PICA Member Spotlights

Q&A with independent consultants who successfully “made the leap” and created the consulting career of their dreams

 

Q: Could you please introduce yourself and tell us the name of your business and your consulting specialty?

A: My name is Sherry Steinaway and I am the founder of Steinaway & Associates, LLC. We focus on organization development and leadership development.

 

Q: How long have you been independent?

A: Since November of 2022, so almost two years.

 

Q: How did you get your first client?

A: My clients to date have been people I have worked with throughout my career or referrals from people I have worked with in the past and current clients. My first client came from a former colleague referral and my next client came from that new client to another prospective client looking for my services. My most recent client was a referral from someone who ‘saw me in action’ and referred me to an Executive Director. It wasn’t someone who I worked with directly but rather was in a session with me and thought of me when asked. I am very grateful for everyone who is helping me be in and grow my business.

 

Q: What’s surprised you the most about being self-employed?

A: Since I was an internal consultant for most of my career, it is the freedom to let go of perceived ‘rules’ and ‘guidelines’ that were imposed by the employers I had and trust and use my expertise to build my solo practice as I want it and know is best for me and the people and organizations that I work with and serve.

 

Q: What’s been your biggest challenge?

A: Pricing my services. As someone who has worked in the nonprofit sector my whole career and wants to bring expert consulting to nonprofits at a cost they can afford, it is a constant assessment for me to make sure I am charging an appropriate amount for my services while working within nonprofit budgets.

Q: What is something that many aspiring solopreneurs think they need that they really don’t?

A: I expect others have said this, but you don’t have to have everything thing worked out when you launch. Liz and PICA will make sure you have the necessary elements to get going and you should pay attention to those, as well as your State’s small business laws, as they will set up your business well. It is knowing exactly what will come and where you will go with your business that will continue evolving. It’s been a two-year learning process for me that will continue, I expect, for as long as I have a business. I have refined my services and leveraged content for more than one client in the short time I have been in business. I am now creating products, which I didn’t think I would be doing two years ago but have come from my work with clients and noticing what is missing for them.  

Q: What’s next for you and your consulting business?

A: I have recently moved to Western Washington and am reaching out to the nonprofit community on this side of the state to work with them in addition to my work with nonprofits in Eastern Washington. I have also created some new ‘products’ to build pipelines to my coaching practice as well as my consulting work.

Q: How can people find out more about your business?

A: Via my website and my LinkedIn, personal and business sites.

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