Thriving Through

How do you build a sustainable consulting business when your entire philosophy is to work yourself out of a job?
In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Laura Rudolph, founder of Square One Consulting. What distinguishes Laura is her counterintuitive approach to client relationships: instead of creating long-term dependency like most consultants, she deliberately builds up her clients' capabilities and steps out, yet still maintains a thriving referral-based practice.
Why You Should Listen to This Episode: Laura's journey from accidental part-time consultant to full-time business owner offers invaluable lessons for early-stage consultants. Her honest discussion of scope creep struggles, marketing challenges, and the systems she built to overcome them provides a realistic roadmap for building a sustainable practice without burning out.

What You'll Learn in This Episode: 
You'll discover how to prevent scope creep by setting clear boundaries from day one and having difficult conversations with clients about project limits.
 Laura shares her systematic approach to building referrals directly into client contracts, turning what most consultants leave to chance into a repeatable business development process. 

You'll learn why marketing yourself as a consultant is fundamentally different from marketing an institution, and practical strategies for showcasing your value when you can't share proprietary client work. 

The episode covers essential tools and systems that can transform your project management and client relationship tracking. 
Laura explains how to find and vet collaboration partners for larger projects, turning isolation into opportunity. 

You'll understand how to price your services appropriately and avoid the common trap of undervaluing your time when transitioning from salary to hourly work. 
Finally, you'll learn why focusing on one marketing channel and doing it exceptionally well beats spreading yourself thin across multiple platforms.

Listen to These Key Moments:
[03:49] The Scope Creep Struggle - Laura reveals how her higher education background of "wearing 5-6 hats" nearly derailed her consulting business and the mindset shift that saved her income.
[18:45] The Marketing Paradox - Why marketing yourself as a consultant feels impossible when your best work is confidential, and Laura's creative solutions for showcasing value without revealing proprietary information.
[25:00] The Referral System That Works - How Laura built referrals directly into her contracts, including specific language about surveys, testimonials, and introductions that clients must provide.
[28:20] Collaboration Over Competition - Laura's approach to partnering with other consultants on large RFPs, including how she found partners through professional associations and manages cross-timezone projects.
[35:44] The Tool Stack That Changed Everything - Why Asana and Zoho CRM became game-changers for Laura's productivity and client management, plus practical tips for implementation.
[40:47] The One-Channel Marketing Strategy - Laura's argument for focusing exclusively on LinkedIn content marketing and why "doing few things very well" beats spreading yourself thin across platforms.

Connect with Laura Rudolph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurakrudolph/

How do you rebuild a consulting practice when you've lost everything and need to serve clients who can't afford high fees?

In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Edna Harding, Bible-Based Business Growth & Mindset Strategist for Creative Founders. What distinguishes Edna is her remarkable journey from being repeatedly betrayed by corporate employers and losing over $500,000 in a church investment scam to building scalable systems that allow her to serve clients profitably without trading time for money.

Why You Should Listen to This Episode: Self-employed consultants will discover how to transform crisis into opportunity by building systematic, scalable programs that serve clients at every price point. Edna's story demonstrates that the greatest setbacks can become the foundation for creating more resilient, profitable consulting practices that don't depend on trading time for money.

What You'll Learn in This Episode: You'll discover how to pivot from traditional time-for-money consulting to scalable program delivery that serves clients who can't afford premium rates. You'll learn the mindset shifts required to overcome major financial setbacks and continue building your practice during crisis periods. You'll understand how to use systematic approaches and automation to reduce costs while maintaining service quality. You'll explore how authenticity and niching down can actually expand your market rather than limit it. You'll see how personal development directly impacts business growth and why addressing internal wounds is crucial for external success. You'll learn why hiring coaches and mentors accelerates growth even when resources are tight. You'll discover how to build your business infrastructure during slower periods to prepare for rapid scaling later.

