How do you build a thriving consulting practice without constantly chasing leads?

In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, AJ sits down with Diane Davidson, founder of Clever Fox Advisory, to talk about building a sustainable consulting business through strategic partnerships, LinkedIn visibility, and long-term contract stability.

With 8 years as a solopreneur, Diane shares how she carved out a niche in post-merger integrations and business transformation by partnering with major consulting firms like Ernst & Young, Slalom, Capgemini, and Wipro.

Instead of relying solely on cold outreach or C-suite networking, Diane built recurring revenue through consulting firm partnerships that provide 3–9 month contracts, 40-hour workweeks, and predictable income.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to secure long-term consulting contracts
• Why partnering with consulting firms can create income stability
• A practical LinkedIn strategy that takes just 10 minutes a day
• How to stay top of mind through referrals and reciprocal relationships
• Why nurturing relationships matters more than constant lead generation
• How to stay relevant in the age of Gen AI
• The power of a 90-day experimentation philosophy
• When to walk away from toxic clients
• Why trusting your gut is critical in entrepreneurship

Diane also shares powerful lessons on blocking out noise, ignoring doubters, and building a business aligned with your values — even when others think you’ll fail.

If you’re a consultant, solopreneur, or aspiring independent professional looking for sustainable growth strategies, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Connect with Diane Davidson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-davidson-clever-fox/

Discover the inspiring journey of Nathan Stadler, who transitioned from truck driver to successful self-employed bookkeeper in this powerful episode of the Thriving Through Podcast hosted by AJ Riedel.

In this conversation, Nathan shares how a life-changing family moment led him to leave the road and build a home-based bookkeeping business that supports solopreneurs, consultants, and small service providers. He opens up about learning bookkeeping from scratch, building persistence through tough years, and how consistency and availability brought unexpected clients and long-term success.

You’ll also learn how Nathan built a smart referral system using ChatGPT and GoHighLevel to automate networking, manage connections, and create meaningful business relationships. From intentional coffee meetings to structured CRM tagging and landing page workflows, Nathan explains how authentic networking can generate consistent leads without sounding salesy.

This episode also highlights lessons from Daniel Ruke, focusing on relationship-driven sales, discovery conversations, and turning casual meetings into strategic growth opportunities. Whether you’re a freelancer, consultant, coach, or small business owner, this discussion offers practical insights on building a sustainable self-employed career through service, systems, and genuine connections.

Connect with Nathan on - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-stadler-bookkeeping/

In this episode of Thriving Through, leadership consultant George Sample shares how he spent 8–9 years building a profitable side hustle before going full-time into consulting and the exact strategies that helped him scale sustainably.

From starting as a computer science graduate to becoming a global leadership coach, speaker, and founder of Blue Streak Consultants, George reveals what it really takes to transition from corporate employee to successful self-employed consultant.

You’ll learn how to stay visible, generate consistent leads, and position yourself as an expert even while working a full-time job.

This episode is packed with practical insights for consultants, coaches, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want to build a thriving business with long-term impact.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

- How George built his consulting practice on the side for nearly a decade before going full-time
- The biggest mindset shift required to move from employee to entrepreneur
- Why staying “top of mind” is critical for consultants and coaches
- Simple lead generation strategies using speaking, writing, and direct outreach
- How to manage time, clients, and marketing as a solo consultant
- What it takes to grow into a national speaker in a competitive market

George also shares tools and platforms that support his business development, including using LinkedIn for visibility and HubSpot for managing relationships and outreach.

If you’re building a consulting or coaching business or planning to start one this conversation will give you a realistic roadmap to grow without burning out.

To connect with George - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgesample/