GOING SOLO

We have produced 150 episodes of Going Solo since we launched this show in 2019. In today's episode you will hear my reflections on what it takes to be successful when you leave your job and start your own consulting business. We are pausing Going Solo. We are continuing to produce weekly episodes of Smashing the Plateau, sharing stories, strategies and resources to help you build your consulting business after a long career as an employed professional.

After 30 years of successfully managing money for institutional investors including Citicorp and Para Advisors, Laura Rotter founded her own firm, True Abundance Advisors, a fiduciary, fee-only financial planning firm located in White Plains, NY with a satellite office in New York City. Laura created a business that was in alignment with her own values and took advantage of her strengths. Rock Robinson is an accomplished Sales Executive with 40 years of achievement growing revenue with the likes of McGraw-Hill, Sallie Mae, Stericycle & the Univ. of Phoenix. Rock developed a framework for developing new relationships that can open up fabulous opportunities. Learn more about them here: Laura Rotter: https://trueabundanceadvisors.com/ (https://trueabundanceadvisors.com/) Rock Robinson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockrobinson9 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockrobinson9)

John Mitchell is a serial entrepreneur. John has created a 12-minute-a-day technique, related to the popular book, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_and_Grow_Rich (Think and Grow Rich). In todays' episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how a 12-minute-a-day technique creates success. John and I discuss: What happened when John turned 50 [00:34] How to take control of your life and make money [06:28] Actions you can take that will produce your desired financial results [08:55] Focusing on the bottom line [13:04] John's technique caused his own income to go to $5 million a year, after 20 years of low six figures a year. You can learn more about John and get access to a private podcast that lays out his technique by texting AUTOPILOT to 55444. You can also find John at:  https://thinkitbeit.com (https://thinkitbeit.com ) https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mitchell-76483654/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mitchell-76483654/)

Diane is Founder and Principal of Startup Distillery — a global consulting firm that helps entrepreneurs launch successful businesses and secure funding. She focuses primarily on early-stage startups, regardless of industry. That means Diane gets to work with founders in a wide variety of fields, ranging from clean energy to cannabis, movie studios to life sciences, consulting, consumer products, design... and distilleries, of course. Her extensive background in finance, manufacturing, operations and retail informs all the work that she does as she helps entrepreneurs distill their ideas into growing businesses. We discuss: The words drive the business [03:51] How to avoid running into a cash crunch [06:33] You can't budget for something if you don't know what that something is [11:07] Research tip: there is no substitute for talking to people [17:05] The sources and uses of funds [21:14] Learn more about Diane at https://startupdistillery.com/ (https://startupdistillery.com).

Jacquie Doucette has undergraduate degrees in Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy and has worked for Canada's Defence Department, both in uniform and as a civilian, for 40 years. We discuss: There's more to life than just a job and a desk [02:00] A podcast that's beyond retirement [04:15] We can make more money but we can't make more time [07:50] The challenges of creating your own structure [10:24] The thin line between freedom and responsibility [12:53] When you finally find out what you want to do with your time [15:20] What to do when income is not part of the equation [17:49] She knows there's more to life than a job... and more to retirement than just leaving a job. With Beyond Retirement, she's hoping to shed some light on other paths people have taken in their journeys away from the corporate world, to share with her listeners and her clients a variety of ways to lead rewarding and fulfilling lives outside that 9-5 world. Learn more about Jacquie at https://beyondretirement.ca/ (https://beyondretirement.ca).

Tom Scarda is a Certified Franchise Expert. He was the number one franchisee of the year with his first franchise concept and failed miserably in his second franchise. The lessons learned from failure are what make him such an expert. We discuss: A business with training wheels [02:09] If you can't make a movie about it, then you don't really have a life [05:51] A funny way of God humbling you after a great success [07:35] The pros and cons of the franchise business [10:34] The synergy of a franchise network [12:57] What makes a good franchise candidate [14:49] How to find a consulting franchise that supports your goals [17:36] Reasons not to buy a franchise [20:39] Tom is the author of several books including the number one bestseller, Franchise Savvy. He hosts The Franchise Academy Podcast and has produced an online Master Class on investing in a franchise. He has helped more than 1600 people figure out if franchising is for them since 2005. Learn more about Tom at http://www.thefranchiseacademy.com/ (www.thefranchiseacademy.com)

Kristi is a Dallas native and at 50 years young, she reinvented herself and transitioned from a job she needed to creating the career she always dreamed of. Kristi is a certified resume writer, job search strategist and LinkedIn pro. In 2018, she launched her business We Write It Now and has never looked back. We discuss: When fear of success is stronger than fear of failure [02:00] The most important aspect of a resume [06:02] Transforming resumes while transforming personalities [10:43] How to better take the lows for what they are [13:12] Chipping away blocks bit by bit [15:50] You can't be everything to everybody [17:28] Where to find your tribe in terms of colleagues [19:55] Learn more about Kristi at http://www.wewriteitnow.com/ (www.WeWriteItNow.com) and https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristimeenan/ (LinkedIn).

