I have heard from a few of my friends that it seems like I created a business plan out of thin air, and that I started my business in less than a month. Well I guess the latter statement is true, but there was a lot of thought and schooling that went into the development of Alpha Ethics Research and Consulting. This blog post is to just give some insight to how everything started with Alpha Ethics and how I went from having multiple part time jobs to having a mountain of signed contracts.

I completed my Master of Science at Saint Mary’s University in August of 2015, and I started a journey to the Netherlands to pursue my PhD. I had spent a lot of time thinking about what my future career directions were going to be and how I was going to achieve my goals. I wanted to do research, and I wanted to make a difference. I had once dreamed that I would have my own consulting firm where people would hire me on a larger scale to help conduct research, and at that point in time I felt that I needed to have the title of PhD at end of my name to do so.

Because life isn’t so straight forward, my PhD didn’t work out for me. There were personal dilemmas, lack of motivation stemming from if I had taken the right path to achieve my goals. This is where the crisis happened! My entire outlook and what I perceived as “who KC is” was no longer in existence. I felt like I was starting new and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next.

So, August 2016 I had taken myself out of the research world and got myself an industry job working for a non-profit organization. After about 9 months I slowly started getting back into research. I went back to the Social Attitudes Lab, and helped rebuild what I had left behind, but I also started casually working with a local self-owned consulting firm. I got to experience what it was like to consult outside of the university. I was consulting with the lab for several years before, but this was different.

After about a year and a half of working in industry, I had an itch to get back into research full time. I started working part time positions all over the city. One of my employers had gotten the word out that I had some skill set that others didn’t, and I was starting to go through their department aiding other researchers. It was at this moment that a light bulb went off and I realized that I HAD SKILLS THAT THE AVERAGE RESEARCH ASSISTANT DIDN’T! I suppose 9 years working in a research environment with top researchers in social attitudes and behavior might do that...

So! This kind of set a fire under me. Clearly there was a need for my skill set but I was now thinking about how I was going to convince other people that it would be easier to hire me as a consultant to do research then to hire a part time research assistant. Due to the nature of my lab manager position, I was exposed to high level statistics, international conferences, and a ridiculous amount of academic writing. I also was able to learn a lot of different methods to collect data and design those methods. So, I realized that it was my skills that were the driver for me to become an independent consultant. I didn’t need product, or startup money, I just needed me.

So, I guess you’re curious to how I landed the current contracts that I am juggling at this time. After I registered my business name (thank you to everyone who helped me narrow down the name) and started my branding (thank you to Jen Wheatley and Tonderai Musarurwa), I was able to put myself out there for everyone to see. Here are some ways I have obtained meaningful contracts:

1. Reach out to past collaborations and networks

I had some positive karma help me out here. While I was working with the industry consulting company, I was introduced to marketing professionals and researchers, and it was at this point that they needed a researcher to help them get a project off the ground. Since being involved with this group, I have been able to obtain 3 rolling projects that end when we run out of research ideas. I had built an impression with this group of colleagues that I was efficient and eager to learn in a different environment. I also believe I had a colleague put in a good word for me and it really paid off. So networking, and previous colleagues are key for you to get out there and become known in this industry.

2. Staying involved in Research

I am still working with the Social Attitudes Lab at Saint Mary’s University, and through this lab, I have opportunities to meet people and explain what I do. Typically, with the lab I can collaborate and use my skills to help other departments. This is one of the main ways that I have continued contracts as it is in the university environment and I am working with other researchers in the field.

3. Job Search websites

I check job websites every morning. Its part of my daily routine. This way I can stay aware of which businesses and organizations need research services. Depending on what is needed for the posting, I will directly email the organization or company and explain what I do with Alpha Ethics. This method has been extremely valuable for my success so far. I have met with many people and have signed many contracts just by reaching out directly instead of just sending a resume. It is this method that is keeping me on my toes and keeping the business relevant.

Now that I have been actively working with clients and completing contracts, word of mouth has been my friend. Recommendations from others have really pushed me further and allowed me to meet different people in different environments.Consulting independently has been the most rewarding and validating experience I have done in my career. I look forward to growing and continuing to help wherever my clients may need me.