Seven Figure Consultant with Jessica Fearnley: Recent Episodes
LinkedInTopVoices 2019 Entrepreneurship & Small Business | Business Coach |
Business Coach and LinkedIn Top Voice, Jessica Fearnley is here to show you how you can work less and earn more in your consulting business.
Welcome to the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, the show that takes you from booked up and burned out in your consulting business to THRIVING as the CEO of your 7 figure enterprise.
Yes – you read that right!
It really is possible to earn more money from your business, by working less. In fact, these two things go hand in hand.
A lot of the content out there can feel like it is either speaking to people still fully in the corporate world, or to entrepreneurs with purple hair who work in their pyjamas and drop the f-bomb every other sentence.
Neither of these boxes feel like quite the right fit when you’re a consultant because you sit in both camps – corporate AND entrepreneur – and actually sort of between them, so in this podcast we talk about the issues that make sense for YOU.
We’re making a new box. And no one is going to be calling you a ‘boss babe’!
Tune into the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast and let’s start the conversation about how YOU can work less and earn more in your consulting business today.
In this week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I'm talking about something that doesn't get nearly enough airtime in the consulting world — your nervous system. If you've already landed your first clients, built a business you're proud of on paper, and still find yourself exhausted, guilty, and quietly waiting for the other shoe to drop, this one's for you.
I'm unpacking why so many established B2B consultants build a business that looks successful but doesn't feel sustainable, why guilt is often the real barrier standing between you and your next level, and what it actually takes to scale toward a $100K offer without recreating the burnout you left corporate to escape.
Working less and earning more isn't a slogan, it's a nervous-system-informed business strategy — and today I'm showing you how to build it into your business. Quotes:
"If you bring your nervous system into the picture in the way you do your life and your business, you will experience both in a completely different way." — Jessica Fearnley
"What if there's actually something very trustworthy in you that means you can highly achieve without overriding your nervous system? What if you can trust yourself to be focused when you need to be, and also rest when you're tired? What if you don't need a punishing daily routine that prescribes when you will feel productive?" — Jessica Fearnley
"We know how to ramp up the pressure with high performance, we know how to expect more from ourselves, and how to push ourselves to achieve even more. What I find is the biggest gap that new consultants, and even seasoned consultants have... is that you don't know how to go easy on yourself. You don't know how to get the best out of yourself with nurture, not strict routines." — Jessica Fearnley Useful Links
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
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
This week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in June 2023, is all about taking a truly restorative vacation as a seven figure consultant.
This is actually a theme that's close to my heart, and one I explore throughout my book, Too Much. So many of the women I work with have spent years overriding their own needs, pushing through exhaustion, and believing they have to keep proving themselves. But when we stop listening to ourselves, we also lose touch with the intuition that's often trying to guide us towards what we really need. This episode is an extension of that same conversation.
Drawing from my own experiences, I discuss recognizing burnout, tuning into your emotional and physical needs, and intentionally planning time off to maximize rest, highlighting the importance of listening to your intuition during your break and setting intentions for your return.
I also talk about practical tips for managing client communications, setting boundaries, and preparing your business for your absence so you can create a vacation that allows you to recharge, inspire and support both personal wellbeing and business growth. Quotes:
"My calendar experiment this year has been tapering my work schedule before the very end of term, so I can actually get that breather before it feels like the wheels are about to fall off. And similarly with returning to the office after time away, I'm doing more to really ease into it and make it a gentle experience, rather than the whiplash feeling when you've jumped off the work wagon and you just can't quite get back into it full speed." — Jessica Fearnley
"So often the information we need is right in front of us. But we just can't hear the whispers our body is sending. Are you tired? Are you exhilarated? We need to get way more curious about the depth and variety of our emotions." — Jessica Fearnley
"Create the blueprint and then plan your business around it. Otherwise, you'll find that business expands to fill the space and it will totally sabotage your plans. There's also an important consideration here about how to ensure that the business can run smoothly without you." — Jessica Fearnley Useful Links
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
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
In this week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I'm exploring a question I've been hearing again and again from consultants over the last 12–18 months — what actually happens to abundance when the world feels uncertain?
If you've been building your consulting business through a period of market shifts, economic noise, and an algorithm full of doom narratives, and you've found yourself quietly wondering whether the abundance you were building towards is still available to you — this episode is for you.
I'm sharing three principles I come back to when uncertainty creeps in, and why I believe abundance doesn't dry up in difficult seasons. It just asks you to look for it differently. If you're ready to stop letting external narratives dictate what's possible in your consulting business, let's get into it. In This Episode:
[05:00] Why abundance is about more than money, and what uncertain seasons remind us about what it really means
[11:30] The inner child response to bad news, and why we need to be wise about the narratives we consume
[18:00] Principle 1: Make yourself safe — regulating your nervous system before making business decisions
[26:00] Principle 2: Challenge your narrative and follow the flow — what Jessica is actually seeing across her clients right now
[33:30] Principle 3: Be open to a new vision — using uncertainty as a prompt to reassess what you truly want
[40:00] Why abundance doesn't have a sell-by date, and where it might be quietly showing up for you right now Key Takeaways:
- Abundance is a lens, not a market condition. Scarcity and abundance are narratives before they're realities. The consultants navigating uncertainty best right now are the ones refusing to let the loudest voices — algorithms, doom headlines, a few difficult client conversations — write the whole story of what's possible.
- Nervous system safety is a business strategy. Making decisions from a place of fear or inner-child reactivity is one of the most expensive things you can do as a consultant. Regulating first — whether that's addressing revenue gaps practically, getting good counsel, or simply pausing before pivoting — is how you access the strategic thinking that got you here.
- Uncertainty is often a prompt, not a verdict. When markets shift and things feel unstable, it's worth asking: is this a threat to your business, or an invitation to reshape something that was already ready to evolve? Some of the biggest strategic moves come out of seasons that initially felt like disruption.
Quotes:
"I think one of the gifts of seasons like this is that we get to reconnect with what abundance truly means, which for me is all about contentment, fulfilment, and energetic overflow. What creates joy. What creates freedom. It's not just about the accumulation of things. It's about the feeling of empowerment and having agency in the world." — Jessica Fearnley
"The battle we face in seasons like this is for the narrative we are going to live by. Our internal narratives and patterns and stories are the life force of everything we think, believe, do and become." — Jessica Fearnley
"Abundance doesn't stop because world events shift. Abundance isn't only available in specific market conditions." — Jessica Fearnley Useful Links
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
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
In this week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in June 2025, I'm sharing practical advice for new and aspiring women B2B consultants aiming to reach their first or next $100K in revenue - including a free resource just for you!
I talk about the common challenges of defining your expertise, identifying your ideal clients, pricing and marketing, as well as the importance of taking action over endless planning!
Tune in if you want to confidently build a successful consulting business and finally embrace your entrepreneurial journey. Quotes:
"If you build your business right, it will not be difficult to make your first $100K in annual revenue as a B2B consultant." — Jessica Fearnley
"I always say to my clients that the $0-$100K phase of a consulting business can actually feel like the hardest one to crack because you're validating the business. You're selling something sometimes for the first time in your career. And worse than that, you're selling yourself for the first time, which can feel so deeply uncomfortable." — Jessica Fearnley
"So often I speak to women who want to plan it out so that it's perfect, and then when they know it's guaranteed to work, then they'll put it out in the world. And I have to say, with love - no, no and no - this isn't how entrepreneurship works. There are messy workarounds and creative gaps and best guesses that we road test in the real world by talking to people." — Jessica Fearnley Useful Links
Free Guide: How To Get Your First B2B Consulting Clients
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
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
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in December 2023, I had the pleasure of interviewing my amazing client, Alecia Huck. Alecia is the founder and CEO of MAVERICK & Company, a management consulting firm that specialises in working with the leadership teams of fast-growing companies.
Alecia shared her inspiring business journey and the valuable insights she has gained along the way. We also discussed the importance of valuing the work we do over the amount of time we spend doing it, shifting from a time-based approach to a value-based approach to work less while achieving even greater results.
As women entrepreneurs, Alecia and I also delved into the unique challenges we face in the business world. We discussed the importance of letting go of control and embracing collaboration, as well as the need for self-acceptance and gratitude in our professional relationships.
Alecia's story is truly inspiring, and her insights are invaluable for anyone looking to grow their consulting business.
In This Episode:
[00:00:48] Jessica and Alecia discuss how they first met and decided to work together after a serendipitous LinkedIn post.
[00:04:15] Alecia shares the journey of her business, from starting as an entrepreneur with no experience to finding her niche in working with leadership teams in fast-growing companies.
[00:07:29] Working less and earning more, and the importance of shifting focus from time-based to value-based work.
[00:12:43] The difficulties of breaking free from old narratives and habits that prioritise overworking.
[00:16:13] Relying on others and allowing them to make decisions for the business or brand.
[00:18:58] The need to let go of control, loosen up, and take action without striving for perfection.
[00:21:37] The reality of entrepreneurship and how it often involves unexpected challenges and growth opportunities.
[00:23:21] Big wins and personal growth.
[00:26:07] The limitations of working more and the impact of self-acceptance on one's effectiveness.
[00:29:27] Breaking out of old paradigms to achieve new results and make a difference in the lives of others.
Key Takeaways:
- As consultants and coaches, the work we do can have a significant impact on businesses beyond just finances, such as employee happiness and team dynamics. Many business owners who have grown their companies organically end up feeling overwhelmed and trapped by their success. Alecia and I both advocate for a shift in mindset from being a freelancer who tracks time to being an expert who focuses on delivering value.
- As women entrepreneurs, we often rely on ourselves too much and find it difficult to allow others to help and make decisions about our business. It's important to let go and allow others to contribute - We don't need to control everything!
- Find a balance between working less and earning more. Pushing too hard can lead to burnout and limit growth. True brilliance comes from self-acceptance and being comfortable with yourself.
Quotes:
"We mix up time and value, right? Because time is really easy to quantify and value can be hard to quantify. And what I think is really great is that if you actually make this shift from valuing your time and talking about things in terms of time and focusing on how long you work… if you shift over to thinking about the value you produce, I think that's better for your clients." - Alecia Huck
"I call them your snakes in your brain, the voice that's kind of negative, right? It's a little distracting. And you do something really great and it goes, 'oh, you're just a spotlight hog'. We all have snakes in the brain, and some of us have snakes informed by trauma and really, you know, intense things in our past and that can make them nastier and more subtle. But, this year was a year where I worked probably less than I ever had. And I want to be really clear, the results that I produced with my people were extraordinary." - Alecia Huck
"I think that we often are so self-reliant, and there are often backstories that completely explain why we're like that, but I think for women entrepreneurs, we rely on ourselves aggressively. And we have to be told how to include other people and how to allow other people to help us, because actually, that's not something that comes naturally." - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Alecia:
Alecia's LinkedIn
MAVERICK & Company Website
Jessica:
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
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
Alecia Huck is the founder and owner of MAVERICK & Company, a management consulting firm that specialises in working with the leadership teams of fast-growing companies. A sought-after speaker and writer, Alecia helps people have more BIG wins; the kind of wins where you get great results but also become a bigger, better, braver version of yourself along the way.
Connect with Alecia on LinkedIn for great content and to join an amazing tribe of awesome humans.
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in June 2023, Catherine Hamilton, the visionary behind Trestle Solutions, and I discuss what it looks like to consciously break your own rules and create the business and life you truly desire. Catherine initially sought my guidance as a business coach two and a half years ago, and it has been a privilege to support her business and personal growth since then. We delve into the challenges impeding women from creating a business and the restrictive rules that hinder their happiness once they have established their enterprise. Catherine is a walking example of how coaching has helped her expand in life and her business, and she offers valuable counsel for women who are still employed in the corporate world but aspire to venture into entrepreneurship.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Jessica and Catherine chat about how they connected.
[03:24] Catherine discusses how she planned for her four-week business remote session.
[06:48] Jessica and Catherine discuss how rules promote your journey, but are they made to be broken?
[12:58] Catherine shares rules she recognized needed to be changed.
[19:53] What has Catherine learned about herself since starting her business?
[24:20] Catherine gives an overview of the dashboard she uses to chart her business.
[30:40] Catherine has advice for women still working in a corporate setting, and she encourages women to reach out for the help they need through coaching or mentoring.
Key Takeaways:
- A significant advantage of working for yourself is setting your schedule and realizing you should work hard when the situation calls for it but also permit yourself to walk away from the desk.
- Recognize in your business and life that you do not need to say yes to everyone.
- Fear of the unknown will keep a woman from starting a business. To overcome that fear, one should speak to other women who have moved from employee to business owner.
Quotes:
"When I was finished with corporate, I felt like, when I was working for myself, if I took time out for lunch or went for a coffee, I'm thinking, Ooh, I have to get back to my desk. And then I would laugh and say, well, I'm the boss. I had to learn to permit myself to lean into something like this." - Catherine Hamilton
"We've talked previously about the tendency to overlay the corporate structure onto the business that we, as women, create because we don't know any differently. So it takes a bit of "deprogramming" or unlearning what has been decades of an approach to business." - Catherine Hamilton
"When companies hyper-focus on creative, they miss the opportunity to make a new brand a catalyst for change within the organization. That's why we create a vision & strategy for implementing a new brand – to meaningfully move a company beyond, 'We've always done it this way.'" - Catherine Hamilton
Useful Links
Catherine:
Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn
Visit Catherine's website for more information
Jessica:
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
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:
Catherine Hamilton, CEO & Founder of Trestle Solutions, partners with companies to evolve their Marketing after mergers or significant growth.
Change can be messy. Catherine helps CEOs & Marketing leaders navigate marketing transformation by identifying the People, Program and Process levers that will unleash the next level of results. As a former executive with decades in growth companies, her jam is Marketing when it's anything but business as usual. #trestleup
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in January 2023, I am joined by Betsy Kauffman. Betsy is a globally recognized Leadership and Organizational Agility Consultant with more than 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies. Betsy helps companies solve the big problems keeping them from achieving agility, collaboration, alignment, and innovation. Tune in to learn about Betsy's entrepreneurial journey from starting her business to surviving the pandemic.
In This Episode:
[01:00] Betsy shares her background.
[07:00] Entrepreneur life & Investing all your energy into your business.
[11:07] Pivotal moments in Betsy's life & career.
[17:00] Embracing change and being clear with clients about what you offer.
[27:00] Decide what you want to focus on offering to your clients.
Key Takeaways:
- Invest all of your energy into the business and really be clear on who you are and what you offer.
- Being an entrepreneur and owning your own company will always come with some fear and uncertainty, but believing in yourself and pushing through is key to your success.
- Creating boundaries for what you can do and seeing that plan through is healthy and builds a solid relationship with clients.
Quotes:
"Anytime you venture into something new there's fear. So, you have to decide, how much do I let the fear talk to me, how much do I let it go, tamp it down and move forward." - Betsy Kauffman
"Instead of thinking about running away from your business, why don't you run towards your business?" - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Betsy:
Cross Impact Coaching
Cross Impact Coaching LinkedIn
Jessica:
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
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:
Betsy Kauffman is a globally recognized Leadership and Organizational Agility Consultant with more than 20 years of experience working in Fortune 500 companies. Her company, Cross Impact Coaching, is an Organizational Design Firm focused on working with companies to help them solve the big problems impeding them from achieving agility, collaboration, alignment, and innovation. Her TED Talk has over 1.5 million views.
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in September 2022, Patty and I talk about the impact of wealth dynamics on your role and energy. Patty Caballero believed in herself enough to take the risk to leave the large corporate world to start her own small consulting business and recalls what surprised her when making the shift and some significant breakthrough moments in the process. You don't want to miss this episode as Patty shares some impactful pieces of advice for women looking to start their seven-figure consultant journey and answers the important question, "What does becoming your next-level self mean to you?"
In This Episode:
[01:07] Patty introduces herself and what she does.
[02:23] The meaning of "big to small to big again".
[12:01] Patty shares what she likes about running a consulting business and what has surprised her.
[16:09] Patty recalls some of her memorable break-throughs.
[18:47] Advice for women who are ready to start the journey to being a seven-figure consultant.
[21:52] Patty explains what "becoming your next-level self" means to her.
Key Takeaways:
- When branching out on your own, it can be tempting to play it very conservatively and keep it small. Grow into roles that energize you.
- It is satisfying when you can shift from a "revenue" mindset into a "what makes my business the best?" mindset.
- If you are going to start a consulting business, you should start it around what you are best at and what you enjoy most.
Quotes:
"Remember your best self because that's who you will be as a consultant. Think about the best work you've done that you have enjoyed the most that's been the most personally-fulfilling; that should be your consulting business." - Patty Caballero
"It's not about making it look easy. It's about having confidence so it comes out naturally." - Patty Caballero
Useful Links
Patty:
Patty Caballero LinkedIn
Patty Caballero Consulting Website
Jessica:
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
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
Patty Caballero is the founder of PSC Consulting, which helps growing healthcare companies find and amplify their voice. A veteran of communications, public relations, and marketing, Patty translated her decades of experience working with large companies and public sector clients to help innovators in the healthcare industry tell their stories. She works as a fractional chief communications officer, working with CEOs and Board Members to help companies craft a story and implement the plan that will help the business grow. In addition to her work with clients, Patty is an adjunct professor in Communication Studies, teaching upcoming professionals how to apply communications to advance business goals.
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in November 2022, 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!
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
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
Find out more about the Business Growth Intensive
In this week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I talked to Antonia Taylor, a PR, communications and content strategist with over 25 years' experience specialising in thought leadership and women's professional visibility. Antonia is the author of the powerful new report 'Being Seen: Women, Leadership & Visibility at Work' - a research-led exploration of how female leaders navigate professional visibility while driving systemic, sustainable change.
This is our very first International Women's Day episode, and I couldn't think of a better conversation to mark the occasion. If you're a B2B consultant who knows you're ready for a bigger platform but something keeps pulling you back, this episode is for you.
We get into why visibility feels so risky for high-achieving women, why the systems around us are broken (not us), and what it actually looks like to step into the authority and recognition you've already earned.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Why Antonia wrote Being Seen and what sparked the urgency behind it
[04:00] How the pandemic disproportionately disadvantaged women and what the rollback of hybrid working means for consultants today
[07:00] The 'visibility paradox' - why women are penalised both for keeping their heads down and for stepping into the spotlight
[14:00] How Antonia gathered insights from eight senior women leaders and what the research revealed about safety, identity and nervous system responses to visibility
[26:00] The reception since launch, the business impact of thought leadership, and why Antonia's white paper has opened doors she didn't anticipate
[29:00] Practical steps for building a sustainable visibility practice - starting small, finding your place of power, and updating your professional identity to reflect who you are now
[34:00] How collaboration, allyship and celebrating other women is one of the most powerful (and underused) strategic tools we have
Key Takeaways:
- You don't need to be everywhere - you need to be visible in the right place: Antonia's advice isn't to post on LinkedIn twice a day. It's to find your place of power - whether that's a podcast, a newsletter, or a well-placed speaking engagement - and show up there consistently and authentically. Sustainable visibility beats performative visibility every time. This is smart leverage, not hustle.
- Visibility starts on the inside: Before you can be seen by the right corporate buyers, you have to update how you see yourself. Many consultants are still showing up online as the version of themselves from five years ago. Closing that identity gap - between who you were and the strategic authority you are now - is the real work. Your external brand should reflect your current level, not your starting point.
- Thought leadership is a business asset, not a vanity project: Antonia's Being Seen report directly changed the trajectory of her consulting business, generating speaking invitations, corporate partnerships, and expanded visibility with senior decision-makers. Getting paid for your brain starts with demonstrating what your brain can do. A well-crafted piece of thought leadership positions you as the trusted strategic advisor, not just another service provider.
Quotes:
"Find your place of power. If you like speaking, if that's your podcast, great. If you're a great writer, if it's your Substack - find your place of power where you can show up authentically and sustainably." - Antonia Taylor "I think that's why it's probably been quite successful because it's always been bigger than me. This has always had that mission of, you know, working towards creating cultures where women's visibilities and women's experiences, women's stories, are celebrated and they're supported and they're importantly safe as well." - Antonia Taylor
"I have been able to remove a lot of the barriers that used to be in my way through doing my business... I've reached that tipping point where people tend to take me seriously more than they tend to dismiss me. It's the authority you build." - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Antonia:
Follow Antonia on LinkedIn
Antonia's Website: antoniataylorpr.com
Download Antonia's report, 'Being Seen: Women, Leadership & Visibility at Work'
Jessica:
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
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
Antonia Taylor is a PR, communications and content strategist specialising in thought leadership and women's workplace visibility. With over 25 years' experience leading award-winning B2B communications programmes, she helps organisations amplify women's voices and create cultures where female leadership thrives. She is author of the new report, "Being Seen: Women, Leadership & Visibility at Work," which explores how female leaders navigate professional visibility while driving systemic, sustainable change.
In this week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, we're doing something a bit different! My guest Sharath Jeevan, Founder of The Generational Success Lab at Oxford's Said Business School, is interviewing me as we approach the one-year anniversary of my book 'Too Much'.
If you've ever felt like your ambition was 'too much' for the world around you, or if you left corporate because you needed a bigger playing field to run on, this conversation is for you. Sharath and I explore how I went from a rebellious teenager who wanted to be a rock star to building a seven-figure consulting business that finally gives me the container I need.
We talk about the corporate exit, the early days of celebrating £3,000 months, and what it really takes to build a business around your zone of genius rather than what you think you're 'supposed' to do.
This is a candid conversation about legacy, ambition and what happens when you finally stop trying to fit into someone else's version of success.
In This Episode:
[00:01:33] How Jessica's early ambition and 'too much-ness' shaped her path - and why entrepreneurship became the only container that could hold her
[00:05:16] The violin, physics homework, and parental expectations: navigating the gap between what your family wanted and who you actually are
[00:10:22] The corporate years at Sony and the moment Jessica realized she'd rather be made redundant than stay - and what came next
[00:17:50] Building a £3,000/month business from the attic and how Jessica's husband became her biggest supporter
[00:22:49] The pivot moment: when Jessica stopped trying to 'follow the business plan' and started listening to what clients actually needed
[00:27:14] Getting past comparisonitis and imposter syndrome and why one client sale fixes most business problems
[00:29:34] Reflecting on the book 'Too Much', writing as legacy work, and what's next
Key Takeaways:
- Entrepreneurship was the only container big enough: If you've always felt restless in corporate, it's not because you're broken. You just need a playing field where you can run as fast as you want without hitting a ceiling.
- The power of low-volume, high-ticket consulting: One client sale can fix most business problems. Five clients can fix almost everything. This is why we build businesses where you're not making 500 sales just to stay afloat.
- Your ambition isn't the problem. The context is: Jessica spent years being told she was 'too much'. The breakthrough came when she stopped trying to fit into someone else's version of success and built a business aligned with her actual genius.
Quotes:
"Entrepreneurship has been the only thing that I found, the only container that can actually hold me, that doesn't make me feel kind of trapped or restricted and gives me a big playing field where I can run as fast as I want." - Jessica Fearnley
"I always try and go with the path of least resistance, keeping the bar as low as it can possibly be, because then it's like, I may as well have a go. And you know, more often than not it goes well and it works." - Jessica Fearnley
"I'm really passionate about how we can be intentional about our legacy. You've done that very consciously and deliberately, and I'm very passionate about how we can all try and find that whatever way makes sense for us in our lives as well." - Sharath Jeevan
Useful Links
Sharath:
Follow Sharath on LinkedIn
Sharath's Website: intrinsic-labs.com
Episode 112: Encouraging Yourself to Make a Bigger Impact with Sharath Jeevan
Jessica:
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
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
Sharath is focused on helping Leaders across sectors futureproof success and build intentional legacy, with clients ranging from L'Oreal to the Barbican to the NHS. He's established the Generational Success Lab at Oxford University's Said Business School, where he's exploring how generations can collaborate better to shape a better world. He's the author of two acclaimed leadership books, "Intrinsic" and "Inflection". Sharath is exploring the questions of generational transition through a forthcoming novel and comedy show.
In this week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I'm pulling back the curtain on something I've been quietly doing over the past year - helping senior executives design their strategic exit from corporate into B2B consulting.
The market is noisy right now, full of 'replace your corporate salary in 90 days' promises. But here's the truth: if you've been quietly exploring the idea of consulting for years, if there's a layoff on the horizon, or if that big birthday milestone is making you ask 'is this really what I want for the next 10-20 years?', you don't need to take an insane leap into an unvalidated business.
You can test the waters as a 'consultpreneur' (yes, that's a word we need to use more) without staking your entire career, salary, and financial future on an untested idea. This episode is about creating your blueprint for a premium $100K consulting offer that corporate buyers will actually say yes to - before you hand in your notice.
Quotes:
"I'm not a coach who just says to my clients, 'this is what I did, you should do it too.' I believe in creating the business that's right for you. No cookie cutter solutions, but working with your unique strengths and natural abilities to create a business that your nervous system can say yes to."
"Consultants are elite entrepreneurs because you can do so much with the right consulting offer. Create a $100K offer, sell it 10 times, boom. That's your seven figure consulting business."
"I built my coaching business by effectively running at a brick wall and crashing into it enough times so it finally cracked. Don't build your business like that. There are better ways, and I'm here to guide you."
Useful Links
Register for the workshop - Creating Your Strategic Exit: Your Corporate-to-Consultant Blueprint
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
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.
This episode was such a popular episode last year so we're repeating it to kick off 2026!
In this week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I'm talking about how we can get in the zone for the new year!
So much of what we do as women entrepreneurs and B2B consultants relies on our mindset, and the new year is the perfect time for a mindset check-in and reset.
In this episode, I talk about the importance of mindset and strategy in achieving our business goals, plus how you can let go of scarcity beliefs and reconnect with abundance so you can tell yourself a better story this year.
Quotes:
"It's time to let go of whatever scarcity beliefs you might have found creeping in and reconnecting to abundance. The realisation that there is always more. You can have what you want. And you don't need to play small."
"We are the visionaries. We are the pioneers. We are the ones who create and innovate. We can't ask other people if we can do the things we want to do. The only way to know if we can do it is to do it. And then we get our answer!"
"If you do one thing this year, invest in building up your mindset. It is the muscle that creates the biggest impact on your life and business. It's the most important workout you can do."
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Explore our resources
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in February 2023, I want to share how I learned how to coach women to realize their own unique abilities so they can help you grow. Learn more about my Limitless Coaching Plan as I explain how I can coach you to achieve your full potential and earnings and help you break the glass ceiling and truly be limitless in your business.
In this episode:
- [01:00] My business and coaching evolution.
- [05:00] Using your unique abilities and skills as a woman in business.
- [12:00] Finding the right support for your business.
- [16:00] What my Limitless Coaching consists of.
Key Takeaways:
- Don't limit your achievements - expect that you can keep growing in your business.
- Refuse to be contained by the glass ceiling and let yourself be limitless.
Quotes:
"You are the pioneers. You're doing things that women are not typically considered able to achieve." - Jessica Fearnley
"No one can tell you what you're capable of doing. All we can do is take the lid off and see where our intuition takes us." - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica's LinkedIn
Free Guide: Growing Your Consulting Business to Seven Figures
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in October 2025, I reflect on the evolution of the podcast and how my coaching now supports B2B consultants at all revenue stages.
I talk about the three key business growth 'eras' I coach and the importance of creating a $100K consulting offer so you can work less and earn more.
I also introduce my new free guide, The Business Remodel, and announce limited spots for private coaching in 2026. If you're ready to elevate your consulting business, this episode is for you!
Quotes:
"When you start to offer high ticket consulting where you're serving the top of the market - the companies who can actually afford you, using your whole brain and the depth of your expertise and experience instead of just 3% of your skills and abilities - this means you can serve a handful of clients and make insane money as a result."
"It's not always about doing loads of really hard and scary things. It's about finding that alignment - doing the things that come naturally to you, instead of feeling like you have to become a completely different person and override all your natural instincts and your intuition."
"You aren't yet financially free and you plan to invest more into your retirement fund. You want to serve at a higher level, and work with senior leaders and C suite level leaders. You want your advice and expertise to make a difference in companies that shape the world. And this is my favourite bit - you want all of these things AND to be back in time for dinner. You want your weekly yoga class and coffee with your friends and time outdoors with your pets, and to live a healthier lifestyle without perpetual stress and rushing. I'm not even exaggerating when I say that your $100K consulting offer will put your business in a place where it delivers all of these things."
Useful Links
Free Guide: The Business Remodel - Craft Your $100k Offer
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
In this week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in June 2025, I'm sharing practical advice for new and aspiring women B2B consultants aiming to reach their first or next $100K in revenue - including a free resource just for you!
I talk about the common challenges of defining your expertise, identifying your ideal clients, pricing and marketing, as well as the importance of taking action over endless planning!