Jake Lang is an author, entrepreneur, and founder of over eight online businesses. Jake now helps new entrepreneurs start and scale their first online business at TheEntrepreneurRideAlong.com where he shares his experiences along the entrepreneurial journey of starting and growing new businesses. We discuss: What keeps people stuck in their day job [02:09] How to know when it's time to jump [03:43] Secrets to getting your online business work [08:04] Why it's crucial to share content that shows your expertise [10:27] Reasons why people don't share content before selling [12:58] How to get over the fear of talking to people you don't know [14:20] How to know if you have a good process for starting a business [16:12] Use your job to quit your job [17:55] It's Jake's mission to start a new online business every year and share everything behind the scenes through his books, Podcast, and Blog so that new entrepreneurs can learn from Jake's mistakes, understand the struggles of starting a new business, and find the path to entrepreneurial success. Learn more about Jake at https://theentrepreneurridealong.com/ (https://theentrepreneurridealong.com/). 

Mick Spiers is the Founder and Principal of The Leadership Project and the host of The Leadership Project podcast. His vision is to inspire all leaders to challenge status and to have people stop, reflect and rethink what it means to be a leader. His mission is to empower leaders with all of the tools and skills they need to create amazing teams and workspaces. We discuss: Flipping the way leadership development is done [02:08] Starting your own business versus starting one for other people [06:30] Why your first client could be your last employer [09:18] A skillset to discover yourself as a leader [14:57] How to align your market's needs with your vision [20:34] Learn more about Mick at http://www.mickspiers.com/ (www.mickspiers.com), https://www.linkedin.com/in/mick-spiers-5045a913/ (LinkedIn), https://www.facebook.com/TheLeadershipProj (Facebook), and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPG9X7weoI4Xs3SreZab1rQ/videos (YouTube).

Following two decades in the humanitarian sector, Cornelia Walther quit to focus on POZE, a paradigm for social change that begins with individual transformation. Over the past years, she published a couple of books. Now Cornelia is expanding the network of like-minded thinkers and doers, whilst making the POZE perspective and related mythologies accessible around the world. We discuss: A twiddling faith that makes you doubt yourself [02:05] Why a sabbatical rather than changing organizations as an employee [06:38] Four methodologies to bring social change [09:33] A training tailored to fit reality [11:15] How to support your lifestyle while going through a self-reflective process [15:48] Wash me but don't use water [18:36] Learn more about Cornelia at http://www.poze.cc/ (www.poze.cc) and https://www.linkedin.com/in/corneliawalther (LinkedIn).

Jen Hamilton's love of effective and efficient teams and processes started as a CPA with PwC. Now as a Fractional Integrator with Wolf's Edge Consulting, she loves to work with burnt-out visionaries by managing the business's day-to-day operations so they can focus on profit and impact growth, and do what they love to do most. We discuss: No more jerks at work [02:22] How to run a really well-oiled machine as a business [06:36] A temporary CEO: from mess to maintenance [09:46] What helps when a client does not want to end a relationship [11:19] Not the best case of monkey see, monkey do [15:22] The dividing line between the consultative sale and consultative delivery [20:21] What to do in the sales process when you're not getting paid [22:32] Jen is a natural collaborator, problem-solver, strategic thinker, and leadership coach. She keeps the team laser-focused on what is best for the company and who they serve while developing the team. Learn more about Jen at http://www.wolfsedgeconsulting.com/ (www.wolfsedgeconsulting.com) and https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdawnhamilton/ (LinkedIn).

Rick Brandon, PhD, is founder and president of the globally respected Brandon Partners, offering workshops on interpersonal and political savvy. His courses are taught worldwide in scores of Fortune 500 corporations as well as in many government agencies, healthcare organizations, and educational institutions. We discuss: Not a shrink but a stretch [02:36] Marketing a company versus marketing yourself [07:27] A roadmap for how consultants work with clients [11:46] LPGA questions to explore your clients' needs [16:28] How to change your self-talk to overcome objections [18:48] A lesson from a Henry Ford's neighbor [22:05] A world safe for straight talk skills [24:00] Dr. Brandon wrote the Wall Street Journal bestseller Survival of the Savvy: High-Integrity Political Tactics for Career and Company Success, which won book of the month for Fast Company, Forbes, CEO.com, and the Institute for Management Studies (IMS). He is a distinguished faculty member for the Institute and spent a year presenting in 20 cities around the world as its most requested speaker. With 35 years of performance improvement experience, Dr. Brandon has directly trained hundreds of thousands of people in workshops and speeches. He has consulted, trained, and presented at companies worldwide, from start-up e-commerce to blue-chip companies. Learn more about Rick at http://www.brandonpartners.com/ (www.BrandonPartners.com).

Former Wall Street stock analyst who walked away to focus on her own health and helping others improve theirs. We discuss: The moment you learn to take a nap on your desk [01:47] The signs of a toxic workplace culture [03:46] Why you shouldn't piss off a Wall Street research analyst [07:39] Traveling as a means to get out of a freak-out mode [09:27] The importance of shifting your focus from earning money [13:37] Work smarter, not harder [16:16] Why game stoppers are worth the money [21:06] Learn more about Kerstin at http://www.carefullyhealing.com/ (www.carefullyhealing.com) and https://www.instagram.com/carefullyhealingwithkerstin/ (Instagram).

Earl Breon is a former active-duty United States Marine with over 25 years of experience in coaching and leadership development. He is the CEO and Founder of The Leadership Phalanx where he combines his civilian and military experiences with his love of history to bring you what he calls, "The 11 Shields of The Leadership Phalanx”. These shields work together like the ancient Spartan formation to provide you a strong leadership foundation that values diversity and inclusion as fundamental to building strong, successful, and innovative teams. We discuss: Know your team and take care of their welfare [02:20] How to keep the boat close enough [08:47] The two things that give you credibility [10:27] The first conversation to have before going solo [17:09] The best time to jump and go full time in your own business [19:17] How to integrate the eleven shields of the leadership Phalanx into your career journey [21:12] How [not] to set yourself up for failure [23:27] Learn more about Earl at https://www.leadershipphalanx.com/ (https://www.leadershipphalanx.com/) and https://www.linkedin.com/in/earlbreon/ (LinkedIn).

