Podcasts about consulting business

motivation burnout consulting bridgerton stay motivated consulting business

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2026 15:26 Transcription Available

Send me a text message and get your questions answered on the podcast! I'd love to hear from you! Feeling unmotivated in your business?You're not lazy. You're not behind. And you're definitely not the only entrepreneur who sometimes wants to ignore their to-do list and watch Bridgerton instead.In this video, I break down how to stay motivated in your business — even when you don't feel like working.Because the truth is:You won't always feel motivated.But you can build a system that helps you refuel your motivation quickly.Let's Connect! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drangelinadavis/Also, you can watch this episode on YouTube! Click here to tune in.

319: 3 Ways to Exit Your Business with Tim Martinez

Management Blueprint

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2026 30:55

Tim Martinez, Value Creation, Strategic, and Exit & Succession Planning Advisor—also known as “The Inside Man”—is on a mission to empower entrepreneurs and make the world a better place with his philosophy of “No entrepreneur left behind.” In this episode, Tim shares how he evolved from starting small businesses as a teenager to advising founders on high-stakes growth and exit decisions. We explore Tim's 3 Exits Framework, which breaks exit planning into three critical phases: Mental Exit (separating identity from the business), Role Exit (building leadership and succession so the business can run without the owner), and Technical Exit (valuation, deal structure, and the formal sale process). Tim also explains why AI is accelerating business disruption, why minimalism is a competitive advantage, and what keeps so many businesses stuck at the $3M revenue ceiling. — 3 Ways to Exit Your Business with Tim Martinez Good day, dear listeners. Steve Preda here, the Founder of the Summit OS Group. And I have as my guest today Tim Martinez, who is a Value Creation, Strategic, and Exit & Succession Planning Advisor, also known as “The Inside Man.” Tim also has a successful Substack with lots of followers, which has a similar title, Inside Man. He's also built his own ChatGPT API, so he's running with the times. Tim, welcome to the show. Thanks, Steve. Great to be here. Finally, we have someone who is ahead of the curve on AI and the technological evolution that's part of this new industry revolution. So let’s start with my favorite question. What is your personal ‘Why’ and how are you manifesting it in your practice and in your business? Yeah. My personal ‘Why’ is to make the world a better place and to empower entrepreneurs. “No entrepreneur left behind” has kind of been my motto. Since I was a kid—I started businesses very young, like 15 or 16—people would ask me, “How are you doing this?” And I would help however I could. And it was just always felt really good to help my fellow entrepreneurs, whether I was helping them in a small way or a big way. And there's nothing better than seeing some of the advice you're able to give someone actually get implemented.Share on X Then you see them go, “Wow, oh my gosh, this is great.” And again, sometimes it’s small, sometimes it’s big. But I believe entrepreneurs rule the world, and I do my part every day—whether it's writing my Substack, jumping on podcasts, or writing books. I'm always here just to share what I've learned, because I think that’s what makes the world go round. Well, you have a boundless energy, because you are writing books, you are writing your blog, you are doing these podcasts. Then you also have to gather the information, right? You have to work with clients—otherwise there's no raw material. That is very impressive. So what took you to this point? How did you evolve? I mean, you started at 15, but surely you were not coaching or consulting people at 15. Yeah, so I probably spent about 10 years just starting small businesses. I had the lemonade stand, then a coffee business and a silk-screen business. I had a DJ business, a retail store, a marketing and advertising agency, a small one, but I was able to sell it. And I got lucky and sold a couple of these small businesses. I built websites, built apps—I mean, anything you can do to make a buck. I was just kind of hustling and figuring it out on my own. And at a certain point in time, maybe like 10 years later, someone asked me to help them write their business plan. It was the first time I thought, “Huh, someone wants to pay me to help them write a business plan. That sounds interesting.” Okay. And I had written all of my own business plans for 10 years. I used to go to SCORE—the Senior Corps of Retired Executives, a division of the SBA—and they would consult for free. They still do, by the way. And I always said my long-term goal was to be an old advisor at SCORE, because they helped me so much when I was a kid.Share on X So I charged money for my first business plan. That person was able to raise money from their uncle. Then they said, “Well, hey, we got this money. What do we do now?” So I said, “Well, I think I can charge you. I think this is called consulting. Maybe I'll just charge you to help execute your business plan.” It was a small business, and I went to Barnes & Noble and bought a book that was like this big—How to Start a Consulting Business. I just sat there and highlighted the whole thing. It had CD-ROM forms in the back. I knew nothing about consulting. And probably for the next handful of years, I just focused on writing business plans and helping people. That's kind of what got me into consulting and working with bigger businesses. It really started with business plans and small businesses.Share on X Yeah. I mean, business plans are great because you are envisioning the future of the business, crunching the numbers—what's going to happen with your top line, bottom line, costs, overhead, margins—and essentially it helps you visualize the skeleton of the business. Then you can put the meat on the bone, kind of thing. Yeah. And I had worked on hundreds of business plans, and pitch decks, financial models, and market research. That documentation aspect of a business, I had spent a good, let's say, 10 years working very heavily with clients as an analyst in consulting firms. And that’s really what got me into the game and got me into bigger and bigger businesses, because I got very good at doing that with no formal training—and we didn't really have what the internet is today. I remember going to the downtown library in Los Angeles, finding articles, and taking scanned copies of them. That’s how we did our market research. And business plans used to be like a dictionary. The SBA would require business plans to meet all these requirements, so we ended up with huge business plans. Now people want a one-pager, maybe a 10-slide deck, and call it a day. Where I got my chops was from understanding every imaginable nuance of every business in all verticals. I worked around the world with businesses, and I guess I was in the right place at the right time for it.Share on X Yeah, that’s very humble. So one of the things that you do is you help people prepare for exit, and you came up with this framework called The 3 Exits Framework. I thought it was fascinating to think about exits from different perspectives and to have different mental models for them. How did you come up with this, and can you explain to the audience what it looks like, how it works, and how it helps entrepreneurs? Yeah. And it’s important to note that I started my career starting businesses, helping people get the start. And as I got older, the businesses I worked with were also getting older. And as I got a little more gray hair and a few more wrinkles, people would take me more seriously at the later stages of the business, when they maybe wouldn’t take me so seriously when I was in my early twenties. So my business had evolved from starting to growing and then eventually to exiting, and that’s where most of my clients are now. What I’ve discovered is most people enter the exit planning conversation at the very end, asking, “What is my business worth? Who wants to buy it?” Needing a business valuation is the most common first question: “Whoa, what's it worth?” But after working with a handful of companies through this whole exit process, you start to realize that there’s far more than just the numbers. The 3 Exits Framework says there are three exits that need to occur before you're out and on your yacht, sailing into the sunset.Share on X The first exit is the mental exit, which we can talk about at length. It's your role—your identity in the business. Who am I if I'm not the CEO? What am I going to do with my time if I'm not running this business? Who am I if people can't come to me with their every burning question? It’s this piece, it’s so important. And a lot of people don’t want to give up control. They don’t even know they’re control freaks, which I'll call them for lack of a better term. But they don’t even know that they are that. You have to help them through that. The second exit is really your role exit, because eventually someone needs to run this business in your absence. The whole tenant of selling a business is that you're not going to be in it. You might have earnouts or some transitional involvement, but eventually, you will not run this business. So you have to replicate yourself. Most people say, “I've tried, but it hasn't worked.” Well, you know what? Now’s the time for this to work. It's time to build SOPs, standards of excellence, and get someone who could be better than you ever were in that seat. So that role exit is a big part, and that would be true succession. The other part of that is it’s not just the CEO or the owner. A lot of times it’s them and they’re number one, or they’re number two, or number three, because in many cases those people also have equity and ownership in the companies in some cases. So we need to get succession in line for multiple roles. And then the third exit is your technical exit. It’s the one piece everyone feels like they start with that is your valuation, getting your documentation together, running a formal auction process, making sure that you’re looking at multiple buyers, whether strategic or financial. And just running a very thorough, formal process that’s going to get you the highest valuation possible. And structuring a deal that there’s going to be a little bit of give and take. Most deals die because of misaligned expectations. And they’re usually misaligned expectations on that final exit. So when you put those three things together and someone says, I want to sell my business, or we're thinking about exiting in the next couple years, I just start first with the identity part.Share on X Yeah. And people underestimate the significance of that. It can sound touchy-feely and like an afterthought in most cases. And people think that just by earning a sack of money, their life will be solved and all problems will disappear. But actually, problems exist at all levels. Elon Musk probably has more problems than most listeners here. Sure. So, it's not going to solve your problems, and identity is huge. I talk to people—I was also an M&A advisor for over 10 years, sold many businesses, visited former clients, and went out on their boats on the lake. Often, that was the one time they actually used the boat, because they didn't really need it. They thought they did, but they didn't. Next time, the engine wouldn't start, or the boat was full of water. Or they'd go out on the golf course, meet new people, and ask, “Who are they?” It turned out they were just retired rich people—not interesting entrepreneurs or CEO. That's a huge change. And with the Great Wealth Transfer and the aging Baby Boomer population, there's a statistic that says 50% of business owners are forced into an exit—meaning there’s some life event that occurs that says you now need to sell your business and get out. And you and I both know that if you’re forced to an exit, you’re going to be taking a major discount. But those forces can happen when you have a heart attack, or someone in your family has a health issue, or your grandkids and everybody moves multiple states and you want to go with them. All these things happen. So our recommendation is just start having the conversation now. Yeah. And so I think it's a little bit like saving for retirement. A lot of people keep putting it off, and eventually there's no time left to do it, and then they’re in trouble. So how do you even raise awareness with people about this? How do you work with them to prepare this? Can you actually raise awareness and make them feel this is a real issue? How do you raise awareness? Well, I have my blog, and that’s probably where I do most of my conversations. I wrote about the 3 Exits Framework. Any chance I get to speak, I always use it to raise awareness around the subject. In my consulting practice, I work with a handful of consulting firms and investment banks. Anytime I get pulled into a conversation about exit planning, I usually just pause for a second and just talk about their life goals.Share on X Like, what do you really want this exit to do for you? Because there are so many things you can do and a million ways to do it. So, what do you really want this exit to mean for you? Also, remember, Uncle Sam is going to take his cut—so not everyone gets the biggest check possible. Usually, what we hear is people say, “I'm just so exhausted. I don't have anything left in me for this thing, and anything I can get for it, I'd be happy to take, as long as it means I don't have to put out every single fire.” And this usually happens because they didn't build good systems to remove themselves from the business. Otherwise, they would've been the chairman, and just meeting with their CEO, who's running the business. That’s usually not the case with these owner-operator businesses. And that doesn't mean they're small, by the way. I mean, they could be running a $50 million business and still the choke point where everything has to run through them and they’re just exhausted and burnt out. Do you think that this AI revolution is going to change things? Is it going to make more people exit-ready because it's easier to create systems? Perhaps. Yeah, I think it's helping the service provider world be more efficient. In my world as a management consultant, I'm 10 times more efficient. I’m sure you’re 10 times more efficient with tools like the one we’re using here, and it just helps us speed things up. I've noticed people use it as a thought partner, as a psychiatrist, even as a best friend. I've seen people go into deep dialogue like, “Should I sell my business? Give me five factors.” The ones who are aware of this are using it fully. The people who aren't are a little behind the times. And then from an operational standpoint, yeah, I mean with the bots and all the many things you could put in your business to make you more efficient, but that doesn’t apply to everybody. I would say there’s going to be a 10 to 20% group of people that are already on it, making it work for them, and then there are the laggards who will probably never touch it. Or is it that—okay, maybe we can be more efficient with AI, but we'll have the appetite to do more, and there will be more complexity? Some things we'll simplify, but we'll create other complexities that replace the previous ones. What do you think about it? Yes. So businesses typically have cycles. There's usually a five- to seven-year cycle where a business hits its peak, and then it starts to trend down. And they usually have some level of innovation that has to reoccur for it to hit another up cycle, and then there will be a down cycle and so on and so forth. So it's always like an up slope after an up slope. When you've been in business for 30 or 40 years, you've gone through multiple rounds of these cycles—three or four rounds of those cycles. What I’m hearing right now is business owners that are, let’s say, at retirement age, they’re saying, “I don't know if I have what it takes to go through this AI cycle. Maybe I had what it took to make it through the eighties, nineties, and two thousands, but now we're in 2026. I’m not sure I’m equipped, or my team who’s also very senior, they don’t feel like they have what it takes to get through that next cycle without hiring young talent. But even then, they don’t really understand what they’re talking about. So there’s this gap. And again, I’m hearing it more and more of people saying, I think now’s the time to get out and let some other company that has gas in the tank, vision, and capacity to come in and do that thing. Yeah, that's interesting. Do you think a multiple-AI–enabled company versus a post-AI company is going to be markedly different? Maybe. Because it all comes down to revenue—it comes down to the revenue story. I'll give you a perfect example. You have a very profitable company, but they're using an old CRM. A new company comes in and says, “Hey, you're already profitable. If we buy you and put in a new CRM, maybe we could be even more profitable.” That’s cool. So we don’t really need you to put in all the tech. We’ll come in and do all that, and then we’ll get the upside on that. Just as long as you’re profitable, as long as you’re profitable, yet you don’t have major client concentration, your business has all the components. A new company with new vision could come in. That would largely be a strategic buyer. The PE buyer, the financial buyer, most likely is going to want to inject capital into your business so you can go and reinvest, and build new tech, or become a platform, whatever you’re going to be. But that would be a different arrangement. So it's basically a numbers issue. It doesn't matter your technological evolution. And maybe it’s even worse if you've already implemented AI and that only allows you to make five million dollars—there's less upside for the buyer. Yeah. The bigger concern is: Is your industry at risk because of AI? Is your particular business at risk? And that's why I think people need to adopt it—so they can say, “No, we're not at risk. We've adopted it, we're applying it in whatever fashion we're doing it, and we're going to see the results.” We've already seen a major downswing in a handful of industries because of AI. I mean, advertising