What does the first year of consulting actually look like?
One year ago, Allie Jones was ready for something new — but full of self-doubt.
She had spent her career climbing the finance ladder, eventually stepping into a CFO role. She had the credentials. The reputation. The results.
But when it came to launching her own consulting business, she felt like she was starting from square one.
She had never sold anything before. She didn’t know how to get clients. And like many women who spent decades succeeding in corporate, she still quietly wondered:
Am I really qualified to do this on my own?
Her first big win
After completing Passport and implementing the Million Dollar Playbook, Allie sent us this message:
“I rang my bell for about 10 minutes straight this afternoon. I just signed a new client today — and with her contract in place, I have officially signed on $100,000 in recurring revenue since starting the Playbook in January!”
She was doing meaningful work. Solving real problems. And getting paid well for it.
But she didn’t stop there.
Momentum that multiplied
A few months later, Allie shared another update:
“Little wins!!! My income January–May last year was $74,000. My income this year January–May is $148,000. I’m on track to bring in $360,000 and this is my second year of business. What?!? Hello freedom!
“If I continue growing like this, I’ll bring in $1,000,000 by year 7 — but because I’m a pusher, I’m trying to hit $1,000,000 by year 5!
“I’ve added a new mini-service to my lineup: a one-time winery licensing offer. I offer it for a flat rate, and then toward the end of the process, I walk the client through the monthly and annual reports they’ll need to manage.
“Most clients ultimately sign on for a monthly retainer. And after about six months, many of them ask for accounting services too, which means more revenue.
“I now have way too much work for just me, so I’ve hired some amazing VAs who support me without breaking the bank. I’m even taking a regular paycheck that’s pretty close to what I left behind in corporate. Yay!!!!”
Allie wasn’t just building a business — she was building a machine.
Then came freedom
Her most recent update came from abroad:
“I just spent a month in Portugal with my family — something I never could’ve done this way a few years ago.
“I worked about 15 hours a week while I was there. During that time, I signed two new clients, supported several existing ones, and kept things running smoothly.
“More importantly, I was fully present for things I used to miss: watching my cousin get engaged at the church where our great-grandparents were married, reconnecting with family in Pico, attending São Joaninas in Terceira, and just being with the people I love — not rushing through it, not glued to my laptop.
“The foundation I built through ThriveHive and Passport made this kind of freedom possible. The structure, the clarity, the mindset work — it all gave me the tools I needed to run my business differently, and I’m so grateful for it.
“ThriveHive really does deliver on its promise. I’m living the good life, making money, and not even half as stressed as I was before.”
How does a corporate executive become a consultant?
It wasn’t luck. It wasn’t natural sales ability. And it definitely wasn’t because she had it all figured out.
It was how she applied the 3 Es we see in every thriving consultant:
Expertise
Allie matched her deep financial background to a high-stakes, underserved problem. She got clear on the person she serves — independent winery CEOs. She honed in on the pain point: compliance and messy books.
And she made a bold, value-based promise:
“100% compliant and clean books in 60 days.”
She didn’t try to be everything to everyone. She just made herself the obvious choice for her people.
Execution
Allie followed the Passport framework to the letter. She clarified her purpose. She defined exactly who she helps. She built a premium offer — and kept evolving it based on client feedback. She mastered her message, about herself and her offer.
Then she followed our launch plan to go to market, fast. She wasn’t naturally great at sales. She didn’t have to be. She had a system that told her exactly what to do — today, tomorrow, and the day after that. And she executed. Relentlessly.
Engagement
Allie didn’t just learn the material. She used it. She picked a simple, high-impact channel: Instagram. She searched for independent wineries. Found the CEOs. Introduced herself. She made real offers. Delivered real value. And grew through consistent, courageous outreach.
That’s why her clients trust her, refer her, and stay loyal.
Now she’s marching toward a million
Not because she has to. But because she can, with ease.
- She’s hired the right people
- She’s built the right systems
- She’s created a scalable service model
And most importantly, she has the confidence that comes from knowing: I built this. I own this. I can keep going.
And remember — you were made to thrive.
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