Listen to These Key Moments:

00:56 - From Corporate Betrayal to Entrepreneurship Edna shares how being "burned four times" in corporate roles, including having commission structures changed right before payouts, led her to write "The Ugly Side of Sales" and accidentally launch her consulting business.

05:29 - The $500K Church Investment Scam The devastating story of how trusted pastors recruited Edna into a fake commercial real estate investment that cost her over $500,000 and led to loans being taken out in her name without her knowledge.

08:52 - Building a Business Without Money for 5 Years How Edna operated in "feast or famine" mode from 2017-2022, building her consulting practice while paying $8,000 monthly on fraudulent loans, ultimately becoming debt-free twice.

14:05 - Biblical Business Strategy: Serving the Unserved Market Edna explains how the parable of leaving the 99 for the 1 inspired her to create programs for clients without money, using systems and automation to keep costs low while maintaining profitability.

16:00 - Personal Development as Financial Development The breakthrough realization that external prosperity requires internal healing, leading Edna to spend 6 months focused solely on forgiving past wounds before her business began thriving again.

20:26 - Systems Over Time: The Key to Scalability How Edna built systems and automation during her 4-year semi-break as a mom, allowing her to serve clients profitably without trading time for money.

29:15 - Niching Down Without Fear Why Edna believes fear of niching down comes from a "poverty mindset" and how being authentically herself in biblical business strategies attracted her ideal clients who found her rather than the other way around.

37:22 - The Power of Hiring Coaches Why Edna continues to invest in multiple coaches and mentors, viewing it as trading "money for time" and applying the biblical principle of seeking counsel from multiple advisors.

Connect with EdnaLyn Harding on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ednaharding/

Are you tired of working with clients who are too small to see real impact from your work, or struggling to command the rates you deserve for your expertise?

In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Mark Scrimenti, Fractional COO and Executive Coach. Mark distinguishes himself by specializing exclusively in the $5-50M B2B professional services space, where he helps founder-led companies transition from founder-driven growth to leadership team-driven growth using systematic frameworks and processes.

Why You Should Listen to This Episode: Self-employed consultants will discover how to evolve from taking any client who will pay to building a premium practice with ideal clients. Mark shares the strategic mindset shifts and practical systems that allowed him to move upmarket and command higher rates while delivering greater impact.

What You'll Learn in This Episode: You'll learn how to identify and target your ideal client profile instead of accepting whoever comes along. You'll discover why working with companies that are too small creates problems for both you and the client, and how to recognize the right size and maturity level for maximum impact. You'll understand how to develop your own framework and systematized approach rather than just selling yourself as a generalist. You'll learn practical strategies for setting boundaries with clients and having difficult conversations about scope and compensation. You'll discover how to shift your mindset from desperate for any work to strategic about client selection. You'll learn how to build trust quickly with C-suite executives and navigate the unique challenges of fractional leadership roles. You'll understand how to approach business development as service rather than selling, making it more natural and effective.

Listen to These Key Moments:
[02:48] From Corporate to Consultant: Mark explains how losing out on a COO position during the pandemic led him to hang out his shingle as a fractional executive, and how his 12+ years scaling a company over $100M prepared him for this transition.
[06:40] Defining the Ideal Client: Learn why Mark targets $5-50M B2B professional services companies and how working with clients that are too small creates problems for both consultant and client.
[10:06] The Biggest Challenge: Finding Your Focus: Mark discusses how not having a clear ideal client profile early on led to poor fits and how he evolved to go upmarket with more confidence.
[16:12] Learning to Say No: The critical moment when Mark first told a client that additional work was outside the project scope and how that conversation went better than expected.
[21:02] Setting Boundaries Without Guilt: Mark shares his approach to having difficult conversations about scope and compensation while maintaining integrity and client relationships.
[26:07] Building Trust as a Fractional Executive: How to qualify prospects for the right chemistry and trust needed for fractional C-suite roles, plus red flags to watch for.
[31:49] Making Business Development Less Painful: Mark's mindset shift that transformed sales from something he dreaded to a service-oriented conversation about helping clients.
[35:47] The Reality Check: An honest discussion about considering a return to corporate life and what keeps him motivated to continue building his practice despite the challenges.

