Thriving Through

AJ Riedel

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Thriving Through

Thriving Through Podcast

1D AGO

E08 From Fired to Freedom: Building a Six-Figure Consulting Business | Mike Wood

In this insightful episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Mike Wood, founder of legalmorning.com, a digital marketing and Wikipedia consulting firm with 15 years of experience. Mike shares his remarkable journey from being unexpectedly fired to building a six-figure consulting business within a year. Key highlights include:- How Mike transformed a side freelancing gig into a successful consulting business- The importance of finding and focusing on your niche (and why narrowing down can actually lead to greater success)- Practical strategies for handling client relationships, pricing, and rejections- Valuable insights on maintaining integrity while growing your business- Tips for overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence as a consultant- The crucial lesson of staying focused and avoiding distractions in your business journey Whether you're an aspiring consultant or an established business owner, this conversation offers practical wisdom from someone who's built a thriving consulting practice through both challenges and successes. Mike's candid sharing about his experiences and lessons learned provides a realistic look at what it takes to succeed as a self-employed consultant.

54 min
APR 10

E06 Connection Before Transaction: Build Consulting Relationships That Last | John Losey

In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews John Losey, founder of the Into Wisdom group. John shares his journey as a consultant spanning from the early 1990s to present day, including his experience working within a corporate university for 10 years before returning to independent consulting.Throughout the conversation, John discusses:- His approach to guiding individuals and organizations to their "next best step" in growth and sustainability- The importance of distinguishing between coaching and consulting- His philosophy on developing effective organizational "playbooks" with clear purpose statements and actionable values- Why relationship-building and "connection before transaction" is his preferred marketing approach over digital tactics- How he uses workshops to connect with decision-makers in organizations- His work on critical thinking training and helping non-technical people navigate AI- Strategies for organizations managing change and transitionsJohn offers valuable insights for consultants, emphasizing the importance of focusing on serving clients while staying motivated by what matters personally to you. His approach is industry-agnostic, concentrating on helping clients figure out what's next for their business regardless of sector.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlosey/Website: intowisdomgroup.com/ #thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

40 min
APR 3

S01E05 From Smartsheet Expert to Self-Employed Success | Darren Mullen | Smartsheet Guru | Thriving Through

In this insightful episode of the Thriving Through podcast, host A.J. Riedel interviews Darren Mullen, the "Smartsheet Guru" who built a thriving consulting business from scratch. Perfect for self-employed consultants looking to grow their practice, this conversation reveals how Darren:- Leveraged his technical expertise to create YouTube tutorials that attracted his first clients- Discovered the counterintuitive truth that raising his rates actually attracted better, easier-to-work-with clients- Diversified his revenue streams beyond hourly consulting through partnerships, teaching programs, and product commissions- Built a targeted email list that consistently generates high-quality leads- Balanced client work (50-60%), marketing (30%), and administration (10%) to achieve the lifestyle flexibility he wantedDarren shares candid stories about difficult clients, smart collaboration strategies, and his journey toward building a more scalable business. His advice to new consultants? Don't be afraid to reach out for collaborations, build your audience consistently, and recognize you're playing the long game. Whether you're just starting your consulting journey or looking to level up your existing practice, Darren's practical insights will help you thrive as a self-employed professional. #thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

31 min
MAR 27

S01E04 From Tax Nightmare to 7-Figure Success | Latifat Mwanza | Tax Professional & Business Consultant | Thriving Through

In this inspiring interview, meet Latifa Mwanza, who transformed her negative experience with a fraudulent tax preparer into motivation to build her own thriving tax and business consulting practice. Learn how she scaled from a solo practitioner to leading a team of five while serving hundreds of clients with comprehensive financial services.Latifa shares the practical strategies that helped her generate 10-20 qualified leads daily through social media and paid advertising. She breaks down her approach to providing value beyond tax preparation, including business formation, bookkeeping, credit building, and strategic financial guidance. 💼 About Latifa:- Master's in Informatics & MBA- Owner of Profiler LLC- Tax Professional & Business Consultant- Specialist in business formation, tax strategy & credit buildingIntagram: https://www.instagram.com/profilerservices/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latifat-mwanza-0392a5256/ #newpodcast #thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

38 min
MAR 20

SE01E03 - From Corporate HR to Entrepreneurship | Erin Colvin | Business & HR Consulting | Thriving Through

Join us for an insightful conversation with Erin Colvin, an experienced HR professional who made the leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship. After a decade in corporate HR, Erin shares her compelling story of how an unexpected business sale became the catalyst for launching her own consulting practice. In this interview, discover: How severance became a springboard for entrepreneurshipBuilding a consulting practice focused on high-growth tech and fintech companiesPractical strategies for daily business development and networkingThe importance of HR in scaling small businessesConnect with Erin on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erindcolvin Website: novushrsolutions.com #newpodcast #thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #business #revenue #strategies

34 min
MAR 13

SE01E02 - Building a Thriving Consulting Business: Zero Experience to Success | Lexi Boese | Thriving Through

In this candid conversation, self-employed consultant Lexi Boese shares her journey from starting with no corporate experience to building a successful consulting practice. Lexi discusses her unconventional path, revealing how she turned potential disadvantages into unique strengths and built a thriving business on her own terms.Key insights include:• A practical strategy for raising consulting rates without losing clients• How facing your biggest business fears can lead to unexpected growth• The power dynamics of price negotiation and client relationships• Why charging less often attracts more demanding clients• Building a business that prioritizes work-life balanceLexi shares her experience transitioning from being overworked and underpaid to creating a profitable practice that delivers her dream lifestyle. She offers valuable advice for consultants at any stage, emphasizing the importance of trusting your instincts and focusing on creating the life you want rather than just chasing financial goals.Whether you're an established consultant or just starting your journey, this interview provides actionable insights for building a consulting business that's both financially successful and personally rewarding. Subscribe for more interviews with successful independent consultants.#newpodcast #thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

36 min
MAR 6

SE01E01 - Key Strategies For Managing A Consulting Business | With Paige Webster | Thriving Through

Welcome to our first episode of the Thriving Through Podcast! Discover the secrets of successful self-employment with Paige Webster, founder of Webster Global Site Selectors. In this insightful podcast interview, Paige shares his 15-year journey as a boutique consulting firm owner, revealing: 🔑 Key strategies for managing a consulting business💡 How to navigate cyclical revenue and business development📈 Tips for diversifying income streams🌐 Insights into international site selection consulting Learn from Paige's experience in economic development, site selection, and building a sustainable consulting practice. #newpodcast #thrivingthroughchallenges #thrivingthrough #consulting #businessn #revenue #strategies

29 min

7 Episodes

Thriving Through Podcast

Creator

AJ Riedel
Years Active

2K
Episodes

7
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2025 AJ Riedel