agencies are getting hit really hard. People used to be able to charge for writing press releases, to write blogs, to write social, to do video editing on social media. A lot of that's gone, so the bottom tier of those agencies is just gone—there's no need for them anymore. Do you see people proactively working on making themselves AI-resilient? Everyone knows that they need to do it. Nobody is unaware that today, it’s like websites. There was a time when everyone knew they needed a website. They just didn’t really know how they were going to build it or who was going to build it. They knew it was going to be expensive. It’s kind of where we’re at right now. Everybody knows they need AI. They’re just not exactly sure how they need AI, what it can actually, literally do for them.I think for some people, that big dream that it was going to do everything quickly got taken off the tableShare on X and they say, okay, we could do this much, but even this much is make me very effective. But it’s just not going to do everything. Like, I still need an accountant. I still need an account manager. I still need someone to do these things, but maybe I don’t need as many people as I once did. So we’re seeing kind of some leveling off there. But I would say largely most people don’t know what AI can do for them, and they’re not really prepared to make those investments. We have a client right now that just made a half million dollar investment into an RFP tool that’s going to help them move faster than their competitors, submit more on RFPs, build everything out in a very complicated way, but they’re making a half million dollar investment. How many companies out there are saying, let’s go, give me the invoice. I’m ready to roll. There’s still a lot of pause there. What you're describing feels more like a defensive play—okay, we know AI is coming, so we have to implement some AI tools. But I’m thinking more about the big picture. Is my industry going to be disrupted by AI? And how do I pivot my business before I lose momentum, so I become like Netflix—going from a video rental company to a streaming company? Yep. Do you see companies rethinking their business model? I think from what I’ve seen, people are rethinking everything—top to bottom. Because you have to start with labor. That’s usually where people start. “AI can do all these things—do I need less talent on the deck?” And if I do, then what can AI do so I don’t have such heavy overhead? Because overhead is also liability, and it has this employment risk behind it. So if you can go from a thousand staff to 800 or 750, great, let’s do it—why wouldn't you do it? Most people are saying, “Let's figure that part out first.” The next thing is the industry disruption, which is what’s our competitors doing to service clients better, manufacture faster, or do things cheaper, so then we’re not left in the dust. So from a production standpoint, we need to figure this out quickly. What I'd say—what I do—is, as an analyst, as a consultant and advisor coming in, that's why I built my AI. I built my AI to fire myself. I basically said, “What I used to do as a management consultant is now irrelevant, because AI is better than me.” So let me just build the digital me and not worry about that side of my business anymore. So I just don’t worry about that anymore. I don’t even really take on assignments that I used to, because AI can do it better and faster. Now, if you want to hire me and allow me to use my AI tool to handle the technical work, I'm more than happy to do that. But I'll tell you firsthand—save your money. So you're giving it away, or are you selling it? Yeah, it's free. It's free. It's on ChatGPT. What people can’t do is sit down and have an honest, sincere conversation and ask them the hard questions and challenge them. That's where AI still lacks the human component. I can take a client and say, “Hey, let's hang out. Let's get lunch. Let's go play golf. Let's bring in your kids. Let's talk to your kids. Let's talk about the family dynamic.” Let’s just have a sincere conversation. Let me hold space and create a forum where I can hear people. And that human component is the only thing that I’m worried, like I’m working on now. I'm out of the technical side, because that part of my job is gone. So fascinating. So does it mean you have to be more of a social animal? I think so. If you're not going to be a social animal and you're just going to sit at your desk, you should probably be building software using tools like Replit, n8n, or any of these different software tools and just go all in.Share on X But the way we used to do it—you probably see this on LinkedIn, with all the bots on LinkedIn, it’s not what it used to be. It used to be a place where you had a handful of connections and actually met people. Now it’s just so overrun with the bots. It’s like I don’t even want to accept connections anymore. I'd much rather have a conversation like this. To me, this is the future. Yeah. But maybe we connected originally through LinkedIn. I don’t know where, how we connected, but we may have have connected through a bot—actually. It’s possible. Yeah. It’s possible. But I'll tell you, I connect with maybe one or two percent of people now. Previously, because I didn't get so many inbound inquiries, I would connect with more, because I felt like there was a sincere person on the other end. Now, I really don't know. I've become very skeptical. Yeah, I'm with you. Let's switch gears, because our time is running out. And there are a couple of things that in our pre-interview you talked about, and one was minimalism. Yeah. What is minimalism? How do you do it? And what’s a low-hanging way to start to become a minimalist? It's kind of like that first-principles idea of what really matters. It’s essentialism. It’s kind of getting down to the one thing, that was my recent blog, if there was only one thing you could do this year, but it would make all the difference, what would it be? And anything that gets in the way of that one thing is just noise. For me, minimalism is really about reduction, and kind of getting rid, and being aware and cognizant of things that really shouldn't be on your desk, on your to-do list.Share on X And using AI tools and assistance to get rid of everything that’s low-level activity. If you think of a pyramid, at the very top is where the most value that you can add would be. But yet we spend all of our time, if this is a time pyramid, most of our time is spent at the bottom, the wide part that pretty much anyone can do. So we kind of got to invert the pyramid. To get there, you have to reduce and extract. To protect your time, you have to treat it as very precious and focus only on the most important thing at all times. It is a very hard thing for all professionals to do, and it’s always been a hard thing, but I just take it upon myself and say, okay, well, as a minimalist, I mean, if you were to come to my house and see how sparse my furniture is on purpose. How sparse my closet is on purpose. I’m trying to get rid of options. It's like Steve Jobs and the black turtleneck—if I have one less thing, because I can only make so many choices and decisions in a given day, let me spend my time on the things that are the most important and most impactful.Share on X And that’s not always, because it’s going to put millions of dollars in my bank account. Sometimes it’s just helps me sleep better at night. So I don’t need 50 clients. If I’m going to have 50 headaches. What if I just have five clients? And every one of those was one that I felt very good about, and that would allowed me to charge more. It allowed me to go deeper with them. It's that concept—then you're free to see where your scalable opportunities are. It's the story I told you about a monk who was carving away at this beautiful elephant. Someone walks up and asks, “How did you learn to do this, carving away this elephant in the stone? And he says, Oh, I just chip away everything that's not the elephant. So for me, I have to have a very clear picture of what the elephant is. I have to see the picture in my brain first—like what my life is, what I’m trying to build, how good of a dad I’m trying to be, how good of a husband I’m trying to be, how good of a business partner or a service provider, an advisor. This is my life’s work as a masterpiece, so let me just get rid of anything that doesn’t belong as part of that picture. So that, to me, is kind of how I would explain it. And my approach toward it is I just get rid of everything. It’s not about accumulation. I don't really need more information, because AI already has all the information. Anything I'm going to absorb, I have to be very intentional about—why am I reading it? I see all the books on your shelf. I could show you my bookshelf—tons of books, right? I feel like I've read them all. Am I going to learn anything new? I could also just go back to the books I've already read. I try to highlight them and stuff, but it's like, what more do I need at this point? Yeah. So I’m wondering about this idea of a lifestyle business versus a growth business. Because what I see is that people who are building a lifestyle business, it’s easier for them to be a minimalist. Because you just do this most valuable thing. You don’t have to build the business. You don’t have to worry about necessarily all the other people, systems, and processes, or making sure of quality control. You just do your high-value work, and at the end of the day, you can put things down and relax. Whereas a growth business, it's different. I would say with the clients that I have—some have thousands of employees, some have hundreds—I still encourage them to reduce and subtract. Even though they're in high-growth, highly scalable businesses, sometimes the conversation is: How many direct reports do you have, and why do you have that many direct reports? How are you delegating? How are you giving authority? How are you limiting all the inputs? Because a lot of it is noise in your given day. So how do I make your day a little more silent so you can have a little more peace to make better decisions while you run this highly scalable business? Just because you're scaling doesn't mean it needs to be pure chaos. That's what people think—they think, “Oh, if I scale, that means chaos.” I'm anti-chaos. Okay. But let me ask you this: Two of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time are Elon Musk and Jensen Huang. Elon Musk runs six companies, so he's got a lot of direct reports and goes deep in each of them. And then Jensen Huang has, I don't know, 20, 30, or 40 direct reports—he basically has a million direct reports as well. And that actually allows them to be closer to decisions and make sure things don't go off the rails and their vision gets manifested. So that's what I'm kind of wondering—whether minimalism means you're going to, maybe the flip side is you have to accept less growth, or maybe not. So I’ve met with a lot of entrepreneurs in my life. Not one of them has been Elon Musk. So I would say we’re looking at the median of entrepreneurs, the average entrepreneur. Those are the people I deal with. I’m not dealing with Elon Musk. I would love to, but I don’t have those types. I have the family-owned business who took it over from their dad and they’ve been running it for 50 years, and he has 250 employees, and he’s got pure chaos, and I’m getting the call to go in and try to sort him out. These are not always the highly sophisticated Steve Jobs types of the world. If you really take a look under the hood with Elon—I read his book and listened to the audiobook with my kids, so I'm very familiar with his story, because I've heard it twice now—what they don't really mention is all the heroes underneath Elon. He wouldn't be who he is without all the many heroes, all the systems, and the Six Sigma and other processes and procedures. That's not to say he doesn't take a deep analytical look at everything, but who are those heroes and what are the processes? I'm far more interested in hearing about his VP of Operations than about Elon. Because what has his VP of Operations worked out? What systems have they implemented that allow him to scale and build a Tesla? Or his COO, like, what do they have going on? Elon's a face. Elon's a madman. He creates all this momentum and chaos, and then he has teams of people behind him who make sense and order out of that chaos. That's why you have what you have with Tesla. If he were just Elon Chaos, without that, I don't believe he would be where he is. But he had people that wanted to get in line. He had a lot of people that wanted to get in line. They believed in his vision. He had huge visions, and it's very inspiring to get behind those visions. Then they say, “Okay, give me the ball. We'll create the infrastructure that allows this thing to take off.” So I'm far more interested in the infrastructure that allows for that scale. I agree. I'm just thinking whether there is this kind of dichotomy. Because I see that many entrepreneurs—when I was an investment banker—until they sold their business, they were not able to have that simple lifestyle they perhaps desired, because they were building, they were reinvesting. And it wasn't just reinvesting their cash—they were reinvesting their time. So every time they simplified, that was the opportunity cost of not using that time to improve their business. So they plowed it back in, plowed it back in. Well, it's kind of like the E-Myth is a bit skewed. It's almost like the E-Myth is a myth. E-Myth is a dream—a dream that you can work on your business, step out completely, and everything about it runs itself. It doesn't really work that way. If you're going to be a successful entrepreneur, you're going to have late nights, long weekends, and you're going to feel like every major problem is your own because you're taking all the legal risks. I'm not telling people not to scale. I'm not telling them not to have chaos. What I'm trying to help them do is get clear on what they consider to be important. And not get killed in the process, and not get divorced. Statistically, that can happen—the more successful someone gets. Yeah, it does. Because our time becomes much more valuable, and at some point, it's really hard to say no to the million-dollar hour—to spend that hour watching Netflix with your spouse, right? Exactly. Just feels harder to do. Exactly. Yeah. That was good. Alright, well, I enjoyed this tremendously. So one more question, one more question that I have to ask you. You talk about this $3 million rule—what do you mean by that? That’s a really interesting concept. Yeah. So most small businesses get stuck around $3 million, statistically. The question is, why? Why do they get stuck there? A large majority gets stuck and it’s because they create a lifestyle for themself around $3 million. They’re taking enough off the table that they would never be able to find a job that would be able to replace that type of income. So they've made their small business their sole business, their job, and they say, “This is good enough for me,” because let's say half a million dollars, more or less, is going into their bank. They're filling up their 401(k), sending their kids to private school, giving themselves big bonuses. If they're profitable, they don't really see the need to take more risks or double down to go past that wall. I've seen many businesses kind of stay there. They’ll go fluctuate up and down through the years, but more or less they’ll hit that wall. They could stay there for 20 years and never make any progress. It’s not until they put on new thinking and say, we’re going to grow through acquisitions, we’re going to target a different market, new products, we’re going to innovate in some way. But that takes extra gas in the tank. Sometimes, a lot of entrepreneurs, once they hit that first level of success, say, “This is good enough for me,” because it usually takes them about five to seven years to get to that first major breathing point. They're not hungry enough anymore. Exactly. Does someone has to be a little crazy to still want to eat more, even though they're already full? Yeah. Some people are just wired that way. Some people just more and more, and that's no slight against them. They're never satisfied. They always want more—another dollar, another nickel. If they saw a nickel on the floor, they would stop and pick it up. They want every piece of everything. And those people usually are the ones that go and go and go and go. They’re usually the ones that just keep going because it’s an insatiable appetite. I'm not talking about people who get—well, I don't want to call it lucky—but sometimes things do fall out of the sky. Sometimes a big client falls out of the sky, or an opportunity opens up, and people are smart enough to buy their competitor when the competitor approaches them. Or sometimes they make these little moves, and that gives them a leap. I’m not talking about those people. Those are outliers to me. I’m talking about your average entrepreneur that built a $3 million business on his own with no major clients falling, just hard work, blood, sweat in tears. The average Joe typically gets stuck around that $3 million. Yeah, that’s interesting. Fascinating. Alright, well, if you don't want to be stuck around $3 million, or if you want to get to the next level, then reach out to Tim and check out what he’s doing. So where can our listeners find you? Where can our listeners find you if they want to learn with you, learn about you, read your Substack, read your books? Where should they go? Just go to Google or AI and type in Tim “The Inside Man” Martinez. The Inside Man is an acronym for Tim. You'll find my LinkedIn—happy to connect with you, just tell me you heard me on Steve's podcast. You can also check out my blog: it's Tim “The Inside Man” on Substack, or go to www.theinsideman.biz, my website. I'd love to connect with anyone. Well, do check out Tim's Substack—it's awesome. You're going to get more of what you heard on this podcast. And if you enjoy listening, make sure you follow us. Subscribe on YouTube, LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, or wherever else you get your podcasts, because every week I'm inviting—and luckily more and more people want to come on the show—to have a conversation. So thank you, Tim, for coming, and thank you for listening. Important Links: Tim's LinkedIn Tim's website