Connect with Mark Scrimenti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrimenti/

In this episode of Thriving Through, AJ sits down with David Penny, a job search coach who transformed his consulting practice from inconsistent client flow to averaging 8-10 prospect calls per week using systematic LinkedIn prospecting strategies. David shares his journey from corporate HR professional to self-employed consultant, including his decision to invest in business coaching despite early revenue pressure and the exact LinkedIn system that generates a 45% connection acceptance rate and 35% response rate.

What You'll Learn

• How to build a systematic LinkedIn prospecting system that generates consistent leads for consulting services
• The 5-message customized cadence that achieves 35% response rates (and why the 4th or 5th message often gets the reply)
• Why LinkedIn Recruiter combined with a CRM creates a powerful lead generation machine for consultants
• The "easy lift, high reward vs. heavy lift, low result" framework for prioritizing time as a solo consultant
• When to invest in business coaching as an early-stage consultant (and how to choose the right coach)
• How to transition from content marketing to direct outreach for faster results
• The metrics that matter: tracking connection acceptance rates, response rates, and call conversion

Key Topics & Timestamps

David's Background & Transition to Consulting (00:00 - 08:00)

• 15 years in corporate talent acquisition and recruiting
• The layoff that sparked his entrepreneurial journey
• Why he shifted focus from building teams to one-on-one coaching

Ideal Client Evolution & Market Focus (08:00 - 15:00)

• How David narrowed from multiple target markets to corporate professionals
• Working with employed professionals in their job search (10-20 years experience)
• The challenge of running a job search while working 40-60 hour weeks

LinkedIn Prospecting System Deep Dive (15:00 - 35:00)

• Using LinkedIn Recruiter to identify prospects showing job search signals
• The 5-message customized outreach sequence that drives results
• 45% connection acceptance rate and 35% response rate metrics
• Integration with Pipedrive CRM using LinkedIn's Surf feature
• Why customization beats automation for relationship-building

Content vs. Direct Marketing Strategy (35:00 - 40:00)

• Why David shifted away from heavy content creation (daily posts, newsletters)
• Content as credibility vs. content as lead generation
• The "phishing vs. hunting" analogy for marketing approaches

Business Coaching Investment Decision (40:00 - 50:00)

• Investing in First 10 Founders Hub despite early revenue pressure
• The importance of process, systems, and community for new consultants
• When to invest vs. when to bootstrap as a consultant

Time Management & Prioritization (50:00 - 60:00)

• Revenue-generating activities vs. learning new skills
• The "easy lift, high reward vs. heavy lift, low result" decision framework
• When to outsource vs. when to learn (SEO, website optimization example)

Results & Future Vision (60:00 - End)

• 8 clients accepted new offers since March
• Averaging 8 clients on ongoing basis with mix of short and long-term engagements
• Lifestyle entrepreneur approach vs. generational business building

Resources Mentioned

• LinkedIn Recruiter for prospecting
• Pipedrive CRM for lead management
• LinkedIn Surf feature for CRM integration
• First 10 Founders Hub business coaching program
• James Wedmore's revenue-generating activities concept

Key Quotes

"You don't know what you don't know, and so I think even where we had originally connected was the idea of a business coach, and that was something that... not needing to necessarily reinvent the wheel on all of this."

"It's usually those individuals... it's amazing to me how many times it's that fourth or fifth message that I'm getting that next response."

"Is it easy lift, high reward, or is it going to be a heavy lift for a low result?"

Guest Bio

David Penny is a job search coach who helps corporate professionals in their mid-careers navigate successful job searches while employed. With 15 years of experience in talent acquisition and recruiting, David brings an insider's perspective to the job search process. He specializes in systematic LinkedIn strategies and post-application follow-up techniques that help clients stand out in today's competitive job market. Since launching his practice in January 2025, David has helped 8 clients accept new offers and maintains an average of 8-10 prospect consultations per week.

