Thriving Through

AJ Riedel

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Thriving Through Podcast

3H AGO

E089 Consulting Business Secrets: How to Find Clients and Build Momentum | Leo Sevigny

In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host AJ Riedel sits down with consultant and entrepreneur Leo Sevigny to explore the realities of launching (and relaunching) a consulting business. Leo shares his journey from early success after publishing The Personal Vision Workbook to building his consulting practice, stepping away, and then restarting nearly 20 years later with a completely different mindset. The conversation dives deep into what it really takes to build a sustainable consulting practice from overcoming imposter syndrome to finding clients, setting boundaries, and creating meaningful conversations instead of “selling.” If you're starting a consulting business, transitioning out of corporate, or trying to build momentum with your independent practice, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest reflections. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why saying “yes to everything” can hurt your consulting careerThe biggest mindset shift from employee to independent consultantHow to build a consulting pipeline using existing relationshipsWhy most consultants overthink websites instead of talking to clientsThe role of confidence, curiosity, and genuine conversation in winning workHow Leo structures his day to avoid “procrasti-working”Why boutique consultants can thrive in uncertain economic timesHow AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude can become creative partners for consultants Connect with Leo Sevigny:🌐 https://www.linkedin.com/in/leosevigny/ About the Podcast The Thriving Through Podcast with AJ Riedel shares conversations with experienced consultants and business leaders about building resilient, successful consulting practices. 👍 If you found this conversation helpful, like, subscribe, and share to support more insights for consultants and independent professionals. #ConsultingBusiness #IndependentConsultant #ConsultingCareer #BoutiqueConsulting #Entrepreneurship

48 min
2D AGO

E088 From Empty Pipeline to Consistent Clients | Nicole Sithithavorn

In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, AJ speaks with Nicole Sithithavorn, founder of YC Partners, about her journey from corporate CFO to building a successful fractional CFO consulting firm. Nicole shares the real story behind launching a consulting business including the early challenges of networking as an introvert, figuring out how to generate leads, and discovering the power of outbound email marketing that eventually drove most of her client growth. She explains how her firm grew from a solo consulting idea into a 7-person team, why fractional CFO services are becoming essential for growing businesses, and the systems she built to create strong client relationships and scalable growth. Nicole also discusses marketing strategies like targeted outbound email, LinkedIn prospecting, newsletters, and networking, and offers valuable advice for consultants on choosing the right rooms, refining messaging, and building a sustainable pipeline of clients. Whether you're a consultant, entrepreneur, CFO, or business owner looking to scale, this episode offers practical insights into business development, consulting growth, and strategic finance leadership. Topics Covered: Fractional CFO servicesStarting a consulting businessOutbound email marketing for B2BBuilding a consulting teamLead nurturing and client relationshipsStrategic finance leadershipNetworking for consultantsScaling a professional services firm Connect with Nicole Sithithavorn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolemsith/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders who are building meaningful careers and thriving through challenges. #FractionalCFO #ConsultingBusiness #Entrepreneurship #B2BMarketing #BusinessGrowth #PodcastInterview #ThrivingThrough

48 min
MAR 5

E087 Stop Guessing If You Made Money: How to Untangle Your Personal and Business Finances as a Solopreneur | Nancy Ward

What happens when a numbers-loving entrepreneur goes from $40,000 in credit card debt to helping solopreneurs master their finances? In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, Nancy Ward shares her powerful journey from financial struggle to becoming a self-employed financial coach helping solopreneurs untangle personal and business finances. Nancy explains why many consultants and small business owners don’t actually know if they’re making money until the end of the year and how simple financial systems can completely change that. If you're a consultant, freelancer, coach, or solopreneur, this conversation will help you understand how to separate business and personal money, create clarity in your finances, and remove the shame around not knowing “money language.” ✨ In this episode you’ll learn:• How Nancy paid off $40K in credit card debt• Why many solopreneurs mix personal and business finances• Simple financial systems every consultant should set up• The mindset shift that removes shame around money• Why tracking numbers monthly is critical for business success• The power of a strong elevator pitch for entrepreneurs Nancy also shares how she pivoted from consumer financial coaching to helping solopreneurs build clear financial systems that make their businesses sustainable. Whether you’re starting your consulting journey or already running a solo business, this episode will help you gain clarity, confidence, and control over your finances. 🔗 Connect with Nancy WardWebsite: https://weeklydebtplan.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyward1/ 🎙️ About the PodcastThriving Through Podcast brings conversations with entrepreneurs, consultants, and thought leaders who share real experiences, strategies, and insights to help you grow your business and life.

