How to Become a Consultant: Start by Calling Yourself One

Since opening my LLC and stepping into the role of a consultant, the most common question I receive is, “How do you become a consultant?” It’s a fair question—one I’ve asked others in the past. What I’ve come to realize is that anyone can become a consultant simply by identifying as one. So when people ask this, I often joke that they just need to start referring to themselves as such. However, I also aim to provide practical advice for those looking to enter the consulting field. While anyone can claim the title of consultant, it doesn’t guarantee success or a steady stream of work. Based on my experiences, the key to success in this space is identifying what sets you apart, especially in often crowded markets. From there, you can assess whether there’s a demand for your unique skills—essentially, it’s a matter of supply and demand.

When I began considering consulting, I reflected on my background and expertise through a simple exercise: What do I uniquely bring to the table? 

For starters, I examined my education and credentials. I am a Nationally Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). Although I previously held a Mental Health Counseling Limited Permit (MHC-LP), I no longer practice therapy. My educational background includes a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. This combination of business, mental health, and coaching expertise forms a solid foundation. 

Next, I evaluated my professional experience. Most recently, I helped build and scale a large coaching department at Ginger/Headspace, two digital health companies that merged in 2021. This experience is already quite unique in the market. Before that role, I worked as a coach and therapist in various mental health settings, including substance use treatment, supportive housing, and medical clinics. Additionally, I currently serve as an advisor for the Coaching and Technology Summit at New York University (NYU), where I’ve been instrumental in establishing a significant health and wellness coaching presence at an event traditionally focused on executive coaching. These roles have helped me build a substantial network in the digital health and technology space.

Once you identify your unique strengths, shift your focus outward to assess market needs. In my case, my advisory role at NYU revealed a growing demand for integrating coaches in healthcare settings. Furthermore, with the rise of AI and other rapidly evolving technologies, I can leverage my digital health experience and network of tech startups that offer tooling to support digital health companies and coaches.

While this article serves to introduce my background and insights, I hope it encourages those contemplating a consulting career to engage in the following self-reflective exercise:

1. What do I uniquely bring to the table? (Consider your education, experience, skills, network, etc.)

2. What is currently in demand in the markets where I can contribute?

3. How can I position myself to meet these needs effectively? (i.e., What is my competitive advantage?)

Of course, there’s much more to becoming a consultant than these initial steps, including how to market yourself. However, before you make any moves, this exercise can help determine the feasibility of your consulting aspirations. Remember, this isn’t a one-time evaluation. Markets are constantly evolving, and what you bring to the table can quickly shift from being in high demand to becoming obsolete. This makes ongoing assessment and even occasional pivots at times essential as you navigate your consulting journey.

So take a moment to reflect on these questions. You might just wake up one day and confidently call yourself a consultant, too!