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Episode 145: From Cookie Aisles To Consulting: How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market

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Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2026 18:23 Transcription Available

Send me a text message and get your questions answered on the podcast! I'd love to hear from you! “The market is too crowded.”“There's too much competition.”“Everyone's already doing what I do.”If you've ever said that (or quietly believed it), this episode is for you.In this conversation, we're unpacking one of the most common (and costly) lies I hear from brilliant consultants, strategists, and experts: that market saturation means it's time to pivot… or give up.Having difficulty breaking through a crowded market doesn't mean there's a lack of opportunity. It signals that at least one major thing needs adjustment.In this episode, is where we will break it all down.What I know for sure is that most people who say “the market is too crowded” aren't wrong, they're just unclear.If you want more conversations like this, subscribe to the podcast. And if you want clarity right now, take my free two-minute quiz to see why your intelligence, experience, and ideas aren't yet turning into the income, visibility, and recognition they should.https://drangelinadavis.myflodesk.com/authorityLet's Connect! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drangelinadavis/Also, you can watch this episode on YouTube! Click here to tune in.

255. The Real-Life Growth Path: How a Consulting Business Grew from $258K to $514K

David C Barnett Small Business & Deal Making

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2026 28:56

You don't need luck to double your consulting business. It's possible for you, and even to double your revenue without working more.In this episode, I share the behind-the-scenes of how one consultant went from plateauing at $258K to generating $514K, without working more hours.This isn't a theory or case study. It's a real-life client example.You'll hear the five business shifts that made this growth possible and how each one can apply to your business right now, regardless of whether you're at $150K or already at a million.The key theme?Growth didn't come from overworking. It came from commitment, capacity, discipline, and a willingness to challenge how he saw himself as a business owner.If you've been hovering at the same revenue for months or years, this episode gives you a path to break through your plateau.What you will learn in this episode:[06:40] The mindset shift that unlocks consistent revenue growth (and why many consultants unknowingly stall out right before the breakthrough)[08:55] How to value your capacity and stop undervaluing your time, even if you don't bill hourly[12:15] The internal identity shift from executor to advisor and how it changes everything about your business model[17:50] Why quarterly targets helped normalize higher revenue (and how to stop operating from a corporate salary mindset)[21:30] How to refine your demand engine without piling on more tactics so you're not relying on hope or luck to fill your pipelineTune into Episode 255 to see what doubling the revenue of your independent consulting business can actually look like and how these same principles can apply at any revenue level.Mentioned ResourcesCompanion Resource: Download the Double Your Consulting Business Workbook, https://www.melisaliberman.com/double Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-255Melisa's Books, Planners & Journals: https://linktr.ee/melisalibermanMentioned in this Episode:Join the Lead Gen Sprint Waitlist - www.ConsultantSprint.comEpisode 060 – The 3 Sales Mindset Shifts for Independent Consultants, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/?s=60 ️Episode 061 – What's Standing In the Way of You Making More Money With Less Worry In Your Consulting Business, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-61/#more-1297 Episode 200 - What's Possible for your Consulting Business, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-200/#more-2584 Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

