Busy Business

Or I could have called this “Continued steps to Austin” as either would be appropriate. In any event, I have just signed the additional client in Austin that holds a strategic position in the Life Science community and supports that I have a (now) 20 month plan to move. He wants to be helpful and will connect me to others as the opportunities dictate. In addition to being a signed consultant, I have been offered a position on the Board of Advisors where I will be receiving a stock grant, vested over a two year period.

This is fun. As a firm connected lobbyist, I was not allowed to exercise such flexibility (to be fair, it wasn't legal) but as an independent consultant, I have many additional options. Never having been seated on a board before and never been allowed to own stock makes this plenty cool.

More fun steps in business and location goal – I took a small but brilliant client to meet up with a large corporation last week. The meeting went exceedingly well. I have met this CEO years previously and had a small but pivotal role in his transition to HOTSHOT CEO with a thriving business. We caught up and I told him how nice (and scary) it is to be independent. He mentioned that they are in a massive business expansion and wants to talk about me doing some federal and international marketing for them. I told him about my continued independent status along with my intention to move to Austin. He remarked that they have an Austin office. I swear there is a greater hand here than just mine.

Now I’m seeking 2 more clients that will fill me to capacity (including the one above which is not a done deal). While I didn’t want to work as intensively and as many hours as in Up North, I need another client to put that money straight into an account for the house down payment account and another client as an emergency fund, backup in case someone else leaves. But I’m making my nut while working in stretch pants and slippers and the schedule isn’t too full where Youngest, Silly and I can’t spontaneously decide to go hiking. Beautiful!