In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Laura Hardin, founder of Harden Heights Communications. We talk about how Laura transformed a devastating corporate layoff into entrepreneurial success, her unique approach to reactivating professional relationships without being transactional, and how she maintains work-life balance while building a thriving communications consultancy. Learn how she exceeded her first-year income goals and is positioning herself for $250,000 in annual profit within five years.

6:26 - Pivotal moment decision
11:05 - Network activation strategy
22:22 - Financial insights for consultants
Connect with Laura Hardin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-hardinheightscomms/
Website: HardinHeightsComms.com
Connect with me
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajriedel/
Book an Exploratory Consultation: https://calendly.com/ajr-2/exploratory-consultation
Thriving Consultant newsletter: https://ajriedel.mykajabi.com/newsletters/the-thriving-consultant
Website: https://www.ajriedel.com/
Email: ajr@4rmg.com

Show Notes:
Are you tired of the corporate grind but afraid to take the leap into consulting? What if a layoff became the best thing that ever happened to your career?
In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Laura Hardin, founder of Harden Heights Communications, a consultancy specializing in change management and internal communications during corporate transitions.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
How Laura transformed a painful job loss into entrepreneurial success after 25 years in corporate communications
The two "Aha moments" that convinced her to bet on herself instead of continuing a frustrating job search
Practical strategies for reactivating your professional network without being purely transactional

How to qualify potential clients to ensure they're the right fit for your services
Why you can often make more money as a consultant while technically earning less
Essential systems and tools for running an efficient consulting practice
Strategies for maintaining work-life balance while building a thriving business

Why You Should Listen to (or Watch) This Episode:
If you're stuck in the corporate world but dreaming of independence, or if you've recently started your consulting journey, Laura's story provides both inspiration and practical guidance. In just 10 months, she built a communications consultancy that exceeded her financial goals while giving her more freedom and fulfillment than her corporate career ever did. Her candid insights about overcoming rejection, managing uncertainty, and building authentic relationships will help you navigate your own path to consulting success.

Listen to These Key Moments:
03:33 - The Two Aha Moments: Laura shares the pivotal realizations that led her to launch her own business instead of continuing her job search.
07:26 - Overcoming Fear: How Laura dealt with the terrifying prospect of starting a business right when her daughter was beginning college.
11:05 - Network Activation: Laura's authentic approach to leveraging her professional relationships without coming across as transactional.
16:50 - Client Qualification: How Laura ensures potential clients are the right fit for her services through discovery calls.
19:01 - Essential Tools: The minimal but effective systems Laura uses to run her business efficiently.
22:22 - Financial Insights: Why consultants can often keep more of their money even while making less on paper than in corporate roles.
27:22 - Work-Life Balance: How Laura maintains balance while building her practice (and why she loves it so much).
31:50 - Advice to New Consultants: What Laura wishes she had known when starting her consulting journey.

Connect with Laura Hardin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-hardinheightscomms/
Website: HardinHeightsComms.com

Confused About Why Your Marketing Isn't Bringing in Enough Clients? Discover Exactly Which Parts of Your Marketing Need Attention. Take the Consultant’s Marketing Scorecard today and get clarity on what's breaking down and what needs fixing. https://cms-2025.scoreapp.com/

If you liked today's episode, do these two things:
Click subscribe on whatever podcast platform you use to make sure you don't miss future episodes
Leave me a review in your podcast app or YouTube so other self-employed consultants can learn about the podcast

Connect with me
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajriedel/
Book an Exploratory Consultation: https://calendly.com/ajr-2/exploratory-consultation
Thriving Consultant newsletter: https://ajriedel.mykajabi.com/newsletters/the-thriving-consultant
Website: https://www.ajriedel.com/
Email: ajr@4rmg.com

In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Nick Eckert, founder of Sr. Training and Consulting. We talk about how Nick leverages his engineering background to simplify OSHA requirements for small and medium businesses, his unique approach to qualifying leads through an Amazon bestselling book, and why he believes "failing early and often" is the key to consulting success.

