Author, Succeeding as a Solopreneur: Six Keys to Taking the Leap, Winning Clients and Building Wealth
This week, Ira spoke with Liz J. Steblay, author of Succeeding as a Solopreneur: Six Keys to Taking the Leap, Winning Clients and Building Wealth. In this enterprising episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Liz talks about the difference between an entrepreneur and a solopreneur; why it’s the toughest job you’ll ever have, but could be the most rewarding; how you have to push your boundaries and there is no fallback plan; how to mitigate FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt); why being self-employed is not for everybody; why you need to figure out what you hate to do and outsource it; the two key mistakes people make - how to go to market and pricing; defining your niche; going to “where the fish are”; why you’re never too old; the concept of fractional leadership; why LinkedIn is so important; and how to distinguish yourself from other solopreneurs.
Liz Steblay founded ProKo in 2009 based on workplace trends and her own consulting experiences, particularly the challenges of being an independent consultant working with Fortune 500 clients. The idea of ProKo’s unique business model was planted when Liz helped a client to implement a vendor compliance system and process with a contingent workforce management company. (“Parachuted behind enemy lines” is how Liz tells the story.)
Over the last 20 years Liz has worked as an external consultant with a global “big four” consulting firm, as a member of a boutique consulting firm, as an internal consultant, and as an independent consultant. She has personally consulted with nearly all aspects of a business including marketing, IT, procurement, sales operations, HR, finance and accounting.
Prior to launching ProKo, Liz was an independent consultant for over ten years working on a variety of projects for Fortune 500 companies such as Franklin Templeton Investments, NetApp, Clorox, Invisalign and Kyphon/Medtronic. Before that she was with Intuit, Levi Strauss & Co, and PwC Consulting specializing in organizational development and leading large-scale change programs. She has both a Bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.
Born and raised in Southern California, Liz raised her daughter in San Francisco, but now lives in Reno with her daughter's two cats. When not working she enjoys travelling, golfing, skiing, flying and riding her red Ducati motorcycle. She is also the Chief Advocate for the Professional Independent Consultants of America and the author of the blog, “Successful Independent Consulting.”
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