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218: What New Consultants Need to Know to Get Their Consulting Business Off the Ground with Joanna Lott

Seven Figure Consultant

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2026 41:36

In this week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in June 2025, I spoke to Joanna Lott about the realities of building a coaching or consulting business from the ground up. We explored the challenges new entrepreneurs face, from defining a niche and mastering marketing to overcoming visibility fears and developing a strong money mindset. Joanna also shared practical advice on leveraging personal connections, adapting to client needs, and embracing the messy, rewarding journey of entrepreneurship. Whether you're just starting out or refining your approach, this episode offers actionable insights for growing a thriving consulting business. In This Episode: [00:00:00] Joanna shares her background and motivation for helping coaches. [00:01:17] Discussion about the gap between coach training and actually building a business, and the misleading promises from training organizations. [00:03:21] Joanna describes the shock new coaches face regarding marketing, sales, and the importance of niching. [00:05:20] Clarifying the focus on executive and corporate-facing coaching, and the dual audience of organizations and individuals. [00:09:15] Advice on aligning marketing messages to organizational pain points and the importance of targeting decision-makers. [00:11:45] Joanna's advice on choosing a specialism, researching organizational needs, and being open in client conversations. [00:15:10] Discussing the discomfort around sales, visibility, and the money mindset issues new coaches face. [00:17:17] The value of reaching out to existing contacts for leads, and the vulnerability involved in doing so. [00:21:00] Stories about landing first contracts, learning to ask about budgets, and the evolution of pricing confidence. [00:23:58] The importance of being willing to fail, adapt, and learn from missed opportunities in proposal and offer development. [00:25:16] Encouragement to embrace high-ticket pricing and the reality that there's no single "right" answer in new service creation. [00:28:36] The role of resilience in entrepreneurship, celebrating growth milestones, and the emotional rollercoaster of early business. [00:31:58] Recognizing that business growth takes time, and the need to persist through uncertainty and discomfort. [00:34:40] Stories of how both hosts' businesses changed over time, and the importance of letting your brand and offers evolve. [00:38:38] Practical advice for new coaches. Key Takeaways: Visibility, sales resistance, and money mindset are the biggest hurdles. Getting over the fear of being seen and learning to confidently price your services are non-negotiables if you want to grow. Many high-value corporate contracts begin with a simple message to a past colleague. Be clear, be specific and always end with a question, not a full stop. Successful proposals start with curiosity. Don't cling too tightly to a pre-planned offer - let conversations with organizations shape what you deliver and how you position it. Quotes: "The heartbreaking thing is that people just don't buy freedom or having a great life. They don't buy coaching. They buy the result that they want." - Joanna Lott "I find clients get very attached to their offer. … If they just take a step back and really, really listen in those conversations, they could gain more opportunities. Because if you're trying to only pitch your one little offer that you've got in your head that you want to sell, it's really tricky. Get the other person talking as much as possible as to what their challenges are, and then essentially use your coaching skills to reflect everything you heard and decide at that point, if that's something that you want to offer or not." - Joanna Lott "So I think it is being willing to learn and fail in public in front of people that perhaps you used to know. And yeah, not always knowing the right answers… There is no one right figure that's going to mean you are 100% guaranteed to get this contract." - Joanna Lott "We can only learn in the trenches, in the sandbox, by getting our hands and feet dirty. That's the way it has to be." - Jessica Fearnley "I often find those conversations that I get my clients having have a really fruitful outcome in terms of leads and sales. Even this year, I've got several clients who've made multi six-figure deals just by phoning up people that they've known for 20 or 30 years. It's such a quick win, but that can be such an uncomfortable thing to do because all of these things come up, like, 'who am I to ask for this?'" - Jessica Fearnley Useful Links Joanna: JoannaLottCoaching.com 2025 Success Planner for Coaches Women in the Coaching Arena Podcast Jessica: Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon Join the Making Your First $100k as a B2B Consultant workshop Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn Guest Bio Joanna Lott is a business coach who helps qualified coaches attract clients with honesty, not hype. As the host of The Women in the Coaching Arena, a top 2.5% globally ranked show, she provides practical strategies to help coaches grow thriving, sustainable businesses. With a track record of successfully selling executive, career and business coaching services to both organisations and individuals, Joanna has now supported hundreds of coaches in building profitable, integrity-driven businesses through strategic marketing. She is an ICF Associate Certified Coach and holds an ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching & Mentoring, bringing a wealth of practical experience and professional expertise to her work.

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Migrating my International Consulting Business to Xero

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2026 29:58

***New Video Alert! I take you behind the curtain of how I stayed on top of the numbers in my business and why my old system finally hit a breaking point. If you're dealing with manual reconciliations, multi-currency headaches, or duplicated invoicing work, you'll relate to this. I'll show you what wasn't working, what I wanted instead, and why I'm confident the move to a cloud system was the right call. Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/LfaGUfwStqo Cheers See you over on YouTube David C Barnett #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessBuying #BusinessBroker #BusinessBuyerAdvantage #DavidCBarnett

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From "Rental Car Rep" to 7-Figure Home Service Consulting Business | Phil Risher (MU Classic)

Millionaire University

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2026 45:41

#745 What if scaling your business didn't require a marketing degree — just the right systems and mindset? In this episode, host Brien Gearin chats with Phil Risher, founder of Phlash Consulting, about how he built a multi-million dollar consulting company from the ground up — without a traditional marketing background. Phil shares his unconventional journey from working at Enterprise Rent-A-Car to living in a school bus, to eventually helping home service businesses scale fast with a unique blend of consulting, content marketing, and strategic partnerships. You'll hear how he transitioned from solopreneur to building a high-performance team, productized his services, and structured his business to run without him in the day-to-day. If you're a service-based entrepreneur looking to grow and systematize your business, this episode is packed with practical strategies and inspiration! (Original Air Date - 5/24/25) What we discuss with Phil: + From school bus living to CEO + Scaling home service businesses + Productizing a service business + Hiring without agency experience + Building referral partnerships + Managing consultants with performance pay + Leveraging CRMs like Jobber + Tracking return on ad spend + Growing through content marketing + Structuring a business for time freedom Thank you, Phil! Check out Phlash Consulting at ⁠PhlashConsulting.com⁠. Follow Phil on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠. Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠video podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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117: Fixing the Income Gaps in Your Coaching or Consulting Business

Unleash Your Ambition Podcast with Stacie Walker: Online Business | Mindset | Success | Lifestyle

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2026 15:30

In this episode of the Unleash Your Ambition Podcast, Stacie Walker walks you through how to identify the income gaps in your coaching or consulting business and what to do to close them. RESOURCE MENTIONED: The Fix Your Foundation Session: This is a focused strategic conversation where we look at the income gaps in your business and create a simple roadmap for consistent income that feels aligned and attainable and is aligned with your unique mission, vision and personality. SHOW NOTES: https://www.unleashyourambition.com/blog/fixing-the-income-gaps-in-your-coaching-or-consulting-business We'd love to hear from you. Contact us here to ask a question, leave feedback about this episode, or request a topic for a future episode. CONNECT WITH STACIE WALKER: Visit Stacie's Website Connect with Stacie on Facebook Connect with Stacie on Instagram Connect with Stacie on YouTube MUSIC CREDIT: Chill Wave by Kevin MacLeod Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod Alone by Musikal License code: GWWGS39BBB2WTA6H French Morning / Music by: CreatorMix.com

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Season 5: The New Age of Consulting

social entrepreneurship standing consulting artificial new age women in business rfps consulting business small business advice black women entrepreneurs

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2026 3:39 Transcription Available

Send me a text message and get your questions answered on the podcast! I'd love to hear from you! Welcome to Season 5 of Black Girls Consult TOO!It's 2026 — and the consulting industry has changed.The market is saturated. Information is everywhere. Artificial intelligence is reshaping how expertise is shared. Social media is no longer optional. And the old ways of building a consulting business (i.e., relying solely on referrals, networking nonstop, or chasing RFPs) are no longer enough.But the great part is: you can still build a thriving, profitable consulting business in this new era, if you're willing to do things differently.This season, we're stepping into what I call "New Age Consulting" — a more modern, visible, and intentional way of building authority, attracting clients, and positioning yourself to win in today's global, digital marketplace.In Season 5, we're having real, honest conversations about:Standing out in a crowded consulting marketMarketing and selling your expertise in a modern wayUsing today's tools and platforms to your advantageBuilding a consulting business that is both purpose-driven and highly profitableShowing up visibly while staying true to who you areIf you're ready to up-level, expand your impact, and thrive as a consultant in 2026 and beyond, this is where you need to be.Hit subscribe, follow along, and join us as we grow together in this next chapter of Black Girls Consult TOO!Interested in learning more? Visit https://excelatconsulting.com/

