Packy McCormick has built a one-of-a-kind career around curiosity. As the writer behind Not Boring and GP of Not Boring Capital, he’s turned a side project newsletter into a thriving ecosystem that bridges media and venture. In this episode, Packy and Chrissie talk about burning the boats to bet on yourself, how deep research and writing became his superpower, and why the Internet still rewards people who do truly original work.Packy shares the evolution from banker to startup operator to full-time creator, the flywheel between his writing and investing, and what he sees coming next for independent builders in the “great online game.”

Check out Not Boring: www.notboring.co(00:01:18) Thriving Tech Investment Newsletter from Startup Background(00:06:12) Not Boring: From Niche Club to Media Platform(00:08:19) Transitioning to Sponsorship Model in Media(00:18:14) Writing-driven Investment Strategy Synergy(00:21:43) Strategic Writing Shapes Investment Portfolio Over Time(00:25:02) Deep Dive Writing Process with ChatGPT(00:30:03) Navigating Writing Challenges with Generative AI(00:42:34) Value-driven Innovation: Future of Online CreatorsSelf Funded Links:

Substack: https://selffundedbychrissie.substack.com/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded/id1845157459

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5u4zA43k4hC183fM0PisKq?si=26bf586458934e49YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@selffundedpod

The Long Game:

I help growth-stage companies close the gap between strategy and execution for growth or exit through The Long Game. Learn more at longgametalent.com.

My Self Funded Tech Stack:

These are some of my favorite tools I use everyday in my business and podcast (affiliate links):

Collective: Powers my S-Corp from bookkeeping to paying contractors to tax prep. https://share.collective.com/mQHI7Bf

Flodesk: The easiest email platform with clean, easy-to-customize designs and a simple workflow interface: https://flodesk.com/c/19VL1X

Granola: I’ve tried several AI notetakers and this is my favorite. I take my own notes in the interface which are the enhanced after the call: https://go.granola.ai/chrissie-francona

Airtable: I’ve built my business operating system in Airtable, including my CRM, content management tool, and to-do list: https://airtable.com/invite/r/uq7tgTC3

In this episode of Self Funded, Chrissie Francona talks with Pat Petitti, CEO and Co-Founder of Catalant, about how a class project at Harvard Business School grew into one of the most disruptive forces in consulting. Pat shares the story behind Catalant’s beginnings as “Hourly Nerd,” its evolution into a platform now powering thousands of independent consultants, and what he calls “Consulting 2.0.” He and Chrissie discuss how AI is reshaping the industry, why companies are rethinking traditional consulting models, and what it takes to build a business that connects expertise with opportunity.

Check out Catalant Here: https://catalant.com

(00:00:01) Harvard Class Project: Catalynt Consulting Success

(00:15:37) Consulting 2.0 Evolution: Catalan’s Business Transformation

(00:15:58) Enterprise Shift: Disrupting Traditional Consulting Space

(00:25:30) Tailored Solutions: Consulting Teams for Better ROI

(00:26:36) Tailored Consulting Teams for Effective Solutions

(00:29:23) AI Integration and Specialization in Consulting Industry

(00:36:35) Expertise-Focused Consulting for Successful Practice

(00:42:23) Consulting Firms Embracing Specialized Expertise

(00:44:14) Rise of Purpose-Driven Independent Consultants

Self Funded Links:

Substack: https://selffundedbychrissie.substack.com/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded/id1845157459

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5u4zA43k4hC183fM0PisKq?si=26bf586458934e49

The Long Game:

I help growth-stage companies close the gap between strategy and execution for growth or exit through The Long Game. Learn more at longgametalent.com.

My Self Funded Tech Stack:

These are some of my favorite tools I use everyday in my business and podcast (affiliate links):

Collective: Powers my S-Corp from bookkeeping to paying contractors to tax prep. https://share.collective.com/mQHI7Bf

Flodesk: The easiest email platform with clean, easy-to-customize designs and a simple workflow interface: https://flodesk.com/c/19VL1X

Granola: I’ve tried several AI notetakers and this is my favorite. I take my own notes in the interface which are the enhanced after the call: https://go.granola.ai/chrissie-francona

Airtable: I’ve built my business operating system in Airtable, including my CRM, content management tool, and to-do list: https://airtable.com/invite/r/uq7tgTC3

In this episode of Self Funded, Chrissie Francona talks with Leslie Zaikis, marketing strategist, fractional CMO, and co-founder of The New HQ, about building a self-funded career long before it was trendy. Leslie shares how leaving big consulting for an early-stage startup and its eventual crash led her to carve out a 13-year path as an independent consultant. She and Chrissie explore what it really looks like to sustain a business on your own terms, from landing clients through genuine curiosity to balancing work and motherhood to helping others design flexible, fulfilling careers through The New HQ.

More Info on Leslie: https://www.lesliezaikis.com

Check Out the New HQ: https://www.thenewhq.co

(00:02:24) Startup Experiences: Navigating Challenges for Growth

(00:11:16) From Big Consulting to Marketing Consultant Journey

(00:17:20) Strategic Marketing Partnerships with Hands-On Delivery

(00:23:31) Flexibility and Tailored Scopes in Consulting

(00:30:13) Embracing Flexibility: Balancing Business and Family

(00:35:10) Transforming Job Offers into Consulting Partnerships

(00:38:45) Empowering Self-Employment: Building Success Together

You Can Find Self-Funded Here:

Substack: https://selffundedbychrissie.substack.com/

Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded/id1845157459

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5u4zA43k4hC183fM0PisKq?si=26bf586458934e49

I help growth-stage companies close the gap between strategy and execution for growth or exit through The Long Game. Learn more at longgametalent.com.

These are some of my favorite tools I use everyday in my business and podcast (affiliate links):

Collective: Powers my S-Corp from bookkeeping to paying contractors to tax prep. https://share.collective.com/mQHI7Bf

Flodesk: The easiest email platform with clean, easy-to-customize designs and a simple workflow interface: https://flodesk.com/c/19VL1X

Airtable: I’ve built my business operating system in Airtable, including my CRM, content management tool, and to-do list: https://airtable.com/invite/r/uq7tgTC3

In the premiere episode of Self Funded, host Chrissie Francona lays the foundation for what it truly means to build a business around yourself, without waiting for permission. Drawing from her own journey and years of observing a growing movement of professionals creating profitable, purpose-driven ventures, Chrissie breaks down the core ideas behind being “self funded”: leveraging your experience, expertise, and network to create both income and equity. She explores the models, mindsets, and motivations shaping this new path for modern professionals ready to carve out something of their own.

(00:01:25) Expertise-Driven Entrepreneurial Journey

(00:04:35) Monetizing Expertise for Lasting Financial Independence

(00:10:54) Building Self-Funded Businesses Beyond Personal Scope

(00:17:09) The Boom of Independent Workers in 2020

(00:21:37) Monetizing Skills and Expertise for Business Success

We’re living in a new era of work, one where ambitious professionals are building businesses around their own experience and expertise. Self Funded is a podcast about this movement: creating a career on your own terms, without waiting for permission. Hosted by Chrissie Francona, it’s for anyone ready to rethink the rules of success and build something profitable, durable, and fully their own.