The Business of College Consulting

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Click here! Sylvia Borgo, owner of DJ Educational Consulting, shares her journey from classroom teacher to successful college consultant and explains how she maintains a small, intentional practice that prioritizes deep student connections. She offers practical advice about the power of organization, time management, and professional collaboration in building a sustainable consulting business.• Named her business after her children's initials (and coincidentally it jived with her love of music)• Transitioned from 20 years of classroom teaching, including 13 years at a college prep charter school• Started volunteering with a community-based organization to stay connected with helping teenagers• Completed her college consulting certificate during 2020 when she had extra time available• Grew her business through referrals from other consultants who had reached capacity• Believes in freely sharing information rather than hoarding knowledge• Maintains an intentional solo practice to preserve deep connections with students• Works with approximately 20 students per grade level to maintain quality and work-life balance• Meets students both in-person and virtually, which differentiates her from exclusively online consultants• Specializes in working with students from specific local high schools• Uses time blocking, including dedicated social media time once monthly• Offers two package options: 30 hours (for 9th-11th graders) and 20 hours (for 11th-12th graders)• Meticulously tracks time using Toggle to manage client expectations and forecast capacityIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or share it with a friend in the college consulting industry.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Click here! Aubrey Groves shares her journey from Chinese language teacher to joining her mother's college consulting business, Davis Groves Educational Services, and how they've built a thriving practice focused on creating work-life balance for working parents.• Joining her mother's college consulting business after teaching Chinese for six years• Bringing technology improvements like Google Docs to streamline their processes• Transitioning to a fully remote business model and creating more efficient systems• Developing a filtering system for identifying client "red flags" • Evolving their curriculum to ensure students take ownership of their applications• Finding the right balance in potentially using AI for appropriate tasks• Creating a business that intentionally supports working parents• Setting firm boundaries around personal time with two dedicated days off weekly• Building a mother-daughter business relationship that leverages different strengths• Focusing exclusively on seniors from August to November to maintain quality serviceIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or share it with a friend in the college consulting industry.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Click here! Stephanie Mead shares her journey as an "accidental entrepreneur" who built a successful college consulting business by trusting her instincts over conventional business wisdom. Her experience demonstrates that personal authenticity can be the strongest foundation for business success.• Started as a test prep tutor while pursuing an acting career over 30 years ago• Discovered her natural talent for connecting with teenagers • Transitioned organically into college consulting through client demand• Grew a tutoring team to 15 people before scaling back to focus on what she loved• Found that a smaller business actually generated more take-home profit• Implemented an innovative hourly billing system instead of traditional packages• Recently added two associates using a profit-sharing model rather than employment• Uses a virtual assistant to handle administrative tasks, improving efficiency• Believes strongly in being true to yourself in business decisionsIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or share it with a friend in the college consulting industry.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Click here! Lisa Hillhouse shares her journey from Air Force officer to successful independent educational consultant, highlighting how she built a thriving college consulting business with a military specialty focus. Lisa shares how she:• Leveraged background in Air Force admissions to create a specialty in military academy and ROTC applications• Established strong business systems from day one with help from a business consultant• Built a support team including essay editors, former military officers, and a student success manager• Created a sustainable marketing strategy through conference presentations and word-of-mouth referrals• Developed relationships with high school counselors by volunteering and sharing resources• Implemented careful time tracking and package pricing to ensure profitability• Found community through Berkeley Extension program cohort that still meets regularly• Learned when to say no to clients who aren't a good fit• Uses technology strategically while maintaining personal connection with studentsResources:Lisa's LinkedIn ProfileLisa's WebsiteBreakthrough Brand Podcast

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Click here! Mark Scalaro, CEO of IECA for over 30 years, shares his unique perspective on the business of college consulting and how the industry has transformed from an avocation into a respected profession. His insights cover the evolution from a field where consultants were openly booed at conferences to today's professional landscape with recognized standards, training programs, and business practices.• Most consultants struggle with imposter syndrome initially, especially the business aspects• Market your unique strengths rather than trying to be a generalist competing with established professionals• Three essential pieces of advice: differentiate yourself, under-promise and over-deliver, and "fold the toilet paper ends"• Making your behind-the-scenes work visible to clients is crucial as this prevents the most common complaint• Partnerships require complementary skills, shared vision, and formal written agreements to succeed• Building positive relationships with school counselors requires empathy for their challenges• Future growth opportunities include expanding into gap years, military options, career schools, graduate programs, and international educationThank you for listening to this episode of the Business of College Consulting. If you enjoyed it, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or share it with a friend in the college consulting industry. 

