Kerrian Fournier, CEO of Vybrante Ventures, has 25+ years of experience on Wall Street, Strategy/Risk Consulting and Technology firms.  

We discuss:

• The big title, the big office, the big compensation, and the big ego [02:07]
• When it’s meant to disrupt yourself [04:50]
• Definitely not a long walk in the park [12:16]
• What you don’t know you don’t know [14:30]
• Rethinking what a productive work model looks like [17:22]
• What’s the worst that could happen? [19:03]
• The four-box approach for hard and high-impact decisions [21:36]
• The mindset that will [not] help you open up a beach bar [23:02]

She is a certified Executive Coach through iPEC, one of the preeminent coaching certification programs, and is passionate about unleashing everyone’s highest selves whether you’re an aspiring leader or the CEO of a Fortune 250 company. She is a sought after speaker on topics of team effectiveness, innovation, and building vibrant corporate cultures. Kerrian has spoken at WorldatWork, Center for Effective Organizations, Marsh & McLennan Inc., Bank of America and Symbol Technologies.

Learn more about Kerrian at https://vybrante.com/ and LinkedIn.

Brief Description of Gift

A complimentary 15-minute Laser Coaching session to help you reframe any aspect of your career and/or business you are frustrated with or stressed out about

URL for free gift

https://calendly.com/kerrian-vybrante/15-minute-laser-coaching-session

Jem has lived a very colorful life. From barefoot backpacker to corporate leader. Actor, singer/songwriter, tattooist, fire dancer, volunteer, teacher, travel consultant and now executive coach, speaker and facilitator of retreats in the Himalaya and jungles of Bali. Jem became ‘suddenly unemployed’ in 2013 and commenced his solopreneur journey. 

We discuss:

• Pondering on the future and laughing at yourself [02:05]
• It’s going to be hard but the timing is now [05:38]
• A conviction that empowers you to follow those before you [07:27]
• A smooth transition can help a dream come true [08:39]
• Why being present is crucial to a consultant’s success [10:19]
• From a mentee to a friend [11:34]
• It’s a numbers game [14:20]
• Remarkable stories happen during challenging times [19:36]

Learn more about Jem at https://jemfuller.teachable.com

Brief Description of Gift

A discount off Your Resilience online course. It includes 6 months of support and coaching from Jem

URL for free gift

https://jemfuller.teachable.com/p/personal-resilience

Deb Zahn is a practicing healthcare independent consultant and the CEO of the Craft of Consulting. 

We discuss:

• When an unrealized entrepreneurial spirit meets financial insecurity [1:43]
• The path of a consultant to becoming a guru for other consultants [5:26]
• The power of podcasts for getting known [8:17]
• How to determine and communicate your value as a consultant [9:22]
• The key factor to securing a $125,000 contract in your first three weeks as a consultant [14:35]
• Confident and comfortable in your new business [18:25]
• A granular method to picking up your market niche [21:41]

Deb helps accomplished professionals start, build, and grow their consulting businesses and have the lives they most want. She is also the host of the Craft of Consulting podcast where she interviews other consultants about what it takes to be a profitable consultant and clients about what makes them hire or not hire consultants.

Learn more about Deb at www.craftofconsulting.com.

Brief Description of Gift

25% off Deb’s online course: Get More Consulting Business Faster (use coupon code: FAST)

URL for free gift

https://courses.craftofconsulting.com/p/get-more-consulting-business-faster/

Erin Halper is the founder and CEO of The Upside, a collective that helps consultants advance their business and thrive.

We discuss:

• The best of working full time or not working at all [02:50]
• The “top” companies for women to work for [05:05]
• A mindset shift from a place of power and worth [08:36]
• A multilayer strategy for planting seeds [12:08]
• It’s not what you know but who you know [15:07]
• The role of the foundational client for getting a consistent income [19:47]
• A magical unicorn of a consultancy collective [21:34]

Since launching The Upside in 2017, Erin has advised more than 1,000 professionals on how to redefine the 9-5 and build a respected consultancy practice that affords them the freedom of working when, where and how they want. Prior to launching The Upside, Erin built a 7-year independent consulting career providing marketing expertise to her private investment clients.

Learn more about Erin at https://betheupside.com/.

