From Oil & Gas to Independent Consulting: Lessons from Maartje van Krieken's Career Pivot
Apr 17, 2025
After spending a decade in the oil and gas industry, Maartje van Krieken made a bold career pivot in 2024 to launch her own consulting business, The Chaos Games Consulting. In our recent podcast interview, she shared invaluable insights about transitioning from corporate life to independent consulting that will resonate with anyone considering a similar path.
The Tipping Point
Maartje's decision to leave her corporate role wasn't sudden but culminated when she realized her influence had limitations. Despite being in a leadership position and raising concerns about safety performance, she felt her input wasn't creating the necessary changes. The breaking point came when her husband experienced a gas explosion at an offshore asset, requiring evacuation. This incident, coupled with feeling misaligned with the company's direction for her career, made it clear it was time to move on.
The Unexpected Challenges
What surprised Maartje most about independent consulting wasn't what you might expect. Despite her financial freedom from a successful corporate career, she found motivation challenging without external pressure. As she put it, "There's not a lot of pressure behind it to get going... I need deadlines or pressure to perform."
Another significant challenge was establishing herself as a speaker and consultant under her personal brand after years of being backed by a corporate identity. "It's been a journey to put myself on the stage whilst I used to get put on stages by my employer all the time," Maartje shared.
Finding the Right Support Network
One of Maartje's most compelling pieces of advice was about the importance of finding the right peer network. Initially, she connected with groups of coaches and healers working in B2C markets, while her expertise was in B2B services for tech companies and startups. This misalignment meant she wasn't getting the specific feedback she needed to refine her messaging.
"It's important that you find help from people who work with others like you," she emphasized.
Decision-Making Hygiene
Maartje's unique approach to consulting focuses on what she calls "decision-making hygiene" and people dynamics. She works with medium-sized businesses experiencing rapid growth, organizational changes, or operating in volatile environments. Her expertise helps leadership teams improve their decision-making processes and prioritization to navigate chaos more effectively.
Unlike traditional consulting firms that come with predefined solutions, Maartje builds on her diverse background in Stanford decision quality, strategic risk management, and emergency response training to provide tailored frameworks that fit each organization's specific needs.
Advice for Aspiring Independent Consultants
For corporate executives considering the leap to independence, Maartje offered candid advice:
- Build a runway before you leave by gathering testimonials, recommendations, and materials that showcase your expertise.
- Don't completely turn your back on your former industry—it can be your easiest entry point to establish your consulting business.
- Declare your intentions openly: "If you know where you're going but don't know how, you need to say it out loud because then other people can help you get there."
The Future Vision
Looking ahead, Maartje envisions a flexible global lifestyle, working from multiple locations while maintaining her business. She's already building toward this model, working with clients virtually and traveling to their locations as needed.
Despite the challenges, she remains committed to proving to herself that she can build a successful independent practice. As she put it, "These thoughts are just noise... I try to tell myself in weeks that everything is good and I'm energized to capture that a little bit, so in weeks that I'm not there, I can play back to myself and say, 'Hey, remember?'"
If you're considering the leap from corporate to independent consulting or have already made the transition, Maartje's journey offers both practical guidance and the reassurance that you're not alone in the challenges you face.
Take Action: Transform Your Consulting Journey Today
Ready to navigate your own path from corporate life to independent consulting success? Here's how to move forward:
Listen to the Full Episode
Dive deeper into Maartje's story and glean more practical wisdom by listening to the complete interview on the Thriving Through Podcast. Her candid insights about the realities of self-employment will help you prepare for your own journey.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/26AbLIoNrjMrtpiz981oIc?si=sDWKN6yDSnWp5aYPz4LXiQ
YouTube: https://youtu.be/xI5CAbv7wXQ
Connect with Maartje
Follow Maartje van Krieken on LinkedIn to learn from her ongoing evolution as an independent consultant and to see how she implements the "decision-making hygiene" approach with her clients. https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/
Start Building Your Runway
Don't wait until you've left your corporate role to begin preparing. Take Maartje's advice and start collecting testimonials, case studies, and materials that showcase your expertise now. Remember: your current industry connections may be your most valuable initial client base.
Declare Your Intent
As Maartje wisely shared, speak your goals aloud. Tell your network what you're looking to build, and you'll be surprised by who steps forward to help. Your next opportunity might come from an unexpected connection.
Share Your Thoughts
Have you made a similar transition or are you considering one? Comment below with your biggest takeaway from Maartje's experience or share your own consulting journey challenges and triumphs.
Remember, building an independent consulting practice isn't just about escaping corporate constraints—it's about creating value on your own terms for clients who truly need your unique expertise.
Subscribe to the Thriving Through Podcast for more conversations with consultants who are crafting meaningful careers while making a significant impact.