Thriving Through

AJ Riedel
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Thriving Through Podcast

  1. 1D AGO

    E070 Three Types of Consultants and How to Position Yourself for Premium Rates | Mark Rapier

    In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host AJ Riedel sits down with Mark Rapier, a consultant, advisor, and author of The Leader with a Thousand Faces. Mark shares decades of real-world consulting experience and breaks down the three types of consultants, contractors, project consultants, and advisors and explains how positioning yourself as an advisor allows you to charge premium rates while building a sustainable consulting practice. Mark opens up about his transition from large consulting firms to independent consulting, how COVID accelerated his move, and the biggest mindset shifts required when running your own consulting business. He also discusses why the most effective consultants focus on influence, leadership, and enterprise-level thinking, not just execution. You’ll learn how to:• Identify which type of consultant you are, and which one you should be• Position yourself as a strategic advisor instead of a “gun for hire”• Use LinkedIn and thought leadership to attract inbound consulting opportunities• Build a consulting network that actually generates business• Say no to the wrong projects so you’re available for the right ones• Price your services confidently and explore alternative compensation models• Turn consulting engagements into retainers and recurring revenue• Stay relevant by continuously preparing for the “next wave” in your career Mark also shares insights from his time as an interim CIO, lessons from uncovering hidden organizational risks, and how writing his book helped strengthen his authority and consulting pipeline. If you’re a consultant, coach, advisor, freelancer, or professional service provider looking to grow your influence, raise your rates, and build a consulting practice that doesn’t burn you out, this episode is packed with practical wisdom.

    47 min
  2. E069 From Inside Sales to Entrepreneurial Consulting: Building FireUp AIO | Jacki DeVries

    12/30/2025

    E069 From Inside Sales to Entrepreneurial Consulting: Building FireUp AIO | Jacki DeVries

    What does it really take to leave a long career in sales, launch your own consulting business, and adapt to the rapidly evolving world of AI-driven marketing? In this episode of Thriving Through, host AJ Riedel sits down with Jacki DeVries, founder of FireUp AIO, to explore her journey from inside sales professional to self-employed entrepreneur. Jacki shares how she overcame challenges like building a sales process from scratch, stepping outside her comfort zone with in-person networking, and pivoting her services to meet evolving client needs in AI and digital marketing. Jacki opens up about the lessons she learned working at NP Digital and IQS Directory, the trial-and-error involved in finding her ideal target market, and how she structures outreach and content strategies to generate leads effectively in 2025. Throughout the conversation, Jacki covers: Transitioning from inside sales to consulting entrepreneurship The challenges of in-person networking and stepping outside her comfort zone Time management and productivity as a solo business owner Pivoting to AI-driven marketing with FireUp AIO Outreach strategies and building a sales pipeline in a competitive market Differentiating herself and her services in a crowded digital landscape Learning from mentors, books, and real-world trial-and-error Building confidence and resilience as a first-year entrepreneur Jacki also shares actionable strategies for consultants and marketers looking to scale services online while maintaining personalized client relationships. Her approach emphasizes adaptability, quick learning, and leveraging AI-driven marketing strategies to stay ahead in the evolving SEO and digital marketing landscape. In this episode, we cover: Jacki DeVries’ career journey from inside sales to consulting Launching and growing FireUp AIO Managing time, productivity, and client work as a solo entrepreneur Networking and outreach strategies that actually work Developing a repeatable sales process Differentiating yourself in a competitive market Lessons learned from trial-and-error Resources and books that guided her entrepreneurial growth If you’re a consultant, marketer, or business owner navigating AI-driven marketing and digital outreach, this episode offers a grounded, practical, and honest perspective on what it means to thrive through launching and scaling a consulting business. 👉 Learn more about Jacki DeVries:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackidevries/ 🎙️ Hosted by AJ Riedel✨ Keep Thriving Through

    33 min
  3. E068 From Corporate Career to Coaching Business: Writing a Book and Finding Balance | Paul Moehring

    12/23/2025

    E068 From Corporate Career to Coaching Business: Writing a Book and Finding Balance | Paul Moehring

