Company of One with Dale Callahan
You’re a high-achieving professional—maybe in tech, engineering, or leadership—but your career feels stalled. You’re paid well, but it’s not enough. You want more: more purpose, more income, more control over your life.Company of One is a podcast for professionals who want to grow their income, make strategic career moves, or even build something on the side. Hosted by Dr. Dale Callahan—engineer, entrepreneur, and director of a top-ranked graduate program—this show gives you real strategies to take ownership of your future.Whether you’re climbing the ladder or considering stepping off it to build your own thing, this is your place to get unstuck and take action.
Company of One with Dale Callahan
The $500 Test: How to Know If Your Side Project Is Real
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"Before you build a business, before you make any move—pass the $500 test.
Can you make $500 a month from a real customer who isn't your employer? If not, you don't have a business yet. You have a hobby.
In this episode, we break down:
- Why $500 is the right number
- The backwards way engineers approach building (and why it fails)
- What actually counts as passing the test
- How one customer changes your entire negotiating position
This isn't theory. It's the gate between 'thinking about it' and 'doing it.'
I’ve been helping professionals turn what they already know into consulting work. If you’re curious how that might look for you, let me know.
Send me a DM on linkedin with the word “consulting” and what you’re thinking about.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalecallahan/
Dale Callahan, Ph.D., P.E.
Most people dabble in consulting. I help you build something real.
Book a call: https://calendly.com/dalecallahan/30min
Director of Engineering Management @ UAB (205) 790-8447
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