Brief Description of Gift

For anyone already out there consulting, they’d love for you to become a member of The Upside where you’ll expand your network and learn from some of the best and brightest independent consultants.

For those who want a step-by-step action plan for launching a thriving consultancy, they offer The Upside Accelerator for Early-Stage Consultants twice a year…so stay on their mailing list to get notified of the next launch!

URL for free gift

https://betheupside.com/

Mark Butler is the founder of the accounting startup Let’s Do the Books, as well as the bookkeeper, CFO and confidante to top online entrepreneurs like Brooke Castillo and Stacey Boehman. Before working in finance, Mark co-founded three online businesses that brought in close to $2 million in total revenue.  

We discuss: 

• You need a budget [1:47] 
• The right amount of money that self-employed people learn to accept [4:02] 
• The three most dangerous addictions [8:00] 
• A new kind of stimuli to deal with [10:03] 
• Why entrepreneurs need to constrain the time they give to their desk [12:36] 
• The [un]willingness to reframe things as a major factor for success [15:47] 
• The importance of mentally experiencing the worst-case scenario [20:17] 
• Why administrative work comes second to building relationships [22:06] 

Today, Mark combines his business savvy with his certification in life coaching to help business owners take control of their finances and work through the shame and anxiety that almost always comes up when dealing with money. 

Learn more about Mark at http://letsdothebooks.com.  

Kevin Perlmutter is a Brand and Customer Relationship Strategist. He is Chief Strategist and Founder of Limbic Brand Evolution, where he helps CMO’s, Brand and Business Leaders strengthen customer relationships through the lens of emotion. He applies behavioral science to turn emotional insights into a competitive advantage.  

We discuss: 

• Why experiences are more important than advertisement [1:23] 
• Going back to your roots in order to move forward [4:55] 
• The largest driver of loyalty for brands [6:36] 
• The hardest client you will ever have [9:46] 
• Going solo without going it alone [16:27] 
• Why you have to keep your foot on the gas [18:00] 
• The intersection where limbic sparks happen [19:36] 

Learn more about Kevin  at https://www.limbicbrandevolution.com/,  LinkedIn and Twitter. 

Susan Drumm is a CEO Advisor and Leadership Coach with over 20 years of experience leading teams and senior executives to achieve their potential.   

We discuss: 

• The surprising benefits of nonlinear transitions [1:47] 
• How to get your fire back and create exciting opportunities for yourself [5:59] 
• What business leaders can learn from great actors [10:16] 
• Drawing from multiple disciplines as a short detour to your dream [13:54] 
• A powerful tool to help you think through your gifts as well as your blind spots [17:49] 

Her consulting firm, Meritage Leadership, focuses on leader and team effectiveness by helping leaders develop the capacity and mindsets to lead in today’s disruptive environment. Meritage utilizes over a dozen exceptional coaches in its senior leadership programs.  

Learn more about Susan at www.meritageleadership.com. 

Brief Description of Gift 

A free download of the Enneagram  

URL for free gift 

http://meritageleadership.com/goingsolo

James Burgess is the author of the international bestselling book CHAOS: How Business Leaders Can Master the Power of Focus and “No Problem” Is The Problem; How to Attract and Retain Raving Fans. He is a professional speaker and Founder of FOCUS31 an international management consulting company that are global experts in Business Planning for businesses from start-up to millions of dollars in revenue.  

We discuss: 

• When you’re too entrepreneurial for the company you work for [1:47] 
• The simplicity of a name that makes the difference [5:57] 
• A business plan is not about a 50-word page [7:56] 
• James, what’s next? [10:18] 
• How to go through the pains of starting your own business without losing your passion [12:24] 
• The FOCUS Accountability System Protocol [14:30] 
• It is usually about somebody’s personal dream [17:34] 
• LinkedIn as a virtual chamber of commerce [18:58] 

After graduating from the University of Toronto in 1983 with an Honors degree in Commerce and Economics, James joined the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. James enjoyed 22 successful years with CIBC with the last 10 years as a senior leader of small business responsible for a portfolio of three quarters of a billion dollars with 30 direct reports, receiving the Chairman’s Award on three separate occasions for performance excellence.   

