CultivatED Marketer Ep. 43 — The Truth About Becoming an Independent Consultant with Ashley Dennison

In the 43rd episode of CultivatED Marketer … your go-to marketing professional development podcast, hosts Brent Bowen and Julie Masson, are joined by Ashley Dennison, Founder and CEO of CommsConsultants.com to discuss practical marketing career advice for professionals considering a transition into consulting, along with insights into building a sustainable independent business. Hear real-world insights from industry leaders about navigating the communications and marketing industry. With more than two decades of experience in communications, Ashley has built a platform that connects independent consultants with leaders seeking reliable communication support. CultivatED Marketer Ep. 43: The Truth About Becoming an Independent Consultant (From Someone Who Did It) with Ashley Dennison Ashley’s path to creating Comms Consultants began with a desire for both personal and professional freedom. After experiencing layoffs during her career, she chose to take back control by starting her own business. Her journey highlights a growing trend discussed throughout this podcast for marketing professionals: experienced communicators and marketers seeking new ways to shape their careers outside of traditional agency or corporate roles. Through her work, Ashley now helps connect organizations with experienced consultants who bring expertise in areas such as: internal communications crisis communications public affairs strategic communications leadership Her story offers powerful marketing career advice and inspiration for professionals considering a similar path. Challenges and Strategies in Independent Consulting Ashley highlights resilience as one of the most important skills for success in consulting. Like many entrepreneurs and independent professionals, consultants must learn how to navigate rejection and uncertainty. In this marketing leadership podcast episode, Ashley explains that building a financial cushion and maintaining persistence are critical for navigating the natural “feast and famine” cycles that often occur in consulting work. These insights are especially valuable for marketers thinking about long-term career growth and leadership opportunities outside traditional employment structures. Aspiring Independent Consultant: Taking the Leap For marketers considering independent consulting, Ashley recommends establishing clear timelines and financial benchmarks before making the transition. This strategy allows professionals to evaluate whether consulting is sustainable without immediately returning to traditional employment. Julie also shares her personal experience transitioning into consulting and how setting clear expectations helped her successfully navigate the change. For listeners of this marketing career advice podcast, the discussion provides practical steps for testing consulting while maintaining financial stability. Building a Personal Brand Ashley emphasizes that a strong personal brand is essential for consultants looking to attract opportunities and build credibility. Authentic communication, thought leadership, and consistent engagement – especially on LinkedIn – can significantly expand a consultant’s visibility and influence. See Lynn Zimmerman’s authentic viral LinkedIn post here. Her own experience growing a substantial LinkedIn audience demonstrates how professionals can use digital platforms to establish authority and attract clients. For seasoned or new marketers alike, this marketing professional development podcastprovides practical guidance on how personal branding can open new career opportunities. The Future of Consulting and the Gig Economy Ashley also shares her perspective on the future of communications consulting, and consulting at large, noting the growing reliance on contract talent and the expansion of the gig economy. Many organizations are shifting away from traditional agency models and instead seeking specialized expertise from independent consultants. As AI continues to reshape the communications and marketing industry, adaptable professionals who build strong networks and niche expertise will be increasingly valuable. This conversation reinforces why shows like CultivatED Marketer — a podcast for marketing professionals focused on leadership and career growth — are helping marketers prepare for the evolving future of the industry. Ashley Dennison’s Independent Communications Consulting Journey Ashley Dennison’s journey offers valuable lessons for anyone exploring independent consulting or considering new directions in their marketing career. Her perspective on resilience, personal branding, and industry trends provides practical guidance for professionals navigating an increasingly flexible and dynamic workforce. Sharing her story, and others like it, are why CultivatED Marketer strives to continue growing as a marketing career podcast and marketing leadership podcast — to help marketers learn directly from experienced industry professionals. For more resources and insights from Ashley, follow her on: LinkedIn Her Substack newsletter Solopreneur 101 Comms Consultants   01:22 Meet Ashley Dennison 03:52 From Journalism to Comms 05:58 Going Solo After Layoffs 07:21 Why Build Comms Consultants 14:42 Resilience for Consistent Work 19:32 Taking the Leap Safely 24:01 Commit Full Time 28:11 Future Of Gig Work 31:54 AI And Talent Shifts 34:39 Personal Brand Matters