Gayathri Shukla is the founder of Campfire Kinship, a social enterprise on a mission to unlock the power of empathy through story-based solutions. She practices human-centered design and is also certified in an innovative method of storytelling called guided autobiography. We discuss: Entrepreneurship as a sense of calling [02:22] A journey to what unity means [04:56] What happens to teams that can't deal with diversity [08:43] The results of having purpose aspiration [11:56] Threads of ways to deliver your offerings to an audience [13:40] How to make an analysis of what business model to follow [17:13] How to move yourself back into an objective lens [19:54] Clarity: the number one advice for anyone considering transition [21:29] Gayathri empowers individuals to discover their authentic strengths while creating inclusive cultures via workshops, keynotes, and creative storytelling campaigns. Gayathri transitioned to entrepreneurship after a 17-year career in the energy sector. She has an electrical engineering and Executive MBA degree and volunteers on the Board of Calgary Immigrant Women's Association. Learn more about Gayathri at http://www.campfirekinship.com/ (www.campfirekinship.com) and https://www.instagram.com/campfire_kinship/?hl=en (Instagram).

With clients like Amazon, Dell, Tik Tok, LinkedIn, eBay, Facebook and Peloton, Adam specializes in Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Creating a “Winning Culture” and Career Transition. He works with industry leaders to strengthen leadership and communication skills. We discuss: Opportunities find you when you are ready for them [02:26] How to get over the things that slow us down during a transition [04:22] How to build confidence when going on your own [07:24] Investing in yourself can come in many different ways [09:20] How to stay connected after leaving the corporate world [12:33] How to align your business life with your new destination [17:13] The key elements to having longevity without being burnt out [19:18] Adam is especially skilled in working with leaders to understand and build their capabilities in the areas of emotional intelligence, team dynamics, and powerful communication. Adam has a style that resonates with leaders at all management levels, successfully helping them portray their leadership vision and improve their business results as well as their professional life. Learn more about Adam at https://www.linkedin.com/in/adammirabella/ (LinkedIn).

Jennifer J. Fondrevay is the Founder and Chief Humanity Officer of Day1 Ready™, an M&A consultancy that advises Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and small businesses on the people challenges of business transitions. An advisor to senior and frontline leaders, Fondrevay ensures a company's human component, such as culture, engagement, and employee experience remains central to the transformation strategy. We discuss: Mourning the future that won't be [04:44] How to go from denial to acceptance [07:50] Bargaining: stuck in the middle with yourself [10:34] What makes the best credibility for a consultant [15:58] The reason why a large percent of M&A fail [19:00] How being on a quest can help you overcome grief [20:36] A survivor of three multibillion-dollar acquisitions, Jennifer sheds light on navigating a rapidly changing work environment through her speaking, contributions to HBR, Inc, Fast Company, and Forbes, and book NOW WHAT? A Survivor's Guide for Thriving Through Acquisition, published Nov. 2019. Learn more about Jennifer at https://jenniferjfondrevay.com/ (https://jenniferjfondrevay.com) and https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferjfondrevay (LinkedIn).

Tammy Gooler Loeb is the author of Work from the Inside Out: Break Through Nine Common Obstacles and Design a Career That Fulfills You. She is a career and executive coach, speaker, and facilitator who focuses on career satisfaction, and leadership development. Tammy's clients represent many sectors and industries. We discuss: Finding a way to a happier place at work [02:53] What it means to work from the inside out [04:20] The experience of more life [06:13] Fear and excitement often feel the same way [14:12] How to avoid thinking in extremes when feeling afraid [17:07] Why going external makes people hear what you say [19:20] Possibility does exist at every age and situation [22:18] Tammy's weekly podcast, Work from the Inside Out, showcases career transition stories of people who found more meaningful work. Her expertise has appeared in Harvard Business Review Ascend, Forbes, Fast Company, The Boston Globe. Tammy holds a B.A. in Psychology from Hampshire College, Amherst, MA, and an MBA from Boston University, Boston, MA. Learn more about Tammy at http://www.tammygoolerloeb.com/ (www.tammygoolerloeb.com) and http://www.workfromtheinsideout.com/ (www.workfromtheinsideout.com).

Diana George is the founder and president of By George HR Solutions. While working with small business owners, Diana found a common thread with most of her clients; the ability to hire employees that fit their company culture. We discuss: What it was like 2 years ago [02:54] How to know you've done a great job on a video call [04:11] Tricks to get people turn their video on during a call [07:02] How to duplicate yourself successfully [10:02] How get instant results from online courses [13:50] A labor of love: the process of course creation [16:04] The growing need to hire the right people [20:54] Diana has worked with global companies such as BOSE and the luxury watch brand OMEGA where she learned early on how to motivate and get the best out of people. She teaches entrepreneurs how to hire right the first time so that their brand is a reflection of them, and they can focus on growth. Diana is the person you go to when you want to learn how to hire right the first time. Learn more about Diana at https://hireforgrowth.com/ (https://hireforgrowth.com/).