James founded FOCUS31 in 2006. FOCUS31 enables business owners. FOCUS31 programs enable business owners to identify and focus on the right priorities, to think strategically and to improve the quality of their business decisions generating greater financial results through radical FOCUS on, and accountability for, the activities that will truly advance a business’ success.  

Learn more about James at https://www.focus31.com.  

Brief Description of Gift 

Free downloadable version of James Burgess book CHAOS: How Business Leaders Can Master the Power of Focus  

URL for free gift 

CHAOSThePowerOfFocus.com 

After finding the courage to say “bye-bye” to her corporate marketing career, Kathy Goughenour built a 6-figure virtual assistant business from her tiny house in the middle of a forest. Today, she teaches professional women how to create their own work-at-home VA businesses so they can enjoy the freedom, flexibility, and financial security they desire and deserve.   

We discuss: 

• Why you are not getting promoted [2:20] 
• That’s called being a virtual assistant [5:14] 
• The difference between a virtual assistant and a virtual expert [7:12] 
• How to go from $15/hour to $75/hour in 30 days [11:19] 
• Why you are never actually starting all over again [16:19] 
• What’s keeping your target market up at night [18:16] 
• A hidden gem of an industry [20:57] 

Kathy also offers VA Matchmaking sessions to business owners interested in working with Expert VAs®️ and Virtual Experts®️. Kathy and her Expert VA®️ and Virtual Expert®️ Training program have been featured in Forbes, The Huffington Post, Good Housekeeping, All You, and The Wealthy Freelancer. 

Learn more about Kathy at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dare-to-leap/id1527322302. 

Brief Description of Gift 

Guidelines on how to become a virtual expert  

URL for free gift 

www.virtualexperttraining.com/goingsolo

Yvonne Dam is an online business coach that helps driven business owners to double their turnover and not their hours.   

We discuss: 

• A good starting point to start your own business [1:46] 
• How to find your golden thread [4:38] 
• Engaging with your clients first: a time-saving strategy for entrepreneurs [6:10] 
• The one thing that makes a difference when going solo [8:23] 
• The funny thing about removing 75% of your profit source [11:48] 
• The strengths that will help your business flourish [15:04] 
• Opportunity as a question of combination [18:48] 

She has over 25 years of experience in the corporate world, within Finance, HR, sales and change management. She started Amaze Yourself as she was done with being a workaholic. Little did she know that every business owner turns into a workaholic. As a recovering workaholic, she now helps driven business owners to work less and earn more. Her book: “How to improve your work-life balance – 50 proven tips”, is a good start.   

Learn more about Yvonne at https://amaze-yourself.com/book-work-life-balance/.  

Brief Description of Gift 

Yvonne’s book “How to improve your work-life balance with 50 proven tips” which is normally $30, is available when you use the code “smashing” for only $15.  

URL for free gift 

https://amaze-yourself.com/book-work-life-balance/  

You’ll receive $5 for every sale made using that code.  

Liz is the founder of EBC Associates, a consulting, networking and search services firm. The business is a global network of affiliate partnerships to drive growth and Erudites Networking Group was formed as a subsidiary.  

We discuss:  

• Critical steps to getting your business off the ground [1:58] 
• When you know the market place but don’t know how to do market research [3:42] 
• How to focus more on bringing in the money [4:57] 
• Techniques to effectively tap into your relationships [7:11] 
• A business model focused both on expertise and who you know [11:13] 
• Jumping to a new career without a plan B [12:55] 
• Why you need to go online and have a marketing engine going on [14:49] 
• Shifts in and opportunities for building relationships online [17:02] 
• The first thing to do once you realize your job is ending and you want to be an entrepreneur as a next step [18:33] 

Liz is actively involved with a number of associations, certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise, the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and she is a strategic alliance board partner with the Entrepreneurs’ Association of New York.  

Learn more about Liz at LinkedIn. 

Keith Leimbach left the corporate world following multiple C-level roles in a career that include 2 IPO’s and an 11-figure exit to Oracle. Then he launched what is now called the Diversified Income Experiment building laundromats, car washes, and Amazon private label business, an acquisition of an existing business and 7 trips through the franchise process. Now he’s packaged up all these leanings and shares the details in his podcast ‘Diversified Income Experiment’ and his website dincpie.com.