Tune in if you want to confidently build a successful consulting business and finally embrace your entrepreneurial journey.
Quotes:
"If you build your business right, it will not be difficult to make your first $100K in annual revenue as a B2B consultant."
"I always say to my clients that the $0-$100K phase of a consulting business can actually feel like the hardest one to crack because you're validating the business. You're selling something sometimes for the first time in your career. And worse than that, you're selling yourself for the first time, which can feel so deeply uncomfortable."
"So often I speak to women who want to plan it out so that it's perfect, and then when they know it's guaranteed to work, then they'll put it out in the world. And I have to say, with love - no, no and no - this isn't how entrepreneurship works. There are messy workarounds and creative gaps and best guesses that we road test in the real world by talking to people."
Useful Links
Free Guide: How To Get Your First B2B Consulting Clients
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
In this week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I talked to Catherine Mattice, the founder/CEO of Civility Partners, an organizational development firm focused on helping organizations create respectful workplace cultures and specializing in turning around toxic cultures.
If you left corporate because of a toxic boss or workplace culture, and you're now building your consulting business while still carrying that weight, this episode is for you. Many consultants who transition from corporate are unknowingly shaped by the trauma they experienced, and it shows up in how they price, set boundaries, and show up with clients.
In this episode, we unpack what really happens after you leave a toxic environment, why shame keeps so many consultants stuck, and the practical steps you can take to stop letting your former workplace control your new business.
In This Episode:
[00:01:27] Catherine's origin story: From being bullied by a toxic peer in HR to founding Civility Partners and writing four books on workplace culture
[00:09:30] The invisible symptoms: How workplace trauma manifests as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and physical illness - even after you've left
[00:13:15] Why consultants who experienced toxicity struggle with boundaries, overdeliver, and undercharge with clients
[00:17:45] The fawning response: Understanding why you might say yes to everything and how it's keeping you from premium positioning
[00:21:30] Taking your power back: Practical advice on therapy, boundary-setting, and rebuilding your relationship with work
[00:28:09] The first step to healing: Why acknowledging what happened (without shame) is essential before you can move forward
Key Takeaways:
- Workplace trauma doesn't end when you leave. Research shows that prolonged workplace bullying creates symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and physical illness that persist long after you exit the toxic environment. Your body doesn't automatically know you're safe just because you changed jobs.
- Fawning is a trauma response - and it's costing you clients. If you experienced a toxic workplace, you may have developed a fawning response (people-pleasing, overdelivering, avoiding conflict). This shows up in your consulting business as underpricing, saying yes to everything, and failing to set boundaries with clients, which undermines your ability to position as a premium strategic advisor.
- Your consulting business is your chance to do it differently. You have the opportunity to create a business that doesn't mirror the toxic environment you left. This means consciously designing boundaries, workflows, and client relationships that honor your wellbeing - not replicating the overwork and undervaluation you experienced in corporate.
Quotes:
"I think for a lot of people it's hard to sort of admit that their workplace caused so much drama and real trauma for them." - Catherine Mattice
"Start changing your self-talk - admit that this happened and that it's not something to be ashamed of. It happens to lots of people. That's why I have a book." - Catherine Mattice
"If you don't like what you used to have, don't create a business that mirrors the exact same environment. Aim for more. Know that more is always out there." - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Catherine:
CivilityPartners.com
Book: Navigating a Toxic Workplace for Dummies
Read actionable insights on the Civility Partners blog
Jessica:
Buy Jessica's book, Too Much, on Amazon
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
Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the founder/CEO of Civility Partners, an organizational development firm focused on helping organizations create respectful workplace cultures and specializing in turning around toxic cultures. Civility Partners' clients range from Fortune 500's to small businesses across many industries. Catherine is a TEDx speaker and an HR thought-leader who has appeared in such venues as USA Today, Bloomberg, CNN, NPR, and many other national news outlets as an expert. She's an award-winning speaker, author and blogger, and has 50+ courses reaching global audiences on LinkedIn Learning. As a keynote speaker, Catherine's insights have transformed CEO's of multinational companies, leaders of all levels in the US Marines and US Navy, and professionals in companies of all shapes and sizes. Her fourth book Navigating a Toxic Workplace for Dummies (Wiley) is available on Amazon and where all books and audiobooks are sold.
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
Come and join me for an extra-special live workshop I'm hosting next Thursday 13th November that you won't want to miss if you're looking to create abundance and ease in your consulting business in Q4 and beyond.
The workshop is called 'How To Create a $100K Consulting Offer… and sell it with ease'. I'll show you the theory and your ticket price includes a bonus 30 minute 1:1 strategy call with me where we will get practical and tactical and create your offer blueprint or the quick start strategy you need to get it out in the world and sold.
Places are strictly limited so make sure you grab your ticket as soon as you can.
Find out more and register at jessicafearnley.com/event
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I tackle one of the misconceptions that I hear from B2B consultants all the time! They want to get to seven figures, but they also love the idea of a lifestyle business - and they think they can't have both.
I talk about how it's possible to create a 'seven-figure lifestyle business' by offering high-ticket consulting packages, streamlining operations, and pricing based on expertise - not hours.
I also introduce my VIP Strategy Intensive, designed to help consultants craft $100,000 offers and a clear revenue map. With the right strategy and support, you can achieve both financial success and personal freedom.
Quotes:
"The big thing that we all want post corporate and that feels elusive for so many consultants, is the freedom lifestyle. The time freedom. Not just replicating your 80 hour working weeks in your business, or feeling like you just swapped entities from being employed to self employed but apart from that very little has changed."
"Because this work involves getting paid for your brain and your corporate experience, not getting paid for the hours you work or the outputs and deliverables you produce - this can be very light on time. They're not paying you for the hours, they're paying you for the years."
"I often say to my clients: look we are taking you into unknown territory here. You've worked hard all your life - through school, in your exams, through college, through your corporate career. You know how to work hard but you're ready to learn how to work smart. And it might feel uncomfortable at first but it is worth it."
Useful Links
Free Guide: The Business Remodel - Craft Your $100k Offer
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I reflect on the evolution of the podcast and how my coaching now supports B2B consultants at all revenue stages.
I talk about the three key business growth ‘eras’ I coach and the importance of creating a $100K consulting offer so you can work less and earn more.
I also introduce my new free guide, The Business Remodel, and announce limited spots for private coaching in 2026. If you’re ready to elevate your consulting business, this episode is for you!
Quotes:
“When you start to offer high ticket consulting where you’re serving the top of the market - the companies who can actually afford you, using your whole brain and the depth of your expertise and experience instead of just 3% of your skills and abilities - this means you can serve a handful of clients and make insane money as a result.”
“It’s not always about doing loads of really hard and scary things. It’s about finding that alignment - doing the things that come naturally to you, instead of feeling like you have to become a completely different person and override all your natural instincts and your intuition.”
“You aren’t yet financially free and you plan to invest more into your retirement fund. You want to serve at a higher level, and work with senior leaders and C suite level leaders. You want your advice and expertise to make a difference in companies that shape the world. And this is my favourite bit - you want all of these things AND to be back in time for dinner. You want your weekly yoga class and coffee with your friends and time outdoors with your pets, and to live a healthier lifestyle without perpetual stress and rushing. I’m not even exaggerating when I say that your $100K consulting offer will put your business in a place where it delivers all of these things.”
Useful Links
Free Guide: The Business Remodel - Craft Your $100k Offer
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I talked to Deb Boulanger, a sought-after speaker, business mentor and thought leader, and an expert in guiding women from corporate roles to successful consulting businesses.
We explored how public speaking can be a powerful and strategic tool for consistently closing new clients. Deb shared actionable tips on audience engagement, crafting compelling offers and the importance of follow-up. We also discussed mindset shifts, preparation and how to avoid common pitfalls like over-teaching.
Whether you’re new to speaking or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you turn talks into tangible business growth.
In This Episode:
[00:00:00] Introducing Deb Boulanger and her transition from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship..
[00:03:08] Deb discusses the unexpected difficulties of starting her own business and learning new skills.
[00:04:43] Exploring the mindset changes required when moving from corporate to entrepreneurial life.
[00:06:06] Conversation about embracing individuality and being different as an entrepreneur.
[00:07:32] Using public speaking strategically to close clients, and the value of both paid and unpaid speaking.
[00:09:30] The common mistake of over-teaching and how it can overwhelm audiences.
[00:10:46] Deb shares tips on structuring talks for impact, including using simple points and stories.
[00:12:30] The importance of pre-launch content, audience engagement, and reverse engineering event goals.
[00:14:32] Discussion on the need for thorough follow-up with attendees and registrants after a talk.
[00:17:21] Tips on using social media, direct messaging, and ensuring attendees have access to event links.
[00:18:50] Advice for speakers on managing perceived audience disengagement and keeping energy high.
[00:20:38] How to address audience pain points and provide new perspectives during talks.
[00:22:28] Deb explains how to transition to offers, the difference between soft and hard offers, and best practices.
[00:26:00] Guidance on making appropriate offers when selling consulting services to organizations.
Key Takeaways:
- The allure of paid speaking gigs is strong, but Deb emphasizes that unpaid talks, when delivered to the right audience, can generate far greater business value.
- Many speakers try to prove their expertise by overloading their audience with information. This “over-teaching” leaves listeners overwhelmed and less likely to take action.
- Success starts long before you step on stage. Effective pre-event marketing and engagement can dramatically increase attendance and conversion.
- The offer is where many speakers falter, either by being too aggressive or too timid. The key is to make offers that feel natural and valuable.
Quotes:
“The mindset is totally opposite than corporate, right? In corporate, you're rewarded for something absolutely different, which is fitting in, coloring inside the lines, and in entrepreneurship you're rewarded for being different. So how different can you be? How creative can you be? And coloring outside the lines.” - Deb Boulanger
“The things that you used to aspire to, you now need to be the opposite. And it's actually great news for us because it was never that fun to fit in and be less. Whereas suddenly it's like your job depends on you being more and showing the world ‘this is who I am.’” - Jessica Fearnley
“You can do lots of things, but if you're in the wrong rooms, not speaking to the right audience for your business, it's lovely that you did it, but it doesn't always drive sales.” - Jessica Fearnley
“If you're leading a webinar, if you're speaking from stage, if you're leading a workshop or even if you're on a panel, the primary mistake people make is they want to be seen as smart. They want to showcase their thought leadership, and they end up over teaching, over coaching, leaving the audience overwhelmed or needing to sort it all out so that they can apply it on their own. And that is the first mistake that in our desire to help serve, inform, we end up giving away too much information. People aren't able to take action.” - Deb Boulanger
“Keep it to three simple points, right? Three simple points that people can take away and give them a core premise and a paradigm shift that makes it memorable. And this is where true thought leaders really stand out, because when you ask people at the end of your talk, what was the number one thing you took away? They're repeating back to you your paradigm shift that you left them with.” - Deb Boulanger
Useful Links
Deb:
LifeAfterCorporate.com
Life After Corporate Podcast
Connect with Deb on LinkedIn
Seven Easy Steps to Convert More Clients Today
Expert Pricing Calculator
Ebook - A Free Guide on How to Make More Money, Meaning, and Impact Doing Work You Love
Jessica:
Buy Jessica’s book, Too Much, on Amazon
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
Deb Boulanger is a sought-after speaker, business mentor, and thought leader helping high-achieving women leaders successfully transition from corporate careers to profitable coaching and consulting businesses. With a 25-year background in corporate leadership - where she managed multi-million dollar business lines - she now guides women through the complexities of entrepreneurship with proven strategies in sales, marketing, and business growth.
As the CEO of Life After Corporate and host of the Life After Corporate podcast, she shares deep insights on business strategy, overcoming mindset blocks, and building sustainable six-figure businesses. Her engaging, no-nonsense approach has made her a go-to expert for professional conferences, masterminds, and top-ranked podcasts.
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in September 2023, I dive into the topic of returning to work after a break.
It’s so important to take time off so that we can recharge and avoid burnout, especially as high achieving, ambitious women consultants and thought leaders, but how can we smoothly transition back into work mode
In this episode I share some key strategies to help you prepare before your vacation and how to get your brain back when you return to work, including the value of checking in with yourself and prioritizing self-care during this transition period to regain your natural energy, maximize your productivity and enjoy jumping back into your consulting business.
Quotes:
“We get into the rhythm of work, leads, sales delivery, onboarding, offboarding, and it can suddenly actually feel quite stark to jump out of the business to take a vacation. When we get back, suddenly things feel less certain. Do I really post on LinkedIn that many times a week? What will I say at that meeting? How do I jump back on the horse now that I’ve tumbled off? If you’ve taken a break this summer and you’re feeling the brain fog this week, this episode is for you.”
“One of the key temptations for entrepreneurs is to be always on. It’s so great for us to have that digital detox, to break the patterns that we spend a lot of our weeks wrapped up in online.”
“Take that vacation, have that day off, block off that week. We get so blind to the habits that we’re falling into when we never break them. How many times have you come back with fresh eyes after some time out and thought, ‘wait a minute, why are we even doing this?’”
Useful Links:
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in August 2024, I interviewed my wonderful client, Amanda HarNess, an executive coach specialising in leadership development.
Amanda shared her journey from working as an occupational therapist to becoming a successful business owner and coach, adapting and transferring her skills from her previous career.
We discuss the challenges and motivations behind Amanda’s career shift, her signature Leadership First Approach™ and the importance of strong leadership for organisational success.
In this episode:
- [00:00:40] Amanda shares about her role as an executive coach in leadership development and her leap from occupational therapy to starting her own business.
- [00:03:23] Amanda reflects on her experiences as a good but unsatisfied employee, seeking more influence.
- [00:06:38] ‘Realising the Entrepreneurial Itch’ - Amanda describes how her desire for entrepreneurship grew during her career and the impact of COVID-19.
- [00:10:58] What advice Amanda would give her past self as she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey.
- [00:12:28] Amanda explains her signature framework, emphasising the importance of strong leadership at the top of organisations.
- [00:15:00] The value of focusing on leadership to foster positive organisational change.
- [00:16:07] Discussion on LinkedIn, content creation and brand photography.
- [00:18:55] Amanda reflects on the value of having a startup coach and seeking help early on.
- [00:19:38] The necessity of investing in oneself for business success.
- [00:26:14] The importance of overcoming past limitations to pursue future goals.
- [00:28:11] The parallel growth of personal and business development over time.
Key Takeaways:
- One of the most valuable pieces of advice Amanda offers is the importance of trusting your intuition and having confidence in your ideas. She acknowledges that while she has made progress, having a stronger belief in herself earlier on could have accelerated her journey. Amanda also emphasises the significance of investing in yourself, whether through hiring a coach or seeking professional development opportunities. This investment can lead to significant growth in both business and personal life.
- Effective leadership creates a strong foundation for the entire organisation. Poor leadership can lead to misalignment and ineffective communication, which ultimately trickles down to the rest of the organisation.
- Leaders must be willing to acknowledge their shortcomings and invest in their development to create a positive organisational culture. By focusing on enhancing leadership skills, organisations can foster high-performing teams and achieve their goals.
Quotes:
“I like to say that I was a great employee, but I was also not a great employee, because I either met or exceeded the status quo or the expectations. But I was also still unsatisfied. And so I wasn't one of those employees that just kind of did my work and showed up. I was always pointing out something that could be better and how it could be better, and you know, that wasn't always received well.” - Amanda HarNess
“I felt like I would come up with these ideas or find the things that needed to be changed and just get shushed or someone would smile and nod and then not do anything, and it always felt like I was being held back. And this idea in my mind felt like ‘if I owned my own business, what could hold me back?’” - Amanda HarNess
“If you have misalignment, poor communication, either just bad leadership skills or untrained leadership skills, whatever's happening at the top is going to roll downhill and trickle down in the organisation. … You have to make things strong at the top in order to create the real progress that you want in the organisation.” - Amanda HarNess
“I think a lot of us, we have this thing of like, ‘I can't invest in myself, that would be a waste of money’. But actually the difference that it makes when a business is making money on a regular basis, like those kinds of investments, if you do it properly, it can really make such a huge difference to how the early years of your business actually play out.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Amanda:
Visit Amanda’s website to learn more about her approach and services.
Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn to get more insights and expert advice.
For access to exclusive content and special events become an Email Subscriber.
Amanda’s Photographer, Danielle Uhl.
Jessica:
The Seven Figures Club
Wealth Dynamics
Join the weekly email newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Guest Bio
Amanda is the CEO and Founder of Business Excelerated. She is a coach and consultant who works with leadership teams of organizations with high stakes environments, helping them to make REAL progress using the Leadership First Approach™. By leveraging her expertise in human behavior, psychology, leadership development, and effective communication, she helps leadership teams close the gap between where they are now and where they want to be.
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in March 2025, I interviewed my wonderful client, Sherry Lukey, an extraordinary executive and life coach who helps successful professionals worldwide unlock their full potential, cultivate meaningful relationships, and create a life of purpose, peace, and presence.
Sherry shared her inspiring journey into the world of coaching, emphasizing how trauma can significantly impact both personal and professional success.
We talked about the disconnect between outward success and internal struggles, especially within corporate environments, plus the importance of creating safe spaces for healing and exploring how the subconscious mind plays a crucial role in shaping our beliefs.
In this episode:
- [00:00:00] Sherry shares her journey into coaching, influenced by her family dynamics.
- [00:02:59] The disconnect between outward success and internal struggles faced by clients.
- [00:06:52] The feelings of isolation experienced by successful individuals in corporate environments.
- [00:10:07] The difference between conscious and subconscious minds and their roles in trauma.
- [00:11:34] Discussion on the different types of trauma and the ingredients that contribute to it.
- [00:13:27] Insights on how early experiences shape negative narratives about oneself.
- [00:16:16] Discussion on the disconnect between rational thought and bodily feelings related to safety and trauma.
- [00:17:16] How addressing trauma can transform long-standing patterns and behaviors in clients.
- [00:18:24] Creating safe environments for deep coaching work and personal transformation.
- [00:21:58] Advice on conducting body scans to maintain awareness of emotional states throughout the day.
- [00:23:36] Discussion on how women often feel guilt for others' emotions and strategies to overcome this.
- [00:24:32] The dangers of taking on others' emotions and the need for clients to experience their own breakthroughs.
- [00:26:10] Challenges faced in pricing coaching services appropriately for transformative work.
- [00:29:14] Discussion on the disparity in pricing between genders in coaching and the need for women to charge appropriately.
- [00:31:59] Sherry discusses her decision to double her prices and the mental challenge behind it.
- [00:34:35] The hidden struggles of seemingly successful individuals.
- [00:35:06] The value of understanding everyone's unique story behind their success.
- [00:36:27] The importance of women achieving financial independence and success.
Key Takeaways:
- Healing trauma unlocks success. Many high-achieving women unknowingly hold themselves back due to past experiences that created deep-seated fears around visibility and success.
- Trauma isn't just 'big' events. Trauma can stem from experiences that left us feeling shocked, isolated, and powerless - even if they don’t seem significant from the outside.
- The subconscious mind runs the show. While we may consciously want success, our subconscious fears can sabotage us - like avoiding opportunities, procrastinating, or feeling deep discomfort when we try to step up.
- Women tend to ‘freeze’ or ‘fawn’ under stress. Instead of fight or flight, many women default to people-pleasing or shutting down, which keeps them stuck in unhealthy patterns.
- Your next level is waiting - if you’re willing to claim it. Success often requires shifting from ‘Why me?’ to ‘Why not me?’ and confidently stepping into your worth. Once you change your internal narrative, everything else shifts.
Quotes:
“It's certainly something that I think all of us as coaches see, we have clients who come to us and they are so outstanding as individuals. They have this amazing potential, and quite often they have things that are already going really well. But for whatever reason, there are these deep traumas sometimes really holding them back and old narratives that don't serve them, but everything just feels completely tangled up and they can't move forward.” - Jessica Fearnley
“We can heal trauma and we can have patterns that have plagued us for decades. You always kind of know that you're destined for great things, and every time it's in front of you, you manage to swerve. But to actually be able to heal those patterns, it changes everything.” - Jessica Fearnley
“When the subconscious perceives a threat, whether it be real or perceived, that stress response comes on and then your options are fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. And fawn being people pleasing, which is one of the things that women really, really tend to do.” - Sherry Lukey
“What people don't realize is that really a trauma at any level has three ingredients. One is shock, it's sort of like you've been blindsided, something that just totally came out of nowhere, a feeling of isolation and a feeling of powerlessness. And if you have those three ingredients, you end up with trauma.” - Sherry Lukey
“People have to break down to break through. And so by you taking that on, you're actually preventing their breakthrough. And it completely turns it on its head to be like, ‘oh, this is a massive disservice to take this on for someone’ because you subconsciously and energetically, you're actually saying to them ‘you're not capable of handling this. So I'm going to handle it for you’.” - Sherry Lukey
Useful Links
Sherry:
Sherry’s website - sherrylukey.com
Jessica:
Buy Jessica’s book, Too Much, on Amazon
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Guest Bio
Sherry Lukey is an extraordinary executive and life coach who helps successful professionals worldwide unlock their full potential, cultivate meaningful relationships, and create a life of purpose, peace, and presence. Using her unique expertise and Tap into Power Method™, she guides clients to break free from deep-rooted subconscious patterns and biases, empowering them to lead confidently and leave a legacy.
Sherry's expertise has been showcased in top media outlets like Forbes, Beyond the Couch, and the Fearless and Successful podcasts. She captivates audiences with powerful presentations, expertly moderates events, and delivers game-changing insights on panels.
When she's not empowering leaders to lead with greater compassion for themselves and others, you'll find her pursuing her passions for personal growth and pottery in her home studio. She shares a beautiful life in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband of thirty-seven years and takes immense pride in being the mother of adult twin daughters.
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I’m outlining the ways you can work with me in 2025 and 2026 if you’re ready to grow your consulting business.
The message I’m hearing again and again is that things have felt uncertain in the world this year, but this is beginning to shift in a lot of markets. I’ve been speaking to B2B consultants at all stages of business who are seeing all these opportunities opening up and I’m so passionate about helping them to take advantage of these opportunities to grow their business - all while working less and earning more.
Tune in to hear more about the stages of a consulting business and how I can help you grow in 2025 and 2026!
Quotes:
“You can work less - fewer hours, fewer clients, less context switching through your week, less time needed on lead gen and sales - and earn more - by pricing your services competitively for the market you are targeting.”
“You might not have realized it yet but one of the biggest determining factors in terms of whether your business will grow further than it has already is you. You are likely the bottleneck to all future progress.”
“Your business doesn’t need to feel hard or attritional. We don’t need to believe the story that in order to grow to 7 figures you have to sacrifice your life or your wellbeing. I love to help consultants make this season of growth feel safer, and calmer and something they are in command of.”
“When we align your services with your Zone of Genius, instead of just your Zone of Excellence or your Zone of Competence, we can create a consulting business that feels fun again, and where you are building the reputation of being an expert at a specific thing.”
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
This week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in June 2023, is all about taking a truly restorative vacation as a seven figure consultant.
Drawing from my own experiences, I discuss recognizing burnout, tuning into your emotional and physical needs, and intentionally planning time off to maximize rest, highlighting the importance of listening to your intuition during your break and setting intentions for your return.
I also talk about practical tips for managing client communications, setting boundaries, and preparing your business for your absence so you can create a vacation that allows you to recharge, inspire and support both personal wellbeing and business growth.
Quotes:
“My calendar experiment this year has been tapering my work schedule before the very end of term, so I can actually get that breather before it feels like the wheels are about to fall off. And similarly with returning to the office after time away, I'm doing more to really ease into it and make it a gentle experience, rather than the whiplash feeling when you've jumped off the work wagon and you just can't quite get back into it full speed.”
“So often the information we need is right in front of us. But we just can't hear the whispers our body is sending. Are you tired? Are you exhilarated? We need to get way more curious about the depth and variety of our emotions.”
“Create the blueprint and then plan your business around it. Otherwise, you'll find that business expands to fill the space and it will totally sabotage your plans. There's also an important consideration here about how to ensure that the business can run smoothly without you.”
Useful Links
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
This week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, originally broadcast in July 2023, is all about how to make the most of the opportunity we are presented with during the Summer months for a reset, before we jump into the Fall.
It’s a chance to reflect on the changes you are ready to make in your business – and the things you are ready to leave behind. I share my experience of letting go of money fears, embracing abundance, and building self-trust, and invite you to do the same!
Summer can be a powerful time for business reset and personal growth, using this quieter season to gain clarity on your goals and desires, and to approach the coming months with intention.
Quotes:
“One of the things I love in these quieter seasons is the opportunity to reflect and really look back on the last 6 or 7 months since the holiday season and ask ourselves, what do I want to bring with me into the next season?” - Jessica Fearnley
“We can't just give up a bad mindset habit. We need to replace it with something better. Switch out fear and choose abundance and self-trust instead. ‘I don't need to think about this, because if we end up in a worst case scenario, I will know what to do.’” - Jessica Fearnley
“Never say to yourself that you can’t have something. I ban my clients from using the word realistic. As women, we are way too quick to shrug our shoulders and accept less when we know we are looking for more. If you can’t name your desires to yourself, how will you bring them into being? It starts with getting clarity within ourselves.” – Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Episode 153: How to Take a Vacation as a Seven Figure Consultant
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I’m sharing practical advice for new and aspiring women B2B consultants aiming to reach their first or next $100K in revenue - including a brand new free resource just for you!
I talk about the common challenges of defining your expertise, identifying your ideal clients, pricing and marketing, as well as the importance of taking action over endless planning!
Tune in if you want to confidently build a successful consulting business and finally embrace your entrepreneurial journey.
Quotes:
“If you build your business right, it will not be difficult to make your first $100K in annual revenue as a B2B consultant.”
“I always say to my clients that the $0-$100K phase of a consulting business can actually feel like the hardest one to crack because you're validating the business. You're selling something sometimes for the first time in your career. And worse than that, you're selling yourself for the first time, which can feel so deeply uncomfortable.”
“So often I speak to women who want to plan it out so that it's perfect, and then when they know it's guaranteed to work, then they'll put it out in the world. And I have to say, with love - no, no and no - this isn't how entrepreneurship works. There are messy workarounds and creative gaps and best guesses that we road test in the real world by talking to people.”
Useful Links
Free Guide: How To Get Your First B2B Consulting Clients
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, 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
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.
✨ We made it. Episode 200. ✨
That’s 200 conversations, reflections, truth-bombs, mindset shifts, and gently delivered mic drops.
200 episodes of holding space for ambitious women B2B consultants who are done with burnout and ready for sustainable, soul-aligned success.
Honestly? Hitting 200 episodes feels like a big milestone. Not because of the number - though it’s a good one - but because of what it represents.
Years of walking alongside you. Of speaking into the void and trusting that the right women would find these words at just the right time.
And they have.
To celebrate, we’re re-releasing one of the most-loved episodes we’ve ever shared.
This one’s all about self-trust.
Because the deeper I go into this work, the more I see how central self-trust is to everything we want to create. Not just in our consulting businesses, but in how we live, lead, and be.
In this episode, I unpack themes like:
- Radical non-attachment (yes, even to our biggest goals)
- Letting go of external validation (no more gold stars, thank you very much)
- Learning to root our confidence internally, rather than chasing it in client feedback or bank balances
It’s an invitation to loosen your grip on outcomes and instead, lean into trust. Trust in your value. Trust in your process. Trust in the bigger picture.
Because when you stop white-knuckling and start listening to your intuition?
That’s when it gets really good.
This episode is for the women who are ready to stop playing small, stop waiting for permission, and start moving from a place of quiet power and unshakable belief in what they’re here to do.
Here’s to the next 200.
Let’s keep growing, gently and powerfully.
Quotes:
“Even in a corporate facing consultancy business, by setting our value internally and by practicing radical attachment, I am convinced we set ourselves up to receive more than we can even imagine. Because think about it - It means we can try stuff in our businesses and fail and not be crushed.”
“We can learn more. We can reach out for the wisdom of others. We can get the support we need to make good decisions. We can hire people with expertise that complements our own. But most of all, we can trust ourselves to make the decision we need to make. Even if we don't get it right the first time.”
“When we make the source of our fulfillment and happiness something that's external to us, for example, I have to get this job, I have to get that contract, that award, that relationship, that connection in my network… when we make this something external to us, we become completely powerless. Whereas the flip side of this, allowing our source of fulfillment to be something internal to us, we become powerful.”
Useful Links
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
Come and join me for an extra-special live workshop I’m hosting this Friday 16th May that you won’t want to miss if you’re a 6 - 7 figure woman consultant.