304: How to Lead with Creative Courage with Moza-Bella Tram

The Business of Meetings

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2026 25:17

Today, we're delighted to speak with entrepreneur Moza-Bella Tram, CEO and founder of Moza-Bella LLC. Moza-Bella is an immigrant with a remarkable entrepreneurial journey. She is a TEDx speaker, a mentor, a business consultant, and has written several books, including the bestseller Powerful Female Immigrants, which she co-authored. She is also the host of the digital TV show Lessons from Failures. Stay tuned as we explore Moza-Bella's fascinating journey and the experiences that have shaped her work. Moza-Bella's Journey Moz-Bella was born in Vietnam shortly after the Vietnam War. She came to the U.S. as an adult immigrant 25 years ago, leaving behind family, familiarity, and certainty. Her experience was similar to that of many immigrants- the unknown, limited support, and the pressure to succeed, for herself, and for her family. She was told she was too old to learn English fluently, but she pushed forward anyway, focusing on clear communication rather than perfection, and using frustration as motivation to grow. Early Career and Foundations in Hospitality Before immigrating, Moza-Bella worked in Vietnam's hospitality industry at Omni Saigon and later Sofitel Saigon, where she developed an appreciation for professionalism, service, and strategic promotions. Working in public relations exposed her to branding, credibility, and global perspectives, and hospitality became her first window into the world beyond Vietnam's borders. Education, Resistance, and Choosing Her Own Path After arriving in the U.S., Moza-Bella encountered skepticism and prejudice and was discouraged from pursuing higher education. Despite that, she earned her MBA in Marketing from the University of Hartford, driven by her parents' sacrifices and her belief in the right to choose her own future. Her early ambition was to build a global hospitality career, but over time, new opportunities and realities reshaped her direction. Adaptation, Grit, and Multiple Careers Moza-Bella supported herself through school and beyond by working in nail salons, restaurants, interpretation services, construction-related marketing, network marketing, real estate, and, eventually, nursing after the 2008 financial crisis. Each role added to her skills, perspective, and resilience. Redefining Success and Time Freedom Moza-Bella wanted the flexibility to care for her parents and shape her own life, so she chose to become an entrepreneur. She invested heavily in personal development and coaching, believing that free information offers knowledge, but paid learning creates transformation. Building a Consulting Business with Purpose Over the last five years, Moza-Bella built Moza-Bella LLC into a business consulting company with a growing team. Her mission is to help strong entrepreneurs become well-known in their industries, allowing them to create meaningful impact. She believes that change happens one person at a time, through a ripple effect of shared growth and visibility. Lessons from Failures and Shared Wisdom Through her digital TV show, Lessons from Failures, Moza-Bella highlights the realities behind success stories. Entrepreneurs, doctors, and professionals from many fields share how hardship shaped their decisions, often after years of trial and error. She emphasizes the value of learning lessons sooner, challenging entrenched systems, and prioritizing growth while time is still on your side. Meaning Behind the Name Moza-Bella The name "Moza" means mother of pearl, representing an oyster that transforms pain into something valuable by embracing it rather than resisting it. For Moza-Bella, that symbolizes human potential, cultivating adversity into wisdom, then opening oneself to share it with others. Bio: Moza-Bella Tram Founder and CEO, TEDx Speaker, Author, Mentor, Business Consultant Moza-Bella is an international speaker, author, and CEO dedicated to helping professionals find authentic fulfillment and success. She has over 15 years of experience in healthcare and more than 20 years in business development. She produces and hosts the digital TV show "Lessons from Failures," airing on FOX5 and PIX11 New York. She has been featured in Forbes and Yahoo Finance and is the author of "Luxury in YOU." She partners with Grant Cardone in the 10X movement in Vietnam. Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter Connect with Moza-Bella Tram On her website LinkedIn

251. The Shifts That Will Create a Breakthrough Year in Your Consulting Business

moving books shift protecting breakthrough shifts reframing journals planners consulting business independent consultant

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2026 35:36

The Shifts That Will Create a Breakthrough Year in Your Consulting BusinessA breakthrough year doesn't come from working harder, getting luckier, or finding the perfect strategy. It comes from changing how you think and operate as a business owner.In this episode, Melisa walks you through why most consultants never experience a true breakthrough year. Not because they're incapable, but because they keep running their business from the same mental operating system that created their current results.If you've hit a plateau or you keep setting bigger goals without seeing meaningful change, this episode will challenge how you think about value, demand, time, revenue, and money itself.Join in as Melisa breaks down the five specific mindset shifts that create real momentum. This isn't motivational fluff. These are practical shifts that change how you make decisions, how you price, how you sell, and how you protect your capacity.A breakthrough year is available to you. But it requires you to stop thinking like a do-er and start thinking like the business owner you already are.What you will learn in this episode:[03:45] Why breakthroughs rarely happen and what actually creates them[07:10] The role emotional capacity plays in achieving bigger goals[12:30] Shift #1. Moving from effort-based value to outcome ownership[15:10] Shift #2. Creating demand instead of waiting for it[18:45] Shift #3. Reframing revenue from income replacement to a revenue engine[22:30] Shift #4. Protecting capacity instead of filling the calendar[26:15] Shift #5. Using money as a strategic tool, not a personal expense[30:10] The three steps to put this episode into action immediatelyTune in to Episode 251 to understand the mindset shifts required to create a breakthrough year that supports both higher revenue and a better life.Mentioned ResourcesCompanion Resources: Download the Independent Consultant's 12-Month Plan Template www.icyearlyplan.com & Melisa's Business Brain Journal https://www.growthatlas.solutions/ Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-251Melisa's Books, Planners & Journals: https://linktr.ee/melisalibermanMentioned in this Episode:Join the 2026 Lead Gen Sprint, http://www.consultantsprint.com/ Episode 200 - What's Possible for your Consulting Business, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-200/#more-2584 Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

Lines of Credit with Business Owner Andrew Amann from ninetwothree.co

Simple Passive Cashflow

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 50:23

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Higher Ed, Career Development, Leadership, AI and More with Dr. Suela Papagelis

Bob Cargill's Marketing Show

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2025 47:45

Episode 206 - Higher Ed, Career Development, Leadership, AI and More with Dr. Suela Papagelis In this engaging conversation, Bob Cargill speaks with Dr. Suela Papagelis about her educational journey, teaching philosophy, and the importance of creating a safe learning environment. They discuss the significance of competing with oneself, embracing change, and the role of technology and AI in education. Dr. Papagelis shares her insights on critical thinking, cultural awareness, and the importance of passion in career choices, ultimately emphasizing the need for personal growth and motivation in both teaching and learning. Sound bites Sound Bites "Compete with yourself, not others." "Embrace change to avoid stagnation." "Mistakes are lessons, not failures." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:51 Educational Journey and Teaching Philosophy 05:52 Ambition and Work Ethic 08:42 Competing with Yourself 11:27 Creating a Safe Learning Environment 14:32 The Importance of Passion and Career Choices 17:50 Embracing Change and Overcoming Stagnation 20:31 The Role of Technology in Education 23:40 Critical Thinking and AI in Learning 26:40 Cultural Awareness and Teamwork 29:29 The Future of AI and Education 32:33 Final Thoughts and Consulting Business

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Corporate Structure Strategy Every Business Owner Needs

Real Money Talks

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2025 10:44

In this coaching conversation, Loral guides an HVAC and STR business owner through the corporate structure strategy required for real tax savings and scalable growth. She explains why Washington businesses must look to states like Wyoming or Nevada for better corporate structure strategy, how intercompany contracts protect deductions, and how consolidating expenses builds a cleaner tax plan.From W-2 structuring to 401(k) shifts, to depreciation strategies and trust planning, this episode lays out exactly how corporate structure strategy builds wealth year after year.Loral's Takeaways:Business Strategy and Expansion Plans (01:37)Consulting Business and Tax Strategies (04:11)Final Recommendations and Next Steps (05:14)Meet Loral Langemeier:Loral Langemeier is a money expert, sought-after speaker, entrepreneurial thought leader, and best-selling author of five books.Her goal: to change the conversations people have about money worldwide and empower people to become millionaires.The CEO and Founder of Live Out Loud, Inc. – a multinational organization — Loral relentlessly and candidly shares her best advice without hesitation or apology. What sets her apart from other wealth experts is her innate ability to recognize and acknowledge the skills & talents of people, inspiring them to generate wealth.She has created, nurtured, and perfected a 3-5 year strategy to make millions for the “Average Jill and Joe.” To date, she and her team have served thousands of individuals worldwide and created hundreds of millionaires through wealth-building education keynotes, workshops, products, events, programs, and coaching services.Loral is truly dedicated to helping men and women, from all walks of life, to become millionaires AND be able to enjoy time with their families.She is living proof that anyone can have the life of their dreams through hard work, persistence, and getting things done in the face of opposition. As a single mother of two children, she is redefining the possibility for women to have it all and raise their children in an entrepreneurial and financially literate environment. Links and Resources:Ask Loral App: https://apple.co/3eIgGcXLoral on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/askloral/Loral on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/lorallive/videosLoral on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorallangemeier/Money Rules: https://integratedwealthsystems.com/money-rules/Millionaire Maker Store: https://millionairemakerstore.com/Real Money Talks Podcast: https://integratedwealthsystems.com/podcast/Integrated Wealth Systems: https://integratedwealthsystems.com/Affiliate Sign-Up: https://integratedwealthsystems.com/affiliates Thanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and...

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How Tom Stearns Transformed His Consulting Business and Work-Life Balance

Welcome to TheInquisitor Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2025 17:10

In this episode, I chat with Tom Stearns, a consultant to CEOs and CROs, about how mentorship helped him redefine and scale his business. Tom shares how he gained clarity, focused on the right clients, shortened sales cycles, increased deal sizes, and walked away from boring work, all while achieving a four-day workweek. Whether you're a founder, sales leader, or consultant looking for practical strategies to grow your business and work smarter, Tom's story offers actionable insights and inspiration. Contact team@principledselling.com Contact Tom https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomstearns/

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The Consulting Reset (MiniSeries): Why What Worked Before Won't Work in 2026

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Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2025 18:56 Transcription Available

Send me a text message and get your questions answered on the podcast! I'd love to hear from you! The consulting industry is changing fast, and the strategies that worked even 12 months ago are no longer enough to stay competitive. In this episode, we break down exactly how the market has shifted, why your old consulting approach is losing effectiveness, and what the new 2026 landscape demands from consultants, strategists, and expert service providers.If you've been feeling stuck, invisible, or unsure why your current efforts aren't landing the way they used to… this episode will give you the clarity, context, and direction you've been missing.This is the foundation of our mini-series, where I show you how to adapt, elevate your positioning, and build a consulting business that thrives in today's changed market.***********Connect with me at Dr. Angelina Davis on Instagram or LinkedIn, and visit excelconsulting.com for resources to support your journey. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. I would love for you to join our community of ambitious consultants breaking glass ceilings!