Connect with David Penny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-penny-14686021/

Struggling with overcoming consulting fears and building consistent consultant income? This episode reveals how Justine Lemanowicz transformed from a fearful employee into a thriving fractional CFO with a referral-based consulting business in just two years.

What You'll Learn

In this candid conversation, Justine shares the exact strategies that helped her overcome the fear of self-employed consultant income uncertainty and build a profitable practice that relies entirely on consulting business referrals. If you're a self-employed consultant dealing with feast-or-famine cycles, this episode provides actionable insights for creating stability.

Why This Episode Matters for Self-Employed Consultants

This episode directly addresses the biggest challenges facing self-employed consultants: overcoming consulting fears, building consistent consultant income, and creating reliable consulting business referrals. Justine's practical approach to relationship building and her strategic method for conquering fear provide a roadmap for consultants struggling with inconsistent revenue.

Key Takeaways

Overcoming Fear and Starting Your Practice

• The "worst-case scenario" method for overcoming consulting fears (4:06)
• Why talking to 25+ people before starting eliminated uncertainty (3:15)
• How having 6 months of expenses saved creates confidence (4:29)

Building a Referral-Based Business

• Why consulting business referrals eliminate competition (5:20)
• The relationship-building approach that generates consistent self-employed consultant income (6:41)
• Networking strategies that create long-term referral partners (7:11)

Managing Client Relationships and Scope

• Handling scope creep while maintaining relationships (13:19)
• The "do the right thing" approach to client service (12:24)
• Building goodwill that leads to future consulting business referrals (14:48)

Expanding Your Services

• Adding AI automation advisory to traditional CFO services (16:01)
• Why adaptability is crucial for self-employed consultant success (25:42)
• Preparing for different marketing approaches with new services (26:24)

Episode Timestamps

• 00:22 - Justine's path to self-employment and overcoming consulting fears
• 03:15 - The research process: talking to 25+ people before starting
• 04:29 - Financial preparation: why 6 months of expenses matters
• 05:20 - Building a referral-based consulting business
• 07:11 - Networking strategies for self-employed consultants
• 10:48 - Learning from the first fixed-price project mistake
• 13:19 - Managing scope creep and client relationships
• 15:13 - Rebranding and adding AI automation services
• 22:24 - Two years in business: lessons learned
• 27:55 - Advice for aspiring fractional CFOs
• 30:30 - Rapid-fire questions and final insights

Resources Mentioned

• The importance of market research before starting
• Building 6 months of expense reserves
• AI automation tools for finance and accounting
• Networking as the primary marketing strategy

Guest Bio

Justine Lemanowicz is a fractional CFO who helps small to mid-market companies turn their businesses around. After 10 years of planning and two years of operation, she has built a thriving referral-based consulting business that focuses on distressed companies needing financial guidance. She's also expanding into AI automation advisory services, helping companies identify and implement technology solutions for their financial processes.

Connect with Justine Lemanowicz on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/justinelem/

Is your consulting website failing to convert warm leads into paying clients? You're not alone. Most self-employed consultants struggle with websites that function like digital brochures instead of client-closing machines. In this episode, website copywriter and strategist Krista Walsh reveals why your website isn't working—and exactly how to fix it.