The workshop is called How To Thrive As a B2B Consultant In Any Economy (Yes, even in 2025), and during this intimate session we will be covering:
- The proven business model I've taught for the last 10 years - used by my clients right now to land six-figure corporate consulting contracts, even in this economy this month
- How to still hit your revenue goals - even when you can't predict where your next client is coming from or how many sales are coming in this year
- How to stay calm, clear, and cash-ready - even when the world feels chaotic and everyone around you is spiraling in fear and anxiety
Your ticket also includes a 30 minute strategy call 1:1 with me to nail down your action plan and work out next steps.
If you’re serious about thriving, not just surviving, in 2025, you won’t want to miss it!
Find out more and register at jessicafearnley.com/event
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I’m delighted to welcome back Leah Neaderthal, a sales coach for women consultants and the founder of Smart Gets Paid.
We talked about the shifting landscape of client acquisition in the US, particularly in light of the political and economic climate of 2025, focusing on the importance of resilience and maintaining a positive mindset.
We shared personal anecdotes and strategies for overcoming external challenges, encouraging you to stay focused on your goals while fostering a supportive, growth-oriented environment.
In This Episode:
[00:00:00] Leah shares her journey from corporate marketing to becoming a sales coach for women consultants.
[00:03:30] Discussion on narrowing down the niche and discovering a target audience. Leah explains her evolution in focusing on women consultants after initially targeting small businesses.
[00:07:12] Leah shares her experience with changing her hair color to grey during the pandemic and its significance, reflecting on the impact of hair color on self-perception and business identity.
[00:12:52] Evolving client acquisition strategies in 2025 and how political and economic changes influence client perceptions and business strategies.
[00:15:13] The importance of providing a supportive environment for clients amidst uncertainty.
[00:16:17] Leah encourages business leaders to maintain a positive outlook and drive forward despite challenges.
[00:17:28] Jessica shares her experience of facing a challenging year in 2020 but ultimately growing her business significantly.
[00:18:42] Discussion on how negative narratives can hinder business success and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset.
[00:20:05] Exploring how entrepreneurs can adapt and respond effectively during crises instead of succumbing to fear.
[00:22:04] The need for a relentless approach in achieving business goals, moving beyond mere trust in success.
[00:25:10] The importance of positioning services as essential solutions rather than optional benefits during uncertain times.
[00:29:08] Tactical advice for consultants to leverage their insights and adjust offerings to meet the immediate needs of clients.
[00:33:49] The power of resilience among entrepreneurs to navigate challenges and maintain control over their business outlook.
[00:35:23] Insights on how many consultants thrived during the pandemic despite initial fears and the need for proactive women consultants to succeed in changing markets.
Key Takeaways:
- "Be a Painkiller, Not a Vitamin" - Position your services as essential problem-solvers, not just nice-to-haves. Clients still invest in urgent, high-value outcomes, especially during uncertain times.
- Leah's watchword of this year is ‘relentless’ - not just trusting goals will happen, but actively and consistently pursuing them with drive and purpose.
- Fear-based narratives can hold you back. Instead of waiting or shrinking your goals, move forward with intention. Your mindset shapes your results.
- When you show up authentically, your business thrives. Clients respond to real, confident leadership.
Quotes:
"I think it's a really amazing opportunity this year to play the mindset game of our lifetimes, because that's the opportunity, isn't it? That comes when the world is just a little bit unpredictable." - Jessica Fearnley
“On a number of levels, there is some fear, of course. There's some grief. There's some rage. And I think our responsibility and our opportunity as the leaders of the spaces that we hold is to let that come out and create a safe space for that. And yet, I love what your members are saying, which is ‘I want to also hold this space as a space where we don't have to wallow in it’, because I think that it can easily become a self-fulfilling prophecy.” - Leah Neaderthal
"We don't always need to make it like an all or nothing where the only options are survival as if nothing's happened or complete catastrophe. Often it's a matter of degrees. We can course correct. If we can't be agile as entrepreneurs and consultants, then honestly, who can? We have this ability to change things." - Jessica Fearnley
"A lot of women out there are talking about their work in what we might consider a vitamin, not a painkiller. Everybody knows they need to take their vitamins, but if you go to the store and you forget your vitamins, you'll just pick them up next time. Whereas if you have a real pain, you will go to the store and you will get pain relief, because you're solving a pain in that moment. That's how we need to be thinking about how we position our work, especially right now because clients will solve their pain, but they will not purchase a vitamin." - Leah Neaderthal
Useful Links
Leah:
Leah’s website - SmartGetsPaid.com
Smart Gets Paid Podcast
Smart Gets Paid Podcast - Episode 114 - ‘Don’t let the economy kill your business – do this instead’
Connect with Leah on LinkedIn
Jessica:
Buy Jessica’s book, Too Much, on Amazon
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
Leah Neaderthal is a sales coach for women consultants, and she’s the founder of Smart Gets Paid.
A three-time business owner who started her career in corporate marketing, Leah didn’t learn to sell by being a commissioned salesperson. Instead, she taught herself everything she could about selling, overcame “selling shyness,” and created a sales approach that feels comfortable, builds strong client relationships, and gets results.
Now she shares the secrets she learned along the way, teaching women how to get the right consulting clients and get paid more for every consulting contract in her program, The Academy.
She’s also the host of The Smart Gets Paid podcast, where listeners go behind the scenes into her actual calls with clients where Leah is tackling their biggest sales challenges, and they can learn sales strategies they can use in their businesses. You can find The Smart Gets Paid podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.
Before starting Smart Gets Paid, Leah built, grew, and sold three businesses. Learn more about Leah at smartgetspaid.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.
This episode was originally broadcast in March 2020 but I wanted to share it again because so much of it is just as relevant this year. We are facing uncertainty with huge shifts happening that we cannot control. But that doesn’t mean this year will be bad for your business - and it’s actually a really key time for developing your mindset and training ourselves to see opportunities.
For me, relistening to this episode has also been a powerful reminder that we got through 2020 with all its challenges, so we know we will also get through 2025.
In this episode, I talk about:
- The impact your mindset will have on your business and your day-to-day experience, and how to take control of that.
- How to move past fear and disbelief and into acceptance and planning.
- How staying calm and looking for opportunities will help your business survive (and even thrive).
- The importance of staying connected with others.
- But not too connected (especially to social media).
There’s disruption, chaos, and fear around us, but we do have the capacity to respond, adjust and move on.
If you’re worried about how your consulting business is going to adapt to the current situation, please get in touch and let’s discuss how I can help.
Quotes:
“There will always be things that are unknown, things that we can't control, and we will always need to be ready to make changes in a business to accommodate the external factors that we can't control. This is a core strength in a business to be able to adapt to changing market conditions, and it's important that we don't let current events, whatever scenarios might be playing out, scare us and stop us in our tracks.”
“So often when we have that feeling of overwhelm, we attribute it to the wrong things and we see what we expect to see. If you're looking for chaos, you will find it. But we need to shift our mindset so that we're able to see the opportunities that are opening up right now.”
“It's so tempting to sit and complain and do exactly nothing that will help. But businesses that survive are the ones that face the reality. Ask the difficult questions and make a plan to mitigate the impact of the issues you're up against.”
Useful Links
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I interviewed my wonderful client, Sherry Lukey, an extraordinary executive and life coach who helps successful professionals worldwide unlock their full potential, cultivate meaningful relationships, and create a life of purpose, peace, and presence.
Sherry shared her inspiring journey into the world of coaching, emphasizing how trauma can significantly impact both personal and professional success.
We talked about the disconnect between outward success and internal struggles, especially within corporate environments, plus the importance of creating safe spaces for healing and exploring how the subconscious mind plays a crucial role in shaping our beliefs.
In this episode:
- [00:00:00] Sherry shares her journey into coaching, influenced by her family dynamics.
- [00:02:59] The disconnect between outward success and internal struggles faced by clients.
- [00:06:52] The feelings of isolation experienced by successful individuals in corporate environments.
- [00:10:07] The difference between conscious and subconscious minds and their roles in trauma.
- [00:11:34] Discussion on the different types of trauma and the ingredients that contribute to it.
- [00:13:27] Insights on how early experiences shape negative narratives about oneself.
- [00:16:16] Discussion on the disconnect between rational thought and bodily feelings related to safety and trauma.
- [00:17:16] How addressing trauma can transform long-standing patterns and behaviors in clients.
- [00:18:24] Creating safe environments for deep coaching work and personal transformation.
- [00:21:58] Advice on conducting body scans to maintain awareness of emotional states throughout the day.
- [00:23:36] Discussion on how women often feel guilt for others' emotions and strategies to overcome this.
- [00:24:32] The dangers of taking on others' emotions and the need for clients to experience their own breakthroughs.
- [00:26:10] Challenges faced in pricing coaching services appropriately for transformative work.
- [00:29:14] Discussion on the disparity in pricing between genders in coaching and the need for women to charge appropriately.
- [00:31:59] Sherry discusses her decision to double her prices and the mental challenge behind it.
- [00:34:35] The hidden struggles of seemingly successful individuals.
- [00:35:06] The value of understanding everyone's unique story behind their success.
- [00:36:27] The importance of women achieving financial independence and success.
Key Takeaways:
- Healing trauma unlocks success. Many high-achieving women unknowingly hold themselves back due to past experiences that created deep-seated fears around visibility and success.
- Trauma isn't just 'big' events. Trauma can stem from experiences that left us feeling shocked, isolated, and powerless - even if they don’t seem significant from the outside.
- The subconscious mind runs the show. While we may consciously want success, our subconscious fears can sabotage us - like avoiding opportunities, procrastinating, or feeling deep discomfort when we try to step up.
- Women tend to ‘freeze’ or ‘fawn’ under stress. Instead of fight or flight, many women default to people-pleasing or shutting down, which keeps them stuck in unhealthy patterns.
- Your next level is waiting - if you’re willing to claim it. Success often requires shifting from ‘Why me?’ to ‘Why not me?’ and confidently stepping into your worth. Once you change your internal narrative, everything else shifts.
Quotes:
“It's certainly something that I think all of us as coaches see, we have clients who come to us and they are so outstanding as individuals. They have this amazing potential, and quite often they have things that are already going really well. But for whatever reason, there are these deep traumas sometimes really holding them back and old narratives that don't serve them, but everything just feels completely tangled up and they can't move forward.” - Jessica Fearnley
“We can heal trauma and we can have patterns that have plagued us for decades. You always kind of know that you're destined for great things, and every time it's in front of you, you manage to swerve. But to actually be able to heal those patterns, it changes everything.” - Jessica Fearnley
“When the subconscious perceives a threat, whether it be real or perceived, that stress response comes on and then your options are fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. And fawn being people pleasing, which is one of the things that women really, really tend to do.” - Sherry Lukey
“What people don't realize is that really a trauma at any level has three ingredients. One is shock, it's sort of like you've been blindsided, something that just totally came out of nowhere, a feeling of isolation and a feeling of powerlessness. And if you have those three ingredients, you end up with trauma.” - Sherry Lukey
“People have to break down to break through. And so by you taking that on, you're actually preventing their breakthrough. And it completely turns it on its head to be like, ‘oh, this is a massive disservice to take this on for someone’ because you subconsciously and energetically, you're actually saying to them ‘you're not capable of handling this. So I'm going to handle it for you’.” - Sherry Lukey
Useful Links
Sherry:
Sherry’s website - sherrylukey.com
Jessica:
Buy Jessica’s book, Too Much, on Amazon
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Guest Bio
Sherry Lukey is an extraordinary executive and life coach who helps successful professionals worldwide unlock their full potential, cultivate meaningful relationships, and create a life of purpose, peace, and presence. Using her unique expertise and Tap into Power Method™, she guides clients to break free from deep-rooted subconscious patterns and biases, empowering them to lead confidently and leave a legacy.
Sherry's expertise has been showcased in top media outlets like Forbes, Beyond the Couch, and the Fearless and Successful podcasts. She captivates audiences with powerful presentations, expertly moderates events, and delivers game-changing insights on panels.
When she's not empowering leaders to lead with greater compassion for themselves and others, you'll find her pursuing her passions for personal growth and pottery in her home studio. She shares a beautiful life in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband of thirty-seven years and takes immense pride in being the mother of adult twin daughters.
On Thursday 20th March I’m hosting an online book launch party for my newly released book, Too Much. And I would love you to come and join us!
I’m going to be speaking about the book, sharing some of my favourite things from the book, and we’re also making it a networking call where you can come and connect with other B2B consultants serving corporates.
My goal is that this is a really fun session where you can connect with others, make some new professional contacts and talk about the book!
RSVP for the Book Launch Party
Buy the book on Amazon
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, we dive into what it takes for women B2B consultants to scale from six to seven figures. Pulling from my new book, “Too Much”, I talk about finding the balance between self improvement and radical self acceptance.
Join me as I share insights from my coaching experience, shining a light on the emotional challenges high achieving women face and how to embrace ambition without fear of burnout.
Quotes:
“Radical self improvement is great. It drives us forward powerfully. It's the engine for all of the amazing things we achieve. But radical self improvement isn't usually kind. It doesn't go easy on us. We actually don't need to learn how to push ourselves as high achievers, especially when you have a corporate background. What we need to learn is how to be kind to ourselves.”
“When we match our radical self improvement with radical self acceptance, we change the narrative of growth as being hard and punishing to growth being natural, gentle, beautiful, and deeply, deeply expansive.”
“I have this inner drill sergeant who barks orders at me all day, and I know you probably do as well. Get up early, eat healthily, be at your desk by 9am, be productive, be more productive, do your workout… and it just goes on all day, like that. And one of the foundational premises with radical self improvement, if we strip it back, is that we do it from a place of feeling like not enough.”
Useful Links
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I’m thrilled to announce the release of my new book, Too Much!
As a business coach dedicated to empowering women B2B consultants and thought leaders, I share my journey as a writer and the inspiration that fueled this project.
Throughout the book, I explore the common feeling many women experience of being "too much" and how it can shape our entrepreneurial paths and our lives. The book is a powerful exploration of the challenges women face in entrepreneurship and the journey toward self-acceptance and empowerment, with guidance on how to actually take the steps towards changing your life and business.
Tune in for a sneak preview of the book!
Quotes:
“What I noticed in the work I was doing in the early years of my business, was that my clients came to me for strategy and tactics, but they were very often not able to action the plans we made because their resistance got in the way.”
“The emotional element of the work I do has become really 3 dimensional over the last 5 years, so that was another thing that made me realise, ok I think it might be time to write a book. … The evolution of that PLUS the emotional element of my work, the trauma-informed approaches, dealing with our hard emotions, and finding ways to not get blocked. It’s really been such an important development. And it’s fundamentally changed the work I do - I coach on a completely different level now to what I did before.”
“And then that naturally evolved into this logical sequence in my brain of ‘wait, if I feel like too much, sure they can go and look for less, but doesn’t that also put the onus on ME to go and find more’. … The more I spoke about this with entrepreneurs, because we are the ones who have often left our careers because we just can’t make it work or it costs us too much to spend a lifetime trying to be smaller to fit into the corporate landscape and hierarchy, it just became clear that this is a concept that really resonates.”
Useful Links
Buy Too Much on Amazon
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Follow Jessica on Instagram
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I'm super excited to share some big news with you all. My book, "Too Much," is now available to buy on Amazon! 🎉🎉🎉
This book is a heartfelt shoutout to all the amazing women consultants and entrepreneurs out there who sometimes feel like they're "too much." With over ten years of coaching under my belt, I've seen how this feeling can make us feel a bit isolated. But it also shows that we're ambitious and hungry for more.
In "Too Much," I introduce a framework to help you chase those dreams and fully embrace your "too muchness." So, if you're ready to dive in and build your seven figure consulting business, I'd love you to buy your copy today!
Buy the book on Amazon - https://mybook.to/toomuchbook
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth Solaru, a multi award-winning luxury business consultant and author of ‘The Luxpreneur’.
Elizabeth shared her remarkable journey from a scientist, to headhunter, to world renowned cake artist, to luxury consultant! We talked about the psychology of luxury clients, the importance of mindset for luxury brand founders and strategies for finding high-ticket clients.
We also explored inspiring examples from the luxury industry, illustrating the unique vision and perspective women consultants can bring to their business.
In this episode:
- [00:00:00] Elizabeth shares her transition from scientist and headhunter to luxury business consultant.
- [00:03:12] Discussion on the characteristics and psychology of the luxury market and its clients.
- [00:04:43] How successful luxury founders like Coco Chanel and Louis Vuitton viewed their industries differently.
- [00:06:42] The need for women to acknowledge their worth in high-ticket consulting.
- [00:07:48] The significance of valuing time in consulting and understanding client perceptions.
- [00:08:52] The evolving luxury market and the importance of diverse perspectives in leadership.
- [00:11:12] Elizabeth encourages women to embrace their unique viewpoints and skills in the luxury space.
- [00:14:57] Advice on navigating rejection and finding high-ticket clients through targeted strategies.
- [00:16:31] Elizabeth outlines different luxury client types and effective engagement strategies.
- [00:18:03] Leveraging professional networks in corporate settings and combining professional and personal networks for business opportunities.
- [00:19:20] Elizabeth shares her experiences as a headhunter and the importance of personal assistants.
- [00:21:23] Building relationships to demonstrate genuine interest in clients' needs.
- [00:22:38] Elizabeth explains her bold marketing strategies to attract high-profile clients.
- [00:24:55] Leveraging partnerships and creativity to land significant clients.
- [00:25:40] Overview of the essential pillars of luxury business: craftsmanship, storytelling, business model, target market, and pricing.
- [00:26:07] Discussion on the implications of pricing and its effect on client perception.
- [00:28:49] Advice on targeting organisations that urgently need solutions to their problems.
- [00:31:46] Introduction to Elizabeth's practical book on building a luxury business.
Key Takeaways:
- Luxury isn’t just about high prices; it’s about value, quality, exclusivity and the unique mindset of the business owner. True luxury brands stand out because they think differently and aren’t afraid to redefine the industry.
- Many women consultants undervalue their expertise. Selling high-ticket or luxury services requires a shift in mindset to understand your value and price higher to attract serious clients who respect your time and expertise.
- Selling high-ticket consulting services requires building trust, credibility and connection. Focus on relationship building, such as networking in niche spaces and leveraging referrals, to connect with potential clients in a meaningful way.
- When people spend a lot of money, they pay attention because they want to get their money’s worth, and they don’t waste your time. If it’s cheap, that’s when people keep coming back, asking for extras, and doubting the value of your work.
Quotes:
“Everything expensive is not necessarily luxury, but everything luxury will be expensive because of the way it's produced.” – Elizabeth Solaru
“Seeing things differently is so valuable. And I think women underestimate that, because it’s second nature to you, you think the common sense that you have, what you do, is not valued or not valuable, but things become valuable when you put a premium on what you charge. Because like I said, you're charging for your time, your energy, even your aura, because there are people that walk into a room and people feel uplifted, they feel there's possibilities, they feel they can do anything. Not many people can inspire that.” - Elizabeth Solaru
“Women will look at a job, a CEO job, and think, 'I only meet eight out of ten of the requirements, therefore I won’t apply.' Men will look at the same job and if they can only do three things, say 'I’m going to give it a go. I’m going to apply.’” – Elizabeth Solaru
“Something that I’ve seen consistently in the ten years of my business is that when we're not charging enough, we don’t find clients who respect us. We don't find clients who particularly want to do the work. And although it can feel counterintuitive and like you’re going to price yourself out of the market, actually, it's better if you want to do deep consulting work.” – Jessica Fearnley
“You need to find an organization in pain, an organization that has stepped on a nail or something, and they need to fix it now. And in fact, the quicker you fix it, the more they'll pay you.” – Elizabeth Solaru
Useful Links
Elizabeth:
The Luxpreneur: How to Start and Build a Successful Luxury Brand
Elizabeth’s website - luxurybusinessemporium.com
Elizabeth’s LinkedIn
Jessica:
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Guest Bio
Elizabeth Solaru is a multi award-winning luxury business consultant, author, and world renowned cake artist. As the CEO and Founder of the Diversity in Luxury Awards, she is a pioneering voice advocating for inclusivity and representation in the luxury sector.
An ex microbiologist and headhunter who interviewed, coached and ran job hunting workshops for C suite executives, she began her luxury business journey as a celebrated cake artist, earning international acclaim for her innovative designs and impeccable craftsmanship. Her clients include UHNWIs and royalty. Her creative talent and business acumen led to a successful transition into luxury consulting, where she now advises brands on how to navigate the complexities of the luxury market.
Her latest book, The Luxpreneur: How to Start and Build a Successful Luxury Brand has been described as "the blueprint for a luxury business" and a "must read for those interested in working in the luxury industry".
Elizabeth has been named as one of the world's Masterful 100 and has been featured on the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky TV. She has spoken in business schools and on some of the most exclusive luxury business stages, including JP Morgan, The Global HR Summit, Ernst and Young and The Inner Circle Experience.
In addition to her consulting work, Elizabeth is passionate about mentorship and is dedicated to empowering the next generation of luxury professionals.
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Erin Halper, founder and CEO of The Upside, a global community where top independent consultants come together to gain support and advance their businesses.
We talked about the crucial role that communities and support networks play for independent consultants, and Erin shared her inspiring journey from feeling isolated to establishing The Upside, a vibrant community of 250 consultants.
We explored the importance of finding the right community, the challenges that come with transitioning from corporate life, and practical steps to build a strong network.
In This Episode:
[00:00:00] Erin shares her journey as a consultant and the creation of The Upside community.
[00:02:06] The significance of finding and building a support network for consultants.
[00:04:14] Erin discusses the difficulty of finding suitable communities and how she recognized the need for a community for independent consultants.
[00:08:22] Erin offers advice on how consultants can start building their support networks.
[00:11:31] Discussion on the impact of burnout on the desire for community and support.
[00:13:30] Erin emphasizes the fundamental human need for belonging in professional settings and how the right community can alleviate the burdens of solo consulting.
[00:16:49] Discussion on the initial isolation of consultants and the eventual need for community support.
[00:18:03] Advice on recognizing the right community, focusing on shared values and connection with leaders.
[00:20:09] Warning signs to watch for in communities, including lack of values and authenticity issues.
[00:21:41] The importance of genuine community experiences over flashy marketing and celebrity endorsements.
[00:25:42] Encouragement for active participation in communities to gain the most value from the experience.
[00:28:02] The value of forming meaningful connections within communities for personal and professional growth.
[00:29:36] Advice on authenticity and being true to oneself in the journey of independent consulting.
Key Takeaways:
- It can be isolating moving from corporate to independent consultant - and often that urge to isolate yourself after leaving corporate is intentional! But having access to a network can help to fill the gap left by leaving a structured corporate environment and fulfil the need for connection and support as you grow your business.
- High-quality communities lead to transformative relationships and opportunities. The key is finding those high-quality communities and showing up authentically and consistently within them.
- Erin believes that a community should inspire and connect with its members on a deeper level so that they feel seen and understood. Her advice for finding the right community includes aligning your values. If a community doesn’t clearly communicate its values or fails to resonate with its members, it raises a red flag.
- When you’re transitioning from a corporate role, you may feel the pressure to present a polished version of yourself. But Erin encourages listeners to embrace their true selves, shedding the armor that corporate life may have built up.
Quotes:
“That is just basic, foundational human nature to always find that sense of belonging, always search for that sense of belonging. And that's why it's so important to make sure you're choosing a network, a path, a program that gives you that sense of belonging. Because they're not all one size fits all.” - Erin Halper
“I have found that when consultants go out on their own, the thing they miss the most is being part of a team. Second, the thing they miss is having access to the marketing department, the accounting department for anything they need … Then all of a sudden you're out on your own and you are the marketing department and the accounting department, and you're the bookkeeper and you're, you know, the COO, you're just wearing all the hats.” - Erin Halper
“If you're a high achiever, we don't like admitting weakness. We don't like coming across like we don't know stuff or we can't do things … But I think you need some time where you take the mask off and you're like, ‘oh my gosh, this is so hard. I don't know what I'm doing’. And, you know, just letting some of that tension out because yes, we can perform at very high levels often, but I think everyone needs a space where they can just show up as themselves and they can admit ‘this is very hard’.” - Jessica Fearnley
“If a community isn't sharing one way, shape or form, what they stand for, what their values are, and you ask them and they don't have an answer. That to me is a red flag. You should be lit up by their values.” - Erin Halper
“Just be authentic. Show up as yourself. Take off the armor that corporate or your past career has built up on you. Take it off. Be human. Build relationships. And enjoy the ride as yourself. Because being out on your own is, for many people, the first time they're ever able to show up truly as themselves. Authenticity is the winning game in the world of independent consulting.” - Erin Halper
Useful Links
Erin:
The Upside Website - betheupside.com
Erin’s LinkedIn
Jessica:
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Guest Bio
Erin Halper is the founder and CEO of The Upside, a global community where top independent consultants come together to gain support and advance their businesses. Since launching The Upside in 2017, Erin has helped thousands of professionals build respected consulting, advisory and coaching businesses that help them achieve flexibility, autonomy, and a renewed sense of purpose in their careers.
Prior to launching The Upside, Erin built a thriving consultancy where she worked directly with private equity clients across New York City, doubling her former full-time earnings while working a fraction of the hours.
Erin has been a featured expert on dozens of podcasts, stages, and publications such as Nasdaq, Business Insider, Fast Company and many more.
When she's not leading The Upside, Erin loves to cook, paint, travel with her husband and two sons, and see the latest Broadway musical. She also has a pretty cool (albeit useless) party trick where she can play any song on the piano after hearing it only once.
Join me from the 14th - 17th January to set yourself up for a fantastic year in your consulting business in 2025.
During the 4 day challenge, we’ll be running through the steps you need to take in order to design the roadmap for a consulting business that generates 6 figures in annual revenue.
We’ll cover:
1) Establishing your status as the Expert in Your Field 2) Finding your price point and mapping your offer 3) Making your offer irresistible to your ideal client
Plus an exclusive live Q&A call on day 4 where you can ask all your questions and get direct input from me.
If you’re serious about bringing in 6 figures in revenue in 2025, you won’t want to miss it.
Register for free at jessicafearnley.com/challenge
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I’m talking about how we can get in the zone for the new year!
So much of what we do as women entrepreneurs and B2B consultants relies on our mindset, and the new year is the perfect time for a mindset check-in and reset.
In this episode, I talk about the importance of mindset and strategy in achieving our business goals, plus how you can let go of scarcity beliefs and reconnect with abundance so you can tell yourself a better story in 2025.
I’m also sharing the latest news for my upcoming book, “Too Much”, and an invitation to a challenge for new and aspiring consultants. Tune in to find out more!
Quotes:
“It’s time to let go of whatever scarcity beliefs you might have found creeping in and reconnecting to abundance. The realisation that there is always more. You can have what you want. And you don’t need to play small.”
“We are the visionaries. We are the pioneers. We are the ones who create and innovate. We can’t ask other people if we can do the things we want to do. The only way to know if we can do it is to do it. And then we get our answer!”
“If you do one thing this year, invest in building up your mindset. It is the muscle that creates the biggest impact on your life and business. It’s the most important workout you can do.”
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
The High-Ticket Head Start Challenge
Join the weekly newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
To finish off this year of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, we’re re-releasing one of the most popular episodes of 2024 - a Q&A roundup episode on creating wealth for women B2B consultants and thought leaders.
I’m answering listener questions on key topics like business finance organisation, investment strategies, and setting profit targets. I also talk about the mindset shift required to move beyond just saving for a rainy day.
This episode stands as a valuable resource for women entrepreneurs seeking to create wealth and make a positive impact with their consulting business.
We’ll be back in 2025 with more episodes and guest interviews to help you grow your consulting business to seven figures and beyond, while working less and earning more!
Quotes:
“I see consultant women making hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue each year, and it is a really unique niche of women entrepreneurs. A stat that I reference often here on the show is that 90% of women entrepreneurs don't make six figures, and only 2% get to seven figures. So it follows that of all the kinds of women entrepreneurs, if you're a woman consultant, you need to be thinking about what to do with your money, how to run your business when you have consistent revenue, building up reserves, all these kinds of things that 90% of women entrepreneurs never need to know about.”
"What opportunities are you letting pass you by because you don't feel like you should invest in your business? Growing your team, bringing in expertise, getting the coaching support that you need as the leader of the business, joining groups and networks that could really help expand your reach and increase sales."
Useful Links
Episode 174: Managing Your Wealth with Kaitlyn Carlson
Episode 175: Seven Figure Secrets - Getting the Right Financial Advice for Your Consulting Business
Episode 158: Take Your Firm From A Money Drought To 6-Figure Cash Flow, with Octavia Conner
Who Not How, By Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
The Seven Figures Club
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s episode, I’m talking about what happens after you achieve significant business milestones, such as reaching a seven figure revenue goal.
There are many emotional and psychological aspects of success, and often our minds like to try playing tricks on us when we’ve finally achieved something we’ve been working towards.
