In this episode of "Thriving Through" podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Pete Cafarchio, an executive coach and consultant with over 8 years of experience following a 22-year career in tech startups. Pete discusses his journey from tech professional to founding his coaching practice and later establishing Oculus Consulting.

Throughout the interview, Pete shares valuable insights about businesses staying true to their original vision and values, highlighting how companies often flounder when they drift away from their core purpose. He explains that the biggest problems in tech companies typically stem from leadership and people issues rather than technical or business challenges.

Key topics covered include:

Pete's transition from tech executive to coach/consultant
The challenge of charging appropriately for your expertise
Managing imposter syndrome as a self-employed professional
The importance of building a community of peers for support
Pete's book "Align with Your Design" and its core message about authenticity

The interview concludes with Pete's inspirational advice for consultants, including his memorable "ABC" philosophy - "Action Brings Clarity" - encouraging professionals to take action rather than overanalyzing, and his reminder that each person brings unique value to the world.

Show notes

In this illuminating episode of "Thriving Through," host AJ Riedel interviews Pete Cafarchio, an accomplished executive coach and business consultant. With over 8.5 years of full-time coaching experience following a 22-year career in tech startups, Pete shares valuable insights on the journey from corporate executive to successful self-employed consultant. This conversation is filled with practical wisdom for consultants at any stage of their business journey.

Key Topics

Introduction & Pete's Background

- Pete's transition from tech startups to coaching/consulting

- Why leadership issues, not technology or business problems, are often the core challenge for companies

Mindset Challenges for Consultants

- Overcoming the hurdle of charging appropriately for your services

- The value of peer community and collaboration

- How to avoid isolation as a self-employed professional

People-Centered Solutions

- Approaching challenges that appear technical but are actually people issues

- Using tools like 360 assessments and strength finders effectively

- The importance of earning trust before delivering hard truths

Personal Insights from Pete's Journey

- Pete's transformative realization about leaning into his natural strengths

- The freedom that comes from accepting your limitations

- How self-awareness reduces self-centeredness and increases client impact

Final Wisdom & Advice

- Dealing with imposter syndrome: "manage it, don't try to fix it"

- The value of partnerships and staying in your zone of excellence

- "ABC - Action Brings Clarity" - Pete's formula for getting unstuck

- "You are God's gift to the world" - the importance of bringing your authentic self to your work

Notable Quotes

"True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less." - Pete sharing one of his favorite principles

"Remember: there are people less qualified than you doing the things you want to do simply because they chose to believe in themselves." - Pete quoting Marshall Goldsmith

"ABC - Action Brings Clarity. You can overthink this. You can just be stuck analyzing over and over and never launch out. Just get out there and try stuff." - Pete Cafarchio

Featured Book

"Align with Your Design" by Pete Cafarchio - Available in paperback, hardback, audio, and Kindle formats on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR9KFYLT/ref=sr_1_1

Connect with Pete Cafarchio

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petecafarchio/

petecoaching.com

consultoculus.com

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In this episode of the Thriving Through podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews David Balbi, an experienced AI consultant who transitioned from a 40-year career as a PGA golf professional to helping small businesses implement AI solutions.
David shares valuable insights on how AI is revolutionizing small business operations, particularly for consultants and coaches. He discusses time-saving AI applications, strategies for distinguishing valuable tools from "shiny objects," and real-world examples of how AI transformed client workflows—like creating in 15 minutes what previously took days.
The conversation covers David's journey into AI consulting, how business coaches can leverage AI to deliver better services, and advice for consultants just starting to explore AI. David emphasizes that "adapt or die" is the reality for consultants in this rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Whether you're a small business owner, consultant, or just curious about practical AI applications, this interview offers actionable advice for implementing AI to improve efficiency, profitability, and client service.

Connect with David Balbi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saasio/
Website: https://balbi.ai/

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Rick is an organizational development consultant who specializes in understanding why people support or resist change in organizations. His book "Beyond the Wall of Resistance," which he wrote 30 years ago, changed his career trajectory.

In this insightful conversation, Rick shares his expertise on managing resistance to change, how his musical background influences his consulting approach, and valuable advice for self-employed consultants.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rimaurer/

Website: https://rickmaurer.com/

Show Notes

In this insightful episode of the Thriving Through podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Rick Maurer, an organizational development consultant with over 30 years of experience who specializes in understanding why people and organizations support or resist change.

Key Insights and Career Journey
Rick shares how his book "Beyond the Wall of Resistance," published 30 years ago, fundamentally changed his career trajectory. The book challenged conventional wisdom about organizational resistance, arguing that people resist for good reasons - they're afraid, have other plans, or see different priorities. Rick explains how his thinking evolved from focusing solely on reducing resistance to understanding the full spectrum from resistance to active support.

His approach views support and resistance as a dynamic sliding scale rather than fixed states. Over time, he's refined his model to be fundamental yet simple to understand, making it accessible to clients while remaining profound in application.

Advice for Self-Employed Consultants
Rick offers valuable advice for consultants dealing with resistance:

Two categories of resistance: One category involves the relationship between people, which is where Rick's model helps. The second involves personal fears about lacking skills, which requires different approaches.
Handling uncomfortable situations: When clients are "freaking out," Rick emphasizes staying open to what's happening in the moment, being prepared with expertise, and maintaining a calm presence while collaborating on solutions.
Music and improvisation: Rick's background as a musician deeply influences his consulting approach. He values improvisation, adapting to unexpected situations, and dancing with clients rather than forcing predetermined solutions.
Project selection criteria: One of Rick's most transformative filters is asking, "Will this assignment give me as much pleasure as playing music?" This question emerged after experiencing three lucrative but unsatisfying contracts, helping him recognize when to decline work that doesn't energize him.