4:55 Learn Nick's creative methods for building client relationships despite being "not naturally outgoing"
11:15: Learn how Nick handles prospects who don't recognize they have safety problems
Connect with Nicholas Eckert
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/105541284/
Website: https://www.srconsultingky.com/

Show Notes:
Are you struggling to find clients who actually recognize they need your help? How do you transform failures into valuable data that drives your business forward?
In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Nick Eckert, founder of Sr. Training and Consulting, who helps small and medium-sized businesses navigate OSHA requirements and build world-class safety cultures.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
• How to approach prospects who don't recognize they have a problem yet
• Strategies for using a book as a lead generation tool rather than a revenue producer
• The benefits of an ascension model from social media to books to online courses to consulting
• How to overcome the challenge of cold calling when you're not naturally outgoing
• Why learning from failure is more valuable than quick success
• Tactics for nurturing leads who aren't ready to become clients
• How to analyze competitors to find your unique positioning

Why You Should Listen to This Episode
If you're building a consulting practice in a field where clients often don't recognize they need help until it's too late, Nick's creative approaches to client acquisition will help you rethink your marketing strategy. His refreshing perspective on embracing failure as valuable data rather than setbacks provides a mental framework that can help any consultant persevere through challenging early years.

Listen to These Key Moments:
[4:33] Nick's biggest challenge: Finding clients when no one wants cold calls and how he overcame his natural reluctance to knock on doors.
[6:46] Books as lead generation: How Nick uses his Amazon bestselling book to qualify prospects and generate warm leads rather than focusing on book revenue.
[11:15] The "we don't have problems" objection: Nick's clever techniques for shifting the conversation with prospects who don't recognize safety issues.
[15:23] Nurturing not-ready prospects: How Nick uses regular value-first content to stay top-of-mind with prospects who aren't ready to buy.
[21:54] Advice for new consultants: "Fail early and fail often, and learn from it" - Nick's counter-intuitive perspective on early business struggles.
[27:27] Competitor analysis: How to look at competitors not as threats but as teachers of what works and what gaps you can fill.

Connect with Nicholas Eckert
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/105541284/
Website: https://www.srconsultingky.com/

Confused About Why Your Marketing Isn't Bringing in Enough Clients? Discover Exactly Which Parts of Your Marketing Need Attention. Take the Consultant's Marketing Scorecard today and get clarity on what's breaking down and what needs fixing. https://cms-2025.scoreapp.com/

If you liked today's episode, do these two things:
Click subscribe on whatever podcast platform you use to make sure you don't miss future episodes

Leave me a review in your podcast app or YouTube so other self-employed consultants can learn about the podcast

Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajriedel/
Book an Exploratory Consultation: https://calendly.com/ajr-2/exploratory-consultation
Thriving Consultant newsletter: https://ajriedel.mykajabi.com/newsletters/the-thriving-consultant
Website: https://www.ajriedel.com/
Email: ajr@4rmg.com
Until next time, keep thriving through!

In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Frank Keck, CEO and founder of CoreBuild. We talk about how Frank built a thriving consulting business with 95% repeat clients by discovering his unique value proposition and having the confidence to charge what he's worth. Learn his practical strategy for building relationships through free workshops that convert to paying clients, and how he adapted his marketing approach after the pandemic changed everything. (9:40 Finding your value proposition, 19:34 Doubling your fees, 34:53 Morning routine for success)

Connect with Frank

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

Website: corebuild.solutions

Show Notes:

Are you undercharging for your consulting services, and as a result, working with clients who don't value your expertise?

In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Frank Keck, CEO and founder of CoreBuild, a company that helps develop confident leaders, collaborative teams, and profitable organizations where people can thrive.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Frank built a consulting business with an exceptional 95% client retention rate over 24 years
• Why being able to clearly articulate what you do is crucial for effective marketing
• The power of "test drive" marketing through free workshops that convert to paying clients
• How to overcome the fear of charging what you're really worth
• Strategies for building relationships with organizations that lead to long-term business
• How to use targeted data tools like Seamless.ai to identify and reach your ideal clients
• The importance of delegating tasks you're not good at to focus on your strengths
• How implementing a structured morning routine can transform your mindset and business

Why You Should Listen to (or Watch) This Episode

If you've ever struggled with defining your value as a consultant or lacked confidence in your pricing, Frank's journey provides a roadmap to building both inner confidence and external success. His practical approach to marketing, relationship-building, and personal development offers actionable insights that can help you differentiate yourself in today's competitive consulting landscape.

