Why I Wrote Becoming a Solo Consultant – The Consultant’s Compass: From Layoff to Solo Success

That Wednesday morning is forever etched in my memory. After nearly five years of dedication, long hours, and delivering high-impact results across multiple projects, I found myself in HR with just 30 minutes to pack up my desk. No severance, no warning, just a sterile explanation: “It’s part of a restructuring.”

For the third time in less than 10 years, I was being let go, not for performance, not for attitude, but because of restructuring. It didn’t matter how much value I had added. Once again, I was reduced to a line item on a spreadsheet.

As I boxed up the remnants of my corporate identity under the watchful eyes of former colleagues, a flood of questions rushed in. What now? Where do I go from here? How do I support my family?

Finding My North Star

Like many professionals, I had always delivered results within the corporate structure. But when I was suddenly cut loose, the safety net disappeared. I sent out dozens of resumes and sat through interviews that left me feeling like a commodity, not a contributor. Then came the breakthrough: I didn’t need another job, I needed clarity on the true value I brought to the table. My skills were still in demand, but it was time to deliver them on my own terms.

That mindset shift was the beginning of my consulting journey. My first client came through a recruitment agency I had contacted months earlier while exploring potential opportunities. That initial contract marked the turning point. The second came shortly after, through another firm looking for specialized support. By the time I landed my second contract and reached the six-month mark, I was confidently turning down projects that didn’t align with my goals and already earning more than I had in my corporate role.

As I wrote in Becoming a Solo Consultant – The Consultant’s Compass, the transition from employee to solo consultant is not just about changing your job title. It is about transforming your understanding of your value in the marketplace. When you fully own your expertise, clients will too.

Building a Business: One Decision at a Time

My success did not happen overnight. I stumbled. I misquoted rates. I accepted projects that drained my energy and did not reflect my strengths. But each mistake helped shape what would eventually become my methodology, a practical framework for solo consultants navigating the world of independent consulting.

As I transitioned into solo consulting, I began documenting essential systems, ranging from client qualification to engagement management. These systems became the foundation of my consulting practice and are now integral to the book.

The book addresses various topics, including building corporate experience, crafting your personal brand, and navigating the business environments of Canada and the United States. Additionally, it provides strategies for negotiating rates, managing contracts, and overcoming challenges such as scope creep and imposter syndrome. Whether you are just starting or seeking to expand your practice, this guide offers a comprehensive roadmap to solo consulting success.

Why I Wrote This Book

I began writing Becoming a Solo Consultant – The Consultant’s Compass six years ago, inspired by the lessons I was learning through my consulting journey. At the time, I had already built a thriving business and was mentoring others through their own transitions. I wanted to document the systems, missteps, and insights that had shaped my path. But after months of early mornings, late nights, and creeping self-doubt, I set the project aside. I wasn’t sure anyone would find value in what I had to say.

A year ago, that changed. A conversation with a friend who was eager to leave her corporate role and explore solo consulting reignited my motivation. She needed a roadmap. Her questions reminded me of the very things I had once struggled to figure out on my own. That was the spark I needed to return to the project and transform my scattered notes into something meaningful.

In that moment, I realized I was never alone in my uncertainty. Many skilled professionals feel trapped in roles that no longer serve them, while others take the leap into consulting only to feel lost in a sea of contracts, rates, and expectations.

This book is not about consulting theory. It is a real-world guide for professionals transitioning from employment to entrepreneurship. It highlights the decisions, missteps, and wins that shape a thriving solo practice. In each chapter, I share the frameworks I developed and the answers I once wished someone had handed to me.

What began as a personal journal of lessons learned has become a practical companion for those ready to build a consulting business on their own terms. My hope is that this book not only shortens your learning curve but also empowers you to move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Your Turn to Chart a New Course

If you are feeling trapped, undervalued, or unsure of your next move, know this: your experience is valuable. Your knowledge is marketable. You do not have to figure this out alone.

Whether you are transitioning into consulting or trying to grow your existing practice, Becoming a Solo Consultant - The Consultant’s Compass offers a proven path to success. With real-world insights, actionable tools, and a clear framework, this book will help you build a business that reflects your strengths and supports your goals.

The journey from employee to thriving solo consultant is not about luck, it is about taking the right steps, at the right time, with the right guidance. Are you ready to take the first step?

Grab your copy of Becoming a Solo Consultant – The Consultant’s Compass today and start building the business you were meant to lead. Available now only in print format. Visit www.consultantcompass.ca to order and unlock the six bonus resources included with every copy.