Having it all: Flexibility and Stability

There’s a tension many of us know too well: client work never shows up in neat little packages. Some months it’s overflowing, the next it’s a slow drip. Clients often need flexible access — quick questions, sudden pivots, last-minute decisions. And while that kind of availability is part of the work, it doesn’t always line up with the consistency of being paid.

It’s a tricky balance: how do you stay open enough to meet your clients where they are, without burning yourself out chasing fluctuating rhythms? How do you protect your own time while still offering the responsiveness your clients count on?

I’ve been sitting with these questions myself, and they’ve shaped my latest offering:

Operational Guidance Subscription

This service is designed for those who need flexibility without a full retainer commitment. It creates a clear structure for clients to ask questions and get operational clarity when they need it most. I’ve also tapped into my network of seasoned professionals across industries and specialties, ready to connect when deeper insight is needed. Instead of the frustration of scattered calls or unclear boundaries, Operational Guidance offers a streamlined way to provide support, grounded in responsiveness but balanced by clear terms.

For leaders who need quick, actionable answers in the midst of shifting priorities, this offering becomes a bridge between flexibility and consistency — and now, also a gateway to broader expertise.

Manifesto

I am building systems for a world that doesn’t yet exist—but must. Every project I take on, every community I partner with, every piece of land I protect is a declaration: that equity is not optional, that healing is not peripheral, and that the future is ours to co-create—intentionally, with courage, and in alignment with justice.

I believe in land as legacy, not commodity

From Shasta County to Yucatán, I steward land not for extraction, but for restoration. I see property as sacred space—where people, especially those pushed to the margins, can rest, return, and reclaim. I do not build to conquer, but to root. I do not develop for profit alone, but for presence, participation, and protection. The land is not a backdrop to my work—it is the heartbeat of my purpose.

I believe in organizations that breathe

I design operational systems that are living, responsive, and relational. Whether through nonprofits, PBLLCs, or collectives, I build scaffolds that hold people, not confine them. My structures are intentional: where fiscal discipline meets radical inclusion, where accountability uplifts rather than oppresses, and where leadership flows horizontally when possible, and ethically when it must.

I believe in justice that repairs

Restorative justice is not a slogan—it is my compass. Whether resolving conflict, drafting agreements, or designing governance, I seek the path of dignity, dialogue, and repair. I reject systems that punish over systems that understand. I move slowly when needed, courageously when called, and always in service of transformation over transaction.

I believe in collective power

Nothing I do is done alone. I am part of a constellation of architects, builders, storytellers, cultural workers, and organizers. Together, we are weaving sanctuaries, ideation labs, glamping sites, healing centers, and land trusts into something larger: a new blueprint for belonging.

I believe in the unapologetic pursuit of alignment

I am not afraid to say no—to partners, to money, to systems—that compromise my values. My yes is sacred. My work is not fueled by urgency, but by clarity. I am building slowly, deliberately, and with reverence for the people and ecosystems I serve.

This is my manifesto
To disrupt without dispossessing.
To lead without hierarchy.
To rest as resistance.
To organize as if freedom depends on it—because it does.

I am not just creating projects.
I am cultivating the conditions for liberation.

My Clifton’s Top 5 Strengths

A person with the CliftonStrengths of Strategic, Command, Deliberative, Activator, and Intellection is exceptionally well-suited for the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Here's why:

🔹 Strategic

They have a natural ability to see patterns, anticipate obstacles, and quickly assess the best path forward. As a COO, this strength allows them to make smart, efficient decisions that align operations with long-term goals while staying agile in a changing environment.

🔹 Command

They are decisive and confident, unafraid to take charge in high-stakes situations. Their presence brings clarity and direction, which helps create alignment across departments and drives accountability throughout the organization.

🔹 Deliberative

This person is careful, thoughtful, and aware of risk. They don't rush into decisions, which balances out the urgency of day-to-day operations with a commitment to long-term sustainability and smart resource use. This makes them a steady hand in moments that require caution and foresight.

🔹 Activator

They don't just plan—they move. Once a decision is made, they drive action quickly, helping teams overcome inertia and maintain momentum. This is essential for a COO who must ensure that strategy is translated into effective execution.

🔹 Intellection

They’re a deep thinker who thrives on complexity. They reflect on processes, systems, and ideas, often bringing insight that sharpens operations and leads to meaningful improvements. This fuels a culture of continuous learning and refinement.

🌟 In Summary

This COO is a bold yet thoughtful leader—able to see the big picture, weigh risks, mobilize people quickly, and think critically about the systems they oversee. They lead with confidence, act with purpose, and continuously elevate the organization through insight and strategic clarity.

Ghosting

When Clients Disappear

In the world of independent consulting, there's a particular type of professional heartbreak that cuts deeper than most. It's the moment you realize you've been ghosted—not by a potential romantic partner, but by a client who has received your carefully crafted work and then vanished into thin air.

The Setup

It starts innocently enough. A promising lead reaches out with an exciting project. You have preliminary conversations, exchange emails, and begin to envision the potential collaboration. The client seems enthusiastic, and you invest time and energy into understanding their needs, researching their industry, and developing a comprehensive solution.

The Red Flags You Missed

Looking back, there were subtle warning signs. Maybe the communication was always a bit too casual. Perhaps they were hesitant about signing a formal contract, preferring verbal agreements and friendly email exchanges. You rationalized these moments, telling yourself that not every professional relationship needs to be bound by legal paperwork.

The Deliverable

You pour your expertise, creativity, and professional pride into the work product. Late nights, multiple revisions, ensuring every detail is polished to perfection. When you finally send over the completed project, you feel a sense of accomplishment. This is why you became a consultant—to solve problems, to create value.

The Silence

And then, nothing.

Emails go unanswered. Follow-up messages sit unread. The once-enthusiastic client has transformed into a digital ghost, leaving you with a mixture of confusion, frustration, and financial uncertainty.

The Emotional Toll

It's more than just an unpaid invoice. It's a betrayal of professional trust. You've essentially worked for free, investing hours of your time and intellectual capital into a project that now exists in a void. The emotional weight is real—self-doubt creeps in. Did you do something wrong? Was the work not up to par?

Lessons Learned

1. Contracts Are Not Optional

No matter how friendly or promising a client seems, always—and I mean always—have a signed contract. It's not about being aggressive; it's about protecting your livelihood.

2. Partial Payments Are Your Friend

Consider breaking larger projects into milestone payments. This ensures you're compensated for your work and provides natural checkpoints in the project.

3. Trust, But Verify

A good client-consultant relationship is built on mutual respect. If something feels off during initial conversations, trust your instincts.

4. Know Your Worth

Your time, expertise, and creative output have value. Don't let a ghosting experience diminish your professional confidence.

Moving Forward

To my fellow consultants who have experienced this professional purgatory: you are not alone. Each ghosting experience is a lesson, not a failure. Build stronger processes, learn from the experience, and continue to deliver exceptional work for clients who truly value your expertise.

The consulting world is vast, and for every client who disappears, there are ten more waiting to engage with a professional who brings genuine value to the table.

Stay resilient. Stay professional. And always, always get it in writing.