After my brief talk at SF Tech Week last week (recap), the event transitioned into more of a networking mixer where I got to meet a ton of new and aspiring soloists.

For nearly two hours (on my feet), I fielded questions from curious folks just like you all about the early stages of going out on your own, or what I call the ‘first mile’ of solo consulting:

• Shifting onto the self-employment path
• Defining your target client and pain point
• Converting experience into your signature POV & IP
• Designing your initial consulting offer
• Building a pipeline and closing work

​

While I may need new insoles now, the ambition and excitement in the room was contagious and made the time fly by.

Even better, I thought it would be helpful to bring it home and share some of the most interesting 'front lines Q&A' here with you over the next few days.

Would love to hear how you're liking this test series as we go through (structure & substance).

​

First up tomorrow:

🗣️ “I’m currently providing ad-hoc advising to an early startup. How can I expand that into something bigger or more structured?”

💡

-Wes

​

P.S. - ICYMI, 💡 The Lightbulb celebrated a milestone over the weekend - six months strong, one daily at a time!

If you haven’t already, please consider taking this anonymous, 1-minute pulse check to help me improve and evolve this email 🙏