Running your own consulting business means freedom, flexibility, and the chance to do work you love—but it also comes with a lot of unknowns.
When growing your consultancy, it’s easy to second-guess your niche, wrestle with visibility, and wonder if you’re doing it “right.” That’s exactly what Claire Elvers, a brand and marketing strategist turned independent consultant, experienced when she left her corporate career to start her own business.
In this episode, Claire joins host Melisa Liberman to reflect on the first 18 months of running her independent consulting business. They discuss navigating uncertainty and redefining success, productizing, and mid-funnel focus. Claire also reflects on the pivotal role of a guided corporate retreat, where she zoomed out to assess her business as the CEO (not just the implementer)—an experience that helped her re-anchor her vision, clarify her niche, and reconnect with her “why.”
Claire opens up about the mindset shifts, systems, and support that helped her stay grounded and build real momentum—even when things felt unclear. You’ll hear how she overcame the fear of niching down, discovered the power of focusing on what’s within her control, and built a practice that supports her life—not the other way around.
This conversation is a real-time look at what it means to build an independent consulting business that’s intentional, evolving, and deeply aligned with what motivates and fulfills you.
What You’ll Learn:
- How finding your niche can unlock more opportunities, not fewer
- How a corporate retreat-style reset can bring strategic clarity and renewed energy
- The importance of creating systems that support your growth and creativity
- How to market your business in a way that feels authentic—not performative
- What it looks like to invest in support before you feel “ready”
- Why staying connected (even without a sales goal) is key to long-term success
- How to adapt your business based on the season of life you’re in
Whether you’re early in your career as an independent consultant or looking to scale, Claire’s story will remind you that building a sustainable business is not a one-size-fits-all process—and that the most meaningful growth often comes when you create space to experiment, reflect, and trust yourself.
🔗 Companion Resource: Make the most out of a corporate retreat by downloading The Independent Consultant’s Retreat Checklist
FOR MORE RESOURCES SPECIFIC TO THE INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT —
- Coaching for Consultants: Click here to schedule your Coaching Exploratory Call.
- Book: Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality
- YouTube Podcast Channel
- Website
- Related Podcast Episode: Episode 090 – Corporate Retreat for the Independent Consultant
- Connect with Claire: Claire Elvers Consulting | LinkedIn