I share more about the importance of radical self-improvement and self-acceptance, encouraging you to recognise your value and celebrate your achievements without seeking external validation.
Quotes:
“Alongside actually hitting the goal, the thing I became aware of right away was this feeling not of achievement, but of numbness. Like, I don’t feel the way I thought I would.”
“If it’s been a big struggle, there is the exhaustion of the journey, but also the refusal to admit that this leg of the journey is over and it’s time to rest, it’s time to refocus on something new.”
“These milestone moments are often a little bit mixed. There’s the thrill of achievement. The satisfaction of thinking, wow that’s exactly what I set out to do and I’ve actually done it. Yay for me! And yet, it can feel like an anticlimax because it’s not like a football team winning the world cup in a stadium full of fans. These victories are often deeply personal.”
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
The High-Ticket Consultant: Securing Your First $100K of Consulting Revenue - Online Course
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Come and join me next week for an exclusive 4 day challenge called Your High-Ticket Head Start. It’s for new and aspiring women consultants just like you, and over 4 days we’re going to be designing the roadmap for a consulting business that generates 6 figures in annual revenue.
We'll cover:
- Establishing your status as the Expert in Your Field
- Finding your price point and mapping your offer
- Making your offer irresistible to your ideal client
It’s designed to be the ideal primer for getting clarity on your consulting offer so you can easily make your next 6 figures in revenue in 2025.
We kick off on the 3rd December so It’s not too late to register but you need to be quick! Head to jessicafearnley.com/challenge to sign up for your free ticket.
Come and join me for an extra-special live workshop I’m hosting this Thursday 21st November that you won’t want to miss if you’re a woman consultant in the low 6 figures planning to grow your business to 7 figures.
The workshop is called Your Business Remodel - Growing Your Consulting Business from 6 to 7 Figures, and during this intimate session we will be covering:
- The Business Remodel that all 6 figure consulting businesses need to make in order to shift to 7 figures
- What it means to focus on 'value over volume' and why this is a pivotal shift for consultants
- How you can start to implement this right away and begin your consulting business remodel today!
We'll be going live at 3PM GMT | 10AM ET | 8AM MT.
If you’re serious about getting to 7 figures in 2025, you won’t want to miss it!
Register for free at jessicafearnley.com/event
Did you know that getting your consulting business to seven figures actually happens in 3 stages?
In this week’s episode, I’m sharing my insights into how women B2B consultants can reach the milestone of a seven figure business.
I’m sharing each of the three achievable stages (and you may have hit one of them already without even realising!).
It’s important to view your business and your achievements from different perspectives and set realistic but expansive goals. Add in the crucial role of mindset, strategic pricing and profitability, and a seven figure business is absolutely possible for women consultants.
Tune in to discover the three stages in the journey to seven figures and how you can get there with ease, not struggle.
Quotes:
“It can feel so big and so far away on the horizon that we treat it like this giant chunk of a goal that feels untouchable and insurmountable. But like with any goal, it becomes more manageable when you break it up into smaller pieces.”
“Play with the variable of speed. You haven’t made zero dollars in your career or your business. Play with that number, whatever it is, and work out how you can make that same amount appear but faster.”
“I speak to women all the time who are doing amazing things but they won’t acknowledge it to themselves because it’s like a competition with a panel of judges and ‘Oh sorry, you haven’t met the judging criteria for this category’. There is no panel of judges.”
“7 figures in profit doesn’t need to feel like a pipe dream. It can be a very small step on from 7 figure turnover.”
Useful Links
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
In this week’s episode, I’m talking about something a little different! I’m sharing about my top two coaching programs for my women consultant clients - Seven Figures Club and Limitless.
I talk about how the programs work, who they’re for, and what’s involved, including sharing about our amazing transformational retreats and what makes working with me different to other coaching programs.
Both programs are designed to provide deep, hands-on support, empowering ambitious women to scale their businesses without losing sight of their personal values or work-life balance.
Quotes:
“I’ve always wanted my business to be that port in the storm for ambitious women who don’t buy into the idea that if you’re a woman, you have to struggle as an entrepreneur.”
“It’s a powerful thing knowing that there are other women out there going on the same journey to seven figures. I think that often it can feel like a lot of women entrepreneurs don’t aspire to 7 figures or are actually really triggered by 7 figures. This is why my company is called Seven Figure Consultant Ltd, because I have always known that consulting is an excellent avenue for women consultants to make the amounts of money they couldn’t in their corporate careers.”
“The reality for consultants is that you can get to 7 figures on 10 clients or less. Several of my clients do $200k engagements as standard. 5 of those and boom.”
Useful Links
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
In this week’s episode, I talk about the connection between personal and business growth (spoiler alert: business growth is personal growth!).
As a business coach for women B2B consultants, I emphasise the ripple effect of compound growth and how personal development can significantly impact professional success.
Sharing from my own journey, I talk about the importance of mindset, healing from trauma and making intentional decisions, plus the power of small but consistent improvements both personally and in your business.
Quotes:
“...And we are just stuck, not because we don’t know what to do or because it’s complicated to execute, but because it FEELS complicated and there is something internal happening for us that we need to understand better in order to be able to move forward.”
“We often need to heal trauma in order to grow our businesses, and I think that can be even more of a surprise because so often we're blind to the impact of trauma in our lives.”
“You can get in a situation where you are doing your 1% growth both business growth and personal growth every day or every week in your business. And over the course of 6 months or 2 years or 5 years or 10 years or whatever it might be - the good things that come your way because of this growth are just amazing. It’s like we have this opportunity and this choice - am I going to allow compound interest in the bad direction, or am I going to invest in creating the good kind of compound growth?”
Useful Links
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
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I am delighted to speak to Sigrun, an award-winning business coach, best-selling author, and international speaker.
Sigrun shared her inspiring journey from studying architecture to becoming a leading business mentor for online entrepreneurs in Europe. We discuss her transition to computer science, her rise to CEO, and the challenges she faced, including job loss and health issues.
We talked about the importance of financial independence, gender equality, and overcoming self-sabotage. Her story is a testament to resilience and the power of entrepreneurship in achieving personal and professional fulfilment.
In this episode:
- [00:00:00] Introducing Sigrun, highlighting her achievements and mission in female entrepreneurship.
- [00:02:24] Sigrun discusses her career changes and challenges, including losing her job and taking a course to learn business planning.
- [00:06:27] Sigrun talks about being fired for refusing to compromise her values and moving to a new job.
- [00:07:51] Sigrun shares her experiences with health problems due to work stress and its impact on her career decisions. She discusses the difficulty in getting a proper diagnosis for her health issues while living in Switzerland.
- [00:12:31] Sigrun talks about exploring various treatments and therapies while grappling with her health challenges, before confronting her unemployability and reassessing her career goals.
- [00:16:01] The decision and journey to starting her own business and reflecting on business success, including revenue, employees, and investments.
- [00:19:51] Exploring the moment when clients awaken to new possibilities and realise they can achieve more than their previous salary.
- [00:21:13] Discussion on the gender pay gap and how entrepreneurship can create equality for women.
- [00:22:53] The shift from secondary earner to main breadwinner and its impact on women.
- [00:24:29] The importance of lifestyle choices over traditional career paths for both genders.
- [00:25:14] Exploring how women’s financial empowerment creates opportunities for others in their communities.
- [00:26:05] The challenges of self-sabotage and recognising potential in business earnings.
- [00:31:10] Sigrun shares her experience with public accountability and its role in achieving a million-dollar goal.
- [00:33:19] Setting intentions and taking aligned actions to achieve business goals.
Key Takeaways:
- While financial stability is important, true fulfillment often comes from pursuing one's passion and purpose.
- Both Jessica and Sigrun discuss the impact of chronic illness on their careers. Sigrun's health setback became a turning point, leading her to pivot into entrepreneurship and create a more balanced lifestyle.
- A key theme in Sigrun's work is accelerating gender equality by empowering women to achieve financial independence through entrepreneurship. She encourages women to pursue their business goals and create their own paths to success.
Quotes:
“We underestimate what we can do in ten years. We overestimate what we can do in a day or a week or a month.” - Sigrun Gudjonsdottir
“If you are on that pivoting point, 3, 4, 500,000, if you've made it that far, you can double it. You can triple your revenue. But you’ve got to believe that you can do it.” - Sigrun Gudjonsdottir
“It's amazing - You can really, truly take your passion and turn it into a profitable business. And I think we just have to get over that hump. When is that flipping point of when you realise that you actually have some money mindset issues? And for me, it was in the last month of the first year when I earned $25,000 in one month. And then I was like, oh, that's a lot of money. Do I deserve this? Was this a fluke? Will it ever happen again? And of course, the following month I made $1,700 because I self-sabotaged. And I see women do this.” - Sigrun Gudjonsdottir
“There's a magical thing that starts to happen, isn't there, where you realise I can get to where I was before, but seriously, if I try, where could I get to? And it's like the whole world just suddenly opens up.” - Jessica Fearnley
“I like manifesting as a concept. I think it's good to get our mindset in the right place, but for most people, it's not enough to sit and visualise it. We need to be taking that aligned action consistently, and we need to always be pushing forward and being like, seriously, what's the next big thing that's really going to move the needle?” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Sigrun:
Free Quiz - Is Your Online Business Ready to Scale?
Sigrun’s Website - Sigrun.com
Follow Sigrun on Instagram
Follow Sigrun on LinkedIn
Subscribe to Sigrun’s YouTube Channel
Jessica:
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Guest Bio
Sigrun is an award winning business coach, bestselling author, international speaker and host of the Sigrun Show podcast. She’s been called the leading business mentor for online entrepreneurs in Europe. She is on a mission to accelerate gender equality through female entrepreneurship and helps women start and scale their online businesses to 7 figures with her tough love and no-nonsense-approach to business and life.
Sigrun has been featured in Forbes, Time and numerous leading media publications in Europe. In 2022 she was accepted into the Hall of Fame of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Switzerland and in 2021 she won 5 German Stevie Awards; as the Hero of the year, Entrepreneur of the year, Solo entrepreneur of the year, Manager of the year, and Sales Achievement of the year. Sigrun is married, has two stepsons, and splits her time between Reykjavik, Iceland and Zurich, Switzerland.
Her latest book is available on Amazon and is called Kickstart Your Online Business - Create an Online Course and Start to Make Sales.
Come and join me for an extra-special live workshop I’m hosting this Thursday 19th September that you won’t want to miss if you’re a woman consultant in the low 6 figures planning to grow your business to 7 figures this year.
It’s called Creating a Revenue Explosion and we’re going to be shifting our money mindset blocks and exploring how to find your unique aligned actions to bring in a fun pop of new revenue with minimum effort and drama. And it won't be just theoretical - you'll leave with an inspired plan of action and the accountability to follow it up.
We'll be going live at 3PM BST | 10AM EDT | 8AM MDT.
Register for free at jessicafearnley.com/event
In this week’s episode, I’m sharing exciting news about my upcoming book, “Too Much”, aimed at empowering women B2B consultants to reach seven figure success. I delve into the book’s themes, particularly reframing the notion of being ‘too much’ as a strength.
And our main focus for the episode is that we are gearing up for the time of year when a lot of corporate companies have budget they need to use up - so what are you planning to do to take full advantage of this?
I talk about the importance of mindset and strategy, offering practical advice for year-end business growth, including goal setting, leveraging networks, and maintaining visibility.
This episode is a blend of personal development and actionable business strategies to help women consultants thrive!
Quotes:
“When we're told we're too much, it can be because there's an element of shame present that makes us feel like our only choice is to make ourselves less, take up less space, want less, aspire to less, pretend we are fine with fine.”
“We need to normalise the experience of women getting to 7 figures in revenue. We need to feel like this is something that women like you and me get to do, all the time. It’s normal to the point of being unremarkable.”
“Above all else, why not give yourself the gift of holding space for that quiet confidence and conviction in your consulting business this Fall that yes, you can do this and yes, this year is your year. The stories we tell ourselves make all the difference.”
Useful Links
VIP Strategy Intensive
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
This week’s episode is a re-release from the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast Archives.
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing my amazing client, Alecia Huck. Alecia is the founder and CEO of MAVERICK & Company, a management consulting firm that specialises in working with the leadership teams of fast-growing companies.
Alecia shared her inspiring business journey and the valuable insights she has gained along the way. We also discussed the importance of valuing the work we do over the amount of time we spend doing it, shifting from a time-based approach to a value-based approach to work less while achieving even greater results.
As women entrepreneurs, Alecia and I also delved into the unique challenges we face in the business world. We discussed the importance of letting go of control and embracing collaboration, as well as the need for self-acceptance and gratitude in our professional relationships.
Alecia's story is truly inspiring, and her insights are invaluable for anyone looking to grow their consulting business.
In this episode:
- [00:00:48] Jessica and Alecia discuss how they first met and decided to work together after a serendipitous LinkedIn post.
- [00:04:15] Alecia shares the journey of her business, from starting as an entrepreneur with no experience to finding her niche in working with leadership teams in fast-growing companies.
- [00:07:29] Working less and earning more, and the importance of shifting focus from time-based to value-based work.
- [00:12:43] The difficulties of breaking free from old narratives and habits that prioritise overworking.
- [00:16:13] Relying on others and allowing them to make decisions for the business or brand.
- [00:18:58] The need to let go of control, loosen up, and take action without striving for perfection.
- [00:21:37] The reality of entrepreneurship and how it often involves unexpected challenges and growth opportunities.
- [00:23:21] Big wins and personal growth.
- [00:26:07] The limitations of working more and the impact of self-acceptance on one's effectiveness.
- [00:29:27] Breaking out of old paradigms to achieve new results and make a difference in the lives of others.
Key Takeaways:
- As consultants and coaches, the work we do can have a significant impact on businesses beyond just finances, such as employee happiness and team dynamics. Many business owners who have grown their companies organically end up feeling overwhelmed and trapped by their success. Alecia and I both advocate for a shift in mindset from being a freelancer who tracks time to being an expert who focuses on delivering value.
- As women entrepreneurs, we often rely on ourselves too much and find it difficult to allow others to help and make decisions about our business. It’s important to let go and allow others to contribute - We don’t need to control everything!
- Find a balance between working less and earning more. Pushing too hard can lead to burnout and limit growth. True brilliance comes from self-acceptance and being comfortable with yourself.
Quotes:
“We mix up time and value, right? Because time is really easy to quantify and value can be hard to quantify. And what I think is really great is that if you actually make this shift from valuing your time and talking about things in terms of time and focusing on how long you work… if you shift over to thinking about the value you produce, I think that's better for your clients.” - Alecia Huck
“I call them your snakes in your brain, the voice that's kind of negative, right? It's a little distracting. And you do something really great and it goes, ‘oh, you're just a spotlight hog’. We all have snakes in the brain, and some of us have snakes informed by trauma and really, you know, intense things in our past and that can make them nastier and more subtle. But, this year was a year where I worked probably less than I ever had. And I want to be really clear, the results that I produced with my people were extraordinary.” - Alecia Huck
“I think that we often are so self-reliant, and there are often backstories that completely explain why we're like that, but I think for women entrepreneurs, we rely on ourselves aggressively. And we have to be told how to include other people and how to allow other people to help us, because actually, that's not something that comes naturally.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Alecia:
Alecia’s LinkedIn
MAVERICK & Company Website
Jessica:
The Seven Figures Club
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly email newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Guest Bio
Alecia Huck is the founder and owner of MAVERICK & Company, a management consulting firm that specialises in working with the leadership teams of fast-growing companies. A sought-after speaker and writer, Alecia helps people have more BIG wins; the kind of wins where you get great results but also become a bigger, better, braver version of yourself along the way.
Connect with Alecia on LinkedIn for great content and to join an amazing tribe of awesome humans.
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I interviewed my wonderful client, Amanda HarNess, an executive coach specialising in leadership development.
Amanda shared her journey from working as an occupational therapist to becoming a successful business owner and coach, adapting and transferring her skills from her previous career.
We discuss the challenges and motivations behind Amanda’s career shift, her signature Leadership First Approach™ and the importance of strong leadership for organisational success.
In this episode:
- [00:00:40] Amanda shares about her role as an executive coach in leadership development and her leap from occupational therapy to starting her own business.
- [00:03:23] Amanda reflects on her experiences as a good but unsatisfied employee, seeking more influence.
- [00:06:38] ‘Realising the Entrepreneurial Itch’ - Amanda describes how her desire for entrepreneurship grew during her career and the impact of COVID-19.
- [00:10:58] What advice Amanda would give her past self as she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey.
- [00:12:28] Amanda explains her signature framework, emphasising the importance of strong leadership at the top of organisations.
- [00:15:00] The value of focusing on leadership to foster positive organisational change.
- [00:16:07] Discussion on LinkedIn, content creation and brand photography.
- [00:18:55] Amanda reflects on the value of having a startup coach and seeking help early on.
- [00:19:38] The necessity of investing in oneself for business success.
- [00:26:14] The importance of overcoming past limitations to pursue future goals.
- [00:28:11] The parallel growth of personal and business development over time.
Key Takeaways:
- One of the most valuable pieces of advice Amanda offers is the importance of trusting your intuition and having confidence in your ideas. She acknowledges that while she has made progress, having a stronger belief in herself earlier on could have accelerated her journey. Amanda also emphasises the significance of investing in yourself, whether through hiring a coach or seeking professional development opportunities. This investment can lead to significant growth in both business and personal life.
- Effective leadership creates a strong foundation for the entire organisation. Poor leadership can lead to misalignment and ineffective communication, which ultimately trickles down to the rest of the organisation.
- Leaders must be willing to acknowledge their shortcomings and invest in their development to create a positive organisational culture. By focusing on enhancing leadership skills, organisations can foster high-performing teams and achieve their goals.
Quotes:
“I like to say that I was a great employee, but I was also not a great employee, because I either met or exceeded the status quo or the expectations. But I was also still unsatisfied. And so I wasn't one of those employees that just kind of did my work and showed up. I was always pointing out something that could be better and how it could be better, and you know, that wasn't always received well.” - Amanda HarNess
“I felt like I would come up with these ideas or find the things that needed to be changed and just get shushed or someone would smile and nod and then not do anything, and it always felt like I was being held back. And this idea in my mind felt like ‘if I owned my own business, what could hold me back?’” - Amanda HarNess
“If you have misalignment, poor communication, either just bad leadership skills or untrained leadership skills, whatever's happening at the top is going to roll downhill and trickle down in the organisation. … You have to make things strong at the top in order to create the real progress that you want in the organisation.” - Amanda HarNess
“I think a lot of us, we have this thing of like, ‘I can't invest in myself, that would be a waste of money’. But actually the difference that it makes when a business is making money on a regular basis, like those kinds of investments, if you do it properly, it can really make such a huge difference to how the early years of your business actually play out.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Amanda:
Visit Amanda’s website to learn more about her approach and services.
Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn to get more insights and expert advice.
For access to exclusive content and special events become an Email Subscriber.
Amanda’s Photographer, Danielle Uhl.
Jessica:
The Seven Figures Club
Wealth Dynamics
Join the weekly email newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Guest Bio
Amanda is the CEO and Founder of Business Excelerated. She is a coach and consultant who works with leadership teams of organizations with high stakes environments, helping them to make REAL progress using the Leadership First Approach™. By leveraging her expertise in human behavior, psychology, leadership development, and effective communication, she helps leadership teams close the gap between where they are now and where they want to be.
This week’s episode is a re-release from the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast Archives.
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with my wonderful client and seasoned corporate communications consultant, Tara McDonagh.
Tara shared her journey from agency work to leading corporate communications and eventually starting her own consulting business. We also discussed Tara’s ‘Raise the Tide’ group, which empowers women in communications to secure leadership roles and achieve significant career advancements.
Her commitment to authenticity and strategic mindset has not only shaped her successful LinkedIn presence but also inspired many women to embrace their professional goals with confidence. It has been truly inspiring to witness Tara's impact on the field and the supportive community she's built!
In this episode:
- [00:00:21] Tara's journey in corporate communications, from agency to consulting, and her passion for advancing women in the field.
- [00:01:43] The unexpected long-term professional relationship between Jessica and Tara and how it evolved.
- [00:04:16] Tara's vision for the 'Raise the Tide' group and the impact it has had on advancing women in corporate communications.
- [00:06:01] Tara's mission to empower women in corporate communications, challenge gender bias, and elevate their roles.
- [00:13:08] The supportive and empowering environment within the 'Raise the Tide' group, fostering connections and reclaiming love for the communications field.
- [00:15:14] Tara's approach to authenticity and mindset in building a strong and impactful LinkedIn presence.
- [00:18:19] Being bold and brave on LinkedIn, attracting and repelling with content, and the impact of taking risks.
- [00:24:08] Tara discusses the breakthroughs in mindset and the impact of working on mindset in her business journey.
- [00:25:36] The development of openness and curiosity, leading to deeper fulfillment and growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Tara emphasised the importance of authenticity and staying true to your values, especially on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Her approach to LinkedIn is not just about tactical strategies but about embodying her vision and values in every post. This authenticity has garnered attention and rallied people around her message, proving that integrity in communication is paramount.
- Tara’s journey highlights the importance of empowering women in corporate communications, actively supporting women's advancement to leadership roles, fostering a more inclusive and representative industry landscape.
- In this episode, we delve into the significance of mindset shifts for professional growth. By addressing mindset barriers and fostering a growth mindset, you can overcome professional challenges more confidently, unlocking your full potential along the way.
Quotes:
“I have this mantra I use in Raise the Tide: We don't take the first no. And I think that's critical for women to hear.” - Tara McDonagh
“My vision is to advance this field of communications that we're in, that I absolutely love, and by advancing it, I mean getting an equal share of voice at the decision making table. … And to do that, we need to advance the women in this field because we're a field that's dominated by women, and yet women don't dominate leadership roles. 80% of CEOs at public relations agencies, the top agencies, are men.” - Tara McDonagh
“Everything I post, if it doesn't align with my values and it doesn't serve a purpose with my vision, then why am I doing it? Why am I posting it? How is it going to benefit anyone? So I look at my values and one of my values is integrity, for example. So that leads me to be more vocal on certain things that I know will attract certain people and repel others.” - Tara McDonagh
“I think sometimes we have to turn it up to 11 because the people who love it will love it even more, and the people who don't love it, it might annoy them quite a lot, but at the same time that will get them really focused on the fact that they are not open to your message. And I always think it's better to have people make that polar reaction. They either love it or they hate it. There's no in between because either way, it prompts them to take action.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Tara:
TaraMcDonagh.com
Connect with Tara on LinkedIn
Jessica:
The Seven Figures Club
Join the weekly email newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Guest Bio
President and Chief Communications Strategist, Tara McDonagh, started Tara McDonagh Communications Inc. (TMC) out of frustration with a lack of awareness of Communications’ potential for impact on an organizations’ business goals. Her communications consultant practice helps Communications leaders and their teams get out of triage-mode and elevate their reputation as critical business advisors while her coaching work elevates professionals in our field.
Tara is armed with 25 years of experience in public relations, crisis communications, internal communications, and public affairs - leading Corporate Communications for some of the nation’s largest and most established brands.
As a thought-leader and change-agent in her industry, Tara is deeply focused on achieving her vision of a corporate world that not only invites, but expects, Communications leaders to act as trusted business advisors, complete with equal share of voice at the decision-making table.
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing my client Niven Postma, an advisor, author and keynote speaker.
We explored Niven’s expertise in addressing workplace disengagement and her ongoing PhD research on office politics, particularly concerning women.
We also talked about LinkedIn, where Niven has built a strong presence by sharing insightful content, as well as the importance of genuine connections and effective communication.
In this episode:
- [00:00:47] Introducing Niven Postma.
- [00:02:33] Niven explains her work addressing workplace disengagement and her focus on effective teams.
- [00:04:15] Methods of engagement, including team effectiveness and customised workshops on office politics.
- [00:05:55] Jessica and Niven share their experiences with academic writing and its reception.
- [00:09:03] Social media and content creation, including Niven’s intentional strategy for using LinkedIn.
- [00:13:33] LinkedIn’s potential for global connections and becoming a LinkedIn top voice.
- [00:15:09] The importance of pursuing meaningful work and the unexpected resonance it can create.
- [00:17:03] The evolving opportunities available through platforms like LinkedIn and global interconnectedness.
- [00:18:09] Making conscious choices in life, how it shapes your identity and the importance of shared human experiences.
- [00:21:22] Niven explains how she navigates cultural differences in her research and identifies universal themes.
- [00:23:49] Lessons for corporate women on office politics.
- [00:26:32] The challenges of corporate ladder mentality and the need for new business perspectives.
- [00:28:45] The importance of recognizing personal blocks and seeking external help for growth.
- [00:30:17] Niven discusses her powerful vision board session and its significance in her journey.
- [00:34:15] Niven and Jessica discuss the importance of rest and its mental benefits to regain focus and creativity.
Key Takeaways:
- Niven emphasised the importance of authenticity. Share your true insights and experiences rather than trying to fit a mold.
- Niven highlighted an interesting statistic: Nearly 80% of employees feel disengaged at work. This disengagement isn’t due to a lack of desire to contribute but a disconnect between employees and their work environments. Listen to the episode to hear strategies to combat disengagement.
- Niven’s ongoing PhD research focuses on how office politics differ for women. Women often need to be more strategic in navigating office politics due to different expectations and biases.
Quotes:
“Significance is not something that you can pursue, it's something that will ensue when you are doing things that matter in a way that are powerful to and for you.” - Niven Postma
“There is a profound difference between being right and being effective. They're not the same thing. Being the best and being the most successful, you know, against the metrics you define as successful, which are highly personal, these are not the same things. So being the best, it might be necessary, it's not sufficient. And being right may be useful, it's not sufficient.” - Niven Postma
“We've got almost 80% disengagement in organisations around the world while at the same time we've got almost 80% of adults saying that even if they were to become financially independent and didn't need to work, they'd still want to work. So for me, this is such a tragedy, such an irony, such a waste.” - Niven Postma
Useful Links
Niven:
NivenPostma.com
Connect with Niven on LinkedIn
Jessica:
The Seven Figures Club
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Join the weekly email newsletter for women consultants
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Guest Bio
Niven Postma has held executive positions since she was 29, in a career that has spanned multiple sectors and roles, including: CEO of the Businesswomen’s Association, Head of the South African Reserve Bank Academy and Head of Leadership and Culture for the Standard Bank Group (the largest bank by assets in Africa).
Having started her career as a strategy consultant, she now works with global executive teams to build what she calls “Whole System Leadership” and so doing, fundamentally transform how they are able to work together and what they are able to achieve.
Niven is the author of If you don’t do Politics, Politics will do you, a contributor to Harvard Business Review, a part time tutor at Cambridge University’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and a guest lecturer at Stanford University and London Business School.
She is an expert facilitator on women’s leadership development programmes around the world and is currently enrolled for her PhD in Organisational Behaviour, seeking to understand whether organisational politics are different for women.
While we are off the air this Summer we would love to hear from you about what you love about the show, and how we can make it even better when we’re back later in the year. What episodes have you most enjoyed, what guests would you love us to feature. I would also love to know when and where you listen to the podcast!
I have prepared a quick survey that will take 2-3 minutes for you to complete, and I would love it if you could take a moment to tell me your thoughts and feedback.
All you have to do is visit: https://jessicafearnley.com/survey
If you leave us your email you can be entered in a prize draw for a free Wealth Dynamics test token worth $97.
I would love to hear what you have to say. We have some pretty exciting plans in the mix already but it would be fantastic to hear from you so we can make this show the best podcast out there for 6 and 7 figure women consultants.
In this week’s Seven Figure Consultant Podcast episode, I wrap up our mini-series on creating wealth for women B2B consultants and thought leaders. I’m answering listener questions on key topics like business finance organisation, investment strategies, and setting profit targets. I also talk about the mindset shift required to move beyond just saving for a rainy day.
As I prepare to take a short break from the podcast to focus on my upcoming book, this episode stands as a valuable resource for women entrepreneurs seeking to create wealth and make a positive impact with their consulting business.
Quotes:
“I see consultant women making hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue each year, and it is a really unique niche of women entrepreneurs. A stat that I reference often here on the show is that 90% of women entrepreneurs don't make six figures, and only 2% get to seven figures. So it follows that of all the kinds of women entrepreneurs, if you're a woman consultant, you need to be thinking about what to do with your money, how to run your business when you have consistent revenue, building up reserves, all these kinds of things that 90% of women entrepreneurs never need to know about.”
"What opportunities are you letting pass you by because you don't feel like you should invest in your business? Growing your team, bringing in expertise, getting the coaching support that you need as the leader of the business, joining groups and networks that could really help expand your reach and increase sales."
