How to Be a Consultant—and Actually Make It Work

Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

More professionals than ever are rethinking what’s next. For many mid-career and senior-level workers, consulting is the best path forward. But how do you actually make the leap?

In this week’s episode of Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel sits down with Erin Halper, founder and CEO of The Upside, a vibrant community for consultants. Erin shares what she’s learned from years of working independent consulting and coaching others through the same transition. From pricing and positioning to finding your first clients and building support systems, Erin and Jessi walk through what it really takes to thrive as a consultant.

They also tackle the big questions:

• How do you know if consulting is right for you?

• What’s the best way to price your work?

• How do you talk about what you do in 10 words or less?

• What role does community play in solo success?

• How do you shift between full-time work and consulting as your career evolves?

Whether you're just starting out or thinking about a pivot, this episode offers practical advice, clarity, and confidence for building your independent career—especially in an uncertain job market.

🔗 Join us for Office Hours. We’re continuing the conversation on Wednesday at 3PM ET on the LinkedIn News page. RSVP here!