What was your first “ah-ha!” moment before going independent in the Salesforce ecosystem?

I’m a pretty risk-averse and thoughtful person, so it took a lot of soul-searching before I decided to go independent. It came down to knowing I always wanted to start my own business and get hands-on with projects again. I also came across Nick’s blog at the right time – it helped me define my “why” for going independent. 

Taking the leap is really difficult. But if you’re at a point in your life where you can bet on yourself, go for it. Everyone in the consulting world says “We should just start our own business” – I’m proud I actually got out there and made that happen. 

How does working with 10K let you focus on the work you love?

I have a mortgage, kids, and other responsibilities, so there’s a lot of pressure to make my business work. At the same time, I only want to take on projects I’m passionate about. Knowing I can get work from 10K helps me leave “bad deals” on the table. I don’t have to feel desperate when I have some ground to stand on. 

How does working with 10K help you build your business?

10K has been my bridge between the peaks and the valleys – they help keep me on the peaks.  

You can have all the skills, connections, and savings but you still have to leave your safety net and make a big jump. My 10 hours a week with 10K provides the psychological security and financial stability to keep building my business. This is so important because even when things are going well you’re still going to lay in bed at night and wonder if entrepreneurship was the right choice. 

How has 10K shaped your career? 

I’ve worked in one vertical for seven years, but since going independent I’ve had opportunities to touch different technologies, customers, and Salesforce modules. There’s more opportunity to learn and grow than when I was working full-time, adjacent to solution-building. 

I’ve also gained more time to learn new skills and earn more certifications. It feels good to invest in myself. As my company scales, I’m excited about the opportunity to hire 10K myself – it’s a beautiful business model.