    In this episode of Thriving Through, host AJ Riedel sits down with executive and business coach Paul Moehring to explore his transition from nearly three decades in the insurance industry to full-time self-employment and the resilience required when growth doesn’t follow a straight line. Paul shares why he waited years after becoming certified to finally make the leap, how launching his business in January 2020 collided head-on with COVID, and why writing a book became both a stabilizing force and a powerful marketing tool. His Amazon best-selling book, Get Squared: Goal Getting with Balance, grew out of a simple insight: most business owners fail at goals not because they lack ambition, but because they lose balance. Throughout the conversation, Paul speaks candidly about coaching clients through challenges he’s actively navigating himself, including inconsistent revenue, program selection, and business model evolution. He also offers a thoughtful, contrarian take on niching, explaining why he believes business fundamentals transfer across industries and how marketing niches can exist without limiting who you serve. In this episode, we cover: Paul Moehring’s path from corporate life to coaching Launching a business weeks before the pandemic Writing a book as a credibility and lead-generation tool Goal setting across business, family, personal, and spiritual life Coaching while still on the revenue roller coaster One-on-one vs. group coaching models The risks of shiny-object syndrome in business programs Lessons from failure, persistence, and long-term vision Paul also shares his ambition to reach seven figures not as an endpoint, but as a platform to expand his impact and bring a message of hope, balance, and ownership to one million people. If you’re a coach, consultant, or entrepreneur navigating uncertainty, questioning conventional advice, or building a business later in your career, this episode delivers honesty, wisdom, and perspective you won’t find in highlight-reel success stories. 👉 Learn more about Paul Moehring:paulmoehring.com  Connect with Paul on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmoehring/ 🎙️ Hosted by AJ Riedel✨ Keep Thriving Through

    45 min
  4. E067 From Side Projects to Self-Employed Consultant: Lessons in Growth and Consistency | Jamie Troche

    12/18/2025

    E067 From Side Projects to Self-Employed Consultant: Lessons in Growth and Consistency | Jamie Troche

    In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host Aj Riedel speaks with Jamie Troche about the realities of self-employment and what it truly takes to build a sustainable consulting business over time. Jamie shares her journey into consulting, discussing the importance of consistency, patience, and showing up even when growth feels slow. She reflects on breaking away from the “revenue roller coaster” mindset and explains how long-term success is built through trust, relationships, and steady effort rather than quick wins. The conversation highlights how community, referrals, and word-of-mouth have played a critical role in Jamie’s business growth. She also speaks candidly about confidence, boundaries, and the mindset shifts required to stay committed to the process of self-employment. In this episode, you’ll hear about:• The reality of building a consulting business from the ground up• Why consistency matters more than immediate results• How referrals and relationships drive sustainable growth• The role of community in expanding professional opportunities• Overcoming uncertainty and maintaining momentum as a consultant• Developing confidence and discipline in self-employment This episode offers honest insights and practical takeaways for consultants, small business owners, and professionals navigating the challenges of growing a service-based business.

    37 min
  5. E066 Doing Business Right: Lessons in Entrepreneurship, Patience, and Scaling | Dr. Bryan Raya

    12/16/2025

    E066 Doing Business Right: Lessons in Entrepreneurship, Patience, and Scaling | Dr. Bryan Raya

    In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host Aj Riedel speaks with Dr. Bryan Raya, founder of DBR Bookkeeping, about navigating a major career pivot and building a values-driven service business from the ground up. Dr. Raya shares how the uncertainty of the COVID era led him to reassess his path in academia and ultimately step into entrepreneurship. He walks through the mindset shifts required to leave a stable career, the early challenges of building credibility in a new industry, and the patience needed to earn trust, especially when working with business finances. The conversation explores what it really takes to grow a consulting business, from separating personal and business finances to creating systems that support long-term scalability. Dr. Raya also opens up about the realities of the first year in business, the role of consistent content creation in establishing authority, and how trust is built over time through relationships rather than hard selling. As the discussion unfolds, listeners gain insight into scaling beyond a solo operation, preparing to hire and lead a team, and developing the self-awareness required to grow as both a business owner and a leader. This episode offers practical guidance and honest reflection for entrepreneurs, consultants, and professionals considering a bold career transition.

