Building Community in All Directions

Lately, I’ve had a lot of people reach out wanting to hear my story about getting into HR consulting. I genuinely love these conversations. If sharing my experience can help someone feel a little less alone or a little more confident in their next step, why wouldn’t I say yes?

What these conversations have reminded me of is something simple but powerful: building a consulting business, or any meaningful career path, is not something meant to be done in isolation.

Community Is Bigger Than We Think

This journey can feel lonely. In the beginning, it often feels like no one else is doing what you’re doing. Then, almost overnight, it feels like everyone is.

The truth is that community extends far beyond colleagues or people in the same stage of business. It includes peers, clients, collaborators, mentors, and the people brave enough to reach out because they are curious about your path. Sometimes community shows up in the form of a coffee chat, a message asking for advice, or a conversation with no agenda at all.

Those moments matter more than we realize.

There Is No “Right Time”

There is no perfect time to go out on your own. Much like big life decisions, consulting rarely fits neatly into a perfectly aligned season. Life keeps moving. Leadership roles come with constant pulls on time and energy.

That is why conversations rooted in genuine curiosity can feel grounding. Sitting across from someone who simply wants to hear your story, with no ask and no expectations, can be surprisingly refreshing. These moments create space for reflection, connection, and shared learning on both sides.

Staying Anchored Matters

There are endless ways to build a consulting business. No two paths look the same. What matters most is staying anchored in who you are.

Not every opportunity will be the right fit, and you do not need to please everyone. Over time, you begin to recognize which work energizes you and which directions are worth continuing to move toward. Consistency and alignment build something far more sustainable than chasing every possibility.

Sustainable Growth Takes Time

There is no overnight path to a sustainable six-figure business. Growth is often quiet before it becomes visible. Momentum builds through small, steady steps, relationships nurtured over time, and trust earned through consistency.

This is one of the hardest lessons to accept, but also one of the most reassuring.

Practicing What We Believe

For me, building community is not just a belief. It is something I practice. Volunteering with the Young Professionals Committee has reinforced how valuable it is to make space for others to learn, ask questions, and grow. The people I’ve met through this work continue to inspire me and remind me why mentorship matters so deeply.

These relationships are not transactional. They are rooted in mutual respect, curiosity, and a shared desire to support one another.

A Call to Leaders and Business Owners

If you are a business owner or leader, consider saying yes more often when someone reaches out. Whether they are early in their career, a peer, or a client, these conversations can genuinely change someone’s direction.

They do not require much, but their impact can be lasting.

To me, building community in all directions means making space for anyone brave enough to ask for a bit of our time.