Useful Links
Episode 174: Managing Your Wealth with Kaitlyn Carlson
Episode 175: Seven Figure Secrets - Getting the Right Financial Advice for Your Consulting Business
Episode 158: Take Your Firm From A Money Drought To 6-Figure Cash Flow, with Octavia Conner
Who Not How, By Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
The Seven Figures Club
Jessica’s LinkedIn
https://www.jessicafearnley.com/event/Are you feeling burned out by your consulting business?
Are you at the low to mid 6 figures, and feeling like you can't see the path to 7 figures?
Come and join me for an exclusive live workshop TOMORROW Thursday 2nd May, where I'll be showing you how to transition your consulting business from a 6 figure business model built around exchanging time for money, to a 7 figure business model that creates more time freedom and sustainable growth.
It's called The Business Remodel - Growing Your Consulting Business from 6 to 7 Figures and we'll be covering:
- The Business Remodel that all 6 figure consulting businesses need to make in order to shift to 7 figures
- What it means to focus on value over volume and why this is a pivotal shift for consultants.
- How you can start to implement this right away and begin your consulting business remodel today.
We'll be going live at 3PM GMT | 10AM ET | 8AM MT.
Register for free at jessicafearnley.com/event
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with my wonderful client and seasoned corporate communications consultant, Tara McDonagh.
Tara shared her journey from agency work to leading corporate communications and eventually starting her own consulting business. We also discussed Tara’s ‘Raise the Tide’ group, which empowers women in communications to secure leadership roles and achieve significant career advancements.
Her commitment to authenticity and strategic mindset has not only shaped her successful LinkedIn presence but also inspired many women to embrace their professional goals with confidence. It has been truly inspiring to witness Tara's impact on the field and the supportive community she's built!
In this episode:
- [00:00:21] Tara's journey in corporate communications, from agency to consulting, and her passion for advancing women in the field.
- [00:01:43] The unexpected long-term professional relationship between Jessica and Tara and how it evolved.
- [00:04:16] Tara's vision for the 'Raise the Tide' group and the impact it has had on advancing women in corporate communications.
- [00:06:01] Tara's mission to empower women in corporate communications, challenge gender bias, and elevate their roles.
- [00:13:08] The supportive and empowering environment within the 'Raise the Tide' group, fostering connections and reclaiming love for the communications field.
- [00:15:14] Tara's approach to authenticity and mindset in building a strong and impactful LinkedIn presence.
- [00:18:19] Being bold and brave on LinkedIn, attracting and repelling with content, and the impact of taking risks.
- [00:24:08] Tara discusses the breakthroughs in mindset and the impact of working on mindset in her business journey.
- [00:25:36] The development of openness and curiosity, leading to deeper fulfillment and growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Tara emphasised the importance of authenticity and staying true to your values, especially on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Her approach to LinkedIn is not just about tactical strategies but about embodying her vision and values in every post. This authenticity has garnered attention and rallied people around her message, proving that integrity in communication is paramount.
- Tara’s journey highlights the importance of empowering women in corporate communications, actively supporting women's advancement to leadership roles, fostering a more inclusive and representative industry landscape.
- In this episode, we delve into the significance of mindset shifts for professional growth. By addressing mindset barriers and fostering a growth mindset, you can overcome professional challenges more confidently, unlocking your full potential along the way.
Quotes:
“I have this mantra I use in Raise the Tide: We don't take the first no. And I think that's critical for women to hear.” - Tara McDonagh
“My vision is to advance this field of communications that we're in, that I absolutely love, and by advancing it, I mean getting an equal share of voice at the decision making table. … And to do that, we need to advance the women in this field because we're a field that's dominated by women, and yet women don't dominate leadership roles. 80% of CEOs at public relations agencies, the top agencies, are men.” - Tara McDonagh
“Everything I post, if it doesn't align with my values and it doesn't serve a purpose with my vision, then why am I doing it? Why am I posting it? How is it going to benefit anyone? So I look at my values and one of my values is integrity, for example. So that leads me to be more vocal on certain things that I know will attract certain people and repel others.” - Tara McDonagh
“I think sometimes we have to turn it up to 11 because the people who love it will love it even more, and the people who don't love it, it might annoy them quite a lot, but at the same time that will get them really focused on the fact that they are not open to your message. And I always think it's better to have people make that polar reaction. They either love it or they hate it. There's no in between because either way, it prompts them to take action.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Tara:
TaraMcDonagh.com
Connect with Tara on LinkedIn
Jessica:
The Seven Figures Club
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Guest Bio
President and Chief Communications Strategist, Tara McDonagh, started Tara McDonagh Communications Inc. (TMC) out of frustration with a lack of awareness of Communications’ potential for impact on an organizations’ business goals. Her communications consultant practice helps Communications leaders and their teams get out of triage-mode and elevate their reputation as critical business advisors while her coaching work elevates professionals in our field.
Tara is armed with 25 years of experience in public relations, crisis communications, internal communications, and public affairs - leading Corporate Communications for some of the nation’s largest and most established brands.
As a thought-leader and change-agent in her industry, Tara is deeply focused on achieving her vision of a corporate world that not only invites, but expects, Communications leaders to act as trusted business advisors, complete with equal share of voice at the decision-making table.
In this week’s bite-size Seven Figure Secrets episode, I’m talking about the importance of understanding cashflow and revenue growth, particularly in consulting businesses.
I'm excited to let you in on a seven figure secret that's been key to my revenue growth! We'll also dive into the critical role of pricing and how to ensure you're targeting the right audience for your services, as well as how women can assert their worth in financial dealings.
Quotes:
“Can you see that when everything is about cashflow each month it’s like it draws your eyes down to your feet and your immediate circumstances. Everything feels hand to mouth. You need to survive this month! But we want ‘thrival’, not just survival!”
“We need to have sight of cashflow and keep on top of it, but cashflow management will not usually be the thing that gets us to our next level. Keep your eyes on the prize. Bring in new revenue.”
Useful Links
VIP Strategy Intensive
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I interview business coach and seven-figure business expert, Vanessa Shaw.
We dive headfirst into the myriad of obstacles that we, as women, often encounter on our entrepreneurial journeys. We unpacked the nitty-gritty of financial hurdles, the weight of societal expectations, and the power of staying true to yourself.
Vanessa shares about her transition from stay-at-home mum to a thriving business coach, confronting gender biases and societal judgements along the way.
We also explored the need for women to be direct and set boundaries, the impact of peer judgement on success, and the importance of emotional intelligence in our professional lives.
In this episode:
- [00:01:20] Vanessa discusses her mission to empower women and shares her personal journey in business coaching.
- [00:04:30] The power of vulnerability and sharing personal stories to create connection with your audience and clients.
- [00:05:41] Understanding your relationship with money and its impact on business success.
- [00:07:32] Societal expectations and challenges faced by women in business, including the fear of being perceived negatively when achieving financial success.
- [00:13:34] Collaboration and connecting with supportive individuals in the business coaching industry.
- [00:14:44] Showing up authentically and empowering others without conforming to stereotypes or societal pressures.
- [00:17:40] Setting financial goals, the fear of success, and the responsibility of wealth generation.
- [00:20:29] Challenges faced by women when others notice their financial success, judgement, and comparison in professional circles.
- [00:23:19] Emotional and psychological challenges related to financial success and shame around wealth.
- [00:26:10] The importance of expanding identity, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness to avoid self-sabotage and achieve growth.
- [00:27:30] The challenges of celebrating success in a culture that glorifies struggle, and the need to shift paradigms around wealth and accomplishment.
- [00:30:50] A guide to addressing money blind spots and achieving financial success.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s important to recognise and break free from generational patterns, encouraging women to pursue entrepreneurial paths, challenge traditional roles, and serve as positive role models for future generations.
- Our discussion highlights the challenges women face when they achieve success, including judgement, comparisons and the double bind of societal expectations. We talk about the importance of cultivating emotional intelligence, setting boundaries and staying true to yourself while navigating the complexities of success.
- Jessica shared her experience of being advised to appear older to gain professional credibility, a testament to the gender biases that still pervade the business landscape. Authenticity, we agreed, is a cornerstone of success, albeit one that is frequently tested by the expectations and judgements placed upon us.
Quotes:
"There's this fear often that women have. I've totally noticed this. Like money will turn me into a horrible person. People won't like me anymore. I'll become this caricature of myself. I will become a bitch if I make a lot of money.” - Jessica Fearnley
“We need more examples and better examples of women that are financially empowered, doing great work in the world, paying it forward. And they're also fantastic role models as human beings.” - Vanessa Shaw
“One of the things with my group program, the Seven Figures Club, we just did a retreat to Barbados, we had a really wonderful time, but one of the things that people said in the room was ‘I can be my full self in here. I can say the things that I've done that are amazing’, because in so many situations outside of the room, in our normal lives, you can't really go to the school gate and be like, ‘oh, I did 75,000 in sales this month’ because people are like, ‘what on earth does that mean?’” - Jessica Fearnley
“The whole ‘get rich without being a bitch’ philosophy is so much about, yes, we can be rich in relationships, spiritually, in the work that we're doing, wealth and money is a big part of that, and be the best version of ourselves, because the reality is, energetically, when we're depleted, we're resentful, we're frustrated, overwhelmed, overworked, underpaid, all of those things, we don't bring our best self to the table.” - Vanessa Shaw
Useful Links
Vanessa:
Remove Your Money Blindspots - vanessashaw.com
Vanessa’s Website - BusinessGrowthAcademy.com
Get Rich Without Being A Bitch Podcast
Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn
Facebook - The Business Growth Academy
Jessica:
The Seven Figures Club
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Guest Bio:
Vanessa Shaw is on a mission to help more women end the emotional and financial roller coaster that so many face. Whether it's adding your next $100k in revenue, crossing the 7 figure mark or enjoying more time freedom in your business, she can help you turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality with proven strategies and systems that have helped hundreds of women.
During COVID Vanessa and her team worked with over 83 businesses and helped them generate over $13 million in new business collectively in 100 days. Vanessa believes financial empowerment is the next level of freedom for women and is currently working on her new book Get Rich Without Being a Bitch.
In this week’s bite-size Seven Figure Secrets episode, I’m diving into the fascinating world of money mindset and wealth creation, especially tailored for us as women B2B consultants.
I share my insights on the psychological hurdles we often encounter as we scale our businesses to that coveted seven-figure mark, such as imposter syndrome and the identity crises that can sneak up on us!
I believe that it’s crucial to seek internal validation rather than getting caught up in the chase for external success. I also talk about how to conquer the fear of money and open ourselves up to attracting abundance.
Quotes:
“Expect your mindset to bite when you get past the point of where you have previously been. And I want us to really focus in on this from a money mindset perspective. When you get to around the 500K mark in your consulting business, don’t be surprised if your money mindset falls off a cliff.”
“Sometimes we are so invested in the version of ourselves who DOESN’T get there, who finds everything a struggle, who doesn’t feel like she’s going to make it, who can’t afford things, that we really battle against our new reality.”
Useful Links
The Seven Figures Club
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s bite-size Seven Figure Secrets episode, I’m talking about getting the right financial advice as a woman B2B consultant and thought leader.
I’m a firm believer in cultivating a wealth mindset and the art of smart financial management in your journey to seven figures and beyond. Wealth isn't just about accumulating assets; it's about empowering ourselves to shape our lives.
In this episode, I share a bit of my personal journey, including the eye-opening moment when I realised having a financial advisor is not just helpful, but essential!
Quotes:
“I think we should allow ourselves to fall in love with the word and the concept of wealth. Because wealth is a powerful tool to wield. It gives women agency and a voice. It gives us opportunities, it allows us to change our material circumstances but also to create opportunities for others.”
“It is safe for us to create wealth in our businesses, because we can enlist the help of experts to equip us to know what to do with this money.”
Useful Links
The Seven Figures Club
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Jessica’s LinkedIn
This week’s episode is a re-release of an amazing interview with Kaitlyn Carlson, from the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast Archives.
Kaitlyn is President and Founder of Theory Planning Partners, a boutique wealth management firm for women in business. In this episode, we talk all about managing your wealth.
When you start creating wealth in your consulting business, you’ll likely find you have more money in your bank account than you ever had before! But do you know what you’re going to do with it? I don’t mean going on a shopping spree or buying a dream property, but how you will manage that wealth.
A sudden change in fortune can be destabilising. What can feel like a piece of the puzzle slotting into place can open up a new section of the board as you make decisions you haven’t had to make before.
In this episode:
- The cultural discomfort around women and wealth
- Managing quantities of money you may not have experienced before
- Options your business gives you for building wealth
- Developing a wealth mindset
- What you need to do if your financial situation has changed
Useful Links
Kaitlyn:
Find out more about Kaitlyn at Theory Planning Partners and book a free 30 minute call
Connect with Kaitlyn on LinkedIn
Jessica:
Becoming Your Seven Figure Self Workshop
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s bite-size Seven Figure Secrets episode, I’m talking about business growth plans for your seven figure business (and why aiming for 10% growth in 2024 is a sucky goal!).
Maintaining revenue is an achievement and all growth is good, but 10% growth goals result in a slow journey to seven figures when in all likelihood, as a consultant you could get there in 2-3 years or less.
Tune in to find out more, be inspired by your seven figure self, and discover playing with the variable of speed.
Quotes:
“It’s not a race, we don’t have to be in a rush, but why go in the slow lane when there are better options available?”
“Entrepreneurs want consistent, predictable revenue. They want the equivalent paycheck they are used to getting in corporate. But then if you get a big growth bump in revenue in 1 quarter of the year, are we then saying this is a bad thing because it didn’t show up in 4 equal pieces? Of course not!”
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
The Seven Figures Club
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Welcome to the 2nd podcast season of 2024!
Over the next few months we are going to be diving into the mission statement you have already heard me share which is: Empowering women to create wealth and opportunities for themselves and the women around them.
We spent January and February 2024 exploring the theme of Empowering Ourselves and I can’t wait to explore our next theme of Creating Wealth.
One of my big goals for this next season of the podcast is that we ALL get a lot more comfortable with becoming wealthy women. That we stop apologising for our aspirations to generate wealth, and we stop sabotaging our business growth to stop that wealth from appearing.
In this new mini-season, I will be sharing some Seven Figure Secrets, special guest interviews, an unmissable Encore Episode from my podcast archive, and we will also be featuring an extra special Q&A episode right at the end of the season for you to submit your questions. Visit https://jessicafearnley.com/question to submit your questions.
We’re also rolling out another extra special feature this year! We’re making the entire mini-season of the podcast available to download in one go! Visit https://www.jessicafearnley.com/vip/ to register for free as a VIP subscriber and download the whole season.
Useful Links
Submit your questions for the Q&A episode
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Find out more and apply for the 90-day Accelerator program
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s Seven Figure Consultant Podcast episode, I’m answering listener questions about building your seven figure consulting business, including questions about working with corporates and how to push past that sometimes overwhelming desire to throw in the towel on your business!
I also share more about our new mini-season all about creating wealth and about the Seven Figures Club, a space for women who are on a mission to scale their businesses to seven figures.
Quotes:
“As women, we need to be surrounded by other high vibe women. We need to see examples of courageous, high achieving, highly human, imperfect but killing it anyway, women who are changing their money story, creating successful businesses, hiring other women, opening up the access points for more women to do the same.”
“It's normal to find that entrepreneurship pushes your buttons in crazy ways. This is actually part of how we grow. We need to manage our limiting beliefs and we can't always do this perfectly. It's okay for it to be messy. All growth is good, but it just doesn't always feel like that when we're in the middle of upleveling. I bet if you look back, you'll see all the amazing progress you've made in the last three years. Don't forget to notice it. That is really important.”
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s bite-size Seven Figure Secrets episode, I’m talking about self-empowerment and commitment to achieving success as a B2B consultant.
It gets really easy to do business from a place of fear, always expecting a cashflow crisis to be just around the corner, but by having commitment and unwavering trust in our own abilities, we can develop that long-term vision and work towards it.
When we can stop being triggered by the future and instead learn to embrace it, everything shifts from uncertainty to opportunity.
Quotes:
“You need to commit to commitment. Because when we are uncommitted, we feel a lot of uncertainty. … All our decision making becomes short term, and we end up struggling to create stability because we are playing the game of ‘I don’t know what will happen’. So then no decision can have an outcome, and we end up frozen in place. And guess what, this is the worst place to try and grow a business from.”
“The path to where we are and where we want to be doesn’t have to be long and hard. We can meander around and make it take years. I meet women all the time who have been hustling for more than a decade and feeling like it must be impossible because surely it would have happened by now if it was meant to be? Seek the short path to your destination and commit to the journey. Do the thing that you’re resisting and let’s get you over the line of seven figures.”
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I interview cosmetic dentist turned world-renowned emotional health advocate and human connection expert, Dr Neeta Bhushan.
We dive deep into her remarkable shift from the world of cosmetic dentistry to becoming a passionate advocate for emotional health. We discussed the essence of resilience, the profound impact of trauma on one's path to success, and the critical importance of putting our emotional well-being at the forefront.
Neeta opens up about her own personal battles, including the profound losses within her family, and shares her transformative journey towards healing. Our conversation dares to challenge the conventional wisdom on resilience, calling for a fresh perspective that embraces vulnerability and self-compassion.
In this episode:
- [00:00:23] Neeta shares her journey from a traumatic past to becoming a resilient emotional health advocate and author.
- [00:03:23] Growing up, Neeta felt the pressure to be strong and successful, leading her to achieve outward success while coping with personal struggles.
- [00:06:56] We discuss the problematic use of the word "resilient" and the unrealistic expectations it creates, especially for women in corporate jobs.
- [00:11:34] Reframing resilience as flexibility and agility, emphasising the importance of prioritising mental health and well-being.
- [00:14:53] The common tendency for trauma survivors to become high achievers as a coping mechanism, leading to burnout.
- [00:17:42] The four pillars of resilience and the importance of making peace with the past.
- [00:19:06] Embracing the feminine self and taking a slower, more creative approach to life.
- [00:22:01] Neeta encourages embracing emotions and provides tools for acknowledging and releasing them.
- [00:25:01] Allowing yourself to experience and release emotions.
- [00:26:59] Reclaiming resilience and losing the fear of big emotions.
Key Takeaways:
- Neeta emphasised the need to shift our perspective, to understand that resilience isn't about being hard or unyielding - it's about allowing ourselves to be soft, playful, and to extend grace to ourselves. It's a powerful redefinition that challenges the conventional narrative and encourages us to embrace our vulnerability.
- Emotional well-being is crucial for overall health. Healing is accessible to all, even amidst the most challenging circumstances. Neeta and I discussed the significance of normalising conversations about emotional health and the transformative power of acknowledging and addressing our personal struggles.
- Healing is a journey that doesn't have to be undertaken alone. Neeta encourages listeners to seek help when needed and to support one another in the pursuit of emotional well-being.
Quotes:
"Even though on the outside I felt like I had everything, yet on the inside I was broken. On the inside, I needed to say three words, and those three words would literally forever change my world and kind of bring us to me sitting before you today, and that was ‘I need help’. And I never thought somebody so strong, so resilient, so accomplished would ever need to say those three words. But that was the hallmark of this next new chapter.” - Dr Neeta Bhushan
“It's really common, isn't it, for us to show up as high achievers because we are running from pain of some kind. … It's been fascinating for me to observe that so often trauma does lead to this focus on perfectionism, high attainment. Leading a life which from the outside is very impressive to other people.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Neeta:
Neeta’s Website - www.neetabhushan.com
Neeta’s Book: That Sucked. Now What? - thatsuckednowwhat.com
Jessica:
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Guest Bio
Dr. Neeta Bhushan is a cosmetic dentist turned world-renowned emotional health advocate & human connection expert. She’s written multiple best-selling books including her 5x Award-Winning Book That Sucked, Now What endorsed by Jay Shetty, and is Founder of the Global Grit Institute, the helping people reframe their sucky moments, & Dharma Coaching Institute, a coaching organization training coaches to become the highest versions of themselves. Neeta has shared her thought leadership on grit and resilience on international stages and as the host of her popular & top rated podcast, The Brave Table. She’s been featured on Forbes, LA Weekly, ABC, NBC, CBS, Grazia, Ok! Magazine, Verve Magazine & Tatler.
After realising how trapped she felt running the million-dollar dental practice she built, Neeta embarked on a journey that led her across 45 countries as she researched blending the intersection of human behaviour, ancient wisdom, Eastern philosophy, and therapeutic psychology. That knowledge, along with other life experiences overcoming multiple adversities, which include being orphaned at a young age, surviving an abusive marriage, and extensive loss, contributed to the powerful message of resilience she shares in her work. Neeta is a mother of two and you can connect with her here.
In this week’s bite-size Seven Figure Secrets episode, I’m talking about embracing our own unique business paths and not being afraid to stand out from the crowd.
It can be daunting to venture into uncharted territory in business! It can feel lonely and challenging to swim against the tide or attempt something that no one else seems to be doing, but it’s your uniqueness and willingness to try new things that can set you apart and open up new opportunities.
If you’re a woman consultant or thought leader looking to make your mark, this episode is for you!
Quotes:
“For a lot of entrepreneurs, we didn’t set out on this journey to be like other people. We set out on the journey because we saw an amazing opportunity and we wanted to jump in with both feet.”
“The statistic that has really stuck with me is that 90% of women entrepreneurs don’t make it to 6 figures and only 2% get to 7 figures. That isn’t ok with me. So it totally makes sense that we would feel in the minority because as elite-level women entrepreneurs, we ARE in the minority.”
“As entrepreneurs, we create our own reality. You are leading the way for future generations of women who will be empowered to create wealth and opportunities for themselves and the women around them.”
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s bite-size Seven Figure Secrets episode, I’m talking about the importance of holding onto your dreams and goals, no matter how big and impossible they may seem.
As women consultants on the journey to seven figures and beyond, we love to dream big, but when we’re tempted to go smaller and limit ourselves, it’s nearly always because of an inner block or mindset issue.
Personal growth and business growth are so intertwined, and when we work on both, the sky's the limit!
Quotes:
“I realised very soon that I just could not grow my business without addressing the mindset issues and body trauma holding me back.”
“When we love to dream big, but we get blocked on the journey to achieving the aspirations our souls have received, it is nearly always because we get hit with a core limiting belief.”
“You can have whatever you want. Because ultimately, it is not ‘things out there’ that stop us from having the things we want, it’s us. We are the biggest roadblock we will ever face.”
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Jessica’s LinkedIn
This week’s episode is a re-release of an amazing interview with Killer Pitch Master, Precious Williams, from the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast Archives.
Precious, known as the “Pitch Queen”, reveals her secret weapon and thoughts on knowing when you are seated at the wrong table. Precious has insights into packaging, positioning, and pitching. No one puts it quite like Precious does. If you want to be successful in any endeavour, get a copy of Precious’s new book, Rainmaking 101, From Day 1. This discussion is fast-paced; you don’t want to miss a minute.
In this episode:
- [00:23] Introduction of the “Pitch Queen”. Precious describes her tumultuous childhood and the ups and downs that positioned her to be where she is today.
- [07:48] Where do you turn when you don’t have someone encouraging you, and how do you know your place within a group?
- [13:35] Precious discusses when her backstory is appropriate to share and when it is not. She outlines the different media she has mastered.
- [20:25] Precious shares her take on pitching and taking an interest in others.
- [24:34] Precious discusses whether somebody can learn a talent or are you born with it and what about being a visionary?
- [29:19] What is real entrepreneurship? Precious discusses her new book, Rainmaking 101 From Day 1.
Key Takeaways:
- Precious’s story proves positively that you can make it from any background, and even after failing, you can come back stronger than the first time.
- Often the language you use describing a situation or a product makes the difference in how successful it is. Elevate the conversation, elevate the terminology.
- Don’t take no for an answer if you are determined to be accomplished and recognized in any field. Failure is not the end of a goal. Instead, it is a stepping stone towards accomplishment.
Quotes:
“I just have to say to you at this moment; I receive your compliment. Because many of us as women can’t accept a compliment. I need to receive what you just said because it’s a testament to my grandmother. It’s a testament to my higher power.” – Precious Williams.
“I had to go where I was celebrated, not tolerated. Also, if I’m not invited to the table, understand that rejection is the ultimate protection. There are some places you don’t need to be, and if you’re constantly fighting to be seen in certain groups, maybe that’s the group you shouldn’t be in.” – Precious Williams.
Useful Links
Precious:
Precious Williams – Linkedin
Precious Williams – Instagram
Rainmaking 101 – From Day 1 – The Book
The Dames – 6, 7 and 8 Figure Business Community
Jessica:
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Guest Bio:
Precious L. Williams CEO, Perfect Pitches by Precious, LLC #KillerPitchMaster
Want to learn how to take your sales, investor, or elevator pitches from trash to straight CASH? Or have your prospects throwing money at you every time you open your mouth? Then, it’s time to learn how to convert conversations into currency with the Pitch Queen, Precious L. Williams. Her company, Perfect Pitches by Precious teaches you the tools and tenacity to pitch with power, sell with storytelling, and develop a masterful mindset for communication. It’s time for you to learn how to #SlayAllCompetition
Precious busts norms and shifts perspectives to help teams own their awesomeness and bring out their “wow” factor. Your leaders and teams will up their game — on their terms — to develop the cunning, clarity and confidence that’s been inside them all along. What’s more, they’ll get unstuck and discover a renewed and refreshed energy to own the mindset of the pitch in a way they never thought possible. If you’re ready to go from milquetoast to memorable, attracting and captivating your prospects while closing the sale in an authentic way, it’s time to #pitchforprofit. And you can bet you’re going to have fun doing it!
Precious L. Williams is a 13-time national elevator pitch champion. She has also been featured on “Shark Tank,” CNN, Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, Essence Magazine, and the movie “LEAP.” Her current clients include Microsoft, LinkedIn, Google, NBCUniversal, Federal Reserve Bank, Intuit Quickbooks, Yelp, Harvard University, and more. Precious is a dynamic international professional speaker, effective corporate trainer and 4X #1 bestselling author.
In this week’s bite-size Seven Figure Secrets episode, I’m talking about the momentum of personal growth and self-actualisation, and how you can start saying yes to yourself.
When we work on ourselves, it has a transformative effect on our businesses. You can’t have the business growth without the personal growth and so often, we are the ones holding ourselves back.
One book that I highly recommend on this topic is ‘Year of Yes’ by Shonda Rhimes. It's a fantastic read that encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace new experiences. Magical things can happen when you start saying yes to yourself.
Quotes:
“One of the biggest surprises to me when I first started my current business was that what I thought of as business growth was actually pretty much impossible to achieve without also delving into personal growth. And I still find it completely fascinating in myself, but also for many of the women I speak to, that often when we're stuck in business, the glass ceiling holding us down isn't usually an external force, like a board of directors or some corporate policy. It's an inside job. We are the ones holding ourselves back.”
“We can so often be living in a state of constant no. We wear clothes we don't like, eat food we don't enjoy, deny ourselves the pleasure of hobbies and socialising, or stepping into the things we are really good at. And then we wonder why life feels sad and small and we are so unfulfilled.”
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I interview the incredible psychotherapist, mental strength trainer and international best selling author, Amy Morin. Amy has a fascinating story to share, as she takes us through her journey from therapist to writer, all while living on a sailboat in the beautiful Florida Keys.
We discussed recognising and reclaiming personal power, including how to shift our mindset, establish healthy boundaries and confront challenges head-on for personal growth and empowerment.
During our conversation, Amy talked about the concept of mental strength and how it has shaped her life. She shared about personal experiences of loss that ultimately inspired her to write her renowned book series, "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do".
In this episode:
The Sailboat Adventure (00:01:10) Amy shares her unique experience of living on a sailboat in the Florida Keys for the past seven years.
Mental Strength and Personal Journey (00:03:34) Amy discusses her career as a therapist and how her personal journey of loss and grief led her to develop mental strength.
Writing "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" (00:05:29) Amy shares the story of how she wrote an article titled "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" as a letter to herself, which eventually gained widespread attention and led to the publication of her book.
The Seasons of Life and Feeling alone (00:07:27) Discussion on how problems can compound, the ups and downs of life, and feeling isolated during difficult seasons.
The Power of Mental Strength and Personal Growth (00:09:39) Exploration of the importance of mental strength, learning from painful experiences, and not letting tough times define us.
Stop Giving Away Your Power (00:11:58) Conversation about how women often give away their power unknowingly, blaming others, and feeling like victims.
The Power of Taking Action (00:14:17) Taking control and empowering ourselves to take action in difficult situations.
The Influence of Attitude (00:16:23) Exploring how our attitude and body language can shape interactions and outcomes, and the importance of shifting our mindset to radiate confidence and positivity.
The Power of Language (00:20:42) Changing our language from "I have to" to "I choose to" can have a significant impact on our well-being and sense of agency.