    42 min

  6. 12/11/2025

    E065 From Burnout to Brilliance: How to Avoid the Feast or Famine Cycle | Christi Balfour

    In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host Aj Riedel speaks with Christi Balfour, an entrepreneur who successfully transitioned from her corporate career in the audio-visual space to owning a thriving business coaching and training Virtual Assistants (VAs). Christi shares her incredible journey, which started with a side-hustle during her corporate job and eventually led to her going full-time during COVID. She still keeps a few VA clients to stay current, which enhances her credibility as a trainer. She openly discusses the critical challenges of burnout and overcoming the dreaded feast or famine cycle that plagues many consultants. Discover Christi’s unique strategies for sustainable growth, including the essential concept of Mise en Place (having everything in place), why faceless marketing failed her, and how to use irrational generosity to nurture leads and build a robust client waiting list. Christi's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christibalfour/ 🛠️ Key Takeaways & Business Strategies:The Pivot: Christi's transition from the corporate A/V world to launching a successful VA training and coaching practice. Beating Burnout: How she created boundaries to overcome the exhaustion of juggling a 9-to-5 job and a full-time side business. Mise en Place: Learn the French chef's secret for business preparation—setting up systems (proposals, contracts, invoices) before you even land your first client. Conquering Famine: The non-negotiable strategy of constant marketing and why building a client waiting list is crucial for long-term stability. Authenticity Wins: The turning point where she moved beyond faceless marketing and used her presence to build trust and fill her pipeline. Irrational Generosity: How giving away massive value without expecting an immediate sale generates powerful leads and referrals. Starting Advice: The one thing she would do differently if starting over today: immediately starting an email list and a lead magnet. The Shiny Object Trap: Why you don't need expensive software and how starting simple with Google Sheets/Docs is sufficient.

    28 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    E064 Mastering the 10/80/10 delegation system for massive business growth | Kelsey Daingerfield

    In this episode of the Thriving for Podcast, I speak with operations management expert Kelsey Daingerfield about her winding "squiggly line" path to self-employment and the crucial processes that define true business success. Kelsey recounts her journey through corporate roles—from aerospace to Starbucks and finally as Director of Admission Systems, where she earned her MBA and PMP certification. Despite the accolades, she realized corporate life wasn't "filling her cup." Now, two and a half years into consulting, she discusses how she quickly surpassed her corporate income by moving to a retainer model and redefined success as achieving a true work-life blend, complete with vacation time and freedom. Discover Kelsey's most valuable business lessons, including the importance of emotional intelligence and learning to trust your gut when dating clients (the "force versus flow" concept). Most importantly, learn the practical delegation and process improvement strategies she uses to help business owners buy back their time: 🛠️ Key Takeaways & Operations Frameworks: The Leap: How Kelsey met her financial goal and decided to ditch the corporate mentality for full-time entrepreneurship. Decisive Clients: Why being open-minded and decisive are non-negotiable traits in an ideal client match. Force vs. Flow: The story of the client that taught her to trust her gut and walk away when a relationship feels forced. The 10/80/10 Delegation Rule: A powerful project management framework for empowering your team and freeing up the owner's time (10% vision, 80% execution, 10% refinement). 1/3/1 Problem Solving: How to empower your team to solve problems by bringing one problem, three solutions, and one recommendation to the table. Future Growth: Kelsey's vision for launching a podcast and a group coaching membership program. Must-Read Advice: The value of the book Who Not How and why you must "stop overthinking it and do it scared."

    37 min
  8. E63 From Fear to Authentic Success | Anthony Calleo

    12/05/2025

    E63 From Fear to Authentic Success | Anthony Calleo

    In this episode of the Thriving Through podcast, Anthony Calleo shares his journey from a corporate career to becoming a self-employed consultant. He discusses the challenges of overcoming fear and imposter syndrome, the importance of authenticity, and how to network with intention. Anthony also introduces the Reset It program, which helps individuals shed limiting beliefs and operate from a place of presence. He emphasizes the significance of attracting the right clients and offers valuable advice for aspiring consultants. What You'll Learn in this episode: - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: How to recognize when you're wearing masks in your consulting business and the physical signs that indicate you're not operating from your authentic self - Fear-Based vs. Authentic Decision Making: The difference between legitimate business caution and fear-driven choices that sabotage your consulting practice - Networking with Intention: A proven approach to networking that builds genuine relationships instead of transactional connections - The Reset It Methodology: How shedding programs and conditions inherited from corporate environments can transform your consulting effectiveness - Breaking the Revenue Roller Coaster: Why operating from presence and authenticity naturally attracts ideal clients and consistent income - Building Client Relationships: How to conduct consultative sales conversations that feel natural and build long-term partnerships Connect with Anthony Calleo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonybcalleo/

    46 min
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About

Thriving Through Podcast

Information

  • Creator
    AJ Riedel
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 AJ Riedel