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: Hi! I'm Tricia Gamble, M.Ed., CLSSBB, and I'm the founder of S3ED—that's "SEED." My consulting specialty is learning and performance optimization. I help organizations tackle their most complex workforce challenges through tailored learning solutions that actually drive performance. My background combines the art and science of learning with Lean Six Sigma methodology, and I work across industries like defense, technology, life sciences, finance, energy, and utilities to create meaningful, scalable change that delivers lasting results.

 

Q: How long have you been independent?

A: I've actually been independent in different phases of my career. I was independent for almost 10 years when my kids were younger, which gave me valuable experience in managing my own practice while balancing family life. Then I took a break to work within organizations again, and now I've been independent with S3ED for almost 2 years. This journey has given me a unique perspective on both the freedom and challenges of solopreneurship at different life stages.

 

Q: Why did you become an independent consultant?

A: My journey is truly a testament to the transformative power of intentional learning. I discovered early in my career that traditional learning approaches often miss the mark because they don't connect to real business problems or drive actual performance improvement. I became passionate about bridging that gap. After working within organizations and seeing how many learning initiatives fell short of their potential, I realized I could have the most impact by working directly with leadership teams to solve complex workforce challenges. Going independent allowed me to lean into each business problem with a systematic, impact-driven approach without the constraints of corporate bureaucracy.

Q: How did you “make the leap”?

A: I leveraged my extensive experience across multiple industries and my unique combination of learning expertise and Lean Six Sigma methodology. I started by identifying the core problems organizations were struggling with—performance gaps, outdated training, lack of alignment between learning and business goals. My systematic, agile approach meant I could quickly diagnose root causes and implement solutions that delivered measurable results. I began with my network from previous roles and focused on proving value through results rather than just credentials.

Q: How did you get your first client?

A: Most of my clients come from colleagues, past clients, and networking; people who had seen my work firsthand and understood the impact I could deliver. My current client is actually a referral from a fellow PICA member! 

Q: What’s one you thing you know now that you wish you’d known before you started?

A: I wish I had understood earlier that the most successful consulting relationships aren't about having all the answers. They're really about asking the right questions. My greatest strength isn't just delivering solutions; it's my ability to dig deep and understand the root cause of problems so solutions create long-term success. If you're thinking about making the leap, focus on developing your diagnostic skills and building genuine relationships. People don't just buy your expertise; they buy your ability to truly understand their challenges and create lasting change.

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

A: What's surprised me most is how much being self-employed has accelerated my own learning journey. When you're responsible for solving diverse challenges across multiple industries, you become a constant learner by necessity.  It's reinforced my belief that learning should be intentional, spark curiosity, and leave you eager for more.

Q: What’s been your biggest challenge?

A: The biggest challenge has been helping organizations understand that effective learning solutions require both art and science. Many companies want quick fixes, but real performance improvement requires systematic analysis, understanding the learner, aligning with business goals, and leveraging both storytelling and data-driven insights. I've learned to guide clients through my structured problem-solving process, showing them how investing time upfront in proper diagnosis leads to solutions that deliver lasting results rather than temporary fixes.

Q: What does the word “solopreneur” mean to you?

A: To me, solopreneur means having the freedom and responsibility to create meaningful, scalable change without the limitations of traditional corporate structures. It means being able to truly lean into each business problem and work closely with clients to implement strategies that deliver lasting results. 

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

A: Many aspiring solopreneurs think they need a perfect business plan or complete certainty before they start. What you actually need is the ability to diagnose problems, deliver value, and build genuine relationships. Your methodology and systems will evolve as you work with real clients facing real challenges. 

Q: Is there a particular quote or saying that you use as personal motivation?

A: My personal quote is "Small Hinges Swing Big Doors." I reference this a lot in both my personal and professional life because it perfectly captures my approach to creating change. Often, it's the small, seemingly minor adjustments, asking the right questions, making targeted improvements to a process, or shifting how we approach learning. This philosophy drives everything I do, from my own continuous learning journey to the solutions I create for clients.

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

A: On the consulting side, I continue to work with forward-thinking business leaders who want to solve complex workforce challenges with tailored, data-driven solutions. I'm particularly focused on helping organizations improve operational efficiency through Lean Six Sigma practices while creating cultures of learning and continuous improvement. On the product side, I'm building an AI-driven tool for Emerging Female Leaders in the workplace. My goal isn't just to solve today's problems but to empower teams to grow, adapt, and thrive long into the future.

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

A: People can visit my website at s3ed.io to learn more about my approach and schedule a free 30-minute discovery call. I offer structured problem-solving sessions that help organizations develop strategic frameworks and clear plans of action to enhance workforce performance and drive continuous improvement. I'm also on LinkedIn as Tricia Gamble, M.Ed., CLSSBB, where I share insights about learning, performance, and organizational development. People can also see my day in the life as a solopreneur on IG @s3edconsulting.

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