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Click here! You can't miss this episode with Chris Andersson, former Director of Admissions at NYU's Tisch School and founder of Nothing But Drama. In our latest episode, Chris recounts his move from academia to entrepreneurship, sharing the highs and lows of his journey.Chris highlights the collaborative spirit among college consultants and the ethical creation of referral networks. He shares his strategic steps in scaling his business, touching on the breakthroughs that came with hiring a social media manager and other contractors to lighten his workload and free up his time to work with more students.  Tune in for an episode filled with actionable insights, whether you're an established IEC or someone just starting to navigate the college consulting waters.

In this episode, Stef Mauler, founder of the Mauler Institute, shares her story of her early days as a Canadian navigating U.S. college applications to becoming a Harvard MBA graduate and launching her own thriving college consulting business, Stef discusses her strategic growth and the pivotal decision to hire writing coaches. Her business acumen shines through as she details her unique college admission strategies by leveraging business principles and helping students craft their unique selling points. Stef opens up about her strategies for success, such as time management and setting professional boundaries. Discover how building a supportive community rather than viewing others as competition and being generous with knowledge can be powerful tools in client retention and satisfaction. This episode is jam-packed with insights to inspire and guide whether you are an emerging consultant or a seasoned pro.

ChatGPTIn this interview, Lisa Bleich discusses her initial steps in marketing her services, relying heavily on word of mouth and personal connections. As her business grew, she recognized the need for systematizing processes and hiring a team to handle various aspects of client work, particularly essay writing.  Lisa emphasizes the importance of finding team members who complement each other and align with the company's culture. She also shares insights into employee compensation structures and strategies for managing client workloads efficiently. We wrap up the interview with Lisa sharing what's on the horizon for College Bound Mentor and her best advice or new college consultants! Check out Lisa's book Surviving the College Application Process!

Joan Koven,  culinary connoisseur turned college consultant, dishes out her recipe for success, from her bold leap into a new field to her savvy networking that seasoned her burgeoning career. In the heart of our discussion, Joan shares her innovative hiring practices, switching from Craigslist to Indeed to concoct the perfect team. Plus, sneak a peek at how Joan's Italy-based assistant became an indispensable cog in their well-oiled machine and the rewarding journey of internal promotions.To conclude we discuss balancing technology with tried-and-true method, we celebrate the nurturing relationships with parents, a cornerstone of the consulting process, and look at the power of professional development through involvement in professional associationsJoan's story is a testament to the passion and leadership that fuel the college consulting community, a beacon of inspiration for all striving for excellence in this field. Join us for a hearty serving of wisdom and wit from a leader who's truly worth following.

Have you ever felt the thrill of discovering your true passion after taking an unexpected turn in your career path?  Jess Shermack of Virtual College Counselors, shares her entrepreneurship journey, emphasizing the pivotal role of support networks and the courage required to transition from a full-time job to the uncertainties of running a start-up. She uncovers the strategic branding and adaptability that have driven the success of her business, even as the pandemic reshaped the educational landscape.Jess recounts the evolution of her collaboration with Sawyer, where skepticism turned into synergy, and long work hours blossomed into a thriving business relationship. They juggle multiple roles and set boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This episode peels back the curtain on the real grind of building a startup, complete with the occasional "Shaun of the Dead" quote to keep things in perspective. Jess shares her experiences with imposter syndrome, the quest for credibility without an Ivy League badge, and the art of setting firm client boundaries. Through her anecdotes, you'll gain invaluable insights into the importance of specializing and building genuine connections. Tune in for an intimate look at the personal and professional growth that comes from following one's passion!

