In this episode of The Consultant’s Way Podcast, Stephen Shorey shares what it actually looks like to step out of a successful consulting career and build something of your own...before you feel completely ready. 

Stephen walks through the decision to leave a stable role and start his own firm, Immersive Tech, not just to go independent, but to build an organization grounded in his own values, approach, and experiences. It’s a candid look at the early stage of that journey; where the vision is clear, but the path is anything but. 

The conversation goes beyond the typical “why I started a business” story. Stephen gets into the realities that don’t get talked about enough: the internal doubts, the pressure of making early decisions without perfect information, and the challenge of shifting from delivering work to building a business around it. He shares how he approached everything from structuring his services to thinking through pricing, while managing the uncertainty that comes with starting from scratch. 

There’s also a practical side to this discussion. Stephen talks through how his background in project management shaped the way he built his company, from creating a business case to breaking the work into structured plans and timelines. It’s a reminder that the same skills used to deliver complex programs can be applied to building something entirely new. 

Whether you’re considering starting your own firm, already in the early stages, or simply curious about what that transition really looks like, this episode offers an honest perspective on the challenges, trade-offs, and mindset required to take that leap.