Building Credibility] A counterintuitive approach to using freelance platforms to test your market value, build a portfolio of 5-star reviews, and systematically increase your rates from $25 to premium pricing.
• [Negotiation Tactics That Build Partnership] How to reframe sales conversations using Chris  Voss's "Never Split the Difference" principles, including why getting prospects to say "no" is more powerful than pushing for "yes."
• [Recovery After Business Disruption] Practical strategies for rebuilding your consulting practice after major setbacks, including the financial buffer you need and the mindset shifts required to turn disruption into strategic momentum.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
• Book: "Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss - FBI hostage negotiation tactics applied to business negotiations and sales conversations
• Upwork - Freelance platform for testing market value and building consulting reputation
• MIT Sloan School - Certificate programs in leadership development
• Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania - Certificate programs in organizational leadership

About Bob Greene
Bob Greene is the Principal Consultant at RCG Workgroup, specializing in business development and leadership strategy. With a background that evolved from sales management to sales training to comprehensive organizational development, Bob brings a neuroscience-based approach to helping organizations improve performance through customized, outcome-focused consulting. His expertise spans three key areas: sales enablement, leadership development, and conflict resolution. Bob's unique "immersive leadership" model involves taking on executive roles within client organizations to implement sustainable, process-driven change rather than personality-dependent systems. He holds certificates in leadership development from MIT Sloan School and Wharton School at the
University of Pennsylvania.

Connect with Bob Greene on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobgreene10/
Learn more about RCG Workgroup: https://rcgworkgroup.com/

What does it really take to leave a large consulting firm and build a thriving solo practice from scratch?

In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, AJ interviews David Hermann, founder of Herman Group and Herman Digital Media, about his transition from corporate consulting to entrepreneurship.

David shares how he:

• Rebuilt authority after leaving a major healthcare consultancy
• Used content marketing, authority building, and networking as a “three-legged stool” growth strategy
• Leveraged LinkedIn newsletters and moved to Substack to reach founders outside corporate circles
• Paused sales to earn business brokerage credentials
• Structured value-based consulting fees tied directly to measurable client outcomes
• Built social proof without relying on a website
• Published his first book, The Change Agent Code
• Navigates revenue uncertainty, pipeline rebuilding, and imposter syndrome

If you're a consultant, founder, coach, or service professional wondering how to price confidently, generate qualified leads, or transition from corporate to independent work, this episode delivers practical strategy and honest insights.

David also explains:
– How to qualify leads using 3 powerful questions
– Why hourly pricing misaligns incentives
– How to handle pushback on premium fees
– Why speaking engagements outperform websites for lead generation
– How founders should prepare emotionally and strategically for exit

Whether you're building a consulting firm, preparing for acquisition, or trying to create sustainable authority in your niche, this conversation will help you thrive through uncertainty.

To connect with David Herman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhermann/

How do you build a thriving consulting practice without constantly chasing leads?

In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, AJ sits down with Diane Davidson, founder of Clever Fox Advisory, to talk about building a sustainable consulting business through strategic partnerships, LinkedIn visibility, and long-term contract stability.

With 8 years as a solopreneur, Diane shares how she carved out a niche in post-merger integrations and business transformation by partnering with major consulting firms like Ernst & Young, Slalom, Capgemini, and Wipro.

Instead of relying solely on cold outreach or C-suite networking, Diane built recurring revenue through consulting firm partnerships that provide 3–9 month contracts, 40-hour workweeks, and predictable income.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to secure long-term consulting contracts
• Why partnering with consulting firms can create income stability
• A practical LinkedIn strategy that takes just 10 minutes a day
• How to stay top of mind through referrals and reciprocal relationships
• Why nurturing relationships matters more than constant lead generation
• How to stay relevant in the age of Gen AI
• The power of a 90-day experimentation philosophy
• When to walk away from toxic clients
• Why trusting your gut is critical in entrepreneurship

Diane also shares powerful lessons on blocking out noise, ignoring doubters, and building a business aligned with your values — even when others think you’ll fail.

If you’re a consultant, solopreneur, or aspiring independent professional looking for sustainable growth strategies, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Connect with Diane Davidson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-davidson-clever-fox/