Consulting - The best way to start

[Sean Kelley]

Hello all,
I know there are many consultants on here and I was recently laid off at an OEM automotive brake manufacturer. I am considering getting into consulting for quality, environemtal and safety. I currently live between Louisville & Nashville but will likely be moving closer to a large airport in the future. When you don't have much consulting history what is the best way to get started? I have had 3 jobs in the last 5 years and they have all been lost due to downturns in that sector. Consulting spreads this risk around and helps the companies by not paying for unnecessary time or benefits. I was wondering about assisting a current consultant maybe partnering up or teaming up with them.
Sean

[BradM]

Hello, Sean!

Have you checked out our thread on consulting?

Consulting – Is it in YOUR Career Future?

Also, if you haven't looked at it lately, there are some threads on starting your own business and such in the employment forum. You might want to review those:

Occupation Discussions

As far as wanting to team up and such, would you like people to send you a PM if they're interested?

Have you checked out your local ASQ section? I would start there and see if you can develop some partnerships. Also, check out any other quality networks in your area, and see who is doing what.

Also, you might want to consider how much you want to travel and such.



I married a pretty country gal from Centerville, TN, Hickman County, Grinders Switch road; Home of Minnie Pearl. Do you know??

[Sean Kelley]

These are great ideas and thanks for offering them.

[Wes Bucey]

I've moved this thread into the "Occupation Discussions" Forum for the simple reason "Learning to be a consultant is not seeking employment; it is starting a business." That is, consultants are self-employed or associates of a business which has clients (customers), not employees.

[Wes Bucey]

Well, I'm totally unhappy with the suggested threads offered by the software at the bottom of this page.

If you are contemplating going into consulting, I think you will benefit by reading through the following threads
Contracting/Temping - Viable Alternates in Tough Times
Consulting – Is it in YOUR Career Future?

[harry]

I changed the title to: 'Consulting - the best way to start' so that similar threads will appear in the similar discussion threads box.

[alspread]

I just started consulting myself, so I don't know that I could give you much advice. My particular case has net started out as planned.

I was let go, I just wanted to try this for years and was developing a plan to start and things changed.

My original plan was to keep my current full time position and try to develop some smaller side jobs and build up a client base. When the time was right I would leave my full time position and go out on my own.

Well, an opportunity came up locally where a company wanted a consultant/contract person (Wes' distinction not withstanding; but its work) to convert their ISO9001 system to AS9100C. They wanted someone who would be able to commit to 40 hours/week for 9 months.

At first I didn't want to pursue it because it didn't 'fit the plan'. But, I later thought that I should at least try.

So now my plan is upside down. I have a big fat contract job, but no base clients. I really think that this client will continue to use me after this project is complete and I have some time to build a base. Now I have a time little to build a base.

Good Luck