Rachael Wonderlin: How She Built a Thriving Consulting Business, Broke Out of Her Niche, and Learned to Trust Her Gut

Everyday Bad Ass Women Leaders

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2025 46:22

Send us a textRachael Wonderlin built a national dementia consulting firm from a Tumblr blog, three Johns Hopkins books, and a decade of hands-on work inside senior living communities. But the real story is what she learned along the way about boundaries, burnout, and trusting her intuition long before the data caught up.In this conversation, Rachael shares the full arc of building Dementia By Day from a one-woman hustle into a recurring revenue business that now operates like fractional operations for senior living companies. She talks about the early years when she said yes to everything, the moment she realized she needed a different model, and the systems she created to stop chasing one-off gigs.She also opens up about being pigeonholed as “just” a dementia expert, the tone deaf advice she received while pitching her fourth book, and the unregulated coaching industry that inspired her business memoir, I Can't Hustle Any Harder Than This.If you're building a business, struggling with boundaries, or fighting your way out of a niche that people keep trying to trap you in, this episode gives you the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.In this episode, Rachael shares: • How she turned a blog into a national consulting firm • The moment she learned to stop saying yes to everything • How she built recurring revenue and stopped chasing the next gig • The difference between coaching and consulting, and why clarity matters • Why the coaching industry can harm entrepreneurs who are just getting started • The story of the agent who told her to write a “funny dementia book” • How she is repositioning herself as a business leader, not only a dementia expert • The evolution of dementia care and why public awareness has changed • Why she refuses to use AI to create content • How her viral web comics reached hundreds of thousands of people • What hiring mistakes taught her about leadership and trust • The one lesson she wants every business owner to learn: if your gut says no, believe itKey quote: “If your gut reaction is ‘oh hell no,' that is the answer. Stop arguing with yourself. Say no and move on.”CONTACT INFORMATIONRachael Wonderlin Founder and CEO, Dementia By Day Website: dementiabyday.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachaelwonderlin Instagram: @dementiabyday and @cant_hustleanyharder Substack: Can't Hustle Any Harder--- Subscribe and ReviewIf you loved this episode, drop us a review, share it with a badass woman in your life, and subscribe to Badass Women in Business wherever you get your podcasts. Stay badass. Stay bold. Build it your way. Keep up with more content from Aggie and Cristy here: Facebook: Empowered Women Leaders Instagram: @badass_women_in_business LinkedIn: ProveHer - Badass Women in Business Website: Badasswomeninbusinesspodcast.com Athena: athenaac.com

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#48: How to Grow a Consulting Business in Uncertain Times

Business Made Simple with Donald Miller

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2025 29:27

Get free marketing videos from Don every week at WeeklySoundbite.com Running a marketing consulting business is never simple. In uncertain times, it's even harder. Clients are cautious, timelines stretch, and budgets shrink. You know your services create real results, but closing new business feels tougher than ever. If you're not clear and confident in your message, potential clients will hesitate or move on. And the longer you stay vague or unfocused, the more you're stuck in survival mode instead of scaling. So how do you position yourself as the obvious choice, especially when the market feels shaky? In this episode, host Kyle Reed is joined by veteran StoryBrand Certified Guide Kris Jones and StoryBrand's Director of Certification Luke Pastina to explore how to thrive as a messaging expert in a season of economic unpredictability. Kris shares how she's adapted her business, adjusted her rates, and built systems that support both clarity and connection. You'll learn how to uncover your client's real problem, what story actually moves the needle, and why collaboration is key to building a thriving consulting business. If you're trying to grow your marketing practice in uncertain times, listen in to get the blueprint. Hire Kris to get you effective messaging at Red Door Stories and access the free PDF mentioned in this episode. -- Click HERE to get in-person help creating your marketing at the next available StoryBrand Your Business LIVE event! Click HERE to find a StoryBrand certified marketing coach like Kris to help you grow your business! Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world's best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai. Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!

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246. The 10 Surprising Relationships That Grow Your Consulting Business

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Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2025 47:49

Independent consulting is a relationship business, but most consultants only focus on a few obvious ones. That leaves untapped opportunity on the table.In this episode, you'll learn the ten relationship types that directly influence your pipeline, your revenue, and your long-term growth.Some are familiar, like client and channel relationships. Others are the hidden drivers most consultants never think about, such as your relationship with your time, your goals, your expertise, and even your business model.This isn't about being more social or more outgoing. It is about strengthening the specific relationships that create leverage, predictability, and growth.You'll learn how to assess where each relationship stands today, identify which ones are holding your business back, and prioritize the few that will create the greatest impact in the next ninety days.If you want a more profitable, sustainable, and aligned consulting business, this episode will show you exactly where to focus next.What you will learn in this episode: [06:30] The four external relationships that drive demand, pricing power, and delivery leverage. [13:50] The three strategic clarity relationships you must build with your goals, your future self, and your ideal client persona. [29:45] How internal relationships like time, money, and your own expertise either accelerate or stall your growth. [42:00] A simple prioritization method to identify which relationships need your attention now, and how to start small.Tune in to Episode 246 for tools you can implement immediately to deepen the right relationships and unlock new growth as an independent consultant.Mentioned ResourcesIndependent Consultant's Business Health Assessment: www.icassessment.com Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-246/Melisa's Books, Planners & Journals: https://linktr.ee/melisalibermanRelated Podcast Episode: ️Episode 123 – A Simple Strategy to Revive The Relationships You've Neglected In Your Network, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-123/Mentioned in this Episode:Join the waitlist for the 2026 Lead Gen Sprint, http://www.consultantsprint.com/ The Best CRM for Consultants, Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

Scale Your Consulting Business Like a 4th-Degree Black Belt

Predictable B2B Success

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2025 41:59

Are you ready to unravel the real secrets of starting and scaling a successful business? In this episode of Predictable B2B Success, host Vinay Koshy sits down with Feras Alhlou, an advisor to 150 startups, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, and the founder of Startup with Feras, to explore the raw realities of entrepreneurship. Discover how a sudden layoff became the unexpected catalyst for Feras Alhlou's journey, and why most founders miss what truly matters in building trust and accelerating growth. From the disciplined mindsets honed in martial arts to the deliberate practices that separate sustainable businesses from overnight fads, this episode dives deep into the skills rarely discussed and the principles every entrepreneur should master. You'll hear how Feras Alhlou built and sold his agency to a global media giant and why learning and applying that learning is his personal edge. Plus, get a peek into his effective strategies for identifying ideal clients, incorporating customer feedback, and nurturing lasting relationships that lead to repeat, high-value business. Tune in for real stories, actionable insights, and some unexpected advice that might reshape your approach to entrepreneurship. If you've ever wondered what it takes to succeed and scale truly, you won't want to miss this episode! Some topics we explore in this episode include: Entrepreneurial Journey – Feras Alhlou recounts how a layoff pushed him to start his own business and his progress since then.Learning & Execution – The value of continual learning and strong execution skills for entrepreneurial growth.Discipline & Deliberate Practice – Drawing lessons from martial arts about the importance of discipline and perseverance.Defining Target Audience/ICP – How Feras Alhlou's content and services are specifically tailored for early-stage service/consulting entrepreneurs.Trust Building – Techniques for building trust with prospects and clients through valuable content and authentic relationships.Content Strategy – The importance of focused, audience-specific content creation.Strategy & Goal Setting (OKRs) – Setting and regularly reviewing objectives using the OKR method, with team involvement.Data-Driven Decisions – Utilizing analytics and regular reviews to inform business and content strategies.Customer Feedback – Incorporating the voice of the customer into business operations and improvement.Client Management & Upsell – Approaches to managing relationships, expanding accounts, and ensuring client success for retention and growth.And much, much more ...

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Capitalism Vs. Commerce In Your Consulting Business

Naturally Surviving

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2025 12:36

Dissertation Information Qual Scholars Community: https://qual-scholars.circle.so/ 10 Pages In 2 Days Writing Retreat: https://qualscholars.com/10pages/ The Finish Your Dissertation Institute: https://qualscholars.com/theinstitute/ Qual Scholars Website: https://qualscholars.com/ Qual Scholars' Instagram: https://instagram.com/qual_scholars/ Book An Astrology Reading: https://www.qualscholars.com/offers/8q2V7xF3/checkout

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Darlene Drew: From Warden to Consultant on Pricing and Grief

Business RadioX ® Network

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2025

From Federal Warden to Leadership Consultant: Darlene Drew on Building Your Practice, Pricing Mistakes, and Running a Business Through Grief (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 153) Do you want to know how to build a professional services business when you have deep expertise but no client base? Darlene Drew shares exactly how she did […]

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Episode 26: Start Smart: The 4 Steps to Launching Your Education Consulting Business

Teaching by Reaching: Empowering Classroom Superheroes

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2025 12:55

If you're just getting started with your education consulting business—or if you've been dabbling and you're ready to finally treat it like a real business—this episode is for you.Jenn breaks down the four foundational steps every new consultant should take to set up their business the right way—from legal and financial logistics to market research and framework development. Plus, she shares the essential mindset shift every educator must make when stepping into entrepreneurship.You'll learn how to think like a business owner, how to handle the “no-response” moments that come with outreach, and why playing the long game is the real secret to building predictable, six-figure success.LinksFree Masterclass - 4-Step Framework to Build and Sell Profitable PDConcept to Cashflow Mini-CourseInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenn_kleiberLinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/jennkleiber

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Episode 212: Creating the Roadmap for Your Seven Figure Consulting Business

Seven Figure Consultant

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2025 16:23

With Q4 here and 2026 planning underway, I'm re-sharing one of my favourite episodes on creating your roadmap to seven figures. If you're joining my workshop next week on the $100K offer, this episode shows you how that offer fits into your bigger revenue strategy. Today I'm talking about what happens when we shift from the "what" to the "how" with getting your consulting business to seven figures and maybe even eight figures. I'll talk all about how to accomplish the milestones you set for your business and how to create the action plan to get there. Tune in to this episode to learn more! In this episode: [01:30] Think about what you want the destination to be for your business. [05:00] Unpacking and peeling back the layers of your dream. [10:00] Actually doing the "how" using motivation and mindset. [14:00] More on my business audit package and how I'll help you make a plan of action. Key Takeaways: Setting micro goals and milestones along the journey of your business can be a great way to help you eventually achieve your destination. The "what" can be easy to identify, but it's the "how" that generally is harder to accomplish. Finding motivation and changing your mindset can help to accomplish your goals. Quotes: "I always want my clients to have a revenue goal in mind, but it's more important to me that we turn that goal into a sheet of micro goals or milestones." Jessica Fearnley "One thing I have really learned in recent years is that we need the "what" to be expansive and to be able to expand to its true dimensions before we even make a start on the "how"." Jessica Fearnley Useful Links: Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business Jessica's LinkedIn

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243. When You Are the Bottleneck: Overcoming Resistance in Your Consulting Business

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Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2025 34:17