Listen to These Key Moments:

3:18 Getting Your Name Out There - Frank shares how his biggest initial challenge was defining what he actually does and communicating it effectively to potential clients. (03:18)

12:43 Finding What Works in Marketing - Learn how Frank built his business by speaking at professional organization chapters, giving potential clients a "test drive" of his services. (12:43)

19:34 Doubling Your Fees - Frank reveals how a business coach pushed him to double his fees, and how this not only increased his revenue but improved how he felt about himself. (19:34)

27:15 Building a Board of Directors - Discover how Frank created a personal "board of directors" with mentors in different areas of his life and business. (27:15)

34:53 Morning Routine for Success - Frank details his transformative morning routine that helped him shift from a victim mindset to a creative mindset. (34:53)

Resources and Links Mentioned:

• CoreBuild: Frank's leadership and team development company
• Seamless.ai: Tool Frank uses for targeted prospecting
• "Embrace Your Freakness": Frank's first book
• "Key Person of Influence" by Daniel Priestley
• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) and PMI (Project Management Institute): Organizations where Frank spoke to build his business

If you liked today's episode, do these three things: 1) click subscribe on whatever podcast platform you use to make sure you don't miss future episodes, 2) leave me a review in your podcast app or YouTube so other self-employed consultants can learn about the podcast, 3) head over to https://www.ajriedel.com for show notes and other resources to help you grow your consulting practice.

Connect with Frank

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

Website: corebuild.solutions

Connect with me

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

Website: https://www.ajriedel.com/

Email: ajr@4rmg.com

Until next time, keep thriving through!

This interview features AJ Riedel speaking with Beverly Flores, founder of Thyme Out Consulting, on the "Thriving Through" podcast. Beverly shares her journey from a 24-year career at a Fortune 100 company to becoming an independent business consultant and coach who helps businesses and individuals unlock their potential.

The conversation explores:

• Beverly's transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship
• The importance of knowing your "why" and core values (hers are courage and freedom)
• Overcoming fear and building confidence in business
• Her mindset approach for handling rejection and pricing services
• Lead generation strategies and networking approaches
• The value of helping clients see their full potential
• Her future vision of expanding her coaching business while maintaining freedom to travel

Beverly offers practical advice for consultants and coaches, including the power of silence in pricing discussions, not letting fear control decisions, and defining success on your own terms rather than society's expectations. The interview showcases Beverly's philosophy of "be limitless" and focusing on possibilities rather than limitations.

Connect with Beverly Flores:

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

Website: thymeoutconsulting.com

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with successful independent consultants.

Show notes

From Corporate Leader to Thriving Consultant: How Beverly Flores Secured 13 Clients in 6 Months Through Courage and Authentic Connection

Are you ready to break free from your corporate job but fear is holding you back? How do you confidently price your services when you're just starting out?

In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Beverly Flores, founder of Thyme Out Consulting. We talk about Beverly's journey from a 24-year corporate career to securing 13 clients in her first six months as a consultant, the power of letting silence work for you in pricing conversations, and defining success beyond financial metrics. Discover how to leverage your core values to overcome fear and build a business that aligns with your authentic self. Tune in and learn practical strategies for generating leads, handling rejection, and creating a consulting business that gives you both professional fulfillment and personal freedom.

