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 wanted
Darren 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