Most independent consultants think their business bottlenecks come from systems, tools, or strategy.But the real bottleneck is often you, and specifically, how you respond to resistance.In this episode, you'll learn why resistance shows up, how it slows your growth, and a simple plan to move through it so you can scale faster and with less friction.Whether it's overthinking a new offer, delaying a move into advisory work, or hesitating to raise your pricing, that internal friction isn't a fixed limitation or missing trait. It's a signal that you're ready to move beyond your current comfort zone.Melisa shares a practical framework for noticing, normalizing, and navigating resistance so it doesn't sabotage your results.If you want to stop getting in your own way and start taking clean, strategic action, this episode gives you the tools to do it.What you will learn in this episode:[03:12] Why you, not your systems, are likely the bottleneck in your consulting business[07:40] How resistance shows up and what it looks like day to day[15:26] The two root causes of resistance and how to identify them in your thinking[20:41] Five methods to work with resistance, not against it[32:15] How to implement a resistance plan so you can stop circling and start progressingTune in to Episode 243 for tangible coaching tools to help you shift from bottleneck to business accelerator.Mentioned Resources1) Companion Resource: The Consultant Mindset Audit2) Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-243/3) Melisa's Books, Planners & Journals: https://linktr.ee/melisaliberman4) Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 237 - Make the Most of Your Business Owner Thinking Time 5) Mentioned in this Episode: Podcast - Huberman LabWant help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

When to Run Ads in Your Sleep Consulting Business with Samantha Fine

Thrivetime Show | Business School without the BS

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2025 38:56

On this episode of the Becoming a Sleep Consultant Podcast, I am joined by Samantha Fine, a digital marketing pro who left corporate to help women grow their businesses with simple ads and funnels. We talk about how funnels work, when ads make sense, and how to keep your strategy focused if you are new to business or on a small budget.Whether you are just getting started or looking to take your sleep consulting business to the next level, this conversation will give you clarity on where to place your focus so you can grow with confidence.Tune in to learn:• What a funnel actually looks like in your business• When it is the right time to consider paid ads• How refining your communication strategy leads to attracting ideal clients• What mindset supports real business growthLinks:Website: https://www.samanthafinedigital.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthafinedigitalFree training: https://www.samanthafinedigital.com/ad-success-system-workshop-933739If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Sleep Consultant, please join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasleepconsultantCPSM website: https://thecpsm.com/Book a free discovery call to learn how you can become a Certified Sleep Consultant here: https://jaynehavens.as.me/CPSM-Inquiry

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Business Coaching for Home Builders | Clay Clark Success Stories | Learn How to Grow a Successful Roofing, Home Building & Consulting Business + Join Eric Trump At Clay Clark's (Dec. 4-5) ThrivetimeShow.com Business Conf

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 52:21

Want to Start or Grow a Successful Business? Schedule a FREE 13-Point Assessment with Clay Clark Today At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com Join Clay Clark's Thrivetime Show Business Workshop!!! Learn Branding, Marketing, SEO, Sales, Workflow Design, Accounting & More. **Request Tickets & See Testimonials At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com **Request Tickets Via Text At (918) 851-0102 See the Thousands of Success Stories and Millionaires That Clay Clark Has Helped to Produce HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ Download A Millionaire's Guide to Become Sustainably Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Money-Generating and Time-Freedom Creating Business HERE: www.ThrivetimeShow.com/Millionaire See Thousands of Case Studies Today HERE: www.thrivetimeshow.com/does-it-work/

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Clay Clark Client Testimonials, Case Studies & Success Stories | Learn How to Grow a Successful Roofing, Home Building & Business Consulting Business + Join Eric Trump At Clay Clark's (Dec. 4-5) ThrivetimeShow.com Business Conf

Thrivetime Show | Business School without the BS

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 54:00

133 | The 3-Part Marketing System You Need To Launch Your Coaching and Consulting Business

Start That Business | How to start a business, Service Based Business Online, Freelancing, Make Money Online

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 18:59

Hey Friend, Welcome to the “Start That Business” podcast, where I help Christian moms working a corporate job launch their first coaching or consulting business from scratch without quitting their jobs yet. Are you struggling to get clients even after building a beautiful website? You're not alone. In this episode, I share why your website should never be built in isolation and the three-part marketing system every coaching and consulting business needs to attract clients, build trust, and close sales. You'll learn: How to capture attention with the right strategies Nurture relationships through value-driven touchpoints, and Confidently close with systems that make it easy for clients to say yes. Whether you're just starting out or ready to refine your process, this framework will help you design a marketing system that actually works. I pray this blesses you. . .

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Beyond the Side Hustle: Building a Thriving Full-Time Sleep Consulting Business with Danielle Greene

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 28:36

One year ago, Danielle Greene made the leap from teacher and social-emotional learning specialist to full-time pediatric sleep consultant.When she first joined me on the Becoming a Sleep Consultant podcast, we talked about her transition into this work. Now Danielle is back to share what life and business look like after a full year of running her practice full time, and how she's re-discovered her “why” along the way.In this episode, Danielle opens up about:• The biggest lessons she's learned in her first year of working her business full time• How reconnecting with her original purpose has shaped her business• The habits and mindset shifts that helped her stay grounded while growingIf you're thinking about taking your own leap into full-time consulting, or you just need a reminder that anything is possible when you commit to your own success, this conversation will inspire you.Links:Website: https://www.dgsleepconsulting.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgsleepconsulting/If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Sleep Consultant, please join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasleepconsultantCPSM website: https://thecpsm.com/Book a free discovery call to learn how you can become a Certified Sleep Consultant here: https://jaynehavens.as.me/CPSM-Inquiry

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Episode 144: Top 7 Questions You Really Need to Ask Before Starting a Consulting Business

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Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 29:10 Transcription Available

Send me a text message and get your questions answered on the podcast! I'd love to hear from you! What if you could be a fly on the wall to get the real scoop on starting a consulting business?Before you take the leap, there are 7 key questions you need to ask yourself first (and most people never discuss them). In this episode, I'm giving you the inside scoop and answering the questions I'm asked most often as a coach for some of the most brilliant entrepreneurial consultants. If you've been wondering whether consulting is right for you, what you really need to get started, and if you can start before leaving your job, this episode is for you.***********Interested in learning How to Sell What You Know? Download your free guide here.Connect with me at Dr. Angelina Davis on Instagram or LinkedIn, and visit excelconsulting.com for resources to support your journey. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. I would love for you to join our community of ambitious consultants breaking glass ceilings!

Business Consulting | How to Successfully Grow a Business Consulting Business + See Thousands of Success Stories At ThrivetimeShow.com Join Eric Trump At Clay Clark's Dec. 4-5 Business Conference (Anaheim, CA)

Thrivetime Show | Business School without the BS

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 19:42

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Commit to Greatness in Your Sleep Consulting Business with Jayne Havens (ENCORE)

Life on Mars - A podcast from MarsBased

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 6:44

In this short and impactful episode, Jayne shares a powerful lesson she recently learned from watching the Netflix series Selling Manhattan. Drawing inspiration from real estate mogul Ryan Serhant, Jayne emphasizes the importance of committing to excellence in your work rather than solely focusing on marketing. Whether you're a brand new sleep consultant or considering entering the field, this episode will hopefully inspire you to commit to greatness, because that's when your business will really take off. Key Takeaways:Focus on Excellence: Learn why prioritizing greatness in your work will naturally lead to success and recognition.Success Without Flashy Marketing: Discover how two former teachers successfully transitioned to full-time sleep consulting by mastering their craft rather than relying on extensive marketing efforts.The Power of Continual Learning: Understand the importance of ongoing education and improvement in becoming the best at what you do.Links:If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Sleep Consultant, please join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasleepconsultantCPSM website: https://thecpsm.com/Book a free discovery call to learn how you can become a Certified Sleep Consultant here: https://jaynehavens.as.me/CPSM-Inquiry

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Be a Superhero with Super Powers

Time To Shine Today

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 48:01

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New series: How to build an agency | Life on Mars

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 8:18 Transcription Available

We're launching a new Life on Mars series: How to Build an Agency, a practical, transparent guide for freelancers, micro-agencies, and growing studios. We'll cover everything from picking a name and services, getting your first client, contracts and NDAs, and building a portfolio, to harder topics like crisis management, pricing, hiring and firing, founder dynamics, and keeping long-tenured teams motivated. Episodes will mix solo deep dives, voices from the MarsBased team, expert guests, and community Q&A, slotted between our regular interviews. You'll also see more in-person recordings from our Barcelona studio (while we keep remote interviews for global guests). Inspired by friends in the industry (Infinite Red, Thoughtbot, Pivotal Labs, Mobile Jazz, Codegram), this series distills 10+ years of agency lessons into actionable episodes you can apply the same day.Send us your questions in the comments or via our social channels, and we'll include them in upcoming Q&A episodes.Support the show

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The Reasons I Started a Consulting Business (and How AI Can Scale It Fast)

DoD Contract Academy

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2025 14:24

Government Contracting 101: https://www.govclose.comGet Free Weekly Government Contracting Business Tips: https://federalytics.substack.comGovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programIn this video, you'll learn the 10 biggest reasons to start your own consulting business, how to package your skills into a service people will pay for, and why AI is your ultimate growth partner.You'll discover: - The independence & financial upside of consulting- How to start part-time (without quitting your job)- Why AI amplifies your value instead of replacing you- How to work from anywhere in the world - The hidden opportunities (equity deals, partnerships, advisory roles) that consulting unlocksAnd stick around until Reason #10, where I reveal how consulting doesn't just create income — it can completely redefine your lifestyle, freedom, and future.Watch: Why Federal Employees Should Start a Consulting Businesshttps://youtu.be/Q34m1Qh3U_w?si=OBSx7ECSYbe2ROvVConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/#Consulting #AIGrowth #ScaleWithAI

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Episode 143: 7 Truths About Starting a Consulting Business

starting truths traditionally consulting business

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 29:10 Transcription Available

Send me a text message and get your questions answered on the podcast! I'd love to hear from you! Have you ever wondered what your expertise is truly worth? The answer might surprise you.This episode explores seven eye-opening insights into why now is the perfect time to turn your knowledge into a thriving consulting business—whether as a side hustle earning an additional $50,000 or as a path to financial independence.Traditionally, the industry operated on unwritten rules that excluded diverse voices. But the digital revolution has transformed everything, opening up unprecedented opportunities for women of color to build wealth on their own terms without waiting for gatekeepers' permission.Whether you're dealing with student debt from degrees you haven't fully leveraged or tired of building someone else's business, this episode offers a fresh perspective on consulting as a way to build wealth. Ready to recognize the gold mine you're sitting on? Click the link to download the free guide How to Sell What You Know, and join the community that's rewriting the rules of success in consulting. ***********Connect with me at Dr. Angelina Davis on Instagram or LinkedIn, and visit excelconsulting.com for resources to support your journey. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. I would love for you to join our community of ambitious consultants breaking glass ceilings!