38 min
MAR 3

E086 How to Rebuild Your Consulting Business After a Major Setback | Bob Greene.

What if losing your biggest revenue source could teach you the most valuable lesson about building a sustainable consulting business? Discover the 10-project pipeline strategy that keeps self-employed consultants from ever facing an empty calendar again. In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Bob Greene, Principal Consultant of RCG Workgroup specializing in business development and leadership strategy. Bob brings a unique neuroscience-based approach to sales training and leadership development, and he's currently rebuilding his practice after being hit hard by the government shutdown. Why You Should Listen to This EpisodeIf you're struggling with feast-or-famine cycles, an empty pipeline, or recovering from a major business setback, this conversation will change how you think about consulting business development. Bob shares the exact systems he uses to maintain consistent revenue, including his 10-project pipeline methodology that ensures he always has work in various stages of development. Whether you're building your practice from scratch or rebuilding after disruption, Bob's strategic approach to pipeline management, pricing, and team building offers immediately actionable insights for creating a more predictable and profitable consulting business. What You'll Learn in This Episode• [The 10-Project Pipeline Strategy] How to maintain a consistent flow of consulting work by always keeping 10 projects in various stages from prospect to signed contract, ensuring you never face an empty calendar or desperate acceptance of low-paying work.• [Why Traditional Training Fails] The three critical reasons training doesn't create lasting change in organizations and how understanding the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve can transform your consulting approach and ROI for clients.• [Building Revenue Through Workgroups] How to expand your consulting capacity and revenue potential by building a network of specialized experts you can bring in on contract, allowing you to serve 5 clients simultaneously without burnout.• [The Upwork Strategy for Building Credibility] A counterintuitive approach to using freelance platforms to test your market value, build a portfolio of 5-star reviews, and systematically increase your rates from $25 to premium pricing.• [Negotiation Tactics That Build Partnership] How to reframe sales conversations using Chris Voss's "Never Split the Difference" principles, including why getting prospects to say "no" is more powerful than pushing for "yes."• [Recovery After Business Disruption] Practical strategies for rebuilding your consulting practice after major setbacks, including the financial buffer you need and the mindset shifts required to turn disruption into strategic momentum. Resources Mentioned in This Episode• Book: "Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss - FBI hostage negotiation tactics applied to business negotiations and sales conversations• Upwork - Freelance platform for testing market value and building consulting reputation• MIT Sloan School - Certificate programs in leadership development• Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania - Certificate programs in organizational leadership About Bob GreeneBob Greene is the Principal Consultant at RCG Workgroup, specializing in business development and leadership strategy. With a background that evolved from sales management to sales training to comprehensive organizational development, Bob brings a neuroscience-based approach to helping organizations improve performance through customized, outcome-focused consulting. His expertise spans three key areas: sales enablement, leadership development, and conflict resolution. Bob's unique "immersive leadership" model involves taking on executive roles within client organizations to implement sustainable, process-driven change rather than personality-dependent systems. He holds certificates in leadership development from MIT Sloan School and Wharton School at theUniversity of Pennsylvania. Connect with Bob Greene on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobgreene10/Learn more about RCG Workgroup: https://rcgworkgroup.com/

42 min
FEB 26

E085 From Corporate Executive to Solo Consultant: The Real Transition Story with David Hermann

What does it really take to leave a large consulting firm and build a thriving solo practice from scratch? In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, AJ interviews David Hermann, founder of Herman Group and Herman Digital Media, about his transition from corporate consulting to entrepreneurship. David shares how he: • Rebuilt authority after leaving a major healthcare consultancy• Used content marketing, authority building, and networking as a “three-legged stool” growth strategy• Leveraged LinkedIn newsletters and moved to Substack to reach founders outside corporate circles• Paused sales to earn business brokerage credentials• Structured value-based consulting fees tied directly to measurable client outcomes• Built social proof without relying on a website• Published his first book, The Change Agent Code• Navigates revenue uncertainty, pipeline rebuilding, and imposter syndrome If you're a consultant, founder, coach, or service professional wondering how to price confidently, generate qualified leads, or transition from corporate to independent work, this episode delivers practical strategy and honest insights. David also explains:– How to qualify leads using 3 powerful questions– Why hourly pricing misaligns incentives– How to handle pushback on premium fees– Why speaking engagements outperform websites for lead generation– How founders should prepare emotionally and strategically for exit Whether you're building a consulting firm, preparing for acquisition, or trying to create sustainable authority in your niche, this conversation will help you thrive through uncertainty. To connect with David Herman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhermann/

