We recently connected with Holly Knoll and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Holly, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I consider myself one of the lucky ones. In a way, the decision was made for me as I was let go of my corporate job. I was left with 2 choices: either go back and get another “job” or finally start the business I’d been dreaming of since college. I had built 16 years of best-in-class skills at some of the top companies in the world and I wanted to start something where I could get up and running quickly and start making money right away. So I took inventory of the skills and strengths I had – what did I do exceedingly well? And I matched those skills and strengths with pain points I knew technology executives had and boom. My business was born. Well, not really. There were a few more steps along the way, I talked to people who were doing independent consulting in the tech industry – they were generous enough to let me ask them every question under the sun, from – how do you find your clients? What do you charge? How do you do your taxes? And from there, I started to get into the mindset of what it would be like to be a business owner. I could feel myself embodying what it would feel like. I made a list of characteristics and traits of the types of people I like to work with (and those I don’t), the types of projects I would love to take on (and those I wouldn’t), the rate I would charge, and I did a lot of journaling about WHY I was starting a business in the first place. Because I knew when times go tough – I’d need to fall back on my “why” to keep me going. I also invested in hiring a business coach who could fast-track my learning curve and who I could learn from and receive the encouragement I needed when I got stuck. All of these things are steps I took to start my own technology consulting business 8 years ago.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am the founder of The Consultant Code, which includes business coaching to help mid-career women start businesses in 60 days or less and I also consult with technology executives and their teams on how to deliver large-scale software implementation and grow their project management teams. I am host of The Everyday Entrepreneur Podcast, where I interview incredible women founders about their stories to inspire even MORE women to start their businesses! Finally, I am the creator of The Vine, a Minneapolis-based, in-person monthly networking group for women.

– The Consultant Code (technology consulting) see previous question.

– The Consultant Code coaching program – I started this program because I want to help as many women as I can start businesses of their own and break free from the constraints of working for someone else. I was that woman once, and wish there had been someone with this type of program that teaches the core fundamentals of starting a business. I would have signed up in a nanosecond! Oh the mistakes I would have saved myself from. What sets this program apart from others, is that I have lived and breathed my business for over 8 years and have made so many mistakes, I incorporate these learnings into the course. When my students follow the Code step-by-step, they DO (and will) have a business. It’s also a program that’s small enough that they get their personal questions answered by me rather than being in a program of 100+ people, getting lost in a sea of many, where they only hope they’re doing things right. I am most proud of my students who have stayed committed to building their businesses and seeing them in action!

– The Everyday Entrepreneur Podcast – I created this podcast after hearing yet another boring founder story where everything seemed to just magically fall into place. We all know that isn’t true. I wanted real people, women specifically, to join me for a genuine conversation about what it REALLY takes to start a business (not just fluff). I am incredibly proud of women I’ve interviewed and their diverse backgrounds, both personally and professionally and what the audience (myself included) has learned from their incredible journeys. It’s incredibly humbling when listeners reach out and say the podcast inspired them to take action to start their own business.

– The Vine – I think many of us haven’t totally come out of pandemic ways when it comes to going to in-person events again. Especially those of us who work from home. I created The Vine as a way for women to gather monthly, in person, in a beautiful and creative space. So much of networking has become so outdated – think hotel ballrooms with round tables and white tablecloths with a pitcher of water stuck in the middle, listening to another boring presentation. It’s networking events like those that leave me drained and never wanting to return. My intention with The Vine is that women walk away energized, having learned something new and FUN, and have made at least 2 new friends. It’s been a blast collaborating with small business owners in Minneapolis on these events and I can’t wait to see the continued growth of this group continue! All are welcome, shoot me an email [email protected] to be added to the email list.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Yes. Be authentic and be YOU. Show your face, get on camera and teach. And by all means ENGAGE with your audience. If someone leaves you a comment, thoughtfully respond (no emojis, hearting something, etc.). THIS is how you set yourself apart from people with large followings who don’t have time to respond to all DMs, comments. THIS is how you build genuine connections with real people, and if you do that – they’ll tell their friends, and you’ll become known for your personal connections. Make sure you know who your ideal customer is and what their pain point(s) is/are. Make your content 90% about THEM and how you help solve their pain/get them out of their pain as fast as possible and it’s okay to make 10% about you / your personal life so they can build a relationship with you and see part of themselves in you.

Bottom line, be authentic and you and make your content all about them. If you fail to do any of these things, you will have a very hard time building an audience, and ultimately a business.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

For most of 2020, I did not have a tech consulting gig which was my primary source of income at the time. It was during this time that I had to build an unshakeable mindset and figure out ways to double down on other aspects of my business and not throw my hands up in the air and give up. It was then that I started my podcast, enhanced The Consultant Code coaching program and had my most successful launches that year. I also leaned into learning how to survive what I thought would be the worst thing that could happen and come out on the other side even stronger. 4 years later, this resilience has helped me weather times in between consulting jobs and I know believe in myself more than I ever have after going through that challenging year. I now know I am equipped to handle whatever comes my way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hollyknoll.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyknoll/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyknoll/

Image Credits
Profeshie Celisia Stanton