Lucia Knight is a midlife career satisfaction researcher and designer. She spent 20 years in the world of corporate headhunting in UK and Australia before embarking on her quest to design work that would be MUCH more satisfying. We discuss: A slowly dripping tap of career dissatisfaction [02:58] Feeling brave until you start feeling stupid [05:31] The state of modern mid-life crisis [09:27] A formula for a lifetime of satisfying work [12:00] Ways to learn before you experiment and try [15:03] Using your superpowers to get paid more to use your superpowers [16:44] How people make themselves look average [19:01] A lovely 50/50 split [20:56] How to change your career in the next 10 minutes [22:44] After diving headlong into a MSc Psychology in her early 40s, she designed a personal research project to interview 100 midlifers who changed careers and felt happier because of their changes. She then wrote a book on the secrets she discovered. Her career consultancy is called Midlife Unstuck. She now helps midlife professionals who feel stuck doing work that isn't fully satisfying - to design work that is. Learn more about Lucia at https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/ (https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/).

Designer Sheryl Hammontree left the corporate world in 1993. Over the years, she realized that leaving corporate doesn't necessarily mean you left the corporate habits back at the office. She was successfully going solo at her studio, but, the addiction to being busy and the need for approval left her feeling unfulfilled. Sheryl recently hired a business coach and rewrote the story she'd been telling herself for so many years. Today, she's the owner of Thoughtful Threads, a custom-designed apparel line spreading messages of empowerment, equality, love and kindness. We discuss: Addicted to being busy and proving you could do it [02:35] The one more thing that would make you happier [08:33] The control to completely overload yourself [10:26] Longing for all the reasonable elements of a career life [14:37] Five intentions to follow when choosing a project to work on [16:38] The open mind is the only kind [18:26] Ways to monetize your experience [21:17] Learn more about Sheryl at https://www.thoughtfulthreadsco.com/ (https://www.thoughtfulthreadsco.com).

Ben Wolf, founder and CEO of Fractional Leadership, is the author of Fractional Leadership: Landing Executive Talent You Thought Was Out of Reach. He wrote his book and created www.FractionalLeadership.io to educate business owners and leaders on what Fractional Leadership is, how it works, and to help them find right-fit Fractional Leaders. As background, after building a tech-powered healthcare startup from zero to the largest organization of its type in New York State, he “went solo” and created a Fractional Integrator (outsourced COO) firm, Wolf's Edge Consulting. We discuss: How fractional leadership is easing the frog-kissing process [02:23] The three main factors why fractional leadership is exploding more now [07:10] The means to help you be the center of gravity [13:28] Prevalent budgeting models for fractional leaders [16:16] Who is fractional leadership for [19:55] Learn more about Ben at https://www.fractionalleadership.io/ (https://www.fractionalleadership.io/).

Frank Agin is president of AmSpirit Business Connection, which empowers entrepreneurs, sales representatives and professionals to become successful through networking. We discuss: Jumping from a great job into the great unknown [02:00] How to start making a pathway to becoming successful [03:20] If you can't bring in new business, you're not running a business [07:58] The only direction to go in is success [11:00] Anything but the truth [13:48] Why getting referrals is much easier than direct communication [15:50] The benefits of a 90-minute workshop versus a week-long [17:45] He also hosts the Networking Rx podcast, which has insights and interviews related to better business relationships. Frank is the author of several books, including Foundational Networking.

Katherine Ann Byam (MBA, FCCA) is the wing-woman to your genius and a business resilience / organic growth consultant. As a strategic partner to leaders, she helps businesses design and embed effective strategies for responsible brand stewardship, to deliver outcomes that favor a wider stakeholder view. We discuss: The queen of transitions [02:36] How to deal with the glass ceiling effect [04:02] A psychological battle of wills [07:00] Freeing up time and capacity for innovation [10:14] How to move forward when things get tough [13:09] How to manage the cycle of your energy [15:16] Employees are the greatest innovators in the world [19:58] The things to learn before you start pitching [23:38] Learn more about Katherine at https://www.whereideaslaunch.com/ (https://www.whereideaslaunch.com/), https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinebyam/ (LinkedIn), https://katherine-byam.medium.com/ (Medium) and https://www.facebook.com/groups/womeninsustainablebusiness/ (Facebook).

Karen Gershowitz started her career as a marketing researcher at American Express and Emery Worldwide. She was then a partner at BAI Global, a marketing consulting and research firm. In 1991 she founded Strategic Action Inc., a marketing strategy consultancy working with Fintech, performing arts and other not-for-profit institutions. We discuss: Trying not to be the best-kept secret in the United States [02:44] The structure of Score: where to start when growing a business [06:21] Why a consultant can't be a jack of all trades [09:02] Why consultants should be partners as well [12:42] The importance of having a good political radar [17:18] The three big things consultants can do that employees can't [21:15] Out there lonely with the worst demons [25:11] Since 2017 she has been a mentor at Score NYC. Her clientele are mainly individuals looking to start or grow a consulting business. Karen teaches three webinars on consulting for Score. Karen is also the author of Travel Mania: Stories of Wanderlust. Learn more about Karen at https://newyorkcity.score.org/ (https://newyorkcity.score.org) and https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-gershowitz/ (LinkedIn).

