Author Topic: Personal consulting - is that a thing?  (Read 3212 times)

DCKatie09

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Personal consulting - is that a thing?
« on: November 09, 2015, 02:42:44 PM »
So I've been fantasizing about possible future part-time work, especially work that could potentially be done with my DH, and I'm currently enamored with the idea of personal consulting. I'm currently a career counselor, and a natural shift would be towards something like "life coach" but that's always seemed 1) a bit too touchy-feely for me and 2) more inclined towards building long-term clients. What I like the idea of is more a consulting model - if you have a problem (or question, or are stuck, or whatever), come to us, we'll help you fix (/answer/strategize) it. Possible name: Get Your Shit Together with [DH and me].

So my questions are:
1 - is this even a thing? Do people do it?
2 - how legit do you have to be? Another reason to avoid coaching is because I don't particularly want to go get certified in anything.
3 - what am I not thinking of?

RyanAtTanagra

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Re: Personal consulting - is that a thing?
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2015, 04:01:32 PM »
So I've been fantasizing about possible future part-time work, especially work that could potentially be done with my DH, and I'm currently enamored with the idea of personal consulting. I'm currently a career counselor, and a natural shift would be towards something like "life coach" but that's always seemed 1) a bit too touchy-feely for me and 2) more inclined towards building long-term clients. What I like the idea of is more a consulting model - if you have a problem (or question, or are stuck, or whatever), come to us, we'll help you fix (/answer/strategize) it. Possible name: Get Your Shit Together with [DH and me].

So my questions are:
1 - is this even a thing? Do people do it?
2 - how legit do you have to be? Another reason to avoid coaching is because I don't particularly want to go get certified in anything.
3 - what am I not thinking of?

Yes this is a thing.  I interviewed a gal that was trying to get into this as a career.  I just pulled her resume but she hadn't started that career yet so not much useful, though she lists having a certification from this place:

https://www.newventureswest.com

I vaguely remember talking to her about it and it wasn't a life coach so much as 'I'll help you with whatever you need help with, from dieting to starting a business to researching X'.

mozar

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gooki

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Re: Personal consulting - is that a thing?
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2015, 01:02:10 AM »
3. Who will pay for your services?

DCKatie09

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Re: Personal consulting - is that a thing?
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2015, 05:55:13 AM »
Thinking more about this, I'm actually picturing it almost like the forums, but for people not lucky enough to be here - you've got a question/issue/situation, and want some educated advice. I'll give you that advice. I assume there are people out there who would pay for that (and don't want a life or career coach). I'd clearly have to do some market research though.

asauer

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Re: Personal consulting - is that a thing?
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2015, 06:17:22 AM »
Yes!  I do this on the side.  I have an ICF certification which has really boosted my business as it lends some credibility/ professionalism to it and separates me from the crystal toting quacks.  To be most profitable- consider doing (free) talks for book clubs/ Lions Club/ Chamber of Commerce etc.  I've gotten a lot of clients from those types of community clubs.

DCKatie09

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Re: Personal consulting - is that a thing?
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2015, 09:28:40 AM »
Yes!  I do this on the side.  I have an ICF certification which has really boosted my business as it lends some credibility/ professionalism to it and separates me from the crystal toting quacks.  To be most profitable- consider doing (free) talks for book clubs/ Lions Club/ Chamber of Commerce etc.  I've gotten a lot of clients from those types of community clubs.
Thanks, asauer! I might shoot you a PM if you're up for talking more about how you structure your business.