What You'll Learn
The 3 biggest website mistakes consultants make that hurt credibility
Why your website messaging needs to focus on HOW you think, not WHAT you deliver
The simple test to see if your website differentiates you from competitors
How to identify if you have a messaging problem vs. a positioning problem
Why sophisticated clients don't fear AI replacing quality copywriters
The warning signs that your website needs professional help

Key Topics Covered
Krista's Path to Solo Consulting (00:00 - 02:30)
From teaching English in Spain to freelancing on Upwork
The decision to build a real business vs. staying freelance
How she developed her niche in website strategy and messaging
Website Strategy for Consultants (14:00 - 17:30)
Why websites should be closers, not lead generators for consultants
The fatal mistake of treating your website like a business brochure
How to speak to clients who are ready to hire today (not those still learning about consulting)
Converting Website Messaging (16:00 - 20:30)
Why generic "I help businesses grow" messaging kills conversions
The differentiation framework that makes competitors irrelevant
How to showcase your unique thinking and approach (not just deliverables)
The Agency Experiment and Lessons Learned (05:30 - 07:30)
Krista's attempt to build an end-to-end agency
Why project management led to burnout
The decision to return to her zone of genius
Consultant Marketing Challenges (19:00 - 21:30)
Why consultants struggle more with marketing than other businesses
The messaging mistake that makes you sound like everyone else
How to avoid the AI trap that creates impressive-sounding but meaningless copy
Client Interview Research Process (22:00 - 23:30)
Krista's proven method for interviewing past clients to uncover winning messages
Why most consultants are intimidated to interview their own clients
How voice-of-customer research creates messaging that converts
AI and Professional Services (23:45 - 25:45)
Why sophisticated clients don't fear AI replacing quality copywriters
The difference between strategic thinking and just writing words
How AI affects different types of clients differently
Practical Website Fixes (27:45 - 32:00)
The 3 biggest website mistakes consultants make that hurt credibility
Warning signs your website messaging needs help
How to differentiate yourself from look-alike competitors

Key Quotes
"Your website is a closer. It's the last place somebody goes before they're deciding to work with you."
"Instead of doing messaging 101, focus the majority of your messaging on what makes you different. Usually with consultants, it's something around the way that you think or approach problem solving."
"The clients that care about the what they're getting is probably not the client that most consultants want. You want to work with somebody who trusts you."

Guest Bio
Krista Walsh is a website copywriter and strategist who helps client-based businesses create websites that attract and convert the right clients. Through her company, Krista Walsh Copywriting, LLC, she provides website strategy, messaging, foundational SEO, and voice-of-customer research. Her clients have booked 4-figure services straight from their websites without sales calls and achieved top 5 Google rankings for competitive search terms. She specializes in helping consultants move beyond generic messaging to showcase their unique thinking and approach.

Connect with Krista Walsh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-walsh-copywriter/

Are you tired of the feast or famine cycle that plagues so many self-employed consultants? In this episode, AJ sits down with Ben Blankenship, a scaling-up business coach who has built a thriving 9-year consulting practice by mastering two critical elements: curiosity as a business development engine and strategic referral systems that create consistent revenue streams.
Ben shares his journey from employee to successful consultant, revealing how he transitioned gradually while building proof of concept and steady income. More importantly, he breaks down the exact strategies that helped him overcome lumpy revenue and create predictable business growth.

What You'll Learn
Curiosity as Your Competitive Advantage: (2:31)
How curiosity becomes an engine for opening doors and solving problems (2:35)
Ben's client filter: why he won't work with clients who lack curiosity (2:54)
Using curiosity to identify coachable prospects and build stronger relationships (3:09)
Breaking the Feast or Famine Cycle: (3:52)
Why you can never stop being in business development mode (4:33)
How to turn every conversation into a potential opportunity (4:45)
The mindset shift that transforms inconsistent income into steady revenue (4:16)
The Power of Strategic Referrals: (5:06)
Ben's proven referral request system that works 8 times out of 10 (5:25)
How to ask for referrals without feeling salesy or pushy (5:15)
Why clients won't refer you unless you ask (and exactly how to ask) (5:59)
Scaling Your Practice: (9:17)
When and how to hire your first executive assistant (Ben's 4-attempt journey) (9:26)
Essential tools for managing a growing consulting business (22:07)
Building strategic partnerships that create consistent deal flow (28:30)

Key Insights for Self-Employed consultants
Ben emphasizes that successful consulting isn't just about expertise—it's about continuous learning, relationship building, and systematic business development. His approach to networking focuses on deep, strategic relationships rather than large networking events, creating partnerships with wealth advisors, attorneys, and M&A experts who consistently refer qualified clients.
For consultants struggling with inconsistent income, Ben's story demonstrates that the solution isn't just better marketing—it's building systems for continuous business development and creating genuine value through tools like his scaling-up team assessment, which he offers for free to demonstrate expertise and identify client needs.

