PICA Member Spotlights

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

Q: Why did you go independent?

A: I chose to become an independent consultant when I realized that staying inside a corporation was limiting my impact and legacy on this planet. Now, I can make a meaningful impact in the lives of many more leaders, their families, their customer base, and the planet. Going independent was about me stepping into my calling to make the world a better place one leader at a time. You can't do that when you're inside a company. You’ve got to connect with more than one company to do that.

Q: So what's been your biggest challenge?

A: I honestly believe it has to do with mindset. As I've shared, I had been hiding behind this ‘corporate straight jacket’, meaning that I had to show up a certain way and act a certain way. Over time I've realized that the more authentic I am, the more I bring to supporting my clients and the better results they get. My biggest challenge was trusting myself and knowing I don't have to fit anyone’s mold. I absolutely need to make sure I've got my business in order, a kickass marketing strategy, and my billing rates are on point. I need to get my MSA's and SOW's and all that operational stuff in alignment and PICA really helps me do that as an independent consultant. My biggest challenge was stepping into my own true gifts and bringing them forward in a way that's authentically me. 

Q: How did you actually make the leap?

A: Well hindsight is 20/20. I let fear be the driver of my life way too long, but then, I had a compelling life event and couldn't deny this calling any longer. My mom was terminally ill and I had a young daughter. I felt torn between caring for my mom and being a new mom myself as a Silicon Valley executive. I knew that time with my mom was limited, so I chose to leave my corporate job and be present for the moments that matter.

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

A: I'm in the process of rebranding my business LisaDuerre.com, a service provider of RLD Group. Being CEO of RLD Group wasn’t really authentically me, so now I'm Lisa Duerre, powered by RLD Group in case we ever scale and have other consultants. What's next for me is stepping into that and launching my own programs that I created for my clients – leaders in tech. It's a big next evolution of Lisa!

Q: How can people find out more?

A: Check out my new website at LisaDuerre.com!