Featured Story: "From Burnout to 'Professor T' - My Journey Starting a Business and Becoming an AI Consultant"

Becoming an AI Consultant

I’m really proud (and a little humbled) to share this feature written by Rob Howard and the Innovating with AI team, telling the story of how I went from feeling completely burnt out in the corporate world to building my own business, Elevate AI Consulting.

It’s a story about taking risks, rebuilding from scratch, and learning to bet on myself. From my first $150 project to international bootcamps and corporate training programs, this journey has been proof that curiosity, persistence, and purpose can completely change your trajectory.

You can read the full feature below 👇

"Before Thiago made his career pivot into AI consulting, he was completely burnt out from the corporate world. First came the restructure, then came the merger, and before he knew it, he was working even more than before—which was already a lot for anyone familiar with corporate life.

The thoughts kept surfacing:

"I just needed to completely change my career and everything about my life..."

So he made one of the hardest decisions anyone can make—he left his job. His health and well-being had become more important than that reliable direct deposit.

Taking the Calculated Leap

When Thiago discovered AI consulting as a potential career path, he wasn't impulsive about it. Coming from a situation where he'd just left his job, resources and money were obviously important considerations. But he knew he needed to make a move if he really wanted to transform his career.

"I did more research about AI consulting in general,"

Thiago recalls.

"I found a lot of articles that mentioned it was a really up and coming career, and even one of the most popular new roles on places like LinkedIn for job applications."

After thorough research and due diligence, he made an informed decision to pursue AI consulting. On the surface, it was a career change—but deeper down, it was a decision to believe in himself.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

The transition wasn't without its challenges.

"As somebody not from the tech industry or with any kind of tech background, I had a lot of hesitation and imposter syndrome,"

Initially, he tried to push through by focusing purely on technical skills while avoiding the inner work needed to address his insecurities. This approach extended his journey by several months as doubt crept in about whether he was on the right path.

"Once I was able to get over that imposter syndrome, that's when my business started to see great results. It's definitely been an interesting ride. Everybody has a different path and mine has been unique."

Building Momentum: From First Invoice to Five Figures

Once Thiago faced his fears head-on, his trajectory changed dramatically:

The First Spark: It started modestly—a friend needed help, and Thiago invoiced his first consultation and mini-training for about $150. Small as it was, this marked the crucial shift from "I'm studying" to "I'm in business."

Landing Real Projects: By consistently showing up and running workshops for nonprofits and small businesses, referrals began flowing. His first major automation project—building a dashboard for a local health insurance company—brought in $7,000, with discussions for ongoing fractional work.

Finding His Lane in Training: Thiago discovered his sweet spot: teaching. When a company reached out for AI training support, it turned into a $5,000 package covering two full days with eight sessions, including fundamentals, prompting techniques, and hands-on bot building. The company flew him to New York to deliver it in person.

That initial bootcamp's success led to three more engagements across New York, Atlanta, and Salt Lake City, generating an additional $15,000 while positioning him in strategic conversations about organization-wide AI implementation.

Rapid Execution: When a client requested a niche web application, Thiago delivered version one in just five days, earning $10,000. "I probably spent 20-25 hours," he notes, "but it felt like zero because I was having so much fun."

From Student to Professor

Perhaps the most remarkable milestone in Thiago's journey came when his alma mater, IE Business School in Madrid, hired him to teach a four-part executive series on AI Strategy & Competitive Advantage. He's now officially in their system as an Assistant Professor, teaching MBA alumni — thats right, the business experts are coming to him to learn!

The same week, he was lining up international workshop appearances while visiting family in Brazil.

Key Takeaways from Thiago's Success

What made Thiago's transformation possible? A few critical elements stand out:

• Start where you are: He began with a small project and built from there

• Leverage your strengths: Once he discovered his talent for teaching, he leaned into it

• Show up consistently: Regular workshops and live sessions created visibility and referrals

• Ship quickly: He focused on delivering real value fast rather than perfecting everything

• Address the internal barriers: His business truly took off once he conquered imposter syndrome

Thiago's story demonstrates that you don't need a tech background to succeed in AI consulting. What you need is the willingness to start, the courage to face your fears, and the commitment to deliver value to clients.

From corporate burnout to Professor Thiago teaching executives about AI strategy—it's been quite the journey. As he puts it:

"Everybody has a different path."

His path shows that with determination and the right approach, transformation is not just possible—it's achievable."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Innovating with AI feature article about?

The feature tells the story of how Thiago Ferreira, founder of Elevate AI Consulting, transitioned from the corporate world to building a thriving AI consulting practice. It highlights his milestones—from his first $150 consulting project to running multi-city AI bootcamps and becoming an AI Strategy instructor at IE Business School.

How did Thiago Ferreira start Elevate AI Consulting?

After leaving a corporate role during a merger and burnout phase, Thiago joined the AI Consultancy Project by Rob Howard. What began as a small test project quickly turned into paid consulting, automation builds, and executive training sessions. That experience became the foundation for Elevate AI Consulting.

What services does Elevate AI Consulting offer today?

Elevate AI Consulting provides corporate AI training bootcamps, workshops, automation design, and strategy advisory for teams adopting AI responsibly and effectively. Signature programs include AI Fundamentals, Prompt Engineering Deep Dive, Copilot Power Hour, and the Build Your Own Bot (BYOB) workshop.

What makes Thiago’s story unique?

Thiago’s path shows that you don’t need a tech background to succeed in AI: you need curiosity, consistency, and a clear sense of purpose. His journey from burnout to “Professor T” demonstrates how applied learning, community, and practical implementation can redefine an entire career.

How can I work with Elevate AI Consulting?

You can book a corporate training session, keynote, or strategy engagement directly through elevateaiconsulting.com or connect via email at thiago@elevateaiconsulting.com. Thiago works with organizations of all sizes, both in the U.S. and internationally, to unlock the real ROI of AI adoption.