With a doctorate in clinical psychology and extensive studies in life coaching and consultancy, Dr. Andy Garrett has created a revolutionary personal development protocol - with his Authentic Growth Blueprint signature course. Dr. Andy also has a successful private practice in Newport Beach, CA - where he lives with his wife and two children. We discuss: The difference between having a choice and having an obligation [02:31] A narrative of self-efficacy [05:44] The type of motivation that is better than others [06:50] How to understand your unique character strengths [11:16] The number one regret people have [12:54] The clarity that makes everything flow in the same direction [18:07] Why saying no is a much more important decision than saying yes [22:57] Learn more about Andy at http://www.therealyoumatters.com/ (www.therealyoumatters.com) and http://www.ag-thrive.com/ (www.Ag-thrive.com).

Robin Merle has been a senior executive for billion-dollar nonprofit organizations. She's raised more than a half-billion dollars in philanthropy during her nearly forty years in the field. We discuss: How to be resilient in the face of major career challenges [02:42] The path to adding meaning somewhere to somebody's life [05:48] Why involuntary exit is more prevalent than many people think [08:16] The first 24 hours of being fired [10:06] The people who will not add drama to your trauma [12:58] Longer than you think: stages of grieving in children [15:48] The biggest killer of a new business [19:55] The thrill of not hearing from your clients anymore [21:17] Robin has been Vice-Chair of National Philanthropy Day in New York 3 times, served on multiple nonprofit boards, and was named Woman of Achievement in 2017 by Women in Development, New York. She recently, voluntarily, left her last executive-level position at a major university to promote her new book, Involuntary Exit, and expand her nonprofit consulting business. Learn more about Robin at https://theprofessionalguide.com/ (https://theprofessionalguide.com) and https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-merle-cfre-30b88536/ (LinkedIn), https://www.instagram.com/robinmerle_tpg/ (Instagram) and https://www.facebook.com/robinmerle.author (Facebook).

Doug C. Brown is the CEO of Business Success Factors, international best-selling author of the book Win-Win Selling: Unlocking Your Power for Profitability by Resolving Objections, and a nationally recognized sales revenue growth expert and consultant. We discuss: Lessons from the nonlinearity of careers [02:02] The dots that make career transitioning easier [06:11] What the business of consulting is [not] about [07:38] Focus on acquisition of clients versus focus on delivery [08:48] The quickest and fastest way to cash for new consultants [13:10] The type of website that consultants need [19:20] Learn more about Doug at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougbrown123 (LinkedIn).

Tamara Lashchyk is a Career & Business Coach who helps mid-late career professionals reinvent their careers. We discuss: Struggling with the culture of HR [02:38] Why you can't outsmart your boss [04:52] Reasons to quit a job even when you're the top performer [09:08] The number one reason for job dissatisfaction [12:54] Life is a blank sheet of paper [14:07] The question that nobody, including yourself, asks you [20:26] What older generations can learn from millennials [24:10] Before establishing her coaching business, Tamara had a successful career on Wall Street where she spent a total of 26 years at firms such as JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch, Bank of America and Deutsche Bank. Tamara is the Author of the book Lose the Gum, A Survival Guide for Women on Wall Street, Main Street & Every Street in Between. Learn more about Tamara at https://tamaralashchyk.com/ (https://tamaralashchyk.com/) and https://nextlevellifeseries.com/ (https://nextlevellifeseries.com/).

Wayne has helped some of the world's best brands with award-winning design and customer experiences. Unemployment found Wayne in October 2019 and by January 2020 his business was up and running. We discuss: How to springboard into creating opportunities [02:23] A few push-ups away from what's obvious [04:27] The opportunity behind offering a multichannel strategy [08:10] How to build out and own your priorities across projects and clients [11:09] The comfort level with what the 90-day forecast look like [14:43] From services to products: a story about expertise [17:19] Don't ride the waves of emotions [19:04] Learn more about Wayne at https://resonantpixel.co/ (https://resonantpixel.co) and https://twitter.com/waynepelletier (Twitter).

Brad Flowers co-founded Bullhorn, an agency that builds impact brands with language and design. Brad leads naming and language generation at Bullhorn. He has a degree in literature, which he finds more useful than he expected. He co-founded the non-profit bike shop, Broke Spoke. Brad is also the author of The Naming Book. He lives with his wife and two kids in Lexington, KY. We discuss: How a literature degree can make you unexpectedly successful [02:31] Cash is king or cash is queen [05:14] The seed of a naming book [07:14] How to pitch a name to your family [09:50] The biggest problem in naming your business [13:00] A pretty good name for a florist [15:33] Criteria for choosing the best name for your company [17:54] Some of the most interesting names for consulting businesses [20:33] The whole point of thinking more widely [22:07] Learn more about Brad at https://www.thenamingbook.com/ (https://www.thenamingbook.com/) and https://bullhorncreative.com/ (https://bullhorncreative.com/).

Rock Robinson is an accomplished Sales Executive with 40 years of achievement growing revenue with the likes of McGraw-Hill, Sallie Mae, Stericycle & the Univ. of Phoenix. We discuss: The right time to apply for credit [03:24] The five questions you need to ask during networking [05:47] How to store and save good intelligence [12:22] Why even busy solopreneurs should not stop networking [14:52] Hamster wheel and burn out as qualifying skills [16:16] The need for people who want to coach [18:44] Characteristics of a company that wants to coach [20:24] Why a coach's job is never to stay too long [21:58] In 2015, after being severed for the 3rd time & experiencing a personal tragedy, he took a leap of faith & formed Rock SOLID Sales Consulting. For the last 7 years, he has provided services as a Fractional Sales Leader & Coach to Sales Leaders. Born & Raised in the Detroit suburbs, Cincinnati has been his home for the last 30 years. Learn more about Rock on https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockrobinson9 (LinkedIn).