Join Brooke Daly and special guest Chris Bell from Bell College Consulting as they dive deep into the benefits of staying solo versus growing a team. Chris shares a wealth of experiences from his career transitions to humorous marketing mishaps, and offers candid insights into establishing a client base.  Chris shares wisdom on prioritizing well-being in a lifestyle business, offering strategies for maintaining quality while managing demand. They conclude by highlighting the value of professional groups and the importance of forging a unique path in educational consulting for a fulfilling professional life.

In this episode, Brooke talks with Liz Murphy, the founder of Liz Murphy College Advising and the creator of the "IEC's Growing Our Business" Facebook group. Liz shares her journey in business growth from starting as a part-time consultant and transitioning to full-time. She discusses her unique business model, which includes part-time college coaches assisting her clients and her approach to relationship marketing. Liz also mentions her challenges related to money mindset and how she worked on improving her pricing and financial management skills. 

In this podcast episode, Brooke interviews Ibrahim Firat, owner of Firat Education and current president of IECA. Ibrahim discusses how he started a part-time tutoring business and expanded it into a full-time educational consulting practice. He emphasizes the importance of association membership, hiring, and how your role morphs as a business owner when you expand. They also touch on marketing strategies and the challenges of business growth. Ibrahim shares valuable advice for consultants, including adapting to varying regulations, valuing your services, and prioritizing health and family.

In this episode, Brooke interviews Scott Hamilton. Scott is a past president of the Higher Education Consultants Association and the owner of Future Stars College Counseling. Scott shares his journey into the college consulting business, how he transitioned from working with students in their homes to having an office, and how he expanded his team of counselors. He discusses his marketing strategies, including speaking engagements, referrals, and raising fees. 

In the final episode of the season, Brooke chats with Leah Beasley about her family history of working in admissions, and her journey from being a tour guide to working to admissions to starting her own business as a college consultant. 

In this episode of The Business of College Consulting, IEC Hanna Stotland shares her story of how her own college admission experience, including being admitted to Harvard with a G.E.D, shaped her crisis management IEC practice. Hanna also shares insight and perspective on charging what you're worth. 

In this episode, Brooke chats with Zach Galin, Founder of Galin Education, a test prep, tutoring, and college consulting business based in Madison, WI. Zach gives great advice for marketing in the early years of your business and how to grow a sellable business.

In this episode of The Business of College Consulting podcast, Jennie Kent and Jeff Levy, superstars of the college consulting industry, share their paths from the writing and television industry to college consulting. They share the struggles of the early years of business growth, how they overcame them, and why they eventually joined forces (and businesses) to create Big J Educational Consulting.Check out Jennie and Jeff's famous spreadsheets here! 

Melanie Talesnick, Founder of AdmitU Consulting, shares her best marketing tips in this episode of The Business of College Consulting. Melanie was a double major in Marketing and Management at the University of Delaware. She worked with professional athletes before starting her business, giving her a unique perspective on working with teenagers.

In this episode, Lisa and Bob share the story of how Lisa started and grew College MatchPoint as a solopreneur, allowing Bob to leave his corporate job to jump on board, and how together they built a thriving college consulting business and team.

In this episode, I chat with Jenny Umhofer, founder of Colledge in Pasadena, CA. Jenny tells her growth story and how she transformed her business from a college consulting practice to a start-up tech business!

Kristina shares her journey of moving her business to three countries (while having triplets), adding (and sunsetting) a test prep service,  growing a large team, and creating a fun and engaging culture remotely.

In this episode, Amy shares how she grew a successful business in a new market and one that needs to be made aware of college consulting services. Amy also shares her unique business model and how her corporate training background helped her with her systems and processes.

From politics to college admission: Evelyn shares how she went from political campaign manager to starting Magellan College Counseling, including how she overcame imposter syndrome (hint- it involves the UCLA College Counseling program and a lot of college tours!) to grow her business to a team of 18!

In this episode, I talk with Jenny and Kate, co-owners of College Connectors, about how their business has grown to a team of 13, their secret to a successful partnership, what keeps them up at night, and what makes the College Connectors business model unique. 

In this episode, I chat with Jen McKenzie about the growth of Milestone College Prep in Boca Raton, FL. Jen will share the marketing strategies she used to grow Milestone, how she went from solopreneur to a team of 22, and how she strengthens her connections with students.