You can build a consulting network from zero by starting with weak ties rather than waiting for a warm introduction.

Alumni, former lab members, university connections and consultants with a shared technical or geographic background are reasonable first contacts.

A short message with a specific reason for reaching out works better than a broad request to "pick your brain."

Set a small weekly outreach target and track conversations, follow-ups and what you learned from each one. For more detail, see the PhD networking guide and the consulting cold email templates.

A specific question about their transition got more replies than a generic request for 15 minutes.

tbh The best chats I had felt like normal conversations, not a list of prepared questions. Might vary by office though.