Consulting in the Gig Economy: Redefining Work on My Own Terms
A little over a year ago, I was sitting in a corporate office, a VP of Sales juggling endless meetings, KPIs, and a vague sense that I wasn’t really living. Fast-forward to now: I’ve landed two contract sales gigs, and recently took on a third project-based role that’s just a few flexible hours a week. I work from wherever I want, set my own priorities, and while some days are still chaotic, one thing is clear—I’m not going back.
This is my new reality—and it's part of a growing trend: gig economy consulting.
The Gig Economy: Not Just Delivery Driving or Getting Paid by the Word
When most people hear “gig economy,” they think of food delivery, rideshare driving, or freelance writing—cranking out articles for a few cents a word. But there’s a whole other side to it.
The gig economy also includes independent consultants—professionals with deep experience who now work project to project, client to client, on their own terms. Think strategic sales, marketing advisory, operational planning, brand consulting. High-level work without the corporate ladder, the burnout, or the long-term contracts.
As Nation1099 explains, the modern independent workforce is fluid. Freelancers, consultants, solopreneurs—we may use different titles, but what connects us is control. Control over our time, our income, and our energy.
Consulting vs. Freelancing vs. Entrepreneurship
Here’s how I break it down:
Freelancers: Deliver tangible work—designs, copy, websites.
Consultants: Offer strategic thinking—plans, audits, frameworks, insights.
Solopreneurs: Run a service-based business with no plans to scale.
Entrepreneurs: Build something bigger than themselves (or try to).
Personally, I land somewhere between consultant and solopreneur. I support client growth through sales strategy and execution, but I also build my own systems and client base. I’m not trying to scale an agency—I’m trying to scale my freedom.
What Gig Economy Consulting Looks Like
This is what my new professional life actually involves:
Project-Based & Strategic Work: No busywork. I’m brought in to solve a problem or deliver a result.
A Mix of Clients: Right now, I support our family business, serve as a fractional sales lead for one client, and take on a small project-based sales role for another.
Flexible Schedule: I work early mornings, carve out midday breaks, and get things done on my terms.
Autonomy: There’s no boss watching the clock. There’s just trust, deliverables, and results.
It’s not about working less—it’s about working differently.
How to Break Into It (Without Drowning)
If you’re thinking about pivoting into consulting or project work, here’s what I’ve learned—some of it the hard way:
Audit your experience: What have you built, led, or fixed in the past? That’s your consulting value.
Start small: My first gig was with our family business. Then I added one more. Recently, I said yes to a third part-time gig. It sounded light on paper—just a few hours a week—but let me tell you, even small commitments add up.
Don’t overextend: I hesitated before taking that third project—and for good reason. There are weeks when deadlines from all three clients pile up and I have to hustle to stay on top of it. Start small, get your rhythm down, and build up slowly.
Create systems early: Time blocks, client folders, templates, boundaries—get your backend organized so you can focus on the actual work.
Protect your time: If you don’t draw the line, no one will. Clients will happily fill your calendar if you let them.
The Highs and Lows
What I Love:
Freedom. Real, calendar-level freedom.
Variety. No two projects are the same.
Autonomy. No one micromanages me.
Higher per-hour earnings.
What’s Harder:
No benefits or safety net.
Balancing multiple deadlines and priorities.
Constantly pitching, positioning, and selling yourself.
Why This Works—Especially in Midlife
There’s something incredibly liberating about using everything you’ve built—your skills, your intuition, your experience—and finally putting it to work for yourself. You’re not starting over. You’re just redirecting your power.
The corporate world loves to talk about “value,” but it rarely respects it. Consulting in the gig economy lets you reclaim your time, your energy, and your worth. You’re not building someone else’s empire anymore. You’re building a life that works for you.
And if you're wondering if it’s too late to pivot into something new? It’s not. You just have to be willing to let go of the structure you once relied on and trust yourself to build something better.
Thinking of making the leap into consulting or project work? Already navigating this space yourself? I’d love to hear what you’re learning. Hit reply, leave a comment, or share your own story.
We’re writing new rules here—and there’s room for all of us.
