Podcasts about independent consultants

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

Most consultants don't fail dramatically. They burn out slowly, lose faith in what they've built, and one day find themselves dusting off their resume to go back to corporate.In this episode, Melisa introduces the concept of self-retention: treating yourself with the same intentionality a great company would extend to its top performer. In your business, you're also the manager, the CHRO, and the one responsible for making sure that top talent doesn't walk out the door. High performers, like you, stay when the conditions are worth staying for. You get to build those conditions.You'll learn the five retention drivers that keep high performers loyal in corporate environments and exactly how to translate each one into your consulting business so you can build something you actually want to stay in.Stay for the exercise at the end.The episode closes with a practical three-pass exercise to help you build your own self-retention plan by stepping into three distinct roles (owner, CRO, and delivery consultant) so you can see your business clearly from every angle.What you will learn in this episode:[05:00] What “self-retention” means and why consultants often leave because conditions become unsustainable[10:00] Retention Strategy 1. Compensation and security, and how to stop treating revenue like a mystery[15:00] Retention Strategy 2. A growth path and plan so you are not “failing” at skills you never trained for[20:00] Retention Strategy 3. Meaningful work, including the client red flags that create a retention risk[25:00] Retention Strategy 4. Recognition, and why your client is the wrong person to rely on for it[30:00] Retention Strategy 5. Sustainable expectations, so your business stops requiring you to be “on” all the time[35:00] How to build your self-retention plan with a 3-pass exercise you can repeat over timeTune into Episode 258 to learn how to build a consulting business that aligns with your goals, leverages your expertise, and sets you up for long-term success.Mentioned ResourcesCompanion Resource: Read Melisa's Book Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXJBGVB Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-258Melisa's Books, Planners & Journals: https://linktr.ee/melisalibermanMentioned in this Episode:Episode 176 - Set a Compound Goal for Sustainable Consulting Business Growth, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-176/#more-2463 ️Episode 088 – The Burnout Formula for Independent Consultants, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-88/#more-1326  Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

Show Notes:  Richard Millington talks about his Substack and consulting practice, Fever B. Richard shares his journey of starting his consultancy practice in 2009 or 2010, focusing on building online communities. During the pandemic, Richard received many requests for advice on becoming a consultant, leading him to start his Substack in April 2023. Richard explains how his Substack has become a side hustle, allowing him to reflect on his experiences and share valuable insights with his audience. Defining Community Consulting Richard defines community consulting, which involves building communities for customers in the technology space. He explains that community consulting helps companies save money by allowing customers to answer each other's questions, reducing the need for customer support. Richard emphasizes the importance of understanding psychology, incentive structures, and legal considerations when building communities, and he highlights the need for companies to hire the right team and have the right strategy, technology, and processes in place. How to Motivate Community Participants When asked how to motivate people to answer questions in online communities, Richard explains that people often help others for the intrinsic reward of feeling useful and making an impact. He discusses the importance of creating a sense of community and recognition for top contributors, such as unique roles and status within the community. Richard notes that financial incentives can sometimes backfire, as people may focus more on the money than on helping others. Surprising Insights on Substack Richard mentions that his most popular post, "The goal of your consulting website is to display as many trust signals as possible," received a lot of attention. He shares other popular posts, such as "Consulting is not selling your expertise" and "You only need to engage 50 people to be a success." Richard discusses his less popular but personally impactful posts, like those on contract structure and niche selection, which he found important for his audience. A Successful Approach to Content Creation Richard talks about his process for creating Substack posts. He  explains that he has a routine of dedicating the first hour of his day to generating ideas and writing posts. He reflects on his past experiences and common themes among his coaching clients to create relevant content. Richard mentions that he is moving towards having a theme for a few months, leading into a program he is running, to provide a clear point of focus for his content. Examples of Consulting Projects Richard describes a recent project with a client in Las Vegas, where he helped launch a community from scratch. He explains the importance of strategy, internal buy-in, technology setup, and training for community success. Richard also discusses projects focused on improving existing communities, such as increasing engagement and proving return on investment. Courses and Coaching for Consultants Richard shares his experience with creating courses, starting with his first course in 2011, and the success of his video courses. He explains the benefits of cohort-based courses, which have higher completion rates compared to on-demand courses. Richard discusses his coaching programs, which help independent consultants select the right niche, market themselves, and attract clients. Strategies to Attract Clients Richard outlines six ways to attract clients: search engine optimization, algorithms, referrals, networking, advertising, and cold outreach. He emphasizes the importance of selecting the right acquisition channel and committing to it. Richard shares his personal experience with using social ads to grow his Substack audience and the costs involved. Pricing Advice for Consultants Richard discusses the importance of strategic pricing and the pitfalls of advice like "just raise your rates." He explains the need for a balanced approach to pricing, considering the type of client, the project's complexity, and the competition. Richard shares his approach to naming fees and the benefits of using a broad range to align with the client's expectations. Access more of Richard's advice on Indispensable Consulting And to learn more about the core foundations of a sustainable consultancy: "a clear niche, strong positioning, and well-defined offers that clients understand and are willing to pay for." join the Consulting Foundations Program Timestamps: 03:00: Defining Community Consulting  05:30: Motivating Community Participants  08:36: Popular Substack Posts and Surprising Insights 25:38: Richard's Approach to Content Creation  30:23: Consulting Practice and Client Projects 34:58: Courses and Coaching for Independent Consultants 47:15: Challenges and Strategies in Attracting Clients 47:35: Consulting Advice and Pricing  Links: Personal Website: https://www.richardmillington.com/ Company Website: https://www.feverbee.com/   This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/?post_type=unleashed&p=244024&preview=true Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.    

