Feeling trapped in a job that's draining your mental health? Wondering if you can build a consulting business that actually supports your life priorities?

In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Julie Collison, special education expert and founder of Ingenuity Unlimited. We talk about Julie's courageous journey from burnout to building her own consulting practice, why face-to-face connections trump digital marketing in service businesses, and the challenge of choosing between comfortable-but-less-profitable markets versus uncomfortable-but-lucrative ones.

Discover how to transition from employment to self-employment without losing yourself in the process, and hear practical advice on targeting the right clients, managing seasonal fluctuations, and measuring success beyond finances.

Tune in and gain valuable insights whether you're considering the leap to consulting or already navigating the challenges of your first few years in business.

Timestamps:

00:04:24 - Mental health as the catalyst for career change

00:07:40 - Why Facebook ads failed but in-person networking worked

00:12:54 - The challenge of serving two different target markets

00:19:10 - Pushing beyond comfort zones for business growth

00:21:23 - Positioning services to create value for businesses

00:23:34 - Measuring success through impact and life quality

00:27:12 - "Keep fighting": Advice for struggling consultants

Resources:

• Thriving Through Podcast: https://www.ajriedel.com/podcasts/thriving-through
• Website: https://www.ajriedel.com/
• Email: ajr@4rmg.com
• Free Exploratory Consultation: https://calendly.com/ajr-2/exploratory-consultation
• Take the Marketing Momentum Assessment: https://aj-jjsg4yy5.scoreapp.com/

Connect with Julie Collison

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-collison-m-ed-379a7194/
• Website: ingenuityunlimitedllc.com/