Key Facts

• Background: Business Development and AdTech professional with 20 years’ experience

• Starting point: Returning to work post-COVID and post-baby, wanting to stay relevant in an AI-driven world

• Current position: AI consultant charging $150 per hour

• Clients: Working with three clients, with additional deals in progress

• Programs completed: Hyper Entrepreneurship, AICC

• Goal: Build toward $250–$500 per hour consulting rates and a future agency

Experienced, But Questioning Her Place in an AI World

Before moving into AI consulting, Emmelie had spent two decades working in business development and ad tech. She understood clients, relationships, and revenue. But after COVID, a career break, and becoming a parent, she found herself questioning how she would re-enter the workforce in a world that was rapidly changing.

“I’d been in business development and ad tech for about 20 years,” she explains. “But after COVID and having a baby, I really wanted to get a better understanding of AI. I didn’t want to be a luddite.”

She initially explored AI on her own by taking various courses and experimenting with creative tools, but while interesting, it didn’t fully align with her strengths.“I went down the generative AI rabbit hole, more on the creative side… but that’s not really my bag. What I wanted was to understand how I could get back into my old industry and use AI as a consultant.”

Underneath it all was a familiar feeling.

“I’ve always suffered from imposter syndrome,” Emmelie says. “Especially coming back into rooms with very senior people.” It was time to make a change.

Choosing Confidence Over Guesswork

Emmelie first came across Hyper Entrepreneurship through social media, and it immediately stood out from the fragmented learning she’d been doing on her own. “It was an expensive course at the time, I’ll admit,” she says. “But it was worth its weight in gold.”

In the end, what mattered most wasn’t becoming deeply technical, rather it was having confidence to step into the world of AI. “I’m not very technical,” she says openly. “But being able to explain AI very simply to senior decision makers, that’s what got me business.” The training helped her bridge the gap between her commercial experience and this new AI-driven landscape.

“I wanted to not be a luddite, get back into the workforce, get a salary again, and have the confidence to talk to senior people post-COVID, post-baby.”

Building Confidence and Practical Skill

Rather than chasing every new tool, Emmelie focused on understanding what was possible and how to apply it in real business settings. “It’s really the confidence the course gave me,” she says. “You think everyone knows this stuff, but when you go into a room or a webinar, it’s very clear that not everyone does.”

She credits the guidance and support from the programmes for helping her value her knowledge properly. “You do have this intel,” she recalls being told. “And it’s worth people paying for that knowledge. Don’t give it away for free.”

On a practical level, she also implemented workflows that allowed her to work remotely and manage multiple clients. “I had things set up that enabled me to work with three clients, UK hours, while living in Mexico. I was just checking in to make sure everything was running smoothly.”

From Learning to Paid Consulting

The shift from theory to paid work was gradual but real.

“I’ve always been a consultant,” Emmelie explains. “But being able to integrate AI into what I already did happened pretty quickly.” Within months of completing Hyper Entrepreneurship, she was confidently positioning herself as an AI-enabled consultant. Over time, she refined her pricing and approach.

“I found that going in at $150 an hour, you sell quicker and close quicker,” she says. “You gain experience, and then you build from there.” She now works with a mix of retainer and project-based clients, all while remaining a one-woman operation. “That’s only possible with the AI knowledge I now have,” she says. “Otherwise, I’d need a much bigger team.”

A Clear Path Forward

Today, Emmelie Forsyt is no longer working toward targets set by someone else. She is building a consulting business that fits around her life. She currently charges $150 per hour for AI consulting work and plans to increase her rates as her positioning and offerings mature.

“I reckon between $150 and $250 is very realistic,” she says. “And $500 an hour isn’t impossible. It’s just not where I’m focused right now.”

More importantly, she has clarity.

“What I have now is knowing what’s possible, what’s not, and when someone’s bullshitting,” she says. “Six months ago, I wasn’t in that position.” Her longer-term vision includes building an agency, speaking at industry events, and continuing to work remotely.

“With my young daughter, I want to always be able to take holidays and spend time with her,” Emmelie explains. “That’s why AI makes everything feel possible.”

The Results

• Charging $150 per hour for AI consulting

• Working with three active clients, with more in progress

• Saving multiple hours per week through AI-powered workflows

• Successfully applying AI to real-world business development and conferences

• Positioned as a thought leader in AI-enabled business development

Final Reflection

For Emmelie, the biggest shift wasn’t technical. It was belief.

“I used to think AI was a get-rich-quick thing,” she says. “But you’ve got to put the time in. Once you do, it changes everything.”

Her story shows that you don’t need to be a developer or start from scratch. With the right structure, confidence, and application, experienced professionals can translate what they already know into a modern consulting career.

And for people wondering whether they can still compete in an AI-driven world, Emmelie’s answer is clear. “You really can work anywhere,” she says. “And once you understand what’s possible, it’s hard to go back.”