There’s a moment in every career where you start to wonder if you’re capable of more. Maybe it’s when you’re stuck in a job that feels too comfortable or when the voice inside starts telling you that there’s something bigger waiting for you. I’ve been there myself, and when I had Shane Silsby on my Never Been Promoted podcast, it was clear he had that same realization. After 20 years in government work, Shane made the jump to entrepreneurship, and it wasn’t smooth or easy. But his story? It’s packed with lessons.
Let’s dive into two big takeaways from our conversation, with some personal insights that anyone looking to make a similar shift can learn from.
The First Leap is Always the Hardest
Shane’s journey started in government—a long career spanning decades in Michigan, Arizona, and Southern California. Comfortable? Yes. Easy? Sure. But after a while, that feeling of stagnation creeps in. Shane realized that while he was doing meaningful work, he was only helping the agency he was working for, and there was a pull inside him to make a bigger impact. The desire to help more people, to take on more challenging roles, is what led him to jump into entrepreneurship.
But that leap wasn’t easy. “When you’re in government, there’s a lot of admin work—budgets, working with constituents, and all that stuff,” Shane said. “It’s part of the process, but it eats up your time. You lose the chance to do more creative, strategic work.”
Like most entrepreneurs, Shane wasn’t fully prepared for the jump. “The hardest part is stepping into the unknown. One day you’re working on big government projects, and the next, it’s just you staring at your screen for 12 hours straight, trying to figure out how to land that first client,” Shane admitted. And honestly? I get that. We’ve all had that feeling like you’re stepping off a cliff and just hoping the parachute opens.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- The first step is scary, but it’s necessary: There’s no amount of planning that can fully prepare you for making the leap. You have to just do it.
- Uncertainty is part of the deal: “Entrepreneurs have to be comfortable with ambiguity,” Shane shared. If you’re waiting for everything to line up perfectly, you’ll never take the leap.
- Focus on service, not sales: “It’s not about chasing money, it’s about doing good work and helping people. The money follows.”
Securing That First Client: Relationships Matter
Getting that first client is the moment when things start feeling real. Shane’s advice here was solid—your first client might already be in your network. For Shane, it wasn’t about cold pitching new companies or burning through his savings. He leveraged relationships he’d built in his previous job.
“When I left my job, I was already working on some big projects, including an Olympics initiative. Because I was the point person, my former company allowed me to stay on as a sub-consultant,” he said. This wasn’t some magical, “I sent 100 emails and landed a huge client” story. It was about nurturing relationships and letting that be the bridge to his new venture.
What I Learned from His Experience:
- Your network is your biggest asset: Shane’s first client came from a previous job. Don’t overlook the power of the relationships you’ve already built.
- Start with what you know: Instead of branching out into unfamiliar territory, Shane stayed in his niche—public sector consulting—where he had years of experience.
- Be patient: “Things take longer than you expect,” he warned. Landing a contract might feel like it’s taking forever, but patience pays off.
Reflections from the Interview
There’s no sugarcoating it: the transition to being a solopreneur is hard. You trade the comfort of a regular paycheck for the uncertainty of being your own boss, and that’s not for everyone. But Shane’s journey reminded me of something crucial—if you’re driven by something bigger than just making money, it’s worth it.
“Money moves up in priority for some companies, but for me, it’s always been about service first.” He was crystal clear: the work he does is driven by purpose, not profit. He’s focused on helping governments improve communities through infrastructure and services.
And while he’s only two years in, Shane’s learned some tough lessons. He’s had to adapt quickly, make smart partnerships, and figure out how to balance service with running a profitable business.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Prepare for long hours and uncertainty: Shane’s shift from government to solopreneurship wasn’t glamorous. There were long days, lots of self-doubt, and a steep learning curve.
- Don’t rush into hiring: Shane’s decision to partner with other companies instead of hiring full-time employees helped him avoid unnecessary overhead costs.
- Stay focused on service: The reason Shane is successful? He’s committed to helping people first. He believes that when you focus on service, the money will eventually come.
- Lean on your strengths: Shane’s expertise in public sector consulting became his niche, and he stuck to it. He didn’t try to be everything to everyone.
- Build strategic partnerships: When bigger projects came in, Shane didn’t try to handle everything alone. Instead, he partnered with companies that could provide the technical resources while he focused on strategy.
Final Thoughts
Shane’s story is one that so many of us can relate to—feeling stuck, knowing you’re capable of more, but not knowing how to make the jump. His journey into solopreneurship wasn’t driven by a desire to be rich or famous; it was about making a bigger impact and doing work that mattered. And isn’t that what most of us are chasing?
If you’re thinking about making the leap or you’re already in the thick of it, Shane’s advice rings true: focus on helping people, build strong relationships, and be patient. It’s not easy, but if you’re committed to doing good work, you’ll find your path.
To hear more about Shane’s journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way, check out his full episode on Never Been Promoted: Can You Successfully Transition from Public to Private Sector? | Shane Silsby
CONNECT WITH SHANE SILSBY:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-silsby/
Website: https://silsby-sa.com/