From Senior Engineer to Technical CEO: My Blueprint for Building a Consultancy

Six months ago, my primary metrics for success were clean PRs, zero-downtime deployments, and elegant system architecture. Today, my environment variables have shifted from .env.local to the Nevada Revised Statutes. I’m navigating LLC formation in Nevada, managing IP strategy, and defining the long-term vision for a consulting firm. The transition from a Senior Individual Contributor (IC) to a Technical CEO isn't just a change in title; it’s a total shift in how you compile information. But I’ve realized something critical: the core logic that makes us good engineers is exactly what makes us capable founders . Here is what I’ve learned while building SZG Labs . 1. Treat the Business Like a High-Availability System When I started the legal and structural formation of SZG Labs, I realized that a business is just a complex system with its own set of "legacy bugs." • Modularity: I approached my company structure the same way I approach microservices. I wanted a lean foundation that could s