We discuss:

• You better own your own business by now [1:36]
• Why 28 is [not] a magic number [3:38]
• The timeline to needing cash [9:34]
• The happy middle ground [15:10]
• The things that keep your income’s dream from going away [20:29]

Learn more about Keith at www.dincpie.com and LinkedIn.

Brief Description of Gift

Visit dincpie.com for tons of free content as well as detailed financial models and other high value planning assets

URL for free gift

www.dincpie.com

Craig Chavis has 29 years of experience with the research, testing, selection, architecture, design, and implementation phases of contact center and real-time communications hardware and applications solutions. This includes 9 years in customer facing roles as a sales engineer and solutions architect. Those roles included responsibilities for the requirements analysis, architecture, solution recommendation, technical assessment, and design phases of small, medium, and enterprise scale projects.

We discuss:

• A journey from on-premise to a [private] cloud space [1:35]
• How to become aware of the gaps in your business [4:36]
• The right time to get downsized [6:24]
• Resisting the temptation to saying “yes” to headhunters [8:05]
• The butterflies for being your own business person [10:44]
• The big thing about being in business [12:04]
• The answers to the questions you don’t know about your business [13:27]
• Not yet a consultant but still an employee [16:40]
• The game is years long, not months long [18:14]

Learn more about Craig at cchavis@chaveconsulting.com.

Danielle left corporate accounting to pursue her dream as a real estate entrepreneur.

We discuss:

• The first 90 days of your first job [1:22]
• You can’t really get something for nothing [5:16]
• How to deal with the extreme level of pushback once you decide to be an entrepreneur [6:05]
• The motivating role of strong negative emotions [8:28]
• How saying “no” could save many problems for entrepreneurs [10:06]
• You don’t want to hear it until you have to hear it [12:03] 
• What happens if the need in the market niche you’ve chosen isn’t that strong [13:28]
• What makes us stay stuck and not think like an entrepreneur [14:30]
• [15:58]
• The first dollar you made [17:44]
• The people you should take advice from when you get suddenly unemployed [20:11]

Learn more about Danielle at www.propertypreservationmastery.com and YouTube.

Simon Brady is a seasoned financial advisor specializing in individuals coming out of a divorce, suddenly single (widows), millennials and individuals that are between the ages of 20-40, and immigrants, all underserved demographics that get taken advantage of due to emotional stress, naivety, or language barriers.

We discuss:

• An unusual niche for a financial advisor that many would avoid [1:50]
• The benefits of a fee-only basis for both entrepreneurs and clients in the financial field [4:44]
• Why the wolf quit Wall Street [7:11]
• Shifting lives instead of shifting millions of dollars [10:26]
• The time to get creative about arranging your time [13:38]
• Why it’s crucial you realize what you don’t know [15:48] 
• How to keep a steady flow in the pipeline [17:04]

Learn more about Simon at https://www.angliaadvisors.com.

Brief Description of Gift

A free initial consultation, plus Simon’s “Family and Friends” discounted hourly rate if they sign up for a Per Hour engagement

URL for free gift

https://www.angliaadvisors.com

Dov Gordon helps consultants get ideal clients by becoming “under-the-radar” leaders in their industry.   

We discuss:

• Two paths on becoming an expert in sales and marketing [1:34]
• The most influential person to be [3:50]
• How to become the under-the-radar leader in your industry [5:31]
• The wizard behind the curtain [9:33]
• An alchemy networking for solopreneurs [13:50]
• Network invitations that would help you break through the clutter [20:10]
• What corporate refugees need when deciding to go solo [21:16]

Learn more about Dov at https://www.profitablerelationships.com/.

Brief Description of Gift

A free training

URL for free gift

https://profitablerelationships.com/smashing

Dr. Joan Rodman Smoller met a guy named Ben, on a park bench, who was looking to make a career transition from contracting to diplomacy. She wrote his resume and cover letter. In a month, he had a job in Washington. 

