When people consider making the leap from a traditional full-time W-2 role to independent consulting, they often ask me about the financial upside. I give everyone the same candid answer: I cannot promise that you will make more money.

I also cannot promise a stress-free existence. In fact, clients usually hire consultants when things hit the fan, meaning you will absolutely encounter your fair share of drama and stress.

But if you value autonomy, flexibility, and control over your life, the independent consulting lifestyle offers something a traditional 9-to-5 rarely matches. Here lies the reality of that lifestyle—the incredible perks, and the hidden trade-offs.

All financial reports, even when they’re a mess, have a story to tell and valuable data for any leadership candidate.

Good habits in one context can ruin you in another.

I never imagined that I’d be good at bringing in good clients and definitely never thought that I’d enjoy it. I ended up doing it “my way” and it worked!

When I started consulting, I imagined it would take a couple of years before I brought on affiliate consultants. Instead it only took a few weeks for me to move beyond a “single shingle” practice.

Being able to call on a large team has made such a big difference in the way I lead.

I had no idea how awesome my personal network was. It took Covid-19 to find out.

How I got my consulting practice started and the big decisions I had to make along the way.