Setting Boundaries and Asserting Power (00:22:00) By showing self-respect, speaking up, and setting boundaries, we can influence how others treat us and realise our own power.
Taking Action and Gaining Confidence (00:25:38) A story of transformation from feeling disempowered to pursuing a dream career by taking small steps and gaining confidence through action.
The Dopamine Adrenaline Hit (00:27:36) Exploring the powerful feeling of personal growth when stepping into something previously thought impossible.
Finding out more about Amy Morin (00:28:27) Amy discusses her series of books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" and "13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don't Do", and shares where listeners can find out more about her.
Key Takeaways:
- Amy's personal journey taught her not only how to get through tough times but also how to enjoy the good times in life. She observed that some people remain stuck in a painful place even years after a difficult experience, while others manage to keep getting back up and maintain a positive attitude. This led her to study people's behaviours and learn about the difference between those who heal and grow from painful experiences and those who don't.
- Even when we feel powerless, there is always something we can do to improve our circumstances or how we feel about them.
- The language we use can have a profound impact on our mindset and well-being. Changing phrases like "I have to" into "I choose to" can make a world of difference. It's about taking ownership of our decisions and feeling empowered.
Quotes:
"What can I do about it? What do I have control over? As long as we empower ourselves to know there's always something we can do, it really empowers us to say, 'Alright, let's do something about this issue that I'm facing.'" - Amy Morin
“You can train your brain to do things differently over time if you consistently do something. So if every time you feel afraid, you say ‘I'm just going to go sit at home and not leave the house’, you've trained your brain to warn you of any kind of danger so that you immediately go home. On the other hand, if you recognise that ‘All right, I'm feeling kind of scared, but I'm going to face this fear’, over time you can train your brain to say ‘yeah, when we feel fear, we take action. We don't just go home and do nothing’.” - Amy Morin
“I think we get almost like the biggest dopamine, adrenaline hit when we step into something that we've been telling ourselves for decades we could never do. I definitely think that's where a lot of our personal growth suddenly comes to the fore and you're like, ‘What was all that about? Because that felt easy and it actually felt kind of fun’.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Amy:
Amy’s Website - AmyMorinLCSW.com
Follow Amy on Instagram - @AmyMorinAuthor
Podcast - Mentally Stronger With Therapist Amy Morin
All of Amy’s books can be found at AmyMorinLCSW.com/books
Jessica:
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode
Guest Bio
Amy Morin is a psychotherapist, mental strength trainer and the award-winning host of the Mentally Stronger With Therapist Amy Morin podcast.
She’s an international bestselling author. Her books, including 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do and 13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do, have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold more than 1 million copies.
The Guardian dubbed her “the self-help guru of the moment.” Forbes calls her a “thought leadership star” and People says her book is one of the top 20 must read books of all time.
Her TEDx talk, The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong, is one of the most viewed talks of all time with more than 23 million views.
She lives on a sailboat in the Florida Keys.
Over the next few months we are going to be diving into the mission statement you have already heard me share which is: Empowering women to create wealth and opportunities for themselves and the women around them.
In this new mini-season, I will be sharing some Seven Figure Secrets, special guest interviews, an unmissable Encore Episode from my podcast archive, and we will also be featuring an extra special Q&A episode right at the end of the season for you to submit your questions. Visit https://jessicafearnley.com/question to submit your questions.
We’re also rolling out another extra special feature! We’re making the entire mini-season of the podcast available to download in one go! Visit https://www.jessicafearnley.com/vip/ to register for free as a VIP subscriber and download the whole season.
In this introduction episode, I also share about my brand new 90-day Action-Taking Accelerator group program specifically designed to help women consultants like you reach your next business milestone. This program is packed with valuable resources and personalised guidance to propel your success and make magic happen in your consulting business! Find out more and apply here: https://www.jessicafearnley.com/accelerator/
Useful Links
Submit your questions for the Q&A episode
Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season
Find out more and apply for the 90-day Accelerator program
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I spoke to Dr Nadia Brown, a renowned expert in organisational leadership and founder of The Doyenne Agency.
Dr Nadia shared some valuable insights on relationship-driven sales and how to approach sales with authenticity, confidence and a deep understanding of client needs. We also discussed the importance of embracing our unique sales style as women and the significance of thorough research before engaging with clients.
Clear communication and follow-ups were also key points during our discussion, as well as practical advice on how to navigate challenging client situations and being courageous in our sales efforts.
In this episode:
[00:02:48] The importance of relationship-driven sales and how it differs from traditional sales techniques.
[00:03:40] Overcoming objections vs answering questions.
[00:05:46] The impact of assuming a hostile audience.
[00:06:53] Speaking to all the needs of different stakeholders, multiple conversations, and doing homework ahead of time.
[00:07:52] Building relationships and shifting power dynamics in corporate sales.
[00:14:13] How doing research before a sales conversation helps you to stand out and make a good impression.
[00:15:11] Focusing on the client's needs and challenges.
[00:18:52] Advice on dealing with clients who are unresponsive, tight-lipped, or playing hardball during a sales conversation.
[00:22:16] Clearly communicating the process to clients and setting expectations for follow-up.
[00:25:01] Asking clients about their preferred method of communication and following up accordingly.
Key Takeaways:
- As entrepreneurs, mastering the art of sales is crucial. However, women are often taught sales techniques that don't align with their natural style, leading to discomfort and inefficiency. Dr. Nadia's advice: Embrace your own unique style and experiment with different approaches.
- Set a clear process and timeline for follow-ups during initial conversations. This approach helps to establish a sense of equality in the conversation, even if the client holds more power. It's essential not to create a narrative of annoyance or assume that follow-ups are bothersome - People are generally pleased to hear from someone they want to work with!
- Be courageous in your sales efforts. Take up space, ask questions, and be bold in your approach. By embracing authenticity and focusing on relationship-driven sales, women can become more successful and confident leaders.
Quotes:
“One of the things that I really realised in this journey around sales is that women typically sell differently. And so I invite women to really lean into what is your style? And I remember when I finally realised that, ‘wait a second, I'm actually pretty good at sales’. Because I'm just having conversations with people and I'm just getting to know them. I'm asking really great questions… And so I think that when we again really look for that way that we best do sales and and are willing to continue to try and experiment, then it's not that difficult at all.” - Dr Nadia Brown
“We often assume a hostile audience. And so if we're going into it being like, ‘I'm going to have to persuade them, I'm going to have to work hard to get this sale’, it just assumes that they're going to be sitting there being like, ‘oh, okay, then what have you got to say for yourself?’ And then you feel defensive, don't you?” - Jessica Fearnley
“I think sometimes people forget that you're working with humans and they have feelings. They have concerns, they have fears, they have doubts. How can you help to really provide value, be a value provider and a solution provider and not just a sales person, but also focusing on the human or humans that are present and in front of you.” - Dr Nadia Brown
Useful Links
Dr Nadia’s LinkedIn
Dr Nadia’s Instagram
The Doyenne Agency - Global Sales and Sales Training
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Guest Bio
Dr. Nadia holds a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and is passionate about helping women become more authentic, confident leaders who take charge of their careers.
She is a sales strategist, consultant, trainer, and founder of The Doyenne Agency. A sales agency that works with business owners, companies, and corporations to multiply revenue and awaken the consistent closer within your sales team using the Consistent Sales Method™. Nadia helps women learn to play the career game in business to advance their careers and professions.
When it comes to sales, women come to her timid and shaky about going after the money – they leave her strategic, strong, emboldened, and most importantly, paid.
Nadia brings over fifteen years of leadership experience, powerful conversations, achieving goals, and respect for people to develop a comprehensive sales process to increase closing rates and satisfied client retention. As a result, Nadia’s clients have seen tremendous results, such as raising their rates, decreasing their refund requests, and doubling or tripling their annual revenues, including helping clients increase their yearly revenue by 800%.
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing my amazing client, Alecia Huck. Alecia is the founder and CEO of MAVERICK & Company, a management consulting firm that specialises in working with the leadership teams of fast-growing companies.
Alecia shared her inspiring business journey and the valuable insights she has gained along the way. We also discussed the importance of valuing the work we do over the amount of time we spend doing it, shifting from a time-based approach to a value-based approach to work less while achieving even greater results.
As women entrepreneurs, Alecia and I also delved into the unique challenges we face in the business world. We discussed the importance of letting go of control and embracing collaboration, as well as the need for self-acceptance and gratitude in our professional relationships.
Alecia's story is truly inspiring, and her insights are invaluable for anyone looking to grow their consulting business.
In This Episode:
[00:00:48] Jessica and Alecia discuss how they first met and decided to work together after a serendipitous LinkedIn post.
[00:04:15] Alecia shares the journey of her business, from starting as an entrepreneur with no experience to finding her niche in working with leadership teams in fast-growing companies.
[00:07:29] Working less and earning more, and the importance of shifting focus from time-based to value-based work.
[00:12:43] The difficulties of breaking free from old narratives and habits that prioritise overworking.
[00:16:13] Relying on others and allowing them to make decisions for the business or brand.
[00:18:58] The need to let go of control, loosen up, and take action without striving for perfection.
[00:21:37] The reality of entrepreneurship and how it often involves unexpected challenges and growth opportunities.
[00:23:21] Big wins and personal growth.
[00:26:07] The limitations of working more and the impact of self-acceptance on one's effectiveness.
[00:29:27] Breaking out of old paradigms to achieve new results and make a difference in the lives of others.
Key Takeaways:
- As consultants and coaches, the work we do can have a significant impact on businesses beyond just finances, such as employee happiness and team dynamics. Many business owners who have grown their companies organically end up feeling overwhelmed and trapped by their success. Alecia and I both advocate for a shift in mindset from being a freelancer who tracks time to being an expert who focuses on delivering value.
- As women entrepreneurs, we often rely on ourselves too much and find it difficult to allow others to help and make decisions about our business. It’s important to let go and allow others to contribute - We don’t need to control everything!
- Find a balance between working less and earning more. Pushing too hard can lead to burnout and limit growth. True brilliance comes from self-acceptance and being comfortable with yourself.
Quotes:
“We mix up time and value, right? Because time is really easy to quantify and value can be hard to quantify. And what I think is really great is that if you actually make this shift from valuing your time and talking about things in terms of time and focusing on how long you work… if you shift over to thinking about the value you produce, I think that's better for your clients.” - Alecia Huck
“I call them your snakes in your brain, the voice that's kind of negative, right? It's a little distracting. And you do something really great and it goes, ‘oh, you're just a spotlight hog’. We all have snakes in the brain, and some of us have snakes informed by trauma and really, you know, intense things in our past and that can make them nastier and more subtle. But, this year was a year where I worked probably less than I ever had. And I want to be really clear, the results that I produced with my people were extraordinary.” - Alecia Huck
“I think that we often are so self-reliant, and there are often backstories that completely explain why we're like that, but I think for women entrepreneurs, we rely on ourselves aggressively. And we have to be told how to include other people and how to allow other people to help us, because actually, that's not something that comes naturally.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Alecia’s LinkedIn
MAVERICK & Company Website
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Guest Bio
Alecia Huck is the founder and owner of MAVERICK & Company, a management consulting firm that specialises in working with the leadership teams of fast-growing companies. A sought-after speaker and writer, Alecia helps people have more BIG wins; the kind of wins where you get great results but also become a bigger, better, braver version of yourself along the way.
Connect with Alecia on LinkedIn for great content and to join an amazing tribe of awesome humans.
In this week’s bite-size bonus episode, Seven Figure Secrets, I’m talking about the discomfort that can come with success.
We often find failure much easier to sit with than success! And that’s why we need more support coping with business when it all starts to work, compared to when it all feels like it’s going wrong.
In this episode, we’ll cover how to cope when it all starts to work, overcoming self sabotage, and embracing your Next Level Self.
Quotes:
“Sometimes we get so used to the feeling of failure that it becomes a security blanket. We know where we are with failure, and even though this is dysfunctional, we can feel more comfortable with the familiarity of feeling not enough that we would almost choose it over joy, happiness and success.”
“It’s ok to have a bit of an identity crisis as you experience personal growth and business growth. Who you are is changing, and that means saying goodbye to your old self, that version of you who couldn’t be with success. It’s ok to feel some grief about this too. But as you say goodbye to your old self, you are also becoming your Next Level Self. We never have to let go without also taking hold of what is next.”
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Workshop - ‘What I Focus On Expands - Maximising Your Flow with Wealth Dynamics’
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s bite-size bonus episode, Seven Figure Secrets, I’m talking about the topic of failure tolerance in business and how we can shift our perspective and response to failure.
Instead of viewing it as something negative, we can learn to recognise its significance in our personal and professional growth. Embracing failure can actually pave the way for greatness in the long run and build your resilience on the road to seven-figure success.
Quotes:
"What do we gain from playing the game of catastrophe? And what would change if we could adjust our failure tolerance so that it doesn't feel like every time we face setbacks or experience failure, we are emotionally already in the place of losing everything?"
"When we can change our response to failure, and learn to embrace it and know that actually, we are always far more secure than we think we are, it means we are free to take chances in business and tolerate risk without falling apart."
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Workshop - ‘What I Focus On Expands - Maximising Your Flow with Wealth Dynamics’
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s bite-size bonus episode, Seven Figure Secrets, I'm talking about the importance of acting on your intuition and aligning your ideas with a broader purpose. When you have a clear vision of where you want to go, it becomes easier to make decisions that will lead you there.
Remember, it's not just about dreaming big, but also taking immediate actions that align with your goals. Small steps can lead to big results, so don't underestimate the power of consistent effort.
Quotes:
“Stop, listen, and connect to your deeper purpose. It's okay if you haven't worked it out yet or understood what it means, but I'm willing to bet that you have had those little sparks of inspiration.”
“Your intuition will tell you what it is. And here's the nudge from your Seven Figure Self. When you get that nudge about doing something, don't jump down a rabbit hole or talk yourself out of it. Take the action. Do the thing. Your intuition is a gift. It is meant to be used. Say the thing. Ask the thing. Commit and do. That, my friends, is the way to grow a business. Find your aligned action and take the action.”
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I’m talking about the unique challenges that women entrepreneurs face, including limiting beliefs and how they can hinder your business growth and keep you stuck in the low six figures.
I also talk about the benefits of having a supportive team, as well as the importance of seeking help and mentorship, sharing exciting details about my high-level group container for aspiring seven figure women consultants.
In this episode:
[00:01:12] The appeal and familiarity of struggle in business and the concept of "let it be easy."
[00:02:07] Differences between men and women in starting and growing businesses.
[00:04:01] Reasons for women escaping to entrepreneurship.
[00:07:55] Exploring the limiting belief of not wanting to hire a team in business and how it can hold you back.
[00:08:50] The rigid thinking around past experiences and assuming that a bad past experience will always repeat itself in the future.
[00:12:18] The value of being part of a business community, networking, and receiving support from others.
[00:17:14] Bonus Segment: Seven Figure Secrets - Advice from your future seven-figure self on acting on your intuition and not ignoring inner prompts or ideas.
Key Takeaways:
- Struggle in business is often seen as a rite of passage, a necessary step towards success. But it's important to remember that struggle doesn't define us. It's merely a part of the journey, not the destination.
- The independent nature of women entrepreneurs is both a strength and a challenge. On one hand, it fosters resilience and self-reliance. On the other, it can lead to being overlooked, judged, and criticized, and result in reluctance to seek help and mentorship.
- Being a solopreneur can feel safe and independent, but it can also limit business growth. Many solopreneurs get stuck in the low six figures and struggle to progress further.
Quotes:
“It's always this thing [with limiting beliefs] where it's like ‘give up now, don't even try, you can't have the thing that you want’. It makes sense why as women we fall into this trap from time to time, but great entrepreneurs, seven-figure consultants, get used to doubting our doubts and applying some flexibility to those brittle limiting beliefs.”
“The vast majority of solopreneurs don't get to seven figures. They get stuck in the low six figures, and they don't progress any further because it is hard to do business by yourself.”
“Surrounding yourself with the right people is a massively underratd way to explode your business overnight. One of the first strategies that I give to new clients is to go and have conversations. Because when you do this with the right strategic people, business growth happens fast.”
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s bite-size bonus episode, Seven Figure Secrets, I'm talking about remodeling your business for growth beyond six figures.
Instead of constantly chasing after more clients and hiring more team members, it's important to focus on remodeling your business for sustainable growth, because what got you to six figures won’t get you to seven figures. This means leveraging your time effectively and honing in on your strengths.
This is exactly what I help women consultants uncover in my VIP Strategy Intensives. If you're ready to collaborate with me and unlock the secrets to seven figure success, I encourage you to reach out and secure your spot! Let's work together to transform your business and achieve the growth you've been dreaming of.
Quotes:
“Your seven figure self wants you to know that holding on to how you have been doing things up until now is not going to serve you.”
“Hard work is addictive, and it's also often the thing that got us where we are not just in business, but in our education and career. Work hard, get the top grades, rinse and repeat until you've taken over the world. But the thing is, if you're at the low six figures, you need to undergo a business remodel in order to get further.”
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with team building and systems strategist, Kris Ward.
Kris shared her valuable insights on her ‘Win the Hour, Win the Day’ philosophy, which focuses on achieving a healthy work-life balance and implementing efficient systems for entrepreneurs.
We discussed some common mistakes that entrepreneurs often make, the concept of ambitions versus survival, tips on effective team management and the importance of fostering leadership within your team. We also talked about the benefits of ‘daily scrums’ and how they can greatly enhance productivity.
Tune in to find out more and discover how you can reclaim your time and boost your team’s productivity and efficiency!
In this episode:
[00:00:37] The philosophy of Win the Hour Win the Day and how it helps entrepreneurs reclaim their time and create a business that supports their life.
[00:06:35] The power of systems and processes to reclaim time, leverage efficiency, delegate effectively, and create clarity and space in one's business.
[00:08:06] Being mindful and intentional in our actions instead of rushing through tasks without considering their impact.
[00:09:21] The balance between ambitions and survival mode.
[00:12:40] Allowing team members to evolve and align their goals with the business vision.
[00:15:57] The benefits of having a team that manages you and how it can be a dream come true.
[00:16:42] The importance of leadership in your team.
[00:20:02] Understanding the daily scrum and its benefits.
[00:24:07] Shifting the team's management to the team itself.
[00:25:02] The significance of having reliable systems and processes in place to improve productivity and eliminate blame.
Key Takeaways:
- By implementing efficient systems, empowering team members, and redefining traditional hierarchical structures, we can reclaim our time (up to 25 hours a week!), achieve our goals, and create a business that supports our life instead of consuming it.
- Even if we have ambitious goals, we should still be able to achieve them in a tight and effective manner. Kris suggests following the "win formula" of spending 60% of our time on creative work and 40% on administrative tasks.
- It’s important to build leadership within the team, regardless of the size of that team. By empowering team members with leadership responsibilities, they become more engaged and motivated to stay with the business long-term.
Quotes:
“Business should be fun or we could have just stayed at that job. So let's have more fun.” - Kris Ward
“There's this belief that we can have the big business, we can get to seven figures, but that means we have to give more. And I often do a lot of work with women around dismantling this core belief, ‘I have to work harder in order to make more money.’” - Jessica Fearnley
“I mean, one of the biggest compliments I got throughout my life is, ‘oh, she's a hard worker’. And I remember saying to my mother one day, ‘oh my gosh, who knew I'd have to learn not to work so hard?’” - Kris Ward
“So [with daily scrums] it's really about moving projects super fast, efficiently, with no wastage. And it's not something that gets slipped through the cracks. … People really love the scrum meetings and how we've built them out more. They take about 15 minutes. They create leaders, they create projects that get done.” - Kris Ward
Useful Links
Power Personality Type Quiz - www.freegiftfromkris.com
Win the Hour Win the Day audiobook - www.freegiftfromkris.com
Win The Hour Win The Day Website
Win The Hour Win The Day Podcast
Connect with Kris on Linkedin
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Guest Bio
Kris Ward is creating a movement where your business supports your life instead of consuming it. Kris is the founder of the Win The Hour, Win the Day philosophy.
After the loss of her husband, Kris returned full-time to her work as a marketing strategist. She was relieved that her business had not only survived her absence but was growing. Now, Kris has completely changed the landscape for entrepreneurs by sharing the successful practices that allowed her absence.
Kris has shared the stage with Jack Canfield - Chicken Soup For The Soul, Kevin Harrington original Shark from Shark Tank, James Malinchak -ABC’s Secret Millionaire, Sharon Lechter - Rich Dad Poor Dad Co Author and Joe Theismann - NFL All star and commentator to name a few. Kris has also featured on award winning podcasts, radio and TV shows.
Kris is an acclaimed podcaster. You can hear Kris on her own podcast - Win The Hour Win The Day, where she has engaging conversations with dynamic guests covering a variety of business topics so you can get to your next win now!
In this week’s bite-size bonus episode, Seven Figure Secrets, I'm talking about setting intentions for how you want to feel as your next level self.
Personally, I’ve been overwhelmed by emotions in the past and I understand the struggle when they’re getting in the way of you reaching your goals. In this episode I share the tips that have helped me stay in tune with my energy and emotions so that I can continue showing up and growing my consulting business - and so you can do the same!
Quotes:
“Reacting means we're in our emotions and we have no awareness that we have a choice. Everything is a knee jerk reaction, whereas with responding, we can take that much needed step back, take a breath and choose how to respond.”
“Allow yourself to be switched on and fired up, but also then transition to space where you can rest and recharge.”
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Octavia Conner, the CEO of Say Yes to Profits, a virtual CFO firm.
Octavia shared her journey with me, from leaving corporate America to becoming an entrepreneur. She opened up about the challenges she faced along the way and the breakthrough moment that led her to build a successful six figure business, which quickly scaled to a seven figure business.
We delved into the topic of cash flow and why it’s so important for businesses, the significance of setting profit goals, and how focusing on profit margins and making strategic decisions can make a world of difference in the success of your business.
We also touched on the often overlooked aspect of tax planning and how it can greatly impact your bottom line, as well as evaluating expenses and discovering money leaks.
Octavia's insights and experiences were truly inspiring, and I hope they resonate with you as much as they did with me!
In this episode:
- [00:00:34] Octavia shares her journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship, including the challenges and breakthroughs she experienced along the way.
- [00:05:08] The significance of cash flow in a business and how it can determine its success or failure.
- [00:06:20] The common mistake entrepreneurs make.
- [00:08:59] Focusing on the profit margin of a business rather than just the top line figures.
- [00:09:54] Strategies to stop excessive spending and retain money in the business.
- [00:13:38] The importance of building a cash reserve.
- [00:16:45] The financial impact of business growth and the importance of preparing for tax obligations.
- [00:21:21] Identifying and eliminating money leaks in the business to increase profitability.
- [00:25:31] Managing cash flow and how it can be improved.
- [00:26:19] The positive outcomes of having a well-managed cash flow, such as consistently receiving a CEO salary and being able to build a team.
Key Takeaways:
- Many businesses get caught up in the cycle of money coming in and out without focus on profit or cash flow. But without enough cash, a company can't survive. So, let's shift our focus from just revenue to setting clear profit and cash flow goals.
- See every expense as an investment that should bring a return. Ask yourself the ROI question before making any investment and consider the potential returns in terms of money, time, and expertise.
- Conduct quarterly audits to identify areas where costs can be reduced, leading to better cash flow and profitability.
Quotes:
“It's a blessing to pay taxes and to be in a position where you're required to pay taxes, but at the same time, it's so sad when all of your progress is just eaten up and then it's like, oh okay so now we're going into the new year and it feels like a surprise. … But it doesn't need to be that negative surprise if you prepare for it in advance.” - Octavia Conner
“I feel the biggest mistake is that entrepreneurs will focus on their top line. There are four money lines in business - the revenue, cash flow, profit, and believe it or not, taxes. What a lot of entrepreneurs do is they only focus on bringing in more money. I need to earn six figures. I need to earn seven figures, right? I have a revenue goal. But what a lot of entrepreneurs don't have is a profit goal or a cash flow goal.” - Octavia Conner
“It's really easy to be like, it's me. I'm rubbish at everything. I shouldn't have done this. And the shame that piles up on all of that... But it doesn't mean to say that we don't have a gift to share with the world. It just means that we have not understood certain key things about cash flow and how the whole business needs to work. And also when you've come out of corporate, it's okay to not understand what it takes for an entrepreneurial business to function well, because how would you know? Being in corporate is nothing like having your own business.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Say Yes to Profits - Virtual CFO Firm
Say Yes to Profits Free Profit Assessment
Octavia’s Instagram @ OctaviaConnerCFO
Octavia’s YouTube
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Guest Bio
After spending over ten years in corporate America, helping to build multimillion-dollar businesses as the "go-to numbers girl," Octavia decided to ditch the 9 to 5 in 2011 and build her dream business instead. With a laptop, a busted printer, nominal savings, but full of passion, Octavia embarked on a journey of providing small businesses with advanced financial management support, strategies, and solutions. Her passion led to the birth of Say Yes To Profits.
After leaving her corporate 6-figure career, Octavia ended up completely broke, almost foreclosing on her dream home. She returned to corporate America while rebuilding her business from scratch. Within 14-months she remerged as a full-time six-figure business owner, scaling to seven figures shortly after. As of today, Octavia teaches business owners how to cross the seven-figure mark within three years or less. She is a walking success story!
Octavia has been quoted in Forbes and featured in Afro Tech and Inuit. Selected as a top 50 accountant in North America for two consecutive years and an award-winning best-selling author and professional speaker Octavia combines over 20 years of business, accounting, and financial experience.
In this week’s bite-size bonus episode, Seven Figure Secrets, I'm talking about letting business be easy, simplifying your business model, and releasing the need to make it difficult out of a belief that success must come from hard work and struggle. If you love this, make sure to subscribe and check out our full Seven Figure Consultant episodes.
Quotes:
“I want you to remember your zone of genius, because every time you get a request to do something that's outside of your expertise, maybe it's ‘zone of competence’ rather than ‘zone of genius’, this is costing you.”
“What if you make a ton of money and it wasn't that hard? What if it felt incredibly easy? Does that mean you deserve it less?”
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Welcome back to the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast! I hope you had a well-deserved break over the Summer.
But now you might be wondering, how can I smoothly transition back into work mode? It can be so difficult getting back to your normal rhythm after taking time off!
In this episode, I talk more about getting your brain back after a break, setting boundaries and allowing yourself some flexibility, as well as the negative effects of constantly being plugged in and how important it is to take time off. In This Episode:
- [00:00] Jessica discusses getting back to work after a break.
- [04:47] The importance of setting boundaries for your business and making plans before and after your time off.
- [06:08] How to get your brain back after a break and identifying your power buttons.
- [08:23] Do you need a coach to inspire your journey?
- [11:04] Bonus segment: Seven Figure Secrets - A Note from Your Seven Figure Self - Let It Be Easy
- [13:36] How to make your Seven Figure business easy and the benefits of hiring a team.
Key Takeaways:
- It is always worth taking the break, even if it feels hard on your return.
- Often, the simplest way to run a business is the best way. When you make it too complicated, it can cost you more.
- Don’t tell yourself that you have to be all things to every client. Do what you do and do it well.
Quotes:
“Can you feel that upward trajectory? If not, maybe it's an excellent time to explore working with me as your business coach. I help ambitious women consultants, executive coaches, and thought leaders uncover their next-level selves and step into their most fulfilled life and business.” - Jessica Fearnley
“Today's Seven Figure Secret is something I know your seven figure self wants you to understand. Let it be easy. We spend so much time making business hard. We assume we can only make money by working harder than ever.” Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this Client Showcase episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, Catherine Hamilton, the visionary behind Trestle Solutions, and I discuss what it looks like to consciously break your own rules and create the business and life you truly desire. Catherine initially sought my guidance as a business coach two and a half years ago, and it has been a privilege to support her business and personal growth since then.
In this episode, we delve into the challenges impeding women from creating a business and the restrictive rules that hinder their happiness once they have established their enterprise. Catherine is a walking example of how coaching has helped her expand in life and her business, and she offers valuable counsel for women who are still employed in the corporate world but aspire to venture into entrepreneurship.
In this episode:
- [00:00] Jessica and Catherine chat about how they connected.
- [03:24] Catherine discusses how she planned for her four-week business remote session.
- [06:48] Jessica and Catherine discuss how rules promote your journey, but are they made to be broken?
- [12:58] Catherine shares rules she recognized needed to be changed.
- [19:53] What has Catherine learned about herself since starting her business?
- [24:20] Catherine gives an overview of the dashboard she uses to chart her business.
- [30:40] Catherine has advice for women still working in a corporate setting, and she encourages women to reach out for the help they need through coaching or mentoring.
Key Takeaways:
- A significant advantage of working for yourself is setting your schedule and realizing you should work hard when the situation calls for it but also permit yourself to walk away from the desk.
