PICA Member Spotlights
Q&A with independent consultants who successfully “made the leap” and created the consulting career of their dreams
Q: Please introduce yourself and tell us about your business.
A: My name is Sharon Kriech and my company is Next Endeavor, Inc. My specialty is global program management, strategic planning, execution, and program governance.
Q: How long have you been independent?
A: Actually, three years, but it feels more like two because of the starts and stops that I've had for personal reasons, but technically three. I had been independent for about six months when my mom got sick, at which time I stepped away from my business for about six months. After my mom passed away, I came back part-time, and this past year, my dad went into the hospital, and again I stepped away from my business to attend to him and eventually his estate. In February or March of this year, I began to feel like I was moving forward again, because those circumstances were now behind me.
Q: But isn't that one of the beauties of being self-employed, that you could carve out the time to be with your parents?
A: Yes, absolutely. In fact, I don’t think the timing could have been better. If I had still been at HP (my previous employer) I would have tried to do it all, carve out time and still work, you know? I think most people are committed to what they do and want to do their best, and it’s hard sometimes to define boundaries. Liz, you shared with me some advice that helped me give myself permission to look at my life and choose what I wanted to do, knowing business would be waiting. Being independent was perfectly timed for what I needed in my life. To be able to really give my parents what they needed and to also work on the business side when I could. I think in some ways it gave me the confidence to do what I needed to do as well.
Q: Tell me a little more about gaining the confidence. What do you mean by that?
A: This is kind of hard to explain. With my mom in particular, I had to learn stuff that I didn't know. I was about six months into being independent. I had started in June of 2020, and then by January or February, I stepped away. I had done PICA’s bootcamp and had begun to get the basics of my business set up. I was starting to learn, and I was doing subcontracting work, but I had a lot of self-doubt.
As my mom’s health declined, I was put into a situation where I didn't know a lot about the medical industry. I had to navigate a lot of new and different details including becoming her primary point of contact for doctors, Medicare, interpreting test results and communicating with family and friends. I did not freak out, even though it was a lot at times, you just do what you have to do. You learn what you have to learn to get the job done.
Taking the time to help my mom is not a personal tragedy story, she lived a fantastic life and I got to experience that. It was really a blessing, and I was able to make the choice to step away and really be present with her. I wasn't trying to do everything, so that helped me be in control. Setting some boundaries and tackling the hard things that don’t necessarily come easy helped to build up my confidence. It was a good reminder that I can do whatever I set my mind to.
Q: So really, you realized you’re smart enough and strong enough to figure out what to do. I think that’s inspirational for other independent consultants.
A: It was to me too. It’s funny because I've reflected on a couple things, even early career and challenges I've had in my life. I realize now that I figured many challenges out on my own. Recalling moments, milestones, and even small things that you can count as successes help reinforce this.
Q: What have you learned?
A: The power of networks. When I left HP, I didn't have a network per se because nearly every colleague I had was also with HP. I had to create a new network and PICA was a huge benefit to me in that way. The mentoring and connections with the other PICA members is just huge. I've met some great people, kept in touch, and have had potential opportunities through this network. In fact, the latest project I'm on came from a connection through PICA. I hadn't spoken to this person in a while, but he was working on something, and he thought of me. Isn’t that awesome?
The other thing I’ve learned is you are not alone. There are resources out there. For me, this was PICA. I joined the bootcamp, attended the training sessions, and started expanding my network. Everyone I talked to was so encouraging and each person always asked me, “How can I help you?”. I thought this was beautiful. I want to get to that point too, where I can offer my support and help to others. That is what PICA members did for me, and it was really impactful.
Q: You made the comment that you want to get to the point where you can say to people, how can I help? You’re already there! Simply approach every conversation with the mindset of “how can I be of service to this person?” That's what often leads to high quality networking, high quality conversations, and referrals. It's putting other people first, not you. That's what David A. Fields calls “right side up thinking.”
A: I get that, and I think that's true. I know that was my mindset for sure at HP. I looked at everything in terms of where can I help and how can I help? It's how I approached my work. But I didn't feel that my first year as an independent consultant or in PICA. I feel I’ve transitioned to that point now, where if somebody came to me and wanted to network, I would look for ways where I could support them and help them too. I have that confidence now.
Q: If you were to tell yourself a bit of advice three years ago, what would it be?
A: I think one of the things I would tell myself is it's okay to be a bit more discerning in the work you take on. I made some choices early. I took work to have work, right? I took I work to gain experience and I think that's okay. If you're on a project, if it's not working, if it's awkward or weird, don't be afraid to speak up. Don't be afraid to walk away. Because if it's not aligned with who you are authentically and your values, if it's not structured in a way that allows you to perform at your best, then it's probably not right. It's having the courage to admit it to yourself and then have the discussion with the person because you're both going to be better off for it. I'd also say I'd learn how to interview the client better.
Q: Before you take on the work, you mean?
A: Yes. It's been interesting for me because I've done most of my work so far through subcontracting. So, I'm not actually interviewing the client, but working with the person who's driving the statement of work and all that. I did have opportunities to meet with the client at least once prior to signing the contract, but I didn't take full advantage of that. I put myself in the position as the one being interviewed, instead of a back-and-forth type interview. I think you always have to use this opportunity to ask them questions, get a better understanding of their style, so that you can make the right choice, or at least have more information when you're making the decision.
Q: What was one of your biggest or most persistent FUDs (fear, uncertainty, doubt)? And what was the little FUD monster in your head saying to you?
A: Confidence was my biggest FUD. “What makes you think you’re capable? You don’t have a consultant background.”
I've come across groups where they were looking for a certain pedigree [experience with a major consulting firm]. So, it’s this fear of not measuring up and having that competence that these other people are trained for. In some ways, it ties back to your previous question and what advice I would give myself now. Understand more about the project and the client if you can. I found that when I had more information, versus filtered or limited information, I had more confidence in the services I could provide and how we would work together. Sometimes when the FUD monster is talking to me and making me doubt myself, I go to your “Qualities of a Consulting Rockstar” blog that I have bookmarked to remind myself that I have all of those qualities.
Q: How can people find out more about your business?
A: Reach out to me on LinkedIn or email me.
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