Neil Thompson is a product development engineer who decided he didn't want to be in the cubicle anymore, so he went solo. His company, Teach the Geek, works with STEM professionals who want to improve their speaking skills so they can communicative effectively with non-technical people. He also hosts a podcast, the Teach the Geek podcast, where he speaks with STEM professionals about public speaking. We discuss: The moment when your services are no longer needed [02:12] Ask Uncle Neil why is my hair curly [05:30] How to identify a unique need [06:50] Communication lessons for scientists and engineers [09:17] How to get enough “yesses” for an idea you have [12:04] Why people are no longer afraid to move to greener pastures [15:50] The hardest part about starting something new [17:34] Learn more about Neil at https://teachthegeek.com/ (https://teachthegeek.com/) and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW-8BcMcqnJLAYOhJtwy5wQ (YouTube).

Mark Monchek is the Founder and Chief Opportunity Officer of Opportunity Lab, a strategy consulting firm focused on conscious growth. We discuss: Why everybody is going solo today [03:50] The going solo mindset: employer vs worker [07:15] Rockstar successes from Covid going forward [10:05] The keys to make companies responsive [11:30] Unexpected changes as a result of open communication [13:35] The hedgehog principle applied to knowledge workers [17:15] How to find the true greatness of people [19:15] Mark has worked with leaders from Google, Apple, JPMorgan Chase, General Electric, Goldman Sachs, Adorama, TerraCycle, Feltsberg, The New York Times, Wharton School of Business, New York University, Columbia University, NBC, Time Warner, and the United Nations. He's the author of the Amazon nonfiction bestseller Culture of Opportunity: How to Grow Your Business in an Age of Disruption. He's been featured in Real Leaders, The Better Business Book, the Organization Development Review Journal, Lifetime Network, WPLJ, WCBS, Newsday, Working Women Magazine, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Learn more about Mark at https://opplab.com/ (https://opplab.com/).

Named "Top Startup Coach in the World" at the Thinkers50/Marshall Goldsmith Global Coaches Awards, Alisa Cohn has coached startup founders into world-class CEOs for twenty years. Rated the number one Global Guru of Startups in 2021, she's worked with Venmo, Etsy, DraftKings, Mack Weldon, and Tory Burch. We discuss: The music in your head [02:12] Zero clients, zero business [04:26] The second day of a new coaching career [06:11] The perspective of your younger self against your older self [11:08] The journey from founder to CEO [13:00] How to articulate between two niches [15:27] Executives who don't know what their problem is [19:11] Keeping your North star in mind [21:50] Learn more about Alisa at https://www.alisacohn.com/ (https://www.alisacohn.com/), https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ (LinkedIn) and https://twitter.com/alisacohn (Twitter).

Following a 36-year career as a public-school teacher, Dena is continuing her love for education as a humanitarian educator, running a non-profit organization she founded 18 years ago. The Dream School foundation supports public education in Nigeria with infrastructure and resources to teach and learn. We discuss: Opportunities are often unexpected [02:13] Taking a chance on a career transition [05:18] How to be efficient when working for your mom [08:20] How to do good work in a damaged system [10:46] Feeling like Ben Franklin in Nigeria [12:30] Depth before breadth [16:09] The perseverance to stay where you're needed most [18:27] Walking off into the sunset [19:55] Learn more about Dena at http://www.dreamschoolfoundation.org/ (www.dreamschoolfoundation.org), https://www.facebook.com/nigeriadreamschoolfoundation/ (Facebook) and https://www.instagram.com/dreamschool_foundation/ (Instagram).

Gina Covarrubias is the founder of Deliberate Doing, an exclusive STEM coaching service dedicated to teaching engineers and other technical professionals how to defeat career despair. We discuss: Engineers are famous for figuring things out [02:45] How to get out of the corporate bubble [06:33] How college teaches you to be an employee [11:10] A great solution for STEM professionals who want more of their career [13:00] Leaving versus staying in the engineering world [15:09] The first step to making the external world as great as you want it to be [16:17] What rocks the STEM world [18:42] Happy people make happy employees [21:02] Her distinctive background blends life coaching expertise with 12+ years engineering/technology experience in the government, academic, and corporate environments, all within the aerospace sector. As an Engineering Life Coach, Gina's mission is simple: to help STEM professionals be happy. Learn more about Gina at https://deliberatedoing.com/ (https://deliberatedoing.com).

Judy Schoenberg and Linda Lautenberg are the co-founders of EvolveMe. We discuss: Paying it forward to women in their 50s [1:55] How to make a pivot after taking an 18-year-break from work [03:57] An opportunity to take ownership of your career [07:43] The key to putting one foot in front of the other when times get tough [10:25] Major challenges for women trying to make major pivots [13:47] The importance of clarity and confidence in job search [16:45] The power of having a story to tell [18:18] A step-by-step process to repack yourself [19:53] A future talent pipeline for companies [23:15] Learn more about Judy and Linda at http://www.evolveme.work/ (www.EvolveMe.work)

Julie Erickson is an executive and career coach who started her own business 15 years ago after being fired from a job and realizing she needed to take another path. We discuss: A Monday morning get going meeting [02:48] How to go where it's warm [05:39] The dark hallway in-between they never tell you about [06:42] How to speed up your recovery from a job loss [13:25] Why family is not great in terms of helping someone in their job search [14:58] Why women are better storytellers [15:50] Promoting oneself while still being in the tunnel space [18:51] Why first-time entrepreneurs should aim to use their core value proposition [21:00] She's helped many job seekers start their own businesses when they realize they would rather be their own boss. Julie ran two non-profits, has an MBA in leadership and graduated from Smith College. She is co-author of the recent book Betrayed by Work: Women's Stories of Trauma, Healing, and Hope After Being Fired. Learn more about Julie at https://myrightfitjob.com/ (https://myrightfitjob.com).