We discuss:

• An internship at 70: Shaping programs for successful transitions [2:13]
• How to overcome the challenge of being alone on your entrepreneurship journey [4:00]
• Why you shouldn’t be writing your story yourself [5:54]
• Getting the right language for a particular audience through a concierge caring treatment [9:49]
• Writing that raises hundreds of thousands of dollars [13:34]
• What is at the core that makes writing effective [14:44]
• Why you have to be short and powerful in today’s world [15:50]
• The power of a piece of article for helping disfigured children [17:50]
• Things you might need to consider when going through a career transition [20:15]

Her article about disfigured children for Redbook Magazine led to a nationwide support group for these children. Her tutoring on college application essays for a boy with ADHD and Aspergers got him into 4 colleges. Her editing on a white paper gained her client a promotion. Formerly an NYU Associate Professor and Director of an NYU Writing Program and a program for adults developing careers, as well as a teacher at the LaGuardia High School for Music, Art and the Performing Arts, she now uses her results-driven writing and editorial skills to help others achieve their goals!

Learn more about Joan at www.resumedoc.com.

Brief Description of Gift

A 30-minute free consultation by phone or email

URL for free gift

Call 9172826868 or go to www.resumedoc.com or send an email to rsmejsr@gmail.com

Kindra Walker is a CPA, CDFA® professional and a Ramsey Solution Financial Coach Master. 

We discuss:

• The space between working at a corporate job and working for yourself [2:20]
• When solopreneurs need to deal with the infrastructure of a business [6:27]
• The things you loved about your previous jobs [7:12]
• The Pumpkin Plan: How to grow your biggest pumpkin [10:00]
• The people that the people in your network rely on [12:31]
• Expected and unexpected situations when starting a business of your own [13:45]
• The champions of your business [15:08]
• Helpful networking situations during a lockdown [15:48]
• The level of flexibility you need as a solopreneur [16:51]
• The experience you have that nobody has [18:24]
• Life is better with a budget [19:29]

Kindra holds a BA from Barnard College and an MBA from New York University. With nearly 30-year of experience, in addition to her tenure in public accounting Kindra has worked for both closely-held private and Fortune 500 companies in varying roles including, accounting, finance, human resources and risk management. Her more recent roles included Controller, International and Senior Director of Finance. She is an adjunct professor, teaching a variety of classes. She founded Tremont Financial Coaching, LLC, a financial coaching company in 2019.

Learn more about Kindra at https://tremontfinancialcoaching.com/. 

Brief Description of Gift

A free 60-minute consultation

URL for free gift

https://tremontfinancialcoaching.com/ – When booking a consultation on Kindra’s website select the 1 hour initial session and put Going Solo in the comments section.

Knute Kallander is a coach and facilitator with over 20 years’ experience providing leadership development and communication training to over 10,000 managers, directors and sales associates in diverse industries such as biotech, technology, banking, real estate, manufacturing, media, higher education, and non-profit. He has coached over 300 employees who were in transition from being individual contributors to becoming department heads or team leaders. 

We discuss:

• The different types of vulnerability as a full-time employee and solopreneur [2:04]
• How to live two weeks in the desert [6:01]
• You never know who your family knows [8:36]
• Exposure tactics for non-strategic people [10:03]
• Banished or abandoned: The beginning of a transition [14:32]
• What comes out of a disappointment is 10 times better [16:26]
• Useful resources for employees transitioning to entrepreneurs [19:54]
• The importance of saying your answers out loud [22:40]

Knute has devoted his career to finding out why some organizations are run so poorly while others create an atmosphere of trust, loyalty and fulfillment. As a coach, trainer, sales leader and communications consultant he has helped 100’s of companies find and leverage their strengths while implementing programs that address their challenges.

Knute is not only well known for his effectiveness and ability to move organizations. He is also routinely regarded as an approachable and friendly presence in any organization even if the tension in that organization is high. His values in integrity, compassion, and humor combined with deep systems knowledge work well together to create an atmosphere of growth and change. He inspires professional development and builds personal confidence through experiential learning. 

Knute has a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Development and Behavior, and he is a New Ventures West Certified Coach.

Learn more about Knute at https://www.linkedin.com/in/knute-kallander.

Brief Description of Gift

A 25-minute free coaching session

URL for free gift

Email to knutek@gmail.com

Maki Moussavi is a transformational coach, speaker and author. Her mission is to help professionals who are overwhelmed, stuck or unfulfilled despite the outward appearance of success. 

