By: Dr. Chris Downs

This is the third in a series of blogs on the reasons why most people open consultancies.

#3 – Consulting Because You’re Ready for This

When I worked for a large Seattle-based foundation, I recall coming to work one day and finding out that a co-worker I knew well had suddenly left the company. I called her at home that evening, not to intrude, but to make sure she was all right. I recall that conversation well. It went something like this.

Me: “I was surprised you left so suddenly. Are you okay?”

Her: “I’m fine. But I guess you wonder why I left…”

Me: “Yes, but I don’t want to pry.”

Her: “Ever since my last performance review, despite the fact that I know a lot, have a lot of experience in our field, I’m well-liked, and have a good reputation, I have little opportunity to use it at the foundation. When [her boss’ name] said he’d ‘try’ to find more interesting projects for me, I saw right through it. Nothing was going to change, at least not for me.”

Me: “Wow. But so true, they really don’t use the talent you have.”

Her: “Plus, I have hundreds of agency contacts. Many of them could use the assessment, intervention, project support, and training skills I have.”

Me: “So, in business for yourself?”

Her: “Yes, as a consultant.”

Me: “That’s awesome. I wish you all the luck in the world!”

My co-worker left that foundation about 4 years before I did. She had a vision of her own success and was, in fact, extremely successful.

People who open consulting businesses because they believe they are prepared to do so usually also believe that:

· They have the knowledge, experience, and contacts they will need

· Their services are competitive with others currently in the marketplace

· They have enough financial resources to make a consulting business viable

· They know enough about business functions, such as bookkeeping and tax preparation, that they can manage those themselves or have identified trusted vendors for those functions

· They have adequate space, usually in their homes, to operate a business

· They have a safety net of family and friends

· They have one or more mentors to call on when needed

If you are planning to open a consulting business, are you motivated to do so because you are convinced you are prepared to do so? What three things can you identify that lead you to that conclusion?

“Solo Consulting: Insider Tips for Success!” goes into considerable depth on being prepared to open and operate a consultancy from day one. Want to know more? Click here.

Notice: This blog wholly reflects the views and suggestions of Dr. Chris Downs. Readers’ use of his views or suggestions are wholly the responsibility of the reader as reflected by their actions, reactions thoughts, statements, and behaviors. Dr. Downs accepts no responsibility for readers’ use of his words. Further, this blog contains no intentional or structured therapeutic intent nor is the content designed to harm or improve the psychological state of the reader. Readers are responsible for their own reactions to and/or use of any and all suggestions or advice.