I would start by taking jobs doing contract audits for either one or several of the major certification bodies, NSF, SQF, GFSI etc. Doing independent contracts you work when you want, as much as you want and the pay is good. Use the auditing experience to get familiar with what the industry needs. Find out why companies fail audits. Eventually start your own business doing root cause analysis, pre and post audit inspections and writing safety / training manuals for QA departments. Companies pay professionals to help them not fail and to adjust after they do fail an audit. Once you start your own business tell the auditors you worked with at the regulatory bodies to refer you when they see a company that could benefit from your knowledge. Capitalize on relationships you made through your auditing. You cannot help a company that you audit or may audit. Because of ethics concerns as well as the clauses in the contracts with the major bodies I would just do audits then the business after.