- Recognize in your business and life that you do not need to say yes to everyone.
- Fear of the unknown will keep a woman from starting a business. To overcome that fear, one should speak to other women who have moved from employee to business owner.
Quotes:
“When I was finished with corporate, I felt like, when I was working for myself, if I took time out for lunch or went for a coffee, I’m thinking, Ooh, I have to get back to my desk. And then I would laugh and say, well, I’m the boss. I had to learn to permit myself to lean into something like this.” – Catherine Hamilton
“We’ve talked previously about the tendency to overlay the corporate structure onto the business that we, as women, create because we don’t know any differently. So it takes a bit of “deprogramming” or unlearning what has been decades of an approach to business.” – Catherine Hamilton
“When companies hyper-focus on creative, they miss the opportunity to make a new brand a catalyst for change within the organization. That’s why we create a vision & strategy for implementing a new brand – to meaningfully move a company beyond, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’” – Catherine Hamilton
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinehamiltontrestle/
Visit Catherine’s website for more information: trestlesolutions.ca
Guest Bio:
Catherine Hamilton, CEO & Founder of Trestle Solutions, partners with companies to evolve their Marketing after mergers or significant growth.
Change can be messy. Catherine helps CEOs & Marketing leaders navigate marketing transformation by identifying the People, Program and Process levers that will unleash the next level of results. As a former executive with decades in growth companies, her jam is Marketing when it’s anything but business as usual. #trestleup
Today on the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I am joined by Betsy Kauffman. Betsy is a globally recognized Leadership and Organizational Agility Consultant with more than 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies. Betsy helps companies solve the big problems keeping them from achieving agility, collaboration, alignment, and innovation. Tune in to learn about Betsy’s entrepreneurial journey from starting her business to surviving the pandemic.
In this episode:
- [01:00] Betsy shares her background.
- [07:00] Entrepreneur life & Investing all your energy into your business.
- [11:07] Pivotal moments in Betsy’s life & career.
- [17:00] Embracing change and being clear with clients about what you offer.
- [27:00] Decide what you want to focus on offering to your clients.
Key Takeaways:
- Invest all of your energy into the business and really be clear on who you are and what you offer.
- Being an entrepreneur and owning your own company will always come with some fear and uncertainty, but believing in yourself and pushing through is key to your success.
- Creating boundaries for what you can do and seeing that plan through is healthy and builds a solid relationship with clients.
Quotes:
“Anytime you venture into something new there’s fear. So, you have to decide, how much do I let the fear talk to me, how much do I let it go, tamp it down and move forward.” -Betsy Kauffman
“Instead of thinking about running away from your business, why don’t you run towards your business?” -Jessica Fearnley
Guest Bio:
Betsy Kauffman is a globally recognized Leadership and Organizational Agility Consultant with more than 20 years of experience working in Fortune 500 companies. Her company, Cross Impact Coaching, is an Organizational Design Firm focused on working with companies to help them solve the big problems impeding them from achieving agility, collaboration, alignment, and innovation. Her TED Talk has over 1.5 million views.
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Cross Impact Coaching
Cross Impact Coaching LinkedIn
I'm thrilled to have Whitney Alexandra as my guest on this Seven Figure Consultant Podcast episode. Whitney and I have been mutually beneficial clients of each other's enterprises and have benefited from our shared knowledge.
We will examine the Wealth Dynamics experience I provide to my clients. Whitney will share insights on the transformative mindset recordings she employs with her clients. As a result, you will be introduced to inspiring concepts that can propel your business toward greater success. You will love this transformative episode!
In this episode:
- [00:49] Whitney has discovered clients' failures are often directly related to mindset. Whitney and I have utilized each other's services. We did not swap services; we paid for them.
- [03:21] What Wealth Dynamics can tell you about yourself, and how it has benefited Whitney and her business.
- [09:49] How Wealth Dynamics can assist in hiring decisions and give direction to your entire team.
- [16:11] Our bodies send us signals known as the flow concept and what tasks we should spend our time on and which we should not.
- [22:19] Women can rewire their brains and consequently alter their behavior by utilizing mindset recordings. How that can be influential in developing self-confidence.
- [27:49] How the subconscious mind controls your self-confidence.
- [30:08] Instructions on signing up for Limitless Wealth and Wealth Dynamics.
Key Takeaways:
- Your subconscious can rob your self-confidence and the abilities others see in you.
- Learning your profile will make you more productive and allow you and your team to function better together.
- Only invest time in tasks within your business that you're proficient at. Then, you can either eliminate such activities or delegate them to someone else.
Quotes:
“Your subconscious mind makes 95% of the decisions, shaping your daily feelings. Then there is your conscious mind. We’re getting them to play on the same team to say they have one objective.” - Whitney Alexandra
“I love listening to my mindset recordings. Depending on how long I’m walking, I often listen to it four or five times in the morning while walking my dog. I come back feeling like I have exercised and done my mindset work. Now I am ready to face the day.” - Jessica Fearnley
Guest Bio:
Whitney Alexandra is a performance coach for top female founders and C-suite executives ready for limitless success.
She’s spent the last 20 years helping some of the world’s most trusted brands and leaders transform to show up powerfully and ready to receive what they desire. Using a mix of performance coaching, mindset techniques and tailored strategy, she will unlock your next level.
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Find out more about Wealth Dynamics
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Whitney Alexandra - Website
Breakthrough Strategy Session - Whitney Alexandra
It’s not about it being easy, it’s about being confident. Patty Caballero believed in herself enough to take the risk to leave the large corporate world to start her own small consulting business. Today, Patty and I talk about the impact of wealth dynamics on your role and energy. She recalls what surprised her when shifting to her own consulting business and some significant breakthrough moments in the process. You don’t want to miss this episode as Patty shares some impactful pieces of advice for women looking to start their seven-figure consultant journey and answers the important question, “What does becoming your next-level self mean to you?”
In this episode:
- [01:07] Patty introduces herself and what she does.
- [02:23] The meaning of “big to small to big again”.
- [12:01] Patty shares what she likes about running a consulting business and what has surprised her.
- [16:09] Patty recalls some of her memorable break-throughs.
- [18:47] Advice for women who are ready to start the journey to being a seven-figure consultant.
- [21:52] Patty explains what “becoming your next-level self” means to her.
Key Takeaways:
- When branching out on your own, it can be tempting to play it very conservatively and keep it small. Grow into roles that energize you.
- It is satisfying when you can shift from a “revenue” mindset into a “what makes my business the best?” mindset.
- If you are going to start a consulting business, you should start it around what you are best at and what you enjoy most.
Quotes:
“Remember your best self because that's who you will be as a consultant. Think about the best work you’ve done that you have enjoyed the most that’s been the most personally-fulfilling; that should be your consulting business.” -Patty Caballero
“It’s not about making it look easy. It’s about having confidence so it comes out naturally.” -Patty Caballero
Guest Bio:
Patty Caballero is the founder of PSC Consulting, which helps growing healthcare companies find and amplify their voice. A veteran of communications, public relations, and marketing, Patty translated her decades of experience working with large companies and public sector clients to help innovators in the healthcare industry tell their stories. She works as a fractional chief communications officer, working with CEOs and Board Members to help companies craft a story and implement the plan that will help the business grow. In addition to her work with clients, Patty is an adjunct professor in Communication Studies, teaching upcoming professionals how to apply communications to advance business goals.
Useful Links:
Patty Caballero LinkedIn
Patty Caballero Consulting Website
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this week’s episode of The Seven Figure Consultant, I am thrilled to address a question that numerous listeners have inquired about. "Jessica, I'm eager to collaborate with you, but could you kindly explain the process?" Absolutely, I'd be delighted to do so. We'll delve into that topic and another crucial subject – embracing the decision to say no to worry. Each person may have different concerns; for me, a significant source of worry was finances. However, as of 2023, that is now behind me. So, let's embark on this information-packed episode!
In this episode:
- [00:00] Jessica discusses how to take a vacation as a Seven Figure Consultant and the decision to “Choose Abundance.” She reveals that she is giving up worrying about money.
- [06:00] The external issues that lead to worry and fear versus self-trust and the positive outcomes of choosing to say no to fear and making the most of your summer.
- [12:10] Jessica describes how she works with clients.
- [16:39] Jessica explains the Limitless Coaching Program.
- [18:13] Jessica invites you to contact her to engage her services.
Key Takeaways:
It’s important not to let other people’s agenda for your life or business distract you from your goals.
The availability of publications and books concerning trauma, the brain, and anxiety is a positive development. These topics might have been avoided in the past, and individuals could have been stigmatized for experiencing negativity in any of these areas.
Worry is a choice. 95% of what we worry about never comes to pass.
Quotes:
“I'm not the kind of coach who uses a one size fits all approach. I've worked extensively with more than a hundred businesses over the last nine years.” - Jessica Fearnley
“Never say to yourself that you can't have something. I ban my clients from using the word realistic. As women, we are way too quick to shrug our shoulders and accept less when we know we are looking for more. If you can't name your desires to yourself, how will you bring them into being? It starts with getting clarity within ourselves.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I spoke to Fabienne Raphael, who was a successful athlete and became a successful business coach. This episode is one for women who aren’t at 6 figures yet. Fabienne has some great tips on taking your business to the next level, sharing analogies comparing sports to entrepreneurship that you can apply to your business. Enjoy this episode and gain insight into achieving a six-figure income and your business goals.
In this episode:
- [01:15] Fabienne shares her backstory and compares entrepreneurship to a successful sports career.
- [09:47] Explanation of anti-fragility and self-realization that I am capable, worthy, or I did it.
- [12:39] Fabienne discusses the need and value of a sports coach and how that compares to having a business coach.
- [19:56] How to avoid burn-out in business and the importance of keeping your goal in view.
- [27:33] Fabienne discusses mistakes entrepreneurs make, and she offers a free download called The Seven Crucial Mistakes that Stops Coaches and Consultants Reaching Six-figures and Beyond, available on her website.
Key Takeaways:
- Entrepreneurship is similar to the sports world in that you need to stay on top of your game, and as with a team sport, you learn to work with all types of clients when you own a business.
- As an athlete or a business professional, you must decide that you “will” do something. Don’t give up.
- Coaching is valuable for athletes and business owners alike. Trust a qualified coach to show you what you may need to see in your business.
Quotes:
“A coach brings the light to your life, right? Seeing where the hidden parts are or things you can't see for yourself.” - Fabienne Raphael
“You show up to practice even when it hurts, and continue because you know it's part of the journey. Entrepreneurship is the same thing. When the vision is clear in your mind, you won't always mind doing what you don't necessarily like to do, but it will move the needle closer to getting you to the goal.” - Fabienne Raphael
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Fabienne Raphael - Website
7 Critical Mistakes that Hold You Back from a 6-Figure + Business - Fabienne Raphael Coaching
Guest Bio:
Fabienne Raphael is an online business coach. She helps coaches and consultants unlock the full potential of their business with tailored strategies to fuel their journey to 6-figure success & beyond.
With a background as an elite athlete and a mentor for Team Canada, she knows what it takes to aim high and hit the mark. Recognized by Forbes, Huffington Post, Inc., ABC, (among many others), Fabienne strongly believes that everyone has the power and ability to shine in their unique way and that it needs to be spread extensively to impact others and make this world a better place.
She is also a boys' mom, an almond cake enthusiast, and an avid traveler. With a zest for simplicity, Fabienne values a life that's as fulfilling as it is rewarding.
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, Catherine Hamilton, the visionary behind Trestle Solutions, and I discuss women in business. Catherine initially sought my guidance as a business coach two and a half years ago, and we have become friends. Today we delve into the challenges impeding women from creating a business and the restrictive rules that hinder their happiness once they have established their enterprise. Catherine is a walking example of how coaching has helped her expand in life and her business, and she offers valuable counsel for women who are still employed in the corporate world but aspire to venture into entrepreneurship.
In this episode:
- [00:00] Jessica and Catherine chat about how they connected.
- [03:24] Catherine discusses how she planned for her four-week business remote session.
- [06:48] Jessica and Catherine discuss how rules promote your journey, but are they made to be broken?
- [12:58] Catherine shares rules she recognized needed to be changed.
- [19:53] What has Catherine learned about herself since starting her business?
- [24:20] Catherine gives an overview of the dashboard she uses to chart her business.
- [30:40] Catherine has advice for women still working in a corporate setting, and she encourages women to reach out for the help they need through coaching or mentoring.
Key Takeaways:
- A significant advantage of working for yourself is setting your schedule and realizing you should work hard when the situation calls for it but also permit yourself to walk away from the desk.
- Recognize in your business and life that you do not need to say yes to everyone.
- Fear of the unknown will keep a woman from starting a business. To overcome that fear, one should speak to other women who have moved from employee to business owner.
Quotes:
“When I was finished with corporate, I felt like, when I was working for myself, if I took time out for lunch or went for a coffee, I’m thinking, Ooh, I have to get back to my desk. And then I would laugh and say, well, I’m the boss. I had to learn to permit myself to lean into something like this.” - Catherine Hamilton
“We’ve talked previously about the tendency to overlay the corporate structure onto the business that we, as women, create because we don’t know any differently. So it takes a bit of “deprogramming” or unlearning what has been decades of an approach to business.” - Catherine Hamilton
“When companies hyper-focus on creative, they miss the opportunity to make a new brand a catalyst for change within the organization. That’s why we create a vision & strategy for implementing a new brand – to meaningfully move a company beyond, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’” – Catherine Hamilton
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinehamiltontrestle/
Visit Catherine’s website for more information: trestlesolutions.ca
Guest Bio:
Catherine Hamilton, CEO & Founder of Trestle Solutions, partners with companies to evolve their Marketing after mergers or significant growth.
Change can be messy. Catherine helps CEOs & Marketing leaders navigate marketing transformation by identifying the People, Program and Process levers that will unleash the next level of results. As a former executive with decades in growth companies, her jam is Marketing when it’s anything but business as usual. #trestleup
Today I want to encourage you to listen to your emotions, body and intuition. Is your body telling you, “Girl, you need a vacation?” If it is, this is the episode for you. I’ll give you tips on the benefits, how to prepare and options on whether you work on your vacation or leave your devices at home. So tune in today to hear my thoughts on how to take a vacation as a professional, entrepreneurial woman.
In this episode:
- [00:51] Jessica talks about how to take a vacation when you are a seven figure consultant and why you should.
- [03:50] Interpreting the signs your body is sending to you that you need a break and allow yourself time to feel your feelings.
- [07:12] How do you meet the needs of those you travel with and ensure you are leaving your business in good hands, and what obligations, if any, do you have to clients.
- [09:10] The physical preparation of a vacation and listening to your thoughts while you are resting.
- [10:56] What to do with the information you learned while on vacation.
Key Takeaways:
- Be thoughtful about who you spend your vacation with. For example, you might need time away from friends and rather be alone with your immediate family.
- When you need more caffeine, assess your schedule and plan a vacation.
- A vacation can be a time for self-reflection, or you may put work, emails and your devices away during your time off. Listen to your body.
Quotes:
“An essential part of being human is to give ourselves the grace to break our own rules from time to time. As I get more overloaded towards the end of each term, I would withdraw from my healthy habits and get to an exhausted place where the holidays just cannot arrive soon enough.” - Jessica Fearnley
“It’s important to consider ensuring the business can run smoothly without you. Ensure there’s capacity in your team behind the scenes, and your work calendar reflects the time you plan to spend away.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
I’m excited to chat with Precious Williams on today’s Seven Figure Consultant Podcast episode! Precious, known as the “Pitch Queen”, reveals her secret weapon and thoughts on knowing when you are seated at the wrong table. Precious has insights into packaging, positioning, and pitching. No one puts it quite like Precious does. If you want to be successful in any endeavor, get a copy of Precious’s new book, Rainmaking 101, From Day 1. This discussion is fast-paced; you don’t want to miss a minute.
In this episode:
- [00:23] Introduction of the “Pitch Queen”. Precious describes her tumultuous childhood and the ups and downs that positioned her to be where she is today.
- [07:48] Where do you turn when you don’t have someone encouraging you, and how do you know your place within a group?
- [13:35] Precious discusses when her backstory is appropriate to share and when it is not. She outlines the different media she has mastered.
- [20:25] Precious shares her take on pitching and taking an interest in others.
- [24:34] Precious discusses whether somebody can learn a talent or are you born with it and what about being a visionary?
- [29:19] What is real entrepreneurship? Precious discusses her new book, Rainmaking 101 From Day 1.
Key Takeaways:
- Precious’s story proves positively that you can make it from any background, and even after failing, you can come back stronger than the first time.
- Often the language you use describing a situation or a product makes the difference in how successful it is. Elevate the conversation, elevate the terminology.
- Don't take no for an answer if you are determined to be accomplished and recognized in any field. Failure is not the end of a goal. Instead, it is a stepping stone towards accomplishment.
Quotes:
“I just have to say to you at this moment; I receive your compliment. Because many of us as women can’t accept a compliment. I need to receive what you just said because it’s a testament to my grandmother. It’s a testament to my higher power.” - Precious Williams.
“I had to go where I was celebrated, not tolerated. Also, if I’m not invited to the table, understand that rejection is the ultimate protection. There are some places you don’t need to be, and if you’re constantly fighting to be seen in certain groups, maybe that’s the group you shouldn’t be in.” - Precious Williams.
Guest Bio:
Precious L. Williams CEO, Perfect Pitches by Precious, LLC #KillerPitchMaster
Want to learn how to take your sales, investor, or elevator pitches from trash to straight CASH? Or have your prospects throwing money at you every time you open your mouth? Then, it's time to learn how to convert conversations into currency with the Pitch Queen, Precious L. Williams. Her company, Perfect
Pitches by Precious teaches you the tools and tenacity to pitch with power, sell with storytelling, and develop a masterful mindset for communication. It’s time for you to learn how to #SlayAllCompetition
Precious busts norms and shifts perspectives to help teams own their awesomeness and bring out their “wow” factor. Your leaders and teams will up their game — on their terms — to develop the cunning, clarity and confidence that’s been inside them all along. What’s more, they’ll get unstuck and discover a renewed and refreshed energy to own the mindset of the pitch in a way they never thought possible. If you’re ready to go from milquetoast to memorable, attracting and captivating your prospects while closing the sale in an authentic way, it’s time to #pitchforprofit. And you can bet you’re going to have fun doing it!
Precious L. Williams is a 13-time national elevator pitch champion. She has also been featured on "Shark Tank," CNN, Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, Essence Magazine, and the movie "LEAP." Her current clients include Microsoft, LinkedIn, Google, NBCUniversal, Federal Reserve Bank, Intuit Quickbooks, Yelp, Harvard University, and more. Precious is a dynamic international professional speaker, effective corporate trainer and 4X #1 bestselling author.
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business – Free Download
Precious Williams - Linkedin
Precious Williams - Instagram
Rainmaking 101 - From Day 1 - The Book
The Dames - 6, 7 and 8 Figure Business Community
In this week’s episode, I’m discussing a topic many of you have asked me about. What do I do when I’ve reached the coveted seven figures? It’s natural to reach plateaus in your business, whether seven figures or any goal you’ve set for yourself, where you realise that money isn’t what fulfils you. You may be unsure what to do next and feel dissatisfied with aspects of your business. Now is the time to take advantage of this situation, and I have answers for you and also want to share a free PDF report for Women Consultants, The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business.
In this episode:
- [00:00] Jessica begins by sharing the goal of her business and how she works to empower women.
- [01:37] Does money fulfil you?
- [06:30] Jessica shares her innermost feelings about acceptance and finding that thing in life that satisfies.
- [11:46] Jessica suggests listening to your body and asking yourself questions when you find yourself asking, “What now?”
- [13:37] Pruning those aspects of the business you never enjoyed.
- [15:13] Take advantage of Jessica’s free PDF report for women consultants, The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business, in the resource notes.
Key Takeaways:
- Don’t be afraid to step back, get off the merry-go-round and take a break to analyse your business. What do you enjoy doing? What do you dislike?
- Money is nice. It buys nice things. But that money itself will never bring you fulfilment and joy.
- A good consultant leads you to make the decision you need to make. She doesn’t tell you what to do or feel.
Quotes:
“Sometimes the journey of achieving things has been the search for meaning, the search for satisfaction that doesn’t usually come from money and things.” Jessica Fearnley
“Getting to seven figures and feeling you aren’t sure what needs to happen next isn’t a sign you've done something wrong. On the contrary, it’s a great platform to stand on and determine what comes next.” Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Seven Figure Consultant Podcast
The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business - Free Download
I’m excited to chat with Eva Jannotta on this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast! Eva and I discuss Thought Leadership. Eva believes in the art of Thought Leadership and will explain what it is and how to achieve it. We will explore if this is a title you can claim for yourself or if there are steps involved in qualifying you to be a Thought Leader. Eva also shares how to monetize your body of work! This episode is one of my favorites, and I can’t wait for you to listen to the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast today.
In this episode:
- [00:47] Eva talks about her professional background and the pivotal moments that led her to her current position.
- [04:52] Eva defines what a thought leader is and how to monetize your work, thoughts, and ideas.
- [11:26] What is the curse of knowledge?
- [15:33] Eva discusses having a team to help you execute on distributing your thought leadership.
- [18:37] Eva shares her pet peeve about people offering advice and that it is ok to follow your intuition. Your body will lead you.
- [27:22] Consistency will get you on the road to being a thought leader and take you to the next level.
Key Takeaways:
- You can be a thought leader by being active in either speaking or writing.
- Repetition of your ideas is a good thing. In truth, repetition and consistency are vital to being a thought leader.
- Our capacity for delivery is not infinite. It pays to have a team behind you, so there is still reserve to do your best work.
Quotes:
“A constant bombardment of ‘you should do this, and you have to do that’ can alienate women entrepreneurs because the advice lands on us, and it may not feel good to me, or it doesn’t align with my energy, my integrity, or my vision.” - Eva Jannotta.
“An internal reaction is valuable data about a course, advice, ideas, strategy, and tactics, whether they are a good fit for you. Most of us don’t trust that internal response. We have trained ourselves to override it right out of the gate. It’s a disservice to feeling good about our work and creating results we are satisfied with.” - Eva Jannotta.
Guest Bio:
Eva Jannotta helps women defy the status quo, amplify our influence, and expand our wealth and power with thought leader ecosystems. Eva and the Medusa Media Group team train and advise authors, speakers, coaches and consultants to generate strong leads and grow engaged audiences by publishing their best thinking. Eva lives on O'odham Jeweḍ, Akimel O'odham, and Hohokam ancestral land in Phoenix, Arizona, in the southwest United States.
Useful Links
Don’t miss out on Eva’s FREE email course: 5magneticpillars.com
Connect with Eva on LinkedIn and Instagram
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
I'm thrilled to have Whitney Alexandra as my guest on this week's Seven Figure Consultant Podcast episode. Whitney and I have been mutually beneficial clients of each other's enterprises and have benefited from our shared knowledge. We will examine the Wealth Dynamic experience I provide to my clients. Whitney will share insights on the transformative mindset recordings she employs with her clients. As a result, you will be introduced to inspiring concepts that can propel your business toward greater success. You will love today’s transformative episode.
In this episode:
- [00:49] Whitney has discovered clients' failures are often directly related to mindset. Whitney and I have utilized each other's services. We did not swap services; we paid for them.
- [03:21] What Wealth Dynamics can tell you about yourself, and how it has benefited Whitney and her business.
- [09:49] How Wealth Dynamics can assist in hiring decisions and give direction to your entire team.
- [16:11] Our bodies send us signals known as the flow concept and what tasks we should spend our time on and which we should not.
- [22:19] Women can rewire their brains and consequently alter their behavior by utilizing mindset recordings. How that can be influential in developing self-confidence.
- [27:49] How the subconscious mind controls your self-confidence.
- [30:08] Instructions on signing up for Limitless Wealth and Wealth Dynamics.
Key Takeaways:
- Your subconscious can rob your self-confidence and the abilities others see in you.
- Learning your profile will make you more productive and allow you and your team to function better together.
- Only invest time in tasks within your business that you're proficient at. Then, you can either eliminate such activities or delegate them to someone else.
Quotes:
“Your subconscious mind makes 95% of the decisions, shaping your daily feelings. Then there is your conscious mind. We’re getting them to play on the same team to say they have one objective.” - Whitney Alexandra
“I love listening to my mindset recordings. Depending on how long I’m walking, I often listen to it four or five times in the morning while walking my dog. I come back feeling like I have exercised and done my mindset work. Now I am ready to face the day.” - Jessica Fearnley
Guest Bio:
Whitney Alexandra is a performance coach for top female founders and C-suite executives ready for limitless success.
She’s spent the last 20 years helping some of the world’s most trusted brands and leaders transform to show up powerfully and ready to receive what they desire. Using a mix of performance coaching, mindset techniques and tailored strategy, she will unlock your next level.
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Find out more about Wealth Dynamics
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Whitney Alexandra - Website
Breakthrough Strategy Session - Whitney Alexandra
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I’m excited to welcome Sami Wunder to the show. Sami is the creator of the Love Success Framework, and her business has helped hundreds of women find lasting relationships. In this episode, Sami and I discuss the six steps a high-achieving woman needs to take to find her love relationship. But unfortunately, some women often sabotage their dating experiences, and we will hear why that happens. I can’t wait for you to listen to this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast.
In this episode:
- [01:00] Sami Wunder shares her childhood, her academic achievements, her heartbreaks in romance and what she did to turn it around and start her company.
- [08:33] Jessica reflects on her dating and ultimate meeting with her husband.
- [11:45] Sami reveals that it’s too easy to blame your partner for the failure in the relationship and not do a self-evaluation.
- [15:53] Social media and generic thinking say to ‘be yourself.’ Sami tells why that doesn’t work and describes a healthy, empowered self.
- [21:19] Sami outlines four steps to be taken in self-evaluation and awareness and how to implement these steps.
- [31:00] How to compare the business acumen of ‘The More Leads you Have, the Better your Conversion Rate’ to dating.
- [34:34] Steps five and six define masculine and feminine energy and the acceptance that men and women see commitment differently.
- [44:00] Sami’s complimentary training program.
Key Takeaways:
- Some of the same qualities that make a woman successful in business may cause her to fail in a love relationship.
- Getting a clean mindset and knowing who you are and your worth is the way to start a relationship.
- Rotational dating is the best way to find the right man for you, and you’re not wasting time.
Quotes:
“The easiest thing for high achievers to do is to blame their success and brain for not having love. I used to do the same whenever things would not work out with a man; it was because he was intimidated by my success, and I was too much. This is a harmful and toxic belief because it becomes the umbrella explanation for why your love life is not working out.” - Sami Wunder
“Once you believe that your success and your brain are a problem, you do not have the capacity to go deeper into self-questioning and self-inquiry and see what is truly going on there that is preventing that love and intimacy from entering your life.” - Sami Wunder
Guest Bio:
Sami Wunder is a leading international relationship and dating coach who specializes in working with ambitious, high-achieving women, helping them attract lasting romantic love.
As the CEO of a thriving 7-figure business, Sami currently serves a highly engaged, global clientele of over 100K followers across 55 countries. Her clients range from a Hollywood celebrity to UK TV stars to CEOs, bankers, lawyers, doctors, renowned authors, leading entrepreneurs, and more.
To date, Sami Wunder’s company has served thousands of clients and recorded over 450 client engagements and hundreds of committed relationships since 2016. She’s a leading authority when it comes to dating and relationships and is a sought-after expert in the media, appearing regularly in Business Insider, Forbes, Glamour, the Daily Mail, The Metro, Cosmopolitan, and many more.
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Grab Sami's free training & cheatsheet: ‘Lean In At Work, Lean Back In Love - High Achieving Women's Secrets To Romantic Success’
Sami Wunder Website
Sami Wunder LinkedIn
In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I’m excited to share valuable information with women building their consulting businesses. Have you ever felt that you are spinning your wheels, not making any improvement on that bottom line? I’ve got some tips you will appreciate. I’ll also share some information about what it's like to work with me and what I can help you to achieve. Tune in for this peach of an episode.
In this episode:
- [00:00] Jessica discusses the problem many consulting businesses share
- [02:26] Learn about the “zone of genius”
- [06:14] Jessica reflects on her first website, and the roadblocks brought to the table
- [08:08] The prescription for a healthy you and a thriving business
- [11:47] Your intention makes a difference, and information about The Seven Figure Club
Key Takeaways:
- Learn to say ‘no’ when you do not want and shouldn’t take a specific client. Don’t be a people pleaser. It’s not good for your bottom line.
- The book, The Big Leap by Gay Hendrix is a must-read. It introduces you to the “zone of genius.”
- When you have the right client base, you are happy, and they are happy.