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

You don't need luck to double your consulting business. It's possible for you, and even to double your revenue without working more.In this episode, I share the behind-the-scenes of how one consultant went from plateauing at $258K to generating $514K, without working more hours.This isn't a theory or case study. It's a real-life client example.You'll hear the five business shifts that made this growth possible and how each one can apply to your business right now, regardless of whether you're at $150K or already at a million.The key theme?Growth didn't come from overworking. It came from commitment, capacity, discipline, and a willingness to challenge how he saw himself as a business owner.If you've been hovering at the same revenue for months or years, this episode gives you a path to break through your plateau.What you will learn in this episode:[06:40] The mindset shift that unlocks consistent revenue growth (and why many consultants unknowingly stall out right before the breakthrough)[08:55] How to value your capacity and stop undervaluing your time, even if you don't bill hourly[12:15] The internal identity shift from executor to advisor and how it changes everything about your business model[17:50] Why quarterly targets helped normalize higher revenue (and how to stop operating from a corporate salary mindset)[21:30] How to refine your demand engine without piling on more tactics so you're not relying on hope or luck to fill your pipelineTune into Episode 255 to see what doubling the revenue of your independent consulting business can actually look like and how these same principles can apply at any revenue level.Mentioned ResourcesCompanion Resource: Download the Double Your Consulting Business Workbook, https://www.melisaliberman.com/double   Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-255Melisa's Books, Planners & Journals: https://linktr.ee/melisalibermanMentioned in this Episode:Join the Lead Gen Sprint Waitlist - www.ConsultantSprint.comEpisode 060 – The 3 Sales Mindset Shifts for Independent Consultants, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/?s=60 ️Episode 061 – What's Standing In the Way of You Making More Money With Less Worry In Your Consulting Business, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-61/#more-1297  Episode 200 - What's Possible for your Consulting Business, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-200/#more-2584 Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

What if the biggest threat to your consulting success isn't competition or market shifts—but your own irresistible urge to help... for free? In this candid conversation on the Inside Personal Growth podcast, pioneering purpose-driven leader Kevin W. McCarthy—author of classics like The On-Purpose Person and Chief Leadership Officer—reveals the raw truth behind his provocative new book, No Brain Picking: 26 Invaluable Perspectives Independent Consultants Need for Satisfaction, Success, and Profitability. After decades mentoring thousands of consultants (and getting "brain-picked" over countless unpaid lunches that left him "fat and broke"), McCarthy exposes the hidden traps that turn expert helpers into underpaid givers. From the dopamine rush of free advice that fades in minutes (while bills pile up) to the classic mistake of selling your fancy "nail gun" tools when clients really just need a solid roof, he shares battle-tested insights that will make you wonder: Are you accidentally sabotaging your own profitability? What Listeners Can Learn Listeners—especially independent consultants, coaches, entrepreneurs, and anyone monetizing expertise—will discover how to: - Set firm boundaries against "brain-picking" without losing your generous spirit. - Shift from being an expert who "happens to have a business" to a true business owner who consults on purpose. - Escape the dopamine hit of unpaid advice and build systems for real profitability. - Reframe your value: Stop pushing certifications and tools; start delivering outcomes clients crave. - Balance four key competencies (expertise, business acumen, leadership, and purpose) to create a sustainable, referral-driven practice that brings satisfaction and financial freedom. If you've ever felt drained from giving away your best ideas... this episode might just be the wake-up call that transforms your practice forever. Our Guest, Kevin W. McCarthy: ➥ Book: No Brain Picking: 26 Invaluable Perspectives Independent Consultants Need for Satisfaction, Success, and Profitability ➥ Buy Now: https://a.co/d/dBnWxUA ➥https://kevinwmccarthy.com/ ➡️LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwmccarthy/ ➡️Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kevinwmccarthy?si=0IaRmPaRZKvIlas- Learn more about your Inside Personal Growth host, Greg Voisen: ➥ https://gregvoisen.com ➡️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidepersonalgrowth/ ➡️Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsidePersonalGrowth/ ➡️LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregvoisen/ ➡️Twitter/ X: https://twitter.com/lvoisen/