Resources Mentioned
Book: "Scaling Up: Mastering the Rockefeller Habits 2.0"
Tools: Wave accounting software, ClickUp CRM
Assessment: Scaling Up Team Assessment (available through Ben's website)

About Ben Blankenship
Ben Blankenship is a certified scaling-up business coach and exit planning advisor with 9 years of experience helping business owners optimize their operations and increase company value. His approach combines strategic planning with practical execution, focusing on the four key areas of scaling: people, strategy, execution, and cash flow.

Connect with Ben Blankenship
Website: www.acuo-bc.com Company: Accuo Business Coaching and Advising LinkedIn: Connect with Ben Blankenship on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/benblankenship/

In this compelling episode of Thriving Through, Jason Mundy shares his transformation from a 30-year corporate marketing executive to a successful self-employed consultant running OnPoint Business Advisors. Jason opens up about the mental challenges of taking the leap, the reality of building a consulting practice versus expectations, and the specific strategies he used to overcome his biggest obstacles.

What You'll Learn
Breaking Through the Mental Barriers of Going Solo
Why taking the leap to consulting is like jumping out of an airplane
How to overcome the fear and mental resistance that keeps consultants stuck in corporate roles
The importance of timing and recognizing your "now or never" moment
Client Acquisition Strategies That Actually Work
Why networking beats cold outreach for consultants every time
The networking approach that generated Jason's best clients and referrals
How to build relationships and trust before trying to sell your services
The critical difference between marketing a product and marketing yourself as a consultant
Overcoming Sales Challenges as a Service Provider
How to develop sales skills when you come from a marketing background
Why relationship building is more important than price or product quality for consultants
Learning to handle rejection and develop thick skin in sales
The mindset shift required to become comfortable with self-promotion
Evolving Your Value Proposition
How Jason expanded from fractional CMO services to include business and executive coaching
The strategic decision to offer both consulting and coaching services
Why coaching work provides different rewards than consulting projects
Finding the right balance between different service offerings
Building a Sustainable Consulting Practice
Realistic expectations about timeline and revenue growth for new consultants
The importance of patience and consistent effort in building your practice
Creating systems and processes that allow you to eventually step back from business development
Long-term vision for building a sellable consulting business

Key Takeaways for Struggling Consultants
Networking is king: Jason's most successful lead generation comes from in-person and virtual networking, not cold outreach or email campaigns
Patience is essential: Building a profitable consulting practice takes longer than most people expect - be prepared for the marathon, not a sprint
Relationship selling wins: For consultants, people buy from those they trust and like more than they buy based on price or credentials
Self-promotion gets easier: The discomfort of marketing yourself diminishes with practice and the right mindset
Multiple revenue streams: Combining consulting with coaching can provide both financial stability and personal fulfillment

Resources Mentioned
Book Recommendation: "Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink - Jason's top leadership book recommendation
Podcast Recommendation: Jocko Willink's leadership podcast for principles applicable to business and life
Business Framework: Focal Point Business Coaching certification and training program
Book Suggestion: "24 Assets" by Daniel Priestley (mentioned by AJ)

Guest Information
Jason Mundy is the founder of OnPoint Business Advisors, where he provides fractional CMO services, business consulting, and executive coaching. With nearly 30 years of corporate marketing experience including roles at Fortune 100 companies and startup SaaS companies, Jason helps business owners and executives achieve better results through strategic marketing and leadership development.