On Specialization vs. Flexibility
Rick recommends that early-career consultants try various projects to discover what truly energizes them while paying attention to when it's time to say no. His recommendation changes for consultants who already know their passion - for them, specialization makes more sense earlier.

He cautions that while you might love doing something, it needs to solve problems clients are willing to pay for. Being clear about your specialty can actually create more opportunity if it resonates with market needs.

On Books, Marketing, and Building a Practice
Rick shares candid thoughts on writing books in today's market. While his book dramatically elevated his perceived expertise (he jokes that "my IQ jumped 25 points" after publishing), he questions whether books have the same impact today given how easy self-publishing has become. He suggests consultants might consider YouTube content or shorter-form materials that showcase their expertise instead.

Final Advice
Perhaps the most actionable advice Rick offers is for consultants who are just starting or feeling plateaued: intentionally talk to ideal clients without selling. He recommends information interviews where you seek to understand their challenges, keep the time request reasonable (less than an hour), and always ask, "Is there anyone else I should talk to?" He credits this approach with helping him build his network and understand client needs authentically.

The interview concludes with Rick sharing his excitement about his upcoming webinar on getting organizational changes "unstuck" - demonstrating how even after three decades, he continues to find joy and energy in his work by exploring new angles of his expertise.

Rick’s contact info

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rimaurer/

Website: https://rickmaurer.com/

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Kit Brown-Hoekstra: Building a Thriving Consulting Business | The Thriving Through Podcast

In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Kit Brown-Hoekstra, founder of Comgenesis, who shares her 20+ year journey as a consultant helping global companies build effective content systems.
Kit reveals how she accidentally fell into consulting after being laid off during the dot-com crash and built a successful practice working with medical and biotech companies. She offers counterintuitive business wisdom including why raising your prices when business is slow actually works, the importance of valuing your expertise over your time, and how to build your "Jedi High Council" of business advisors.
Discover practical insights on evolving your marketing strategy, creating passive income streams, the value of hiring a virtual assistant, and critical advice for new consultants. Whether you're an established consultant or considering the leap to self-employment, Kit's transparent discussion about pricing, client relationships, and business development provides a roadmap for sustainable success.

Don't miss the surprise appearance of Kit's cat Yoda, who reminds us all of the realities (and joys) of working from home!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kit-brown-hoekstra/
Website: comgenesis.com/
Blog: pangaeapapers.com

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This interview features AJ Riedel hosting Cheri Smith on the "Thriving Through" podcast. Cheri is the founder of Crevay, a company that provides project support to small and medium-sized businesses looking to execute their major initiatives more effectively.
Throughout the conversation, Cheri shares her entrepreneurial journey, including why she started her own business after years of traditional project management, the challenges of being self-employed, and how she developed her unique approach to helping companies improve their project execution capabilities.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pm-for-everyone/
Website: https://www.crevayco.com

Download the Playbook to Connect Vision and Delivery:
https://www.crevayco.com/playbook-download

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In this insightful episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews Mike Wood, founder of legalmorning.com, a digital marketing and Wikipedia consulting firm with 15 years of experience. Mike shares his remarkable journey from being unexpectedly fired to building a six-figure consulting business within a year.

Key highlights include:
- How Mike transformed a side freelancing gig into a successful consulting business
- The importance of finding and focusing on your niche (and why narrowing down can actually lead to greater success)
- Practical strategies for handling client relationships, pricing, and rejections
- Valuable insights on maintaining integrity while growing your business
- Tips for overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence as a consultant
- The crucial lesson of staying focused and avoiding distractions in your business journey

Whether you're an aspiring consultant or an established business owner, this conversation offers practical wisdom from someone who's built a thriving consulting practice through both challenges and successes. Mike's candid sharing about his experiences and lessons learned provides a realistic look at what it takes to succeed as a self-employed consultant.

In this episode of the "Thriving Through" podcast, host AJ Riedel speaks with Maartje of The Chaos Games Consulting. Maartje shares her journey transitioning from a decades-long career in oil and gas to independent consulting in 2024. She discusses the challenges that prompted her career change.
Throughout the conversation, Maartje talks about the surprises and difficulties of building her independent consulting business, including finding the right peer network, developing her brand, and staying motivated. She explains how her business helps medium-sized companies in volatile environments improve their decision-making processes and people dynamics.
The interview offers valuable insights for corporate executives considering independent consulting, with Maartje sharing candid advice about gathering testimonials and materials before leaving, maintaining industry connections, and declaring your intentions to your network. She also discusses her future vision of working globally while maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

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In this episode of the Thriving Through Podcast, host AJ Riedel interviews John Losey, founder of the Into Wisdom group. John shares his journey as a consultant spanning from the early 1990s to present day, including his experience working within a corporate university for 10 years before returning to independent consulting.
Throughout the conversation, John discusses:
- His approach to guiding individuals and organizations to their "next best step" in growth and sustainability
- The importance of distinguishing between coaching and consulting
- His philosophy on developing effective organizational "playbooks" with clear purpose statements and actionable values
- Why relationship-building and "connection before transaction" is his preferred marketing approach over digital tactics
- How he uses workshops to connect with decision-makers in organizations
- His work on critical thinking training and helping non-technical people navigate AI
- Strategies for organizations managing change and transitions
John offers valuable insights for consultants, emphasizing the importance of focusing on serving clients while staying motivated by what matters personally to you. His approach is industry-agnostic, concentrating on helping clients figure out what's next for their business regardless of sector.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlosey/
Website: intowisdomgroup.com/

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