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

Founder of The Upside, Erin Halper, joined me on Ditching Hourly to share her pro tips on creating and sustaining a premium online community. Erin's Links:Erin's community » https://betheupside.com/Erin's LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhalper/Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:19) - Erin Halper's Background and The Upside Community (03:19) - Challenges and Evolution of The Upside (07:24) - Starting and Running a Community (09:18) - Best Practices for Community Management (24:08) - Pricing Strategies for Independent Consultants (30:19) - Navigating Agency Subcontracting (30:52) - Building and Scaling Your Business (31:42) - Lifestyle and Impact in Consulting (33:00) - Celebrating Wins and Community Support (34:26) - Visibility and Positioning (36:03) - Pricing Strategies and Market Shifts (37:47) - Maintaining Boundaries in Community (40:30) - Application Process and Membership Cap (43:40) - Quarterly Open House Strategy (47:18) - Onboarding and Member Matching (55:26) - Concluding Thoughts and Contact Information ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

What if the biggest obstacle in your consulting business… is your own management approach?Most independent consultants left corporate to get away from bad managers, but end up recreating that dynamic for themselves.In this episode, Melisa uncovers the #1 management mistake she sees independent consultants make again and again: becoming a “ghost manager” in their own business.She walks you through the five components of being a good self-manager so you can stop unintentionally sabotaging your business and start building consistent, high-quality results.You'll learn to recognize where you're disappearing, how that ghosting erodes confidence, and what it looks like to actually manage yourself like a high-performing business owner, not just a delivery engine for your clients.If you've been over-indexing on client work and neglecting your business, this episode is your blueprint for getting back in the driver's seat.What you will learn in this episode:[05:15] The “ghost manager” pattern and how it's quietly stalling your growth and causing overwhelm[11:08] The difference between self-leadership and self-management, and why you need both to run a thriving business[14:35] Five key components of a good manager, tailored to independent consultants[15:02] How to implement planning, systematizing, ownership, protection, and coaching in your own business, even as a solo operator[30:45] A reflection framework to identify where you're holding yourself back (and what to do about it)Tune in to Episode 234 for practical strategies and mindset shifts to become the kind of manager you actually want to work for.Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-234/Related ResourcesJoin the waitlist for Melisa's Business Brain Journal, https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products Companion Resource: Read Melisa's book, Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXJBGVBRelated Podcast Episode: Episode 233 - The Big Leadership Mistake Independent Consultants Make, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-233  Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at https://www.consultmelisa.com   Want More?Get Melisa's Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/bookVisit with Melisa's Website: www.melisaliberman.com Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman Get Notified When Melisa's Products Launch: https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

