How to Make $4K With One Consulting Client (Without Burnout)
A couple weeks ago, I gave both my girls a "no-judgment" day to clean and reset their rooms with me as their personal assistant. No nagging. No eye rolls. Just help.
We ended up with twelve donation bags. Twelve. Books, toys, shoes...some still had tags like they'd been waiting for a better life.
I would've missed this day a few years ago.
Back then, I was booked and busy, stressed and scheduled, just trying to keep up. "Quality time" had to be squeezed into my calendar like a task. And if anything unexpected popped up? Something had to be cut…and too often, it was them.
Now? I've built a life where I don't have to choose between being a present mom and bringing in income.
This season is about freedom with intention. Not hustle. Not chaos. Strategy.
The Week I Made $4,000 From My Laptop
That same week, while running errands and helping my girls sort their closets, I brought in $4,000 from one consulting client.
Here's how:
I offered a strategy consultation in my sweet spot: real estate development and growth planning.
This wasn't a new service. I'd spent 20 years in local government working with developers on high-stakes projects. I knew how to solve these problems with my eyes closed.
But here's what changed: I packaged my expertise clearly and priced it as a standalone offer.
Not a 6-month retainer. Not a massive proposal.
Just a focused consultation.
Here's what I did:
Identified one specific problem I could solve fast
Priced it as a clear, standalone offer ($4,000)
Sent a simple message to a contact I'd helped before
The message was straightforward:
"Here's the problem I can help you solve. Here's what's included. Here's the investment. Are you interested?"
No pitch deck. No back-and-forth. No "let me send you a proposal."
Just clarity, confidence, and a clear offer based on what I already knew how to do.
And just like that, I had a $4K client.
No ads. No website. No "launch."
Just 20 years of experience packaged into one clear offer.
Most Women I Work With Are Sitting on Gold
But they can't see it.
They're buried under podcasts, blog posts, saved IG Reels… trying to figure out the "right" business idea while juggling a million responsibilities.
Let me say this gently:
Confusion is costing you time, energy, and money.
You don't need another idea. You need clarity on the skill you already have that people will pay for.
Not for someday. For your real life right now.
What You Already Know Is Worth Money
Here's what most working women don't realize:
The thing you do at your 9-5 that feels "normal" to you? That's your consulting offer.
You don't need to:
Build a massive audience
Create a course
Become a social media influencer
Quit your job before you start
You just need to:
Identify your most valuable skill (the one companies pay you for right now)
Package it as a clear offer (one outcome, one price)
Reach out to one person who needs it
That's it.
My $4K client didn't come from a funnel or an ad.
It came from recognizing what I was already good at and making a clear offer.
The Simple Tools That Help Me Run My Business
I keep my business lean. Here's what I actually use:
Kit - For my email list and automations. I switched from other platforms because it's built for creators who want to make money, not just send newsletters.
Calendly - Scheduling tool that saved me hours of back-and-forth emails. My clients book directly, and I get paid faster. Get Calendly free or upgrade to Pro.
Canva Pro - Everything from lead magnets to social posts to client proposals. The free version is solid, but Pro is worth it.
HoneyBook - Client management, contracts, invoicing…all in one place. Made onboarding my $4K client ridiculously smooth. Get 25% off your first year.
Business Books I swear by - Million Dollar Consulting by Alan Weiss and $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi taught me how to price and package my expertise.
These aren't sponsored. They're just what works when you're building a business while working full-time.
Your Next Move
If you're a working woman with corporate experience and you're wondering "What could I monetize?" … start here:
Get the free Skills-to-Money Audit →
It takes 20 minutes and helps you identify:
✓ The corporate skill you already have that people will pay for
✓ Who needs it right now
✓ Your first small move to get paid
Because the move doesn't have to be dramatic.
It just has to be strategic.
Final Word (and Jax’s Two Cents 🐾)
Yes, my goldendoodle Jax watched the entire $4K week unfold from the couch like a smug little supervisor. He now thinks he deserves a raise in belly rubs and treats.
But real talk?
That week reminded me why I left my high-stress government job in the first place.
Not just for the money.
For moments like these - helping my girls, showing them what building a life on your terms looks like.
This is what legacy in motion looks like.
It starts with one decision: Start building the life you say you want.
Join the free Legacy Moves Community → and take your first Daily Legacy Move today.
— Nicole Travis
Founder, Legacy Moves
Helping Women Turn Corporate Skills Into Income (Without Quitting Their 9-5)