Timestamps for Key Moments

• 13:32 - Courage as a Core Value: Beverly explains how identifying courage as her core value helped her overcome fear
• 25:17 - The Power of Silence in Pricing: Beverly shares the critical technique of staying silent after stating your price
• 31:35 - You Are Not Your Emotions: Important mindset shift for handling rejection and disappointment
• 35:57 - Call the Second List: Powerful story about persistence after rejection with a client who gave up halfway
• 38:27 - Lead Generation Tactics: Beverly's practical approach to finding new clients through Chamber of Commerce
• 41:14 - Building an Email List: Overcoming reluctance to reach out to people with valuable content
• 47:43 - Four Buckets of Success: Beverly's framework for defining success beyond financial metrics

Resources:

• Thriving Through Podcast: https://www.ajriedel.com/podcasts/thriving-through
• Website: https://www.ajriedel.com/
• Email: ajr@4rmg.com
• Free Exploratory Consultation: https://calendly.com/ajr-2/exploratory-consultation
• Take the Marketing Momentum Assessment: https://aj-jjsg4yy5.scoreapp.com/

Connect with Beverly Flores:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevflores/
• Website: thymeoutconsulting.com

Feeling trapped in a job that's draining your mental health? Wondering if you can build a consulting business that actually supports your life priorities?

In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Julie Collison, special education expert and founder of Ingenuity Unlimited. We talk about Julie's courageous journey from burnout to building her own consulting practice, why face-to-face connections trump digital marketing in service businesses, and the challenge of choosing between comfortable-but-less-profitable markets versus uncomfortable-but-lucrative ones.

Discover how to transition from employment to self-employment without losing yourself in the process, and hear practical advice on targeting the right clients, managing seasonal fluctuations, and measuring success beyond finances.

Tune in and gain valuable insights whether you're considering the leap to consulting or already navigating the challenges of your first few years in business.

Timestamps:

00:04:24 - Mental health as the catalyst for career change

00:07:40 - Why Facebook ads failed but in-person networking worked

00:12:54 - The challenge of serving two different target markets

00:19:10 - Pushing beyond comfort zones for business growth

00:21:23 - Positioning services to create value for businesses

00:23:34 - Measuring success through impact and life quality

00:27:12 - "Keep fighting": Advice for struggling consultants

Resources:

• Thriving Through Podcast: https://www.ajriedel.com/podcasts/thriving-through
• Website: https://www.ajriedel.com/
• Email: ajr@4rmg.com
• Free Exploratory Consultation: https://calendly.com/ajr-2/exploratory-consultation
• Take the Marketing Momentum Assessment: https://aj-jjsg4yy5.scoreapp.com/

Connect with Julie Collison

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-collison-m-ed-379a7194/
• Website: ingenuityunlimitedllc.com/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- Building community as a business growth strategy

- The power of belief and mindset in entrepreneurial success

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

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

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

Show Notes

"Marketing Magic: Building Your Consulting Business Through Community"

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

Episode Highlights:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- Building community as a business growth strategy

- The power of belief and mindset in entrepreneurial success

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

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

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

Show Notes

"Marketing Magic: Building Your Consulting Business Through Community"

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

Episode Highlights:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Show Notes

Episode Overview

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

Key Topics

Ryan's Background & Transition to Consulting

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

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

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

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

Lead Generation Strategy

- Uses LinkedIn as primary lead generation platform

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

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

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

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

Ideal Client Profile

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

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

- Leverages background in digital marketing to provide added value

Lessons from Past Business Failures

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

- Avoid spreading yourself too thin with too many roles

- Be selective about which responsibilities to take on personally

- Dangers of poor quality control when outsourcing fulfillment

Embracing Failure Philosophy

- "Fail fast, fail often" as foundational advice

- Treating failure as a friend rather than something to fear

- Learning more from failures than successes

- Reframing failure as part of the process

Work-Life Balance When Working From Home

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

- Creates clear delineation between work and family time

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

The Valley of Despair Framework

- Moving from uninformed happiness to informed happiness

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

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

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

Finding and Working with Mentors

- Connected with current mentor through LinkedIn networking

- Value of having someone who has successfully walked your path

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

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

5-Year Goals

- Earning $1M+ annually before taxes

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

- Creating a course teaching others his methods

- Employing people to generate revenue for the business

- Establishing trust funds for his children

- Maximizing family time with no daycare for children

Common Sales Mistakes by Self-Employed Consultants

- Marketing mistake: Inconsistent messaging across platforms

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

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

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

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