Jim Rabon

Paladin Associates, LLC

Strategy & Operations Consultant
MBO Associate since 2007

"When I retired, I didn’t get any offers that I liked . . . so I decided to make myself one."

Between government, military, and private industry I have over 38 years of experience. When I left the government, I wanted to continue to work with clients that serve our nation. Unfortunately, no one made me an offer that I liked, so I decided to make myself one and become an independent consultant. Although I formed my own corporation, Paladin Associates, LLC, I had challenges working back to the government and wanted an intermediary. I also felt the administrative burden of the corporation was distracting.

A buddy of mine in the private industry said, “Jim, you ought to consider an umbrella company.” He sent me some names and MBO Partners was one of them. So I did a great deal of research, and what I discovered was that the other ones out there are boutique, regional. What I liked about MBO is that it was national – I could do work in all 50 states if I wanted to -- and that they have a lot of experience working with government. I also realized how powerful the online MyBizOffice system would be for automating the business functions and getting financial visibility. And finally, having the high touch customer service– a dedicated Business Manager to be my support contact – was a huge advantage.

So MBO Partners was a natural choice, and even if all the other factors weren’t so clear, the benefits would have been the tipping point. Although being retired military means we have benefits, it was important to my wife to have a civilian plan and be able to choose providers. The Aetna plans through MBO are competitive with the best of what’s out there. The 401(k) is better than a SEP IRA. And disability insurance has given us peace of mind while my wife is going back to school – our income is protected should anything happen.

Honestly, joining MBO Partners is the best decision I’ve made since going independent. I have two contracts I’m working on, and three proposals out. New opportunities are coming down the pipeline that may involve building teams and setting up work for other people in an ethical and transparent way. It’s about growing the business, while taking care of all these people with the support of the MBO Partners infrastructure, empowering their success, too.

Titles are cheap, but through MBO you can be whatever you’d like to be if you’ve got the skills to back it up. You can be a single player, or you can grow into a company. MBO is an empowering vehicle for you to take your career wherever you want to go.

I get questions from people who are thinking about going solo; they’re looking for someone who has made that successful transition, and I tell them all about it. I am running both a corporation and working through MBO Partners. I know both sides, and I prefer to work through MBO. It’s simpler, more streamlined, and all the tax advantages are there. You don’t have the headaches that you get with incorporating yourself and setting up insurance, taxes, payroll, invoicing, and collections. With MBO Partners you can be up and running in less than two weeks. Find out about MBO before going through the trouble to set up a corporation!

Contact Jim Rabon with your strategic consulting inquiries at Paladin Associates, LLC.