Atlanta , Georgia ( CNN ) -- Jennifer Thomas was looking at life with renewed energy : She had just survived a serious operation , and she was at a crossroads in her career . After 20 years as a producer in the stressful business of TV news , the challenge was n't there for her anymore . For eight weeks , as she recovered from the removal of a large noncancerous tumor from her uterus , Thomas thought about her next steps . `` I told myself I was going to work to do the things that I enjoy , things that are related to the news , '' she said . Thomas had recently conducted news production workshops for kids , so she already knew that she `` loved people and talking to people about the news . That made me start thinking that if I could do it all the time and get paid for it , I 'd really enjoy it . '' Within a year , Thomas had left her job at CNN 's HLN network to start a Georgia-based media consulting business with clients such as singer/actress Jennifer Holliday , former Bell Biv DeVoe singer Ron DeVoe , actor Boris Kodjoe , actress Nicole Ari Parker and former supermodel Beverly Johnson . During her journey , Thomas learned that working for yourself often requires scary first steps , generous friends and mentors , and maintaining a healthy work-life balance . She 's the first to say that her story is not typical in any way , as she seemed to meet good luck at every turn . After her surgery , Thomas , who also had worked at CNN and NBC , began saving money and planning her business . As if on cue , HLN offered her a buyout to leave the company as part of a downsizing . `` It was my light bulb ' a-ha ' moment , '' Thomas said . `` I was excited because in the back of my mind , it was what I had been praying for . '' An opportunity to write a blog for a popular local women 's magazine got her some local attention . A journalist friend e-mailed Thomas , saying that he had connected with Johnson and suggesting that they meet . `` She called out of the blue , '' Thomas said. `` 'Hi , Jennifer ! It 's Beverly -- the model ! ' I was shocked . '' Johnson needed no introduction . Thomas was very familiar with the first African-American model to win a cover on American Vogue magazine . In that year , 1974 , Thomas said Johnson 's beauty and status spoke volumes to her as a role model . `` When she called , I was like , 'shut up ! ' We were all like , 'no way ! ' I did n't think anything would come from it , but eventually , she said she would love to be my client . '' Thomas made short work of helping Johnson successfully pitch her women 's health campaign to CNN , NBC and ABC . `` It was huge for me , '' Thomas said . `` It showed me that the skills I may have taken for granted were very valuable to others . Here I was doing what just came natural to me -- working with the media -- and I 'm helping an iconic figure . It gave me such a feeling of gratification , and it gave me so much more confidence . '' But snagging Johnson as her first client was n't easy . She had to start with smaller steps -- and the first step was a doozy : dealing with the fear . `` For me , it was fear of failure , '' she said . `` Anyone who has worked with me knows I am driven to succeed , and failure is not an option . '' `` But I 'm a woman of faith , '' said Thomas , a preacher 's daughter with strong ties to her church . `` Friends told me that 'faith will give you the wings to fly when you jump off that cliff . ' `` One way new consultants can boost their confidence is by compiling a list of experience and skills they 've gained during the past five years -- including successful projects , implementations and innovations . Experts recommend referring to that list whenever confidence dips . Thomas said she chose an area of consulting that was based on what she enjoys . `` Ask yourself , 'What would I do if I had to work for free ? ' `` she says . Another tip : Find a mentor . `` Identify someone who 's successful and ask for practical advice , '' she says . `` I found my mentor at my church . '' Set aside time and money for a vacation , and guard it like gold , Thomas advises . Also , she says , determine how much income you need to stay afloat each month , and focus on that target like a laser . To be safe , experts advise aspiring consultants to start small , as a side business , while continuing to work elsewhere full time . But during a recession , keeping a full-time job and easing into consulting work is n't always possible . Unemployment has prompted many experienced professionals to launch consultant operations simply to survive . `` With the way the market has gone recently , there 's no shortage of people who are now saying that they 're consultants -- and many of them are not qualified to be consultants , '' said Les Rubenovitch , president of Toronto-based Winning Edge Consultants Inc. `` Working for a company as an employee is very different from working for a company as a consultant . The credibility factor is critical if someone is going to engage you . '' Those looking to quickly build credibility or credentials to accompany work experience may consider offering to do speaking engagements at a local college or university . Thomas showed her initiative by teaching herself to organize and lead an online seminar -- a Webinar -- aimed at showing doctors how to better communicate on TV . Financial planning is key to the success of a new consultant operation , according to experts . Thomas set aside savings to live on during the initial phase of her business . It took well into her first year for her business income to fully support her , Thomas says . That 's better than most new consultant businesses , experts say . It 's not unusual for new consultant businesses to take three years to make a profit . Thomas says she 's still not making as much money as she did in TV news , but she expects to reach that mark this year . She works about the same number of hours now as she did as a journalist -- about 40 per week , if not more . `` The big difference is , the hours are n't straight through -- they vary . '' That 's not to say that Thomas has n't made mistakes . `` Do n't assume that things will come right away , '' she advises . `` Realize that the opportunities that come to you may not be in the form of money -- but they 're still valuable . '' Also worth keeping in mind : Do n't overwork yourself . `` I 'm still learning this , '' Thomas said . `` I jumped in with both feet in the fire . Do n't burn yourself out . '' If she were launching her business all over again , she says , she would build more `` me '' time into her schedule . `` I may take a day at the beginning of the week where I do n't take clients and do paperwork -- or I just get a massage . '' What 's the best thing about being your own boss ? Thomas laughs sheepishly . `` I can sleep in if I want to -- and schedule an appointment for lunch instead of early morning . ''
Journalist leaves TV to launch consulting business . Clients include Beverly Johnson , Boris Kodjoe , Nicole Ari Parker , Ron DeVoe , Jennifer Holliday . Her tips : Love your work , save money , find mentors , set goals , take breaks . Expert : Unemployment has increased number of less-than-qualified consultants .