Key Services:
Fractional Chief Marketing Officer
Business Coaching (Focal Point certified)
Executive Leadership Coaching
Marketing Strategy and Implementation
Perfect for Consultants Who Are:
Struggling with inconsistent monthly income and feast-or-famine cycles
Making less than $100,000 annually and want to grow their revenue
Feeling uncomfortable with networking and self-promotion
Coming from corporate backgrounds and learning to sell services instead of products
Looking for real-world strategies that work for building a consulting practice

Episode Timestamps
[00:00] Introduction and Jason's background
[03:22] Are you where you expected to be?
[04:32] Biggest challenges in building the practice
[09:34] Disengaging from yourself as the product
[12:45] Evolving your messaging and value proposition
[18:49] Coming from marketing to closing deals yourself
[22:51] Best performing lead generation channels
[27:18] Is your practice delivering the lifestyle you dreamed of?
[29:07] Where do you see your practice in 3-5 years?
[31:52] Rapid-fire closing questions
[33:39] Final advice and connection information
Connect with Jason Mundy on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jason-c-mundy/

How do you transition from a comfortable corporate role to building a thriving consulting practice when you're competing against your former industry contacts?

In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Dr. Kasia Hein-Peters, MD, a healthcare innovation consultant specializing in pharmaceutical and medical device commercialization. What distinguishes Kasia is her evidence-based assessment methodology for company capabilities and her focus on helping healthcare startups avoid the 90% failure rate through strategic commercial planning.

Why You Should Listen to This Episode: Self-employed consultants will gain valuable insights into overcoming the initial credibility challenges that come with leaving corporate roles, plus learn practical strategies for balancing equity-based advisory work with cash-generating projects. Kasia's honest discussion about the brutal reality of business development and her systematic approach to saying "no" to misaligned opportunities offers a roadmap for sustainable practice growth.

What You'll Learn in This Episode: 

How to navigate the transition from corporate "golden handcuffs" to independent consulting without burning bridges. 

Why having industry contacts doesn't automatically translate to consulting clients and what to do about it. 

The strategic approach to balancing equity-heavy startup advisory roles with immediate cash flow projects. 

How to hire and work effectively with digital marketing and PR agencies as a solopreneur. 

The importance of staying current with industry trends when you no longer have corporate research budgets. 

Why clarity of role definition is crucial for project success and client satisfaction. 

The one marketing focus that matters most when you're overwhelmed by advice.

Listen to These Key Moments:

[02:34] The Pandemic Awakening - Kasia explains how watching mRNA vaccine companies succeed during COVID became her "eye-opening moment" that breakthrough innovation happens in startups, not big pharma.

[07:31] The Golden Handcuffs Reality - Why comfortable corporate salaries and benefits prevented her from making the consulting leap earlier, and what finally pushed her over the edge.

[10:04] The Credibility Reset - The harsh reality that industry contacts don't automatically want to work with you as a consultant, and how losing corporate credentials forces you to rebuild credibility from scratch.

[13:39] Multiple Revenue Streams Strategy - How Kasia balances equity-based advisory roles, fractional work, training programs, and cash projects to build a sustainable practice.

[16:19] Hiring Your Marketing Team - Why she works with both a digital agency and PR agency, and her smart approach of learning the skills while getting the work done.

[22:27] The Art of Saying No - Her systematic approach to evaluating projects based on role clarity, skill alignment, and avoiding scope creep that leads to poor results.

[26:25] Business Development Reality Check - The brutal truth about how much time business development actually takes and why her initial optimism about quick success was misguided.

[30:37] Educational Series Strategy - Her upcoming experiment with free educational webinar series designed to showcase methodology and generate leads for consulting work.

[33:31] The One Marketing Focus - Her advice for overwhelmed consultants: understand your audience and be very specific about the problems you solve.

Connect with Kasia Hein-Peters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasiaheinpeters/