PICA Member Spotlights
Q&A with independent consultants who successfully “made the leap” and created the consulting career of their dreams
Q: Who are you and what’s your business?
A: My name is Jen Campsey, and my business is Fidere.io. I’m a People/HR consultant specializing in high-tech startups, particularly those driven by R&D and often led by engineers. I help founders and executives scale their companies efficiently and sustainably by focusing on organizational design, leadership development, and hiring strategies that balance speed with financial responsibility.
My work ensures companies have the best people for them, a strong management philosophy, and defined, robust communication strategies—all aligned with their business objectives. I also help build the HR infrastructure and tech stack needed for smart growth, setting up efficient employee acquisition and onboarding processes that scale.
One of the things I do best is recruiting at the right speed, but it’s always about supporting and partnering with recruiters, not replacing them. My role is to help companies hire smarter, design teams intentionally, and avoid costly missteps that can derail growth.
Q: How long have you been independent?
A: We’re going on 15 years now. (That’s the royal “we.”)
Q: Why did you become an independent consultant?
A: I specialize in working with startups that aren’t yet ready to hire a senior People leader full-time. As a consultant, I can step in at the right moments—helping them make key decisions and put the right structures in place before they run into the common pitfalls of poor or nonexistent People strategies.
I knew I could help founders build strong, people-centered organizations from the ground up, and I wanted the freedom to do it right. Going independent allowed me to focus on high-impact work with companies that align with my values.
Instead of being boxed into rigid corporate structures, I can bring real strategic value at the stage when it’s most needed. Consulting allows me to step in strategically, guiding startups through critical growth phases without the burden of a full-time hire. That ability to have a meaningful impact, at the right time, is what makes this work so rewarding.
Q: How did you “make the leap”?
A: With all frankness, my launch wasn’t meticulously planned—it was action-oriented. I 1) told my friends and network I was going independent, 2) set up my business under the highly original name “Campsey Consulting,” 3) tweaked my LinkedIn profile, and 4) set my rate.
It took me a while to develop what many would say are the “first steps”—things like a polished pitch, a business plan, or a website. The work always came first; the structure followed. It took me years to land on a business name I loved that truly represented me.
Looking back, the most important thing I did was start. Clients don’t hire you because you have a perfect brand—they hire you because you can solve their problem.
Q: How did you get your first client?
A: My clients have all come from referrals and past relationships. Every. Single. Time. A strong niche and trusted connections have been the foundation of my business from the start. It’s a reminder that reputation and relationships matter far more than anything else.
Q: What’s one thing you know now that you wish you’d known before you started?
A: Don’t abandon your niche to land work. It’s never worth it. If you’re truly skilled in a particular area, there’s a demand for it—you just have to find the right clients.
After all, you developed your expertise for a reason. Lean into what you do best, and trust that the right opportunities will come. The more clearly you define your niche, the easier it becomes for the right clients to find you.
Q: What’s surprised you the most about being self-employed?
A: What’s surprised me the most is how much support is out there. I’ve been blown away by how generous people are with advice, referrals, and resources. I’ve learned that someone will always offer guidance or point you in the right direction if you're willing to ask.
I also didn’t anticipate how much joy I would get from being that resource for others. When a colleague, a friend of a friend, or even someone I meet at a conference reaches out with a question, I’m reminded of how much I love helping others navigate this path.
Independent consultants share a unique bond built on mutual respect and understanding. My biggest advice? Reach out, ask for help, and stay connected. You won’t regret it.
Q: What’s been your biggest challenge?
A: Too often, I’ve taken on clients who didn’t align with my target-client profile—and almost every time, I’ve regretted it. There have been a few exceptions, but I’ve learned that when a client’s values don’t align with mine, it’s impossible to do my best work.
I’ve also realized that enjoying your work matters. When you’re a consultant, you’re the one driving the bus—there’s no boss, no built-in structure, no one else to create momentum for you. If the work doesn’t excite you, it’s hard to stay motivated and keep pushing forward. When I take on clients who energize me, the work is not only more rewarding but also more effective.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Saying no to the wrong clients creates space for the right ones—the ones where I can have the biggest impact and actually enjoy the work.
At the same time, consulting has natural ebbs and flows. Use downtime strategically. If client work slows, take a class, expand your network, or refine a skill you’re already strong in. Catch up on business reading or invest in personal development—because when things get busy again (and they will), you’ll be in an even better position to deliver value.
Q: What does the word “solopreneur” mean to you?
A: Whenever I hear the term solopreneur, I immediately think of free soloing—rock climbing without equipment. And honestly, solopreneur feels like a misnomer because I’d never say I do what I do alone.
That said, the term perfectly fits in that working independently means you alone are responsible for steering the business forward. There’s no built-in structure, no boss guiding priorities, and no team to share the load when motivation dips. Every hour you bill requires visible value creation. The clock is always ticking, and every client needs to see what their investment is buying them.
Q: What is something that many aspiring solopreneurs think they need that they really don’t?
A: It's easy to get caught up in administrative minutia instead of taking action. It’s easy to convince yourself you need a perfect website or business plan before you start. But what truly matters is knowing what makes you uniquely valuable to a client and who your ideal client is.
Q: Is there a particular quote or saying that you use as personal motivation?
A: The name of my business, Fidere.io, comes from the Latin word fidere, meaning “to trust, to have faith in, to rely on.” That meaning isn’t just philosophical—it’s central to how I operate.
HR is built on trust, but too often, it’s mishandled. In my work, I’m not just trusted by my direct clients; I’m trusted by everyone in the company. Employees confide in me with things they wouldn’t tell their boss. Leaders trust me to help them navigate complex people decisions. Striking the right balance—respecting confidentiality while advising with integrity—is a responsibility I take seriously.
Respect is just as critical. I believe in treating employees as intelligent, capable individuals, not liabilities to be controlled. Unfortunately, many HR practices—like excessive employee monitoring, resistance to remote work, or how layoffs are handled—erode both trust and respect. I work differently. My approach is grounded in building trust at every level—because without it, HR fails the people it’s meant to serve, and the business suffers in the long run.
Whenever I’m faced with a difficult call, Fidere is my definitive guiding principle
Q: What’s next for you and your consulting business?
A: I’m thrilled about a new client—the smallest company I’ve ever worked with. I’m joining them at a critical early stage, where every decision carries weight and shapes the company’s future.
The co-founders bring a passion and perspective that I don’t often see, and it reminds me of the energy that fueled the very best companies I’ve worked with in the past. I have the unique opportunity to help them define their approach to the People function before they scale, ensuring they build a strong, thoughtful foundation.
Launching a startup is not for the faint of heart, and when a company is this small, the stakes are even higher. Being part of that journey—helping them avoid common pitfalls and set themselves up for success—is exactly the kind of work I love doing.
Q: How can people find out more about you or your business?
A: The best way to reach me is by call, email, or text—I’m always happy to connect. You can also visit my website at fidere.io.
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