Episode 142: How Authority Unlocks Consulting Success

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Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 23:12 Transcription Available

Send me a text message and get your questions answered on the podcast! I'd love to hear from you! Tired of waiting for your consulting business to take off? The frustrating reality is that consulting success has traditionally hinged on access to decision-makers, something that can take years or even decades to build through conventional networking and referrals.But what if there's a more direct path to reaching those who can actually hire you? In this eye-opening episode, I tackle the uncomfortable truth about consulting: those with privileged access tend to succeed faster while others struggle to get noticed despite their exceptional expertise.For women and especially women of color, the consulting landscape presents additional challenges. Rather than accepting these limitations, I show you how to build your own authority platform that attracts clients directly to you. The consulting game has changed, and this episode gives you the playbook to win on your own terms.Ready to transform how you attract consulting clients? Connect with me at Dr. Angelina Davis on Instagram or LinkedIn, and visit excelconsulting.com for resources to support your journey. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. I would love for you to join our community of ambitious consultants breaking glass ceilings!

Ep. 3162 - TBT: Failed App Becomes Successful Consulting Business

Side Hustle School

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 5:06

In this week’s Throwback Thursday segment, hear how one side hustler launched an app that didn’t take off, but ended up turning that hard-won experience into a consulting service for other early-stage founders. Side Hustle School features a new episode EVERY DAY, featuring detailed case studies of people who earn extra money without quitting their job. This year, the show includes free guided lessons and listener Q&A several days each week. Show notes: SideHustleSchool.com Email: team@sidehustleschool.com Be on the show: SideHustleSchool.com/questions Connect on Instagram: @193countries Visit Chris's main site: ChrisGuillebeau.com Read A Year of Mental Health: yearofmentalhealth.com If you're enjoying the show, please pass it along! It's free and has been published every single day since January 1, 2017. We're also very grateful for your five-star ratings—it shows that people are listening and looking forward to new episodes.

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232. The Mindset Behind a Million-Dollar Independent Consulting Business (Part 2)

The Business of College Consulting

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025 36:58

If you want to run a consulting business that feels lighter and more in your control, you need to start thinking like a million-dollar business owner, before your business is anywhere near that level.This is part two of my series on the Million Dollar Mindset. In part one (Episode 231), we covered the first two pillars of the million dollar consultant's mindset. Today, we finish the two-part series with the remaining four ways of thinking that separate a $200K consultant from one who can confidently generate and sustain a $1M consulting business.These aren't abstract concepts. You'll hear how to approach demand creation, pricing, IP development, and resilience in a way that keeps you utilized with fulfilling work, your fees aligned to value, and your confidence intact, even when the business throws you curveballs.What you will learn in this episode:[12:15] Demand ownership – taking full responsibility for lead flow instead of waiting.[18:44] Value-centric pricing – anchoring fees to the client's outcomes, not your hours.[24:58] Asset thinking – turning your expertise into repeatable frameworks, tools, and systems that build leverage.[29:45] Growth resilience – moving forward despite fear, rejection, or uncertainty.By the end, you'll know exactly which of the six pillars (from Episodes 231 and 232) needs your attention next, and how to start shifting into a million-dollar mindset today.Tune in to Episode 232 to hear the final four (of six) pillars of the $1M Independent Consultant Mindset and learn how to leverage this mindset to accelerate your consulting revenue growth and hit your business goals.Related ResourcesFull Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-232/Join the waitlist for Melisa's Business Brain Journal, https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products Related Podcast Episode: Episode 231 – The Million Dollar Mindset for Independent Consultants (Part 1), https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-231/ Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at https://www.consultmelisa.com Want More?Get Melisa's Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/bookVisit with Melisa's Website: www.melisaliberman.com Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman Get Notified When Melisa's Products Launch: https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

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Building a Family College Consulting Business with Colleen Reed

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025 40:33 Transcription Available

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Click here! Colleen Reed, founder of American College Consulting, shares her journey from high school teacher to successful college consultant specializing in helping Canadian students attend American universities. Her thriving family business now includes her husband, daughter, and several specialized consultants who collectively serve students across Canada.• Inspired to become a college consultant after her own positive experience with an independent consultant in high school• Started her business in 2008 when her daughter was in eighth grade• Built her practice exclusively through word of mouth referrals• Transformed her business into a family affair with her husband handling athletes and business operations• Daughter serves as the "secret weapon" for essay writing and activities lists• Focuses on developing strong personal connections during consultations• Believes students must participate in consultations and "buy in" to the process• Uses CollegePlannerPro and FreshBooks to streamline business operations• Manages a large caseload by outsourcing tasks she finds tedious• Finds ongoing professional development and college tours essential for staying current• Maintains a network of fellow consultants through HECA and regional groups• Advocates for Americans to consider affordable, high-quality Canadian universities• Currently navigating challenges related to political uncertainty and visa concerns"The highlight of my life is when a student says 'thank you so much, I never would have heard of this school and it has been amazing.' That, to me, is the best."

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231. The Mindset Behind a Million-Dollar Independent Consulting Business (Part 1)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025 33:54

If you've been stuck at the same revenue level in your consulting business, whether that's $200K or $500K, it's probably not your sales skills or your pipeline holding you back. It's your mindset.Too many independent consultants unknowingly run their business from the same thinking that created their current or even past results. That mindset is misaligned with their goals and quietly caps their revenue.In this first of a two-part series, Melisa breaks down the real difference between a $200K consultant mindset and a million-dollar consultant mindset, and exactly how you can start making the mindset shift today. You'll learn practical strategies to grow consulting business revenue by operating like the business owner you want to become, no matter your current revenue.You'll discover two of the six pillars that define a million-dollar mindset and how to apply them immediately so you can stop plateauing and start creating the business you know you're capable of:[04:24] Why "realistic goals" limit your growth and what to focus on instead[11:35] What a million-dollar mindset actually is (hint: it's not about hustle)[19:42] The first mindset pillar: Business Owner Identity[33:01] The second mindset pillar: Strategic Discipline[45:17] How to apply these shifts now, even if you're not aiming for $1MListen to Episode 231 to learn the tangible mindset shifts that will help you grow your consulting revenue from $200K to $1M and beyond.Related ResourcesFull Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-231/Join the waitlist for Melisa's Business Brain Journal, https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products Related Podcast Episode: Episode 132 – The Path To $1M For The Independent Consultant, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-132/ Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at https://www.consultmelisa.com Want More?Get Melisa's Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/bookVisit with Melisa's Website: www.melisaliberman.com Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman Get Notified When Melisa's Products Launch: https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

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Episode 141: When Clients Seek You Out: The Journey from Undervalued to Expert Consultant

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Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025 28:12 Transcription Available

Send me a text message and get your questions answered on the podcast! I'd love to hear from you! Ever wondered why some consultants command premium rates while others struggle to prove their worth? The answer lies not in credentials alone, but in alignment – finding the perfect intersection between your natural strengths and what the market truly values.This episode dives into the journey from undervalued service provider to sought-after expert. We explore how many consultants start with a "messy" phase of taking whatever work they can find, and why this approach rarely positions you to communicate your true value effectively. The pivotal shift happens when you transition from accepting random projects to building a business centered around your unique expertise.*********Ready to identify the gaps preventing your genius from being recognized? Click here to take the quiz to discover your next steps toward unshakeable credibility that generates consistent demand without the hustle.Interested in learning more about the Strategic Authority Framework? Visit https://excelatconsulting.com/authoritydesigned/Let's Connect!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drangelinadavis/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drangelinadavis/

How to Best Leverage AI in Your Sleep Consulting Business with Kerri Nachlas

The Business of College Consulting

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2025 27:56

This week on the Becoming a Sleep Consultant podcast, I'm joined by my friend and colleague, Kerri Nachlas. Kerri is the founder of the Parent Coach Certification Course, and someone I admire deeply for the thoughtful, ethical way she approaches her work, as both a parent coach and a sleep consultant.We're diving into an important and timely conversation about artificial intelligence, AI, and how it's beginning to show up in the world of sleep consulting and parent coaching. While these tools can be helpful, there's a real risk of losing the human connection that makes our work so impactful.Kerri and I discussed:• Smart ways to use AI to support your workflow• Where over-reliance on AI can hold you back as a coach or consultant• And whether our field is truly “AI-proof” or notWhether you're already using AI in your business or just starting to explore it, this conversation will help you think critically about what to embrace, what to avoid, and how to stay grounded in your own voice.If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Sleep Consultant, please join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasleepconsultantCPSM website: https://thecpsm.com/Book a free discovery call to learn how you can become a Certified Sleep Consultant here: https://jaynehavens.as.me/CPSM-Inquiry

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Scaling a College Consulting Business While Raising Quintuplets

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2025 36:17 Transcription Available

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Click here! Margaret Baudinet shares her journey from college consultant to CEO of College Solutions, balancing business growth while raising quintuplets and building a thriving consulting practice with specialized services and a team of seven counselors. Margaret shares her journey:• Purchasing College Solutions from founder Larry Dannenberg in July 2020 during the pandemic• Transitioning from a small team to a comprehensive organization with leadership roles and specialized services• Managing the surprise of quintuplets born in 2016 while maintaining her consulting career• Developing grade-specific packages for underclassmen to provide flexibility and improve cash flow• Raising prices while effectively communicating value to clients• Building strong referral networks with financial planners as primary sources• Using Boomerang email software to manage inbox and improve productivity• Creating targeted growth strategies focused on specific markets rather than general expansion• Embracing the concept of work-life "seasons" rather than perfect balance• Hiring team members who complement your weaknesses and leverage tools like ChatGPT for processeshttps://www.collegesolutions.com/Thank 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!

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230. Overcoming a Revenue Plateau in Your Consulting Business