Luckily, Dianne discovered that her talent for putting together deals was sorely lacking at—and needed by—many companies. In fact, although there were many fine operations in the industry that could actually do the work, there was a shortage of energetic and talented deal makers who could attract clients and close deals. She began doing independent consulting work, assisting corporations in strategizing and orchestrating new business pitches, and building relationships and joint ventures with other complementary companies. Acting almost like an agent for her clients, she found a market niche that allowed her to work for companies that, in many cases, she used to compete with. And because she only performed the functions in the process she was good at and competent to perform, she built a base of happy clients.