Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
More professionals are realizing that traditional career ladders aren’t built for everyone — especially those craving autonomy, flexibility, and purpose. Erin Halper knows this firsthand. As the founder and CEO of The Upside, a community for independent consultants, Erin has spent the last decade helping professionals design thriving solo careers.
This week on Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel talks with Erin about why more people are choosing the consultant path — and how to make it work on your own terms.
Tune in for Erin’s take on:
How to know when it’s time to break away from corporate life
The mindset shift needed to thrive as a solo consultant
Smart strategies for finding clients and communicating your value
The importance of community when you’re building something alone
Why success looks different when you define it for yourself
Subscribe to the Hello Monday newsletter for more on building a work life on your own terms: bit.ly/HelloMondayNewsletter
#linkedinnews
#hellomonday
#consulting
#newcareer
#ErinHalper
00:00 - Intro: Why consulting is the best path forward in 2025
01:58 - Erin’s journey from private equity to The Upside
04:42 - The biggest trap new consultants fall into
08:11 - Pricing pain: Why setting your rate feels so personal
11:41 - What you know is worth more than how long it takes
16:10 - The 3 C’s framework to tell when it’s not working
21:26 - Consulting isn’t the end - it’s a bridge
25:41 - Sustainable success: What year one vs. year three looks like
27:11 - Final thoughts
More professionals are realizing that traditional career ladders aren’t built for everyone — especially those craving autonomy, flexibility, and purpose. Erin Halper knows this firsthand. As the founder and CEO of The Upside, a community for independent consultants, Erin has spent the last decade helping professionals design thriving solo careers.
This week on Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel talks with Erin about why more people are choosing the consultant path — and how to make it work on your own terms.
Tune in for Erin’s take on:
How to know when it’s time to break away from corporate life
The mindset shift needed to thrive as a solo consultant
Smart strategies for finding clients and communicating your value
The importance of community when you’re building something alone
Why success looks different when you define it for yourself
Subscribe to the Hello Monday newsletter for more on building a work life on your own terms: bit.ly/HelloMondayNewsletter
#linkedinnews
#hellomonday
#consulting
#newcareer
#ErinHalper
00:00 - Intro: Why consulting is the best path forward in 2025
01:58 - Erin’s journey from private equity to The Upside
04:42 - The biggest trap new consultants fall into
08:11 - Pricing pain: Why setting your rate feels so personal
11:41 - What you know is worth more than how long it takes
16:10 - The 3 C’s framework to tell when it’s not working
21:26 - Consulting isn’t the end - it’s a bridge
25:41 - Sustainable success: What year one vs. year three looks like
27:11 - Final thoughts