Gail Robertson has a degree in Journalism and a Masters in Curiosity! After building a background working in Media, Fundraising, Advertising, Public Relations, and even as the owner of a Bed and Breakfast on Pelee Island, Gail uses her diverse skills to build and grow brands that last a lifetime and beyond. As the owner of GailNow she is a powerhouse connector, strategic brand consultant and keynote speaker. We discuss: Getting ahead of the curve by planning your exit strategy [02:44] Listen to the train in the distance [05:37] Why having a schedule is key for entrepreneurs [07:11] Embracing competition: the value of lifting other people up [09:14] How to prequalify prospects that align with your values [12:40] Be curious, not judgmental [18:11] How to keep the doors open when going to networking events [19:46] The tool that will help you move your sales in a virtual world [21:14] She has developed a niche in Manufacturing Marketing - with a particular focus on moldmaking and automation. She is on the board of the Canadian Association of Mold Makers and works closely with its partner organization, Automate Canada. She was also nominated in the Top 3 Professional of the Year of the Windsor Essex Chamber Business Excellence Awards. Learn more about Gail at https://gailnow.com/ (https://gailnow.com/), https://www.linkedin.com/in/gailrobertsonkeynotespeaker/ (LinkedIn), https://www.twitter/gailnow (Twitter), https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jTAajk7XaEYerR5ZqrWWg (YouTube) and https://www.instagram.com/gailnow1/ (Instagram).

Bob Goodwin is the founder of Career Club. We discuss: Making job search your job [01:21] You can't shoot a target you can't see [03:02] How come the job candidate is unarmed [06:11] A back door entry into companies of interest [09:09] The best learning is the unexpected one [11:20] How people should manage their professional network [14:45] Trends in flexible work arrangements [19:07] Learn more about Bob at http://www.career.club/ (www.career.club)

Josepha started Strathos Coaching and Consulting in January 2021. It was a big leap after working for an employer for her entire 30-year career. Josepha is passionate about helping people and organizations see possibilities, leverage strengths, and achieve goals. We discuss: There is more to life than the financial side [02:07] A very clear North star [05:54] The barriers we hit as employees [07:25] The push and pull of being an entrepreneur [08:52] Going between ways of being and learning [11:18] Braver than you thought [13:35] Caution: know when you should start charging [15:33] How to be strong in your values [16:27] A really good foundation for moving forward [18:03] Who do you want to be when you grow up [19:54] Before starting Strathos, Josepha worked in public service holding various roles at all levels of government. She is a strategic planner, communications specialist, change leader and committed coach. She lives, learns, and works in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada on the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ People. Learn more about Josepha at https://strathos.ca/ (https://strathos.ca/).

Sarah Baker Andrus is the founder and CEO of Avarah Careers, a career coaching business. We discuss: What makes it really hard to plan the next move [02:23] An introspective experience that helps you do what you do [05:25] Why you should say “no” to temporary gigs and interim roles [06:55] What to call yourself during the period of self-reflection [09:54] The only career decision we will ever make [12:35] A massive gap between reality versus structure [14:53] Skills hidden in high point stories of achievement [15:47] A commitment is not just the hours [19:31] She's worked on all sides of the hiring equation. After twenty+ years in recruiting and PR with the same company, she got the itch and jumped to a shiny new dream job. Within weeks she knew she had made a huge mistake. 18 months later, she received a gift in the form of a layoff. She started Avarah Careers in 2014 and hasn't looked back. Her favorite thing? Helping others figure out what kind of work will make them feel great about getting out of bed in the morning. Learn more about Sarah at http://www.avarahcareers.com/ (www.avarahcareers.com).

Recovering corporate HR executive turned activator for leaders who want to show up as the best versions of themselves and advisor for organizations focused on creating workplaces that people want to be part of. We discuss: All of the things you [don't] want to do [01:38] Not necessarily a money maker right up front [04:17] Strategy opposed to execution [06:00] Why we should be talking about performance day to day [07:51] The people who already know they have an opportunity to step up [11:34] Rather try it and fail, than not try it at all [12:40] What “ready” means for Melissa [14:14] Why not be the differentiating thing someone needs [15:28] How to deal with feeling insecure about sales [16:18] The trap of buying everybody's course or strategy [17:45] Learn more about Melissa at https://crimdellconsulting.com/ (https://crimdellconsulting.com/) and https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-carson-7b66195/ (LinkedIn).

