Episode 841 • June 1, 2026 • 27 min
Creating Your Own Breakthrough — Glenn Athey
Add it to your player
Show notes
Glenn is a professional economist and management consultant who specialises in local and regional economic development. After leaving a senior public sector role in 2013, Glenn has worked as a freelance consultant with local, regional, and national government in the UK, and over the past two years has ramped up his online presence, developing online business ideas — aiming to commercialise his knowledge in new ways whilst maintaining the social purpose of improving economic prosperity for localities and communities. Glenn is a member of Smart Passive Income.
In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to build a distinctive consulting brand and create your own breakthrough as an independent expert.
Glenn and I discuss:
- What prompted Glenn to become independent [02:36]
- How Glenn differentiated himself in a competitive consultancy market [06:37]
- How Glenn developed his brand as a visible expert [08:46]
- The tension between financial realities and staying focused [14:49]
- How Glenn uses his peer network to make strategic decisions [18:07]
- How Glenn's definition of success has evolved [20:11]
- The role of community and thinking partners in business growth [23:06]
Learn more about Glenn at https://www.economicdevelopment.world
______________________________________________________________
About Smashing the Plateau
Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses.
Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you.
We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success.
______________________________________________________________
Take the Next Step
• Experience the power of peer perspective.
Join a live guest session and connect with experienced professionals navigating similar challenges:
https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest
• Stay connected to the conversation.
Get new episodes, reflections, and invitations delivered to your inbox: