My next chapter...
and maybe yours too
September 9, 2025
Five years ago, I made a big leap. After decades in senior nonprofit and education leadership roles, I left behind the security (and structure) of a 9–5 career to build my own consulting practice.
I’ll be honest: it was equal parts exciting and terrifying.
I had deep expertise, a strong network, and plenty of ideas. But no one had ever taught me how to turn all of that into a consulting business. How to decide what to offer. How to set prices. How to find clients. How to build visibility as a trusted advisor instead of an employee.
So I stumbled my way through, learning by trial and error, leaning on mentors, and figuring out how to combine purpose with profitability.
Fast forward to today: I’ve had the privilege of working with global nonprofits, foundations, mission-driven companies, and institutions as a consultant. I’ve built a practice that’s aligned with my values, flexible enough to fit my life, and has impact in ways that feel deeply meaningful.
But here’s the thing: I know I’m not alone in wanting this. More and more scholars, nonprofit leaders, government employees, and mission-driven professionals are wondering, “What’s next for me? Can I create something of my own?” especially during a time when traditional career paths and the world of work have been so disrupted.
When I think about the number one thing that colleagues have “picked my brain” on over the past few years, it is this: my experience with branching out on my own.
That’s why I created my new course:
👉 From Purpose to Practice: Build a Mission-Driven Consulting Business Rooted in Your Expertise
This course is my way of demystifying this path and about enabling purpose-driven people to develop the mindset and acquire the tools to build consulting practices rooted in their expertise, their story, and their values.
It’s the program I wish I’d had when I started.
An 8-week, live online course designed to take you from “Where do I even start?” to “I’m ready to launch my consulting practice with clarity and confidence.”
What we’ll cover together:
Shifting from employee to entrepreneur mindset
Defining your consulting niche and offerings
Pricing and packaging your services
Finding and attracting aligned clients
Building visibility and credibility in your field
Laying the foundations for a sustainable, values-driven business
When I first struck out on my own, I realized very quickly that I needed to spend a lot of time adjusting my mindset and embracing the psychological and social shifts that this type of transition requires. So my vision for this course is not only to address the knowledge, skills, and nuts-and-bolts of a successful consulting practice, but–equally importantly–provide a community and space to tackle critical issues such as identity shift, vulnerability, freedom, and motivation.
This first cohort will be small and personalized so that it feels more like a community than a classroom. That’s why enrollment will be limited.
By joining the waitlist, you’ll:
Be the first to know when doors open
Access early-bird pricing
Have a chance at special founding cohort bonuses (including a 1:1 session with me for the first 10 people)
If you’ve ever thought about going independent or building a consulting practice of your own, I’d love for you to join me and to also share this with anyone else who might be considering a pivot.
👉 Join the Waitlist Here (and receive a special sign-up bonus of a curated list of my top reads and listens for making a career pivot)
This course is really the culmination of my own journey from employee to consultant, from uncertainty to clarity. If you’re standing at that same crossroads, I’d be honored to guide you through it.
Warmly,
Rajika
P.S. Joining the waitlist is free and doesn’t lock you in, but it does give you first dibs when enrollment opens.
Internship opportunity: Program and Content Intern
Rajika Bhandari Advisors has an opportunity open for a proactive, passionate, and globally-minded intern. The internship provides an excellent opportunity to gain advanced knowledge and hands-on experience in the field of international education, policy development, and educational partnerships with a focus on the higher education sectors of the U.S. and other countries, specifically South Asia.
Apply here.