The operative word is “there”. There is your next chapter: how you want your business + life to go as you continue to grow and age. Whether that’s more time for non-work passions or more flexibility to pursue a new mission—you need a new glidepath to get you there.
I get it. I’ve midwifed many clients through it and lived it myself.
Because here’s the thing: as a successful expertise entrepreneur, you already have proven you can change and pivot. Those times you turned your business on a dime? When you resuscitated your revenue after a catastrophe? When you made your business work during life stress?
You’ve done it before and you can do it again.
Hint, hint: It’s more fun, less stress and even soul-stirring when you partner with the right mentor to guide you.
MY STORY:
I came to this work as a by-product of almost 20 years serving solo expertise entrepreneurs as their business coach (and coaching big firm partners before that). As my clients hit their 50’s, 60’s and even 70’s, they started re-thinking their businesses—how could they transition to fewer hours and eventually (but not always) retire?
It was not only a fascinating and ultimately joyful transition that I guided them through, but it made me realize that mentoring expertise entrepreneurs through these rich and meaningful transformations is right smack dab in my genius zone.
Originally, I studied finance and business with engineers (snagging an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and worked my way up the global consulting firm ladder specializing in tumultuous M+A work. But when I realized the twisty, soul-sucking machinations required to stay in the corner office, I put on my big girl panties and headed for the exit.
First stop: co-founding a break-out consulting firm of hyper-qualified MBA women working flexibly (60+ hour weeks filled with travel were verboten). Consultants and clients loved the model—and the Wall Street Journal called me a maverick.
The next move was selling the firm to Arthur Andersen (for seven figures) and teaching their tax partners to grow their sales while proving flexibility could work in a giant global firm. So yes, I’ve led introverted brainiacs at two powerhouse consulting firms. After that, I even re-built the failing consulting arm of a Fortune 500 company. I’ve got some creds…
And, what I’m perhaps best known for: my business coaching to Soloists and expertise entrepreneurs. In addition to 16+ years of weekly blog posts, I published The Authority Code: How to Position, Monetize and Sell Your Expertise, and hosted/co-hosted The Soloist Life and The Business of Authority podcasts.
It was (mostly) fun with some roller coaster rides in between that taught me some mad people skills, resilience and the importance of seizing joy.
All of this is to say I’ve played on some challenging, high-visibility stages which means there’s a good chance I will understand where you’re coming from as you contemplate a re*shift. It’s both exhilarating and a little terrifying. 😉
If we’re a fit (you’ll need to be motivated and open to experimenting), I’d be delighted to put my experience, wisdom and passion to work for you. Check out the details here.
Here’s to making your next chapter meaningful and joyful!