53 min
FEB 24

E084 From Corporate Consultant to Independent Success with Diane Davidson

How do you build a thriving consulting practice without constantly chasing leads? In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, AJ sits down with Diane Davidson, founder of Clever Fox Advisory, to talk about building a sustainable consulting business through strategic partnerships, LinkedIn visibility, and long-term contract stability. With 8 years as a solopreneur, Diane shares how she carved out a niche in post-merger integrations and business transformation by partnering with major consulting firms like Ernst & Young, Slalom, Capgemini, and Wipro. Instead of relying solely on cold outreach or C-suite networking, Diane built recurring revenue through consulting firm partnerships that provide 3–9 month contracts, 40-hour workweeks, and predictable income. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How to secure long-term consulting contracts• Why partnering with consulting firms can create income stability• A practical LinkedIn strategy that takes just 10 minutes a day• How to stay top of mind through referrals and reciprocal relationships• Why nurturing relationships matters more than constant lead generation• How to stay relevant in the age of Gen AI• The power of a 90-day experimentation philosophy• When to walk away from toxic clients• Why trusting your gut is critical in entrepreneurship Diane also shares powerful lessons on blocking out noise, ignoring doubters, and building a business aligned with your values — even when others think you’ll fail. If you’re a consultant, solopreneur, or aspiring independent professional looking for sustainable growth strategies, this episode is packed with practical insight. Connect with Diane Davidson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-davidson-clever-fox/

37 min
FEB 19

E083 Stop Waiting for Referrals to Happen: Build an Intentional Network with Nathan Stadler

Discover the inspiring journey of Nathan Stadler, who transitioned from truck driver to successful self-employed bookkeeper in this powerful episode of the Thriving Through Podcast hosted by AJ Riedel. In this conversation, Nathan shares how a life-changing family moment led him to leave the road and build a home-based bookkeeping business that supports solopreneurs, consultants, and small service providers. He opens up about learning bookkeeping from scratch, building persistence through tough years, and how consistency and availability brought unexpected clients and long-term success. You’ll also learn how Nathan built a smart referral system using ChatGPT and GoHighLevel to automate networking, manage connections, and create meaningful business relationships. From intentional coffee meetings to structured CRM tagging and landing page workflows, Nathan explains how authentic networking can generate consistent leads without sounding salesy. This episode also highlights lessons from Daniel Ruke, focusing on relationship-driven sales, discovery conversations, and turning casual meetings into strategic growth opportunities. Whether you’re a freelancer, consultant, coach, or small business owner, this discussion offers practical insights on building a sustainable self-employed career through service, systems, and genuine connections. Connect with Nathan on - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-stadler-bookkeeping/

32 min
FEB 17

E082 How to Build a Six-Figure Consulting Practice with George Sample's 8-Year Side Hustle Strategy

In this episode of Thriving Through, leadership consultant George Sample shares how he spent 8–9 years building a profitable side hustle before going full-time into consulting and the exact strategies that helped him scale sustainably. From starting as a computer science graduate to becoming a global leadership coach, speaker, and founder of Blue Streak Consultants, George reveals what it really takes to transition from corporate employee to successful self-employed consultant. You’ll learn how to stay visible, generate consistent leads, and position yourself as an expert even while working a full-time job. This episode is packed with practical insights for consultants, coaches, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want to build a thriving business with long-term impact. In this episode, you’ll discover: - How George built his consulting practice on the side for nearly a decade before going full-time- The biggest mindset shift required to move from employee to entrepreneur- Why staying “top of mind” is critical for consultants and coaches- Simple lead generation strategies using speaking, writing, and direct outreach- How to manage time, clients, and marketing as a solo consultant- What it takes to grow into a national speaker in a competitive market George also shares tools and platforms that support his business development, including using LinkedIn for visibility and HubSpot for managing relationships and outreach. If you’re building a consulting or coaching business or planning to start one this conversation will give you a realistic roadmap to grow without burning out. To connect with George - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgesample/

42 min

Thriving Through Podcast

Creator

AJ Riedel
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

88
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 AJ Riedel