We discuss:

• Why you may feel unhappy despite achieving all you ever wanted [1:55]
• The risk of dealing with the urgent rather than with the important [3:42]
• True supporters only reveal in tough transitions [6:53]
• It is not our job to justify our positions [8:35]
• The autopilot mode that keeps you trapped [9:33]
• The time you need to avoid the hardest summer of your life [12:00]
• Tools for high achievers inside and outside the corporate world [14:41]
• Why the reward system fails to help us achieve what we want [16:57]
• The breadcrumbs approach: how to unwind the way you operate [19:10]
• How smart people can break free from miserable circumstances [21:23]

Maki provides the mental tools and support to enable highly transformative personal development that focuses on “reprogramming” to a new mindset that is personally authentic rather than driven exclusively by outside expectations.

Learn more about Maki at www.makimoussavi.com, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Ann Louden is founder and CEO of the Ann Louden Company following three decades in Texas as a senior administrator in higher education. 

We discuss:

• A job offer that switches gears [1:48]
• An empowering awareness for going into the unknown without a preparation [7:36]
• Why you should take the opportunity to leave [9:20]
• A sounding board for moving forward [15:08]
• A tiny speck in a giant array of diversity [17:34]
• Overlaying patterns of existence in a new place [19:38]
• The highest level of playing field for non-profit organizations [22:30]

Leading efforts to raise more than $150 million, Ann’s expertise in non-profit philanthropy enabled her recent move to New York City. A consultant and speaker, Ann is the author of the upcoming book “Connection as a Superpower: How Social Courage Gives You the Edge in Life and Love.”

Learn more about Ann at www.annlouden.com.

Brief Description of Gift

A free download of the Ten Attributes of a Connector

URL for free gift

www.annlouden.com

Teresa Isabel Dias is a pharmacist with over 25 years of professional experience in community pharmacy and drug information in Toronto.  

We discuss:

• Nobody gives bad news over the phone [2:06]
• Old and unemployable but courageous enough to follow a dream [3:37]
• Opportunities that appear based on unexpected circumstances [6:24]
• How business owners can stop wasting their expertise [8:41]
• The two lists that will speed up your business growth [11:40]
• It takes a village to raise a child [13:07]
• How to focus the core of your strengths [15:01]
• Why it’s essential to take health to the workplace [16:56]
• Inexpensive changes that go a long way to make a woman feel and work better [18:23]

In 2013 she became a Menopause Practitioner (NCMP) certified by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and founded MenopausED, a boutique-style virtual women’s health practice, specialized in menopause. She raises awareness and provides education about menopause to help women navigate the change so their lives, relationships, and work can thrive. In December 2019, the drug information department she worked at for 12 years closed, and now she’s working full time on her business.

Learn more about Teresa at https://menopaused.org/.

Brief Description of Gift

Free subscription to MenopausED Newsletter / a free 15 min Discovery phone call / a Lunch and Learn Session for female employees

URL for free gift

https://menopaused.org/

Dr. Sarabeth Berk is a hybrid professional who also researches hybrid professional identity. She calls herself a creative disruptor because she blends her artist/researcher/educator/designer identities to lead and create innovation strategies that radically connect resources and people in new ways. 

We discuss:

• How job titles can cause a professional identity crisis [1:53]
• The spectrum of jobs that gets people out of their boxes [4:38]
• Why hybrid individuals can work both as entrepreneurs and employees [5:28]
• What happens in the intersection of your professional identities [8:41]
• The aha moments of new keywords and language that define yourself [11:48]
• Hybridity as a brand and a way to distinguish yourself in the workforce [16:36]
• How to stand out in a crowded field [18:18]
• Why it’s crucial to revisit and examine the hybrid side of our professional work [20:34]

After Sarabeth underwent her own professional identity crisis, she learned she was a hybrid and that concept revolutionized her career path. Now, she’s obsessed with changing the way we see the workforce and helping professionals realize that their unique value lies at the intersections of their multiple identities. 

Learn more about Sarabeth at www.morethanmytitle.com.

Brief Description of Gift

Use code smashing10 to receive a 10% discount for an online course to help you find your hybrid identity

URL for free gift

courses.morethanmytitle.com