You are correct
I used to work for a small company that was funded by gov contracts. I could make a recommendation to the staff and it was not heard, but when we paid an outside consultant thousands of dollars to say what I recommended only days/weeks earlier it was gospel. It can be frustrating...however when I became an independent consultant and was hired by the same company to work on a project for a large sum of money, everyone took notice. If you can manage your finances and accept risk, it is very rewarding to consult. I was only working 3 days/week and people actulally listened.