Carl Landau has started 3 media companies and 5 magazines. He also has created hundreds of live conferences and trade shows. Probably more importantly he has sold his 3 companies. His media companies were in the Software Development, Craft Brewing and Niche Media industry. He sold his last business 2 years ago and has started Pickleball Media. Carl is the host of the "I Used to be Somebody" podcast. It targets 50+ year old former Entrepreneurs, Consultants and Corporate types who don't want to retire but, want to do something new. More fun. More meaningful. We discuss: The challenges about going solo even when you have figured out the money part [02:37] The disturbing feeling of your inbox being empty [05:18] The exciting discomfort of starting something new when you're not 25 anymore [07:13] How to pick business areas in growth mode [08:44] The thing first-time solopreneurs worry about most [12:28] How to start planning growth without having a business yet [14:46] A real business or glorified hobby [17:02] Learn more about Carl at https://pickleballmediahq.com/ (https://pickleballmediahq.com/).

Charlotte Japp is the founder of CIRKEL, a company that connects older and younger professionals for mutual personal and professional growth.   We discuss: A mentorship that works both ways [01:58] A framework for intergenerational spaces [05:38] Splitting energy between a regular job and entrepreneurship [08:48] How the people who want to be helped will help you [10:35] A baseline of connecting with your audience [12:34] The challenges of systematic ageism in the job market [15:16] The right conversations to unlock the knowledge you need [19:05] How to bring up your best assets and make your experience shine [20:14]   After graduating from Georgetown University, Charlotte started her career in creative marketing and saw the consequences of age segregation in the workplace. Older and younger professionals needed to connect and learn from each other, but had no way to meet. CIRKEL makes networking across generations seamless, inspiring, and impactful – working with both individuals and corporations to bridge the gap. Charlotte was named one of Next Avenue's 2020 Influencers in Aging and a 2020 Gen2Gen Innovation Fellow. She has been featured in publications like The New York Times and spoken internationally about the magic of connecting generations.   Learn more about Charlotte at http://www.cirkel.co (www.cirkel.co).

Ingor is passionate about people. She's known by many as a storyteller and power-connector. She uses storytelling to share her thoughts and helps others to connect with people and resources to help them flourish. We discuss: The fear of the unknown as a trigger to get into entrepreneurship [01:30] How to transfer your corporate skills set into your new business [03:34] How to have your first client within two weeks after going solo [05:25] The freedom to work with those who align with your values [06:23] The benefit of the doubt for good and bad clients [08:42] Rolling with the punches in an imperfect world [12:50] Pitch-slapping: why most people are using LinkedIn the wrong way [17:16] She worked in the corporate world for almost 20 years prior to establishing her own Executive Administrative Consulting and Coaching Business, ‘We got this! Admin'. She strives to balance that and her family life, while still making time to network, be involved in non-profit work and share what she's passionate about on various platforms. Learn more about Ingor at http://www.wegotthisadmin.com (www.wegotthisadmin.com) and https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingorvanrooi/ (LinkedIn).

Ed Evarts is a leadership coach, team coach, strategist, podcast host, and author who helps successful leaders build their self-awareness so they can self-manage more effectively. We discuss: The difference in people you hire versus those you inherit [01:20] How helping others succeed makes you successful as well [06:05] How to survive the 5-year critical period [07:39] Persistence in something you believe in [08:43] No one can help you more than somebody else who wants you to be successful [11:00] How to build a network in times of pandemic [13:20] Why you don't need to be certified in every tool that's out there [14:48] The characteristic that influences you most [16:28] Probably the biggest key to profitability as a coach [18:09] Learn more about Ed at http://www.excellius.com (www.excellius.com).

Andy Levine is the creator and host of “Second Act Stories.” A fascination with storytelling and second acts, triggered the launch of this podcast. He lives in Ocean Grove, New Jersey about five blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. He is always on the lookout for a good story and has traveled across the country to face-to-face interviews with podcast guests. We discuss: Find what feeds you [01:30] A complete change of two frustrated journalists [03:35] What you need to make the transition from working at Marriott to becoming a DJ [06:02] Second acts are rarely a straight line [08:10] Enjoyment as a measure for success [11:37] It's not an obvious choice when you start out [14:27] Learn more about Andy at http://www.aboutdci.com/ (www.aboutdci.com). 

Paula White is a globally recognized sales leader focused on shifting perspective through music. She is experienced in scaling Inside Sales Teams into multi-million stand-alone sales channels. We discuss: The times we choose faster income rather than building a company [02:03] Why corporate work culture makes you want to sleep [03:40] How promotion takes away the creative part of you [06:01] Why we need positive emotional-based resumes [08:02] What it takes to develop the side B of your legacy [10:44] Your playlist of transformation [13:49] An accessible tool for getting unstuck [15:20] The perspective of what we [don't] want to talk about [18:00] Paula leverages her talent to bring new perspectives and a forward-thinking approach, while achieving 8% - 10% compounded yearly growth and leading from a foundation of heart and mind. Her passion for Inside Sales has gained her experience in a variety of industries including travel and tourism, investments, veterinary and healthcare distribution. Learn more about Paula at http://www.paulaswhite.com/ (www.paulaswhite.com), https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-pw-white-344a8611/ (LinkedIn) and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_xkbbpzjHaNghE5e3U6x6w (YouTube).

David Shriner-Cahn, host of Going Solo, shares lessons learned from our first 100 episodes of Going Solo. We discuss: The challenges of a challenging transition [00:22] Successfully self-employed at 60 [03:40] What brings true abundance and success [07:04] The most profitable way to get your business off the ground [9:04] The differences between being an employee and an entrepreneur [10:10] A breakthrough summary of 100 episodes [12:36] Remember to subscribe on whatever platform you listen on and leave a review if you can.  Please share this episode with friends and colleagues to help them learn how to build a successful business after a long career as an employed professional.