Are you tired of the corporate grind but terrified to leave the “Security” of a full-time salary? You aren’t alone. In this high-impact archive episode of Connected Leadership Bytes, Andy Lopata sits down with Matt Crabtree—the man who meets CEOs and shows them how to successfully jump ship.

Matt shares the raw, honest truth about his transition from a senior role at Barclays to building a multi-million-pound consultancy. Forget what you think you know about “entrepreneurial risk.” Matt argues that having 18 clients is actually safer than having one boss who can make you redundant on a whim.

We examine the “unemployable” mindset, why you don’t need a massive network to start, and the exact “If I did, would you?” conversation that validates your business idea before you even resign. If you’ve ever dreamed of being your own boss but felt held back by fear, this is the blueprint you need to move from full-time to fulfilled. Stop being a “minister without portfolio” and start building a Legacy on your own terms.

What You Will Learn From This Episode

1. The “If I Did, Would You?” Script: The specific conversation you must have with 20 people to determine if your idea is a goldmine or a “lunatic” move.

2. The “Non-Job” Catalyst: How a six-month stint as a “minister without portfolio” at a major bank became the ultimate laboratory for self-Employment.

3. The “Unemployable” Badge of Honor: Why making yourself impossible to hire by anyone else is actually the ultimate career liberation.

4. Scaffolding vs. Sabotage: Why internal corporate mentors often have an “axe to grind” and where to find the unvarnished truth instead.

   Actionable Insights

1. Conduct the “Sunday Paper” Test: Pay attention to which section of the news you read first. If you aren’t naturally obsessed with the business pages and organisational drama, consultancy isn’t for you. You must be a “geek for business” to thrive outside the corporate structure.

2. Inventory Your “Hardcore Seven”: You don’t need a gigantic network to start. Identify the seven “founder customers” or core contacts who would vouch for your reputation. Focus on the quality of these Relationships and the “ripple effect” of their referrals rather than trying to meet thousands of strangers.

3. Establish a Financial and Relational Runway: Don’t leap without a “war chest.” Ensure you have a financial cushion (6–12 months of expenses) to avoid the “smell of desperation.” Combine this with an 18-month pre-launch plan to ensure your first invoice is ready to be sent before your final day in the office.

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with Matt Crabtree: Website |LinkedIn |

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

Episode 142 Featuring Matt Crabtree

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Andy Lopata Author, Podcast Host and Speaker on Professional Relationships Strategy

Andy Lopata is a specialist speaker on professional relationships, mentoring, networking, and social media strategy. He is a firm believer that professional relationships underpin our success in business, our roles, and our careers. The right relationships with the right people can lead to new business opportunities, investment, collaborative working, innovation, and career progress. We just need to be comfortable approaching those relationships strategically, without making people feel ‘networked’ by us.

Andy has worked in the field of networking and professional relationships for 25 years, working with global giants such as Paypal, GSK, AstraZeneca, Wella, HSBC, Wembley Stadium, the BBC, and the Prime Minister’s Office of the UAE, among many others during that time. He has also worked with leading universities including NYU, Duke University, and Oxford University’s Said Business School.

A regular blogger for Psychology Today, Andy has been quoted in The Sunday Times, The Financial Times, and The Guardian, as well as many other national and regional newspapers and magazines worldwide. He has written or co-authored six books on networking and professional relationships, with his sixth book, "The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring," being published in Spring 2024. He is also the host of The Connected Leadership Podcast and has interviewed globally recognized names in business, academia, sports, and entertainment for the show.

Andy has been inducted into the PSAE Hall of Fame – the Professional Speaking Association Award of Excellence, which was held by only 21 other speakers at the time it was presented. He is a Fellow and a former President of the Fellows’ Community of the Professional Speaking Association (PSA), a Fellow of the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), and a Member of the Association of Business Mentors and the Meetings Industry Association.