If you're like most independent consultants, one of the reasons you left corporate was to get out of managing. You wanted to avoid the team drama, the politics, the performance reviews.So it makes sense if you've put “leadership” in the rearview.But here's the trap: when you assume leadership no longer applies, you create a blind spot that quietly undermines your consulting business.In this episode, Melisa explores what happens when consultants opt out of leadership, not intentionally but by default, and how that decision limits your growth, momentum, and confidence.She redefines what leadership looks like as a business owner. It's about leading yourself and your business with direction, consistency, and purpose.You'll walk away with:A new, more relevant definition of leadership that fits your role right nowA five-part self-leadership framework you can use immediatelySpecific ways to take the lead in your business, even if you're a team of oneInside the episode:[04:58] How the “I don't lead anymore” mindset keeps your business reactive[11:13] Five self-leadership traits that fuel consistent growth and sustainability[13:32] What it actually means to be the visionary in your business[16:47] How to stay motivated without relying on external validation[18:56] Why opportunity generation depends on your ability to lead yourself[21:22] What it looks like to build trust in your own leadership, not just your client workIf you've been operating like a one-person delivery machine, this episode will show you how to shift into the leader role, the one that actually drives results.→ Open the show notes for the five self-leadership traits and reflection questions to start applying this right away. https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-233/Related ResourcesFull Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-233/Join the waitlist for Melisa's Business Brain Journal, https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products Companion Resource: Read Chapter 16 in Melisa's book, Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXJBGVBRelated Podcast Episode: Episode 188 - Thinking of Yourself as a Managing Partner: A Gamechanger for Your Consulting Business Results, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-188/#more-2518 Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at https://www.consultmelisa.com   Want More?Get Melisa's Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/bookVisit with Melisa's Website: www.melisaliberman.com Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman Get Notified When Melisa's Products Launch: https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!

Are you ready to break free from corporate and build a business on your own terms?  In this episode of Life After Corporate, Deb sits down with Erin Halper, Founder and CEO of The Upside, to explore how real community—not just networking—can transform lives and careers. Erin reveals how her own shift from corporate to consulting laid the groundwork for a global community that champions flexibility, purpose, and high-value business building.  Whether you're a coach, consultant, or aspiring entrepreneur, you'll walk away with useful insights on community-building, authenticity, and escaping the scarcity mindset for good.    [00:05- 09:33]  From Corporate Ladder to Consulting Freedom Erin's personal “life after corporate” story and leap into consulting. A health crisis during pregnancy makes flexibility non-negotiable. Erin spots a trend: women are quitting, unaware that consulting is an option. The first version of The Upside—consultant matchmaking—and why she hated it.      [09:34 -18:18]  Creating a True Community for Consultants   The “aha” moment: Erin realizes consultants need better positioning—not just clients. Erin's lesson: “I am the brand”—why she stopped hiding behind the business. Community vs. Network: why support, not transactions, is the core of The Upside. Establishing values, structure, and strict no-selling boundaries.      [18:19 - 26:00]   Mindset Shifts & Milestones   How the community hit “flywheel” momentum through word-of-mouth. Erin's unique referral model—why a 1:1 with her is the best reward. From heartbreak to maturity: Erin learns to let go when members leave. How The Upside made her a more confident, people-first leader.   [27:14 - 36:31] Community, Not Competition Deb and Erin dismantle the “competition myth” in coaching and consulting. Erin's high-integrity filter: only serving true business owners. How generosity and transparency create unstoppable momentum. Erin's final advice: block out the noise and build from your values.    Connect with Erin Halper Website:  betheupside.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhalper/    Ready to turn insights into action? Don't just listen—join the movement! The Life After Corporate Community (https://lifeaftercorporate.com/community) is where ambitious women like you connect, collaborate, and get the strategies, tools, and high-level support to grow a thriving, profitable business. Join us now and start making the powerful connections that will elevate your success! https://lifeaftercorporate.com/community   Other episodes you may enjoy; find them all at: https://lifeaftercorporate.com/podcast/  or Life After Corphttps://pod.link/1500631278orate 205. Common Trademark Mistakes That Could Cost Your Business Thousands 197.  How Meghann Conter is Rewriting the Rules of Success for Women Entrepreneurs with THE DAMES 194.  How Entrepreneurs Can Avoid Becoming Seven-Figure Poor 19. Pivoting During a Pandemic and Leading With Your North Star, with Cate Luzio - Founder of Luminary   Tweetable Quotes: "It's about creating a structure where people can help one another to help themselves, and that is really hard to do."...Erin Halper on the challenges of building a community  “But it's why there's experts out there that charge for their time and charge for their expertise.”...Erin Halper on the Value of Community   **TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST**   SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this podcast to other growing entrepreneurs!  Get weekly tips on how to create more money and meaning doing work you love and be one of the many growing entrepreneurs in our community. Connect with me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12656341/  or on Instagram or our website at www.lifeaftercorporatepodcast.com .

The Ambit Energy Sunday Night Business Builder Call is a great resource for Independent Consultants to hear from Ambit's corporate team and fellow field leaders about business building, company announcements and more. Make sure to tune in each week!