Quotes:
“I’m confident to be bold on this. In my experience, when your consulting business is entirely reactive, that often means whoever blows through the door, it’s much harder to find your zone of genius.” - Jessica Fearnley
“A reactive business model can get stale very quickly because you are operating within your zone of competence and maybe even your zone of excellence, but not in your zone of genius.” Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
The Big Leap Website
Self worth and self care shouldn’t be words we throw around lightly. They aren’t just concepts we can discuss at lunch with the girls and then forget about when we are back at the office. So today, I want to share some breakthroughs I’ve had in my own life once self worth and self care became actions, not words. Like me, you may have experienced trauma and believe it was something you did or deserved. It was not your fault. Today, I will share some fundamental principles that motivate you to recognize your self worth and lead you to Self Care.
In this episode:
- [00:00] Recognizing the value of understanding self worth and self care.
- [01:00] How trauma plays a role in how you see yourself.
- [04:42] Going outside your comfort zone and the gems from the Holistic Psychologist.
- [08:00] Self acceptance and living out self care.
- [09:57] Jessica leaves us with thoughts to ponder.
Key Takeaways:
- Negative self-talk is a downward spiral. Self worth, Self care and Self acceptance will never be achieved when we listen to our negative selves.
- Women often think they won’t accomplish their goals at the office and home if they take time for meals, rest, and exercise, when, in fact, the exact opposite is true.
- Running a business should not equate to running yourself ragged. Instead, intelligent business women take care of themselves to be the best operator, coaches, or practitioners they can be.
Quotes:
“Life gets infinitely more peaceful when you understand people can only support you at the level they can support themselves. It’s powerful when we think about past trauma and understand that people are often doing the best they can with what they have.” - Jessica Fearnley
“I am worthy of love and care, and I also cannot serve my clients, my family, or my wider audience if I’m not putting the maximum amount of gas in the tank daily. It might be food, rest, movement, but it’s also about applying boundaries in life and work.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
No one can tell you what you're capable of achieving. On this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast I want to share how I learned how to coach women to realize their own unique abilities so they can help you grow. Learn more about my Limitless Coaching Plan as I explain how I can coach you to achieve your full potential and earnings and help you break the glass ceiling and truly be limitless in your business.
In this episode:
- [01:00] My business and coaching evolution.
- [05:00] Using your unique abilities and skills as a woman in business.
- [12:00] Finding the right support for your business.
- [16:00] What my Limitless Coaching consists of.
Key Takeaways:
- Don’t limit your achievements - expect that you can keep growing in your business.
- Refuse to be contained by the glass ceiling and let yourself be limitless.
Quotes:
“You are the pioneers. You're doing things that women are not typically considered able to achieve.” - Jessica Fearnley
“No one can tell you what you're capable of doing. All we can do is take the lid off and see where our intuition takes us.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Today on the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I am joined by Betsy Kauffman. Betsy is a globally recognized Leadership and Organizational Agility Consultant with more than 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies. Betsy helps companies solve the big problems keeping them from achieving agility, collaboration, alignment, and innovation. Tune in to learn about Betsy’s entrepreneurial journey from starting her business to surviving the pandemic.
In this episode:
- [01:00] Betsy shares her background.
- [07:00] Entrepreneur life & Investing all your energy into your business.
- [11:07] Pivotal moments in Betsy’s life & career.
- [17:00] Embracing change and being clear with clients about what you offer.
- [27:00] Decide what you want to focus on offering to your clients.
Key Takeaways:
- Invest all of your energy into the business and really be clear on who you are and what you offer.
- Being an entrepreneur and owning your own company will always come with some fear and uncertainty, but believing in yourself and pushing through is key to your success.
- Creating boundaries for what you can do and seeing that plan through is healthy and builds a solid relationship with clients.
Quotes:
“Anytime you venture into something new there's fear. So, you have to decide, how much do I let the fear talk to me, how much do I let it go, tamp it down and move forward.” -Betsy Kauffman
“Instead of thinking about running away from your business, why don't you run towards your business?” -Jessica Fearnley
Guest Bio:
Betsy Kauffman is a globally recognized Leadership and Organizational Agility Consultant with more than 20 years of experience working in Fortune 500 companies. Her company, Cross Impact Coaching, is an Organizational Design Firm focused on working with companies to help them solve the big problems impeding them from achieving agility, collaboration, alignment, and innovation. Her TED Talk has over 1.5 million views.
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Cross Impact Coaching
Cross Impact Coaching LinkedIn
This week I am hosting a transformational retreat for my clients and today, I want to share how to make the best of a retreat experience. In this episode, I answer questions like how do you carve out time for yourself amidst a busy retreat schedule? What goals should you set for yourself and your business when attending a retreat? Retreats are an amazing opportunity to spark reflection and transformation on your personal life and business. Listen today to learn more on how to make the most of your retreat experience.
In this episode:
- [02:00] Carving out space for yourself.
- [06:00] Taking time to read a business or personal development book.
- [09:00] Tips to remember the trip as a whole experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Allowing reflection time for your year personally and from a business standpoint can help you decide what you want to continue and also changes that you’d like to make.
- Travel can spark new feelings and inspiration- allow yourself to soak in the entire experience.
Quotes:
“Decide either at the retreat or as you travel back or when you arrive home, what will be different? What old things no longer fit this version of you?” - Jessica Fearnley
“This is really a time where I think allowing something to be an aligned action, something that feels intuitively right in the moment, can be really powerful.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Just like that, 2022 is coming to an end and the New Year is right around the corner. In this episode I discuss choosing abundance in the upcoming year. Actively choosing abundance can help you ward off fear of failure, take new leaps, and make strides in your life and business. Listen in to my last podcast episode of 2022, and get ready for the good things to come in 2023.
In this episode:
- [01:00] Post-pandemic effects on life and businesses.
- [04:00] Being present and conscious over our inner thoughts
- [05:30] Choosing abundance for yourself.
- [09:30] Taking calculated leaps as you transition into the new year.
- [10:15] What will it take to make 2023 exciting and abundant?
Key Takeaways:
- So much of life is our perception of reality, not actual reality
- Taking control of our inner thoughts can allow us to no longer hold ourselves back and take leaps we feel good about
- Take a moment to look inwardly and listen to what your soul is telling you. This will help you choose abundance when taking calculated leaps in 2023.
Quotes:
“Things that we take for granted aren't necessarily available to us in the way that they used to be.” - Jessica Fearnley
“Life feels different when we start taking calculated leaps instead of settling for something smaller. I don’t mean crazy, unwise, financially irresponsible leaps. I mean the things that we know deep down we really want that make a massive impact on our day to day lives and that connect us with our future higher selves.” - Jessica Fearnley
“I don’t think anyone goes into a new year thinking ‘oh great, I think I’d like to struggle this year’, but when we don’t choose abundance, often we are choosing to still struggle.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Amber Swenor is the founder of Soul Seed, a brand ecosystem with several businesses including Soul Seed Strategy which offers business coaching and brand strategy. On today’s episode Amber and I get to talk about how showing up authentically in your business can help you grow and the importance of being present and attentive to your clients. Tune in to learn more on this episode.
In this episode:
- [01:00] Amber introduces herself and gives us her background.
- [06:27] Showing up as your authentic self.
- [13:00] Amber describes being “fully present with curiosity” with her clients.
- [19:57] The “Vulnerability Hangover”.
Key Takeaways:
- Showing up authentically gives you a freedom to know what you can offer to clients and their businesses.
- Surround yourself with people who encourage you to get out of your comfort zone so you can grow personally and as a business owner.
- Growth will require some “messy” parts in order to get where you want to be.
Quotes:
“There's a freedom that comes with knowing who you are and knowing the value of what you offer.” - Amber Swenor
“In order to get to the point where you are able to be more visible and be who you authentically are, it requires taking the first messy steps.” - Amber Swenor
Guest Bio:
Amber Swenor is a transformational business strategist who helps visionary leaders live and lead in authenticity. She’s the founder of Soul Seed, a brand ecosystem with several businesses including Soul Seed Strategy, a business coaching and brand transformation firm that helps visionary leaders to grow values-aligned, authentic businesses through transformational strategy, coaching and marketing services. She’s the author of Wall Street Journal bestselling book, Unleashed: A Been-There, Rocked-That Guide to Radical Authenticity in Life and Business. When she’s not strategizing with clients or speaking on stages, you’ll find her rocking with her metal band, Morningstar.
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Learn more about Amber’s work at www.Soul-Seed.com
Find Amber’s book ‘Unleashed’ at all major book retailers
In this episode I get the chance to speak with Violet Rainwater. Violet has dedicated her life to empowering entrepreneurs, sales teams, and leaders with the tools and resources she discovered that transformed her life and business. Tune in as we learn more from her background in corporate sales and how she uses that to help energize and empower business teams.
In this episode:
- [01:30] Violet shares more about her background as an immigrant, living in poverty, and seeing opportunity around her.
- [08:00] Violet talks about the concept of “self-actualization”.
- [15:00] What’s possible on the other side of healing.
- [21:00] Trusting the process and beginning with the end in mind.
Key Takeaways:
- Trust the process. To get to the next level we must go through the formula and steps to get the outcome we want.
- Connect emotionally with your vision of what you want to accomplish.
- Connection is what drives businesses. Connect with people on a human level and find that deeper connection.
Quotes:
“Self-actualization is really about us being in the pursuit of our own excellence and being all that we came to be.” -Violet Rainwater
“You can't just quantum jump into your ideal reality and expect to wake up and be there.You still have to do the work.” -Violet Rainwater
Guest Bio:
Violet Rainwater is a catalyst for healthy workplaces and helps teams thrive through her interactive keynotes and Innovative workshops. As a high-achieving, top-performing sales professional, Violet experienced a complete mental collapse because of debilitating anxiety from decades of running on empty. From this experience, Violet has dedicated her life to empowering entrepreneurs, sales teams, and leaders with the tools and resources she discovered that transformed her life and business.
Violet brings a powerful framework for operating at our highest level. With a background in corporate sales in the financial service industry, she's been a rainmaker from early on in her career. She is a multi-time, Million Dollar Round Table Qualifier - a designation held by less than 8 percent of all financial professionals. Now, Violet is a transformational speaker and sales architect, delivering impactful and engaging keynotes and trainings that fuse human behaviour, real-world experience, and high-energy fun. Professionals walk away equipped, engaged, and energized with an innovative toolbox to operate at peak performance - without sacrificing wellbeing.
Useful Links:
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Violet's Website
Violet on LinkedIn
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
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
Today on the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I am joined by co-owner and CEO of Raincatcher, Marla DiCarlo. Marla helps small business owners determine the value of their business and walks them through the selling process.
In this episode, we discuss how business owners can proactively plan ahead when building their business, what actually goes into the process of selling a business, and how to shift perspectives when making business decisions. Tune in to this insightful conversation and receive a free resource from Raincatcher.
In this episode:
- [01:00] Why Raincatcher is such an important tool for small business owners.
- [06:30] Understanding the driving factors that can impact a business’s value.
- [11:30] How to change your perspective when making business decisions.
- [13:30] Marla explains the most common ways to understand the value in a business and how to attach a dollar value to a company.
- [20:15] Things to consider when selling your small business.
Key Takeaways:
- Raincatcher is designed to educate business owners and guide them through the process of selling their business.
- You cannot plan for everything.
- Every business owner should get a benchmark valuation because it helps to see the business through a different lens.
- Part of selling your business is going through the emotions of “are you really ready to sell?”
- When selling a business, most business owners often are focused on the purchase price, but there are many other things that tie into selling a business that are often more important, like who will continue their legacy with their customers, employees, and community.
Quotes:
“Building your business without a business plan is kind of like building a house without a blueprint. Then you’ll look at it and think, ‘I should have put a door here, but we built a massive brick wall’.” - Jessica Fearnley
“If you take off those blinders and you start to bring in the stuff that is going on on the outside and incorporate that into your decision making, what you’ll find is your business actually ends up performing better. You end up making decisions that I don’t know you would make if you were constantly just focused on the next thing”. - Marla DiCarlo
“Being proactive and not reactive, that’s one of the keys to being a successful business owner and it’s hard to do”. - Marla DiCarlo
Guest Bio:
Marla DiCarlo is an accomplished CEO & CFO with more than 30 years of experience leading business owners to build valuable and profitable companies. As the co-owner and CEO of Raincatcher, her mission is to support American entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journeys - whether they are interested in selling today or want to build a more valuable company for themselves and their legacies.
As a Certified Professional Accountant, Marla understands the true power of both valuations and solid bookkeeping – especially in today’s unstable economic climate. Marla draws upon her business experience to encourage entrepreneurs to look at their finances in new ways. Inspiring them to manage their business like a valuable asset that will grow in value over time. To her, that simple mind shift increases your business valuation and the abundance of your career efforts over time.
Useful Links:
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Raincatcher Website
Raincatcher's Free Valuation
It is trendy to be overburdened and experience burnout, to have a shared empathy for feeling overwhelmed. But, it doesn’t have to be that way! Today, I talk about some common reasons and mindsets that consultants believe (especially consultants who are women) that leave them feeling burnt out and actually limit their growth. Join me and learn the two important steps in breaking the burnout cycle. You can move beyond burnout and reach your full potential.
In this episode:
- [01:26] The problem with burnout.
- [05:47] The first step to breaking the burnout cycle.
- [06:41] The second part of breaking the cycle.
- [10:40] What it looks like to move beyond the trend of being overwhelmed.
- [14:17] How to contact Jessica.
Key Takeaways:
- A common misconception is that working as hard as possible with blood, sweat, and tears will bring you to the next level of success. If you do not break the cycle of burnout, you will never make it to seven figures.
- The first step is to acknowledge you are in a burnout cycle and the next step is to make shifts to help yourself. This could be time management, delegation, self-care, or different things but the goal is stopping the burnout.
- Self-care is a lifestyle choice and a key part of healing from burnout.
Quotes:
“Getting to seven figures is not about hustle and hard work. It’s about making your well-being, your energy levels, and your happiness your top priority. It’s about optimizing everything you do so you create the least friction possible.” - Jesica Fearnley
“When you start to realize that you are actually doing life in a way that doesn’t deplete you like it used to, that's really powerful because then you can start to optimize your energy.” - Jessica Fearnley
Useful Links:
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
It’s not about it being easy, it’s about being confident. Patty Caballero believed in herself enough to take the risk to leave the large corporate world to start her own small consulting business. Today, Patty and I talk about the impact of wealth dynamics on your role and energy. She recalls what surprised her when shifting to her own consulting business and some significant breakthrough moments in the process. You don’t want to miss this episode as Patty shares some impactful pieces of advice for women looking to start their seven-figure consultant journey and answers the important question, “What does becoming your next-level self mean to you?”
In this episode:
- [01:07] Patty introduces herself and what she does.
- [02:23] The meaning of “big to small to big again”.
- [12:01] Patty shares what she likes about running a consulting business and what has surprised her.
- [16:09] Patty recalls some of her memorable break-throughs.
- [18:47] Advice for women who are ready to start the journey to being a seven-figure consultant.
- [21:52] Patty explains what “becoming your next-level self” means to her.
Key Takeaways:
- When branching out on your own, it can be tempting to play it very conservatively and keep it small. Grow into roles that energize you.
- It is satisfying when you can shift from a “revenue” mindset into a “what makes my business the best?” mindset.
- If you are going to start a consulting business, you should start it around what you are best at and what you enjoy most.
Quotes:
“Remember your best self because that's who you will be as a consultant. Think about the best work you’ve done that you have enjoyed the most that’s been the most personally-fulfilling; that should be your consulting business.” -Patty Caballero
“It’s not about making it look easy. It’s about having confidence so it comes out naturally.” -Patty Caballero
Guest Bio:
Patty Caballero is the founder of PSC Consulting, which helps growing healthcare companies find and amplify their voice. A veteran of communications, public relations, and marketing, Patty translated her decades of experience working with large companies and public sector clients to help innovators in the healthcare industry tell their stories. She works as a fractional chief communications officer, working with CEOs and Board Members to help companies craft a story and implement the plan that will help the business grow. In addition to her work with clients, Patty is an adjunct professor in Communication Studies, teaching upcoming professionals how to apply communications to advance business goals.
Useful Links:
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Patty Caballero LinkedIn
Patty Caballero Consulting Website
It’s not about it being easy, it’s about being confident. Patty Caballero believed in herself enough to take the risk to leave the large corporate world to start her own small consulting business. Today, Patty and I talk about the impact of wealth dynamics on your role and energy. She recalls what surprised her when shifting to her own consulting business and some significant breakthrough moments in the process. You don’t want to miss this episode as Patty shares some impactful pieces of advice for women looking to start their seven-figure consultant journey and answers the important question, “What does becoming your next-level self mean to you?”
In this episode:
- [01:07] Patty introduces herself and what she does.
- [02:23] The meaning of “big to small to big again”.
- [12:01] Patty shares what she likes about running a consulting business and what has surprised her.
- [16:09] Patty recalls some of her memorable break-throughs.
- [18:47] Advice for women who are ready to start the journey to being a seven-figure consultant.
- [21:52] Patty explains what “becoming your next-level self” means to her.
Key Takeaways:
- When branching out on your own, it can be tempting to play it very conservatively and keep it small. Grow into roles that energize you.
- It is satisfying when you can shift from a “revenue” mindset into a “what makes my business the best?” mindset.
- If you are going to start a consulting business, you should start it around what you are best at and what you enjoy most.
Quotes:
“Remember your best self because that's who you will be as a consultant. Think about the best work you’ve done that you have enjoyed the most that’s been the most personally-fulfilling; that should be your consulting business.” -Patty Caballero
“It’s not about making it look easy. It’s about having confidence so it comes out naturally.” -Patty Caballero
Guest Bio:
Patty Caballero is the founder of PSC Consulting, which helps growing healthcare companies find and amplify their voice. A veteran of communications, public relations, and marketing, Patty translated her decades of experience working with large companies and public sector clients to help innovators in the healthcare industry tell their stories. She works as a fractional chief communications officer, working with CEOs and Board Members to help companies craft a story and implement the plan that will help the business grow. In addition to her work with clients, Patty is an adjunct professor in Communication Studies, teaching upcoming professionals how to apply communications to advance business goals.
Useful Links:
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Patty Caballero LinkedIn
Patty Caballero Consulting Website
In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I challenge entrepreneurs and people putting off starting their business to go all in. What would your life and business look like in January if you spent the rest of the year going all in with your consulting business? Envisioning and building a successful business can feel daunting, and there will be challenges, but your business will never reach its full potential if you don’t stop playing small. Commit to your business in a way that you never have before. Go all in and see the impact that your commitment has.
I talk about:
- The benefits and setbacks of having a solid routine
- What would your life and business look like by January if you spent the next four months going all in with your consulting business?
- How doubt can hold you back from building your business
- Our brains can work against us, even when the evidence of success is all around us
- Why hyper vigilance is like an app that your brain has running all the time
- I share a valuable way to measure each day
- If you want the life you want, you have to go big
Key takeaways:
- Having a solid routine can help manage your workload and energy levels, but at the same time, spending too much time in the same routine can leave us feeling really stagnant
- It is actually really hard to allow ourselves to have a vision of a highly successful business, because sometimes it just feels too good to be true, especially in the early days when your intuition is strong, but the evidence hasn’t arrived yet.
- Why wait to pursue your goals? Why make it a 5 year plan when you can get there in six months?
Useful Links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
This month we're showcasing the best episodes from The Seven Figure Consultant Podcast Archives! This episode was originally episode 119.
We often get into situations in life and in business where to be quite honest, we don’t know what to do.
This is what happens when we’re in a season of personal growth or business growth. If you listen to this podcast regularly, you’ll know that we don’t usually do just one of these, we do both, personal growth leads to business growth and the two are massively connected.
When you’re growing, you’re in situations you’ve never handled before. And that can be scary. As high-achieving women, we like to be confident we know what to do and what to expect.
In today’s episode, I’m bringing together some moving parts that I’ve been working through and speaking about for the last few months. The thread running through them is self-trust, and if you’ve been listening to the show, I hope it’s going to help you think through some of those concepts you’ve heard about and how they apply to you and your consulting business.
I talk about:
- Shifting from feeling like we need to control the outcome of every situation we’re in
- When you have high hopes for a new opportunity, and it doesn’t live up to expectations
- How setting ‘realistic’ goals which we’re certain we can do, keeps everything small and rigid
- How we’re more motivated by impact and legacy than revenue
- Allowing your business to just be a business, and not the thing that proves or disproves your validity as a human being.
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
This month we're showcasing the best episodes from The Seven Figure Consultant Podcast Archives! This episode was originally episode 107.
I’m going to let you in on a secret: you don’t have to be a Seven Figure Business Owner to start thinking like a Seven Figure Business Owner.
You might have done a double take at that, and thought, ‘but Jessica, that gorgeous country house with a swimming pool isn’t going to buy itself’. Or, ‘it’s all very well for you to say that, I’m currently in the low six figures’.
I get it but this isn't about spending cash you haven't got yet. Getting to seven figures can sometimes feel like you have a mountain to climb. Some things you want might seem a long way off. One of the biggest hurdles you will face on the journey to seven figures is you.
This week on the podcast, I’m talking about getting acquainted with your Seven Figure Future Self and how that will help you build your business more easily.
I discuss:
- What really needs to change for you to achieve the lifestyle you want
- Dealing with overwhelm in your consultancy business - and what not to do
- A technique I use when dealing with negative self-talk
- How to use your future self to move you on when you are stuck
- What I do to make myself feel better when I feel wobbly in my business
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
This month we're showcasing the best episodes from The Seven Figure Consultant Podcast Archives! This episode was originally episode 100.
Many of the women I speak to come to the topic of building a team from a really negative place. There are lots of reasons for that but if you have aspirations to grow past 7 figures, you are going to be working with a team.
Often we are thrown into leadership situations without any preparation or experience. As you transition from a solo consultant to a CEO your leadership style and performance will be something you intentionally work on.
But how do you know who to recruit? Who is going to be a good fit for your consultancy?
In this week’s episode I am sharing two questions about building a team that have been blowing my clients’ minds this quarter.
I talk about:
- Learning to build a team
- Limiting beliefs around recruiting for your small business
- Identifying what you need to bring other people in to do for you
- What you need from your team at different stages of your business
- Enabling your team to be more productive
This is episode 100 of the podcast! Thank you for listening. I am super excited for our NEXT 100 episodes as I feel like we are only really just scratching the surface of what it takes to get to Seven Figures as a Woman Consultant.
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
This month we're showcasing the best episodes from The Seven Figure Consultant Podcast Archives! This episode was originally episode 095.
Did you know that a business can have up to 50 employees and still be considered a small business? Or that a small business is defined as having a turnover of less than $50 million?
When you think about how ‘big’ a small business can be, it puts quite a different lens on what for many women consultants can seem a lofty dream - reaching Seven Figures.
So much of the online business world is geared around getting to Six Figures. But it all gets a bit vague after that. There’s not much information out there about hitting your first $1 million and beyond.
That’s why in this week’s podcast episode, I wanted to lift the lid on what changes when you hit Seven Figures in your consulting business. It’s important to be able to visualise the next chapter in your business if you’re going to make it happen.
I discuss:
- What you will need from your team
- Having more visibility as CEO
- Keeping control of cash flow
- How we are all a bit weird about money
- Your identity as a Seven Figure business owner
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
This month we're showcasing the best episodes from The Seven Figure Consultant Podcast Archives! This episode was originally episode 056.
When I first set up my business I quickly discovered some great Facebook groups for women business owners. It always jarred with me a bit that there was a real new-age spiritualism that often accompanied this. I didn’t have a problem with other people going down this route – it just didn’t particularly chime with me.
I bundled money mindset up with all this talk about spiritualism and manifesting and the law of attraction and I found it a bit ‘much’.
But over time I’ve really come to appreciate how valuable it is to talk about money mindset, because like mindset and particularly, scarcity mindset, it has a huge impact on how we do life and because of that – how we do business.
This week on the podcast I am talking about money mindset and the part it plays in your consulting business.
I talk about:
- How my life looked great on the outside, but actually I was broke
- How I burst into tears when I suddenly made £4k in one month
- The beliefs we have around money
- What you can do to change how you think about money
Useful links:
You Are A Badass At Making Money by Jen Sincero
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Are you feeling some degree of burnout in your consulting business?
You have taken all the actions you think you’re meant to take to build your business so that you can achieve the freedom you want. And yet, your working life still mirrors your corporate life. You wanted to move away from that when you started out. Why are you back here again?
Old habits die hard. You’ve accumulated them as you strived for success at school, university and in your corporate career.
So much of high performance in a corporate workplace can revolve around having to keep significant parts of ourselves hidden. That can include your interests, feelings, and point of view. You’re used to trying to fit in and that often means making yourself smaller.
In today’s podcast episode I am talking about allowing your authentic self back into your consulting business
I talk about:
- How I handle all the ideas I have for my business
- Giving time to the leadership of your business so you are clear on your focus
- How we create a version of ourselves and that is the face of our consulting business
- What happens when we airbrush out the things that make us who we are
- Bringing elements of your personality back into your consulting business
Useful links
Check out Jessica’s YouTube channel to hear her new track
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Have you found that full-time corporate life just doesn’t work for you? Long hours, commutes, expectations that you will be available at all times when it really isn’t convenient for you, stress.
There can be many reasons why the rigidity of corporate jobs does not suit women. And when that happens you can feel like you have been effectively thrown on the scrapheap.
You invested all that time and energy on building your career and suddenly it can feel like it counts for nothing.
This is the experience of many women when they have a baby. They will try to negotiate better terms and find that they get turned down, or that despite having been told they can ‘have it all’, actually, work and family aren’t as compatible as they had hoped. It’s a harsh experience to go through.
And this needs to change. Women need to be able to build life on their own terms. In this week’s podcast episode I am talking about why I am so fired up about this fight.
My guest is Jane Johnson, the founder of Careering Into Motherhood. When she returned to her role as global director at a major bank she negotiated a job-share. She was the first person at her level to do so. This was successful but when she looked for the next step in her career, recruiters weren’t interested in talking about flexible working.
Jane went on to found a highly successful recruitment business helping women to find senior roles that offered flexible working. She was inundated with candidates and could not meet demand, so rather than turn away women who wanted to work, she started the Careering into Motherhood community in 2019. It began as a Facebook group and membership has grown to more than 8,000 women.
Jane has run mentoring programmes for 60 women, online coaching programmes during lockdown, launched the award-winning Careering into Motherhood podcast, She was invited by 10 Downing Street to advise the Department For Business (BEIS) on flexible working.
We talk about:
- Challenges women face about wanting to have a career and being around for their family
- How coaching is an enabler for building a life that works on our terms
- The importance of financial independence for women
- How women building businesses and negotiating better terms builds a more inclusive society
- Making workplaces less toxic for women
- Women being able to make choices that work for them
Useful links
Careering into Motherhood
Join Careering into Motherhood’s online community
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Entrepreneurs often say we’ve rendered ourselves unemployable. Getting a corporate job is seen as a last resort.
But is it there in the back of your mind as a kind of backup plan? When the going gets tough and you have to face the next challenge in your business, do you consider updating your résumé? You’re on LinkedIn after all. What’s the harm in looking at your options?
That’s your Plan B. Oh, if this launch doesn’t work or if I don’t get this contract, I can always get a job. I’m highly qualified and experienced after all!
However, there is a point in your business where you realise that you can’t go back to a corporate job, even if you wanted to.
In this week’s podcast I am talking about going past the point of no return and why that Plan B isn’t helping you.
I talk about:
- How being an entrepreneur changes you
- How thinking of employment as a fall-back option slows your growth
- What’s led to you feel frustrated in your business
- What happens when you commit to growth
- How my Work Less Earn More 4 Stage Framework will benefit you
Useful links
Find out about working with stylist Tracy Hooper
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
What does your brand say about you and your consultancy business?
When I talk to a lot of women about their branding, they say, ‘Ugh, it's on my website, but don't look at my website. It doesn't really reflect what I do. And I don't really like the colours anymore. It's what I chose like five or six years ago.’ Would you say the same?
If so, then this week’s episode of the podcast is for you. I’m talking to visionary branding strategist Tiffany Neuman about creating a Legacy BrandTM and the incredible impact this can have on your growth. When you do deep branding work you get really clear on who you are and who you want to work with. It enables you to step into your Seven Figure self and make your vision tangible.
Tiffany helps highly-motivated entrepreneurs and influencers up-level their businesses. After 15 years in the corporate world, working with brands like FedEx, Stoli Vodka and Burt’s Bees, she left to establish a revolutionary branding business that stays one step ahead of trends. Using a unique, hands-on approach that views branding as a self-development process, Tiffany now works with clients across the globe to help them 10x their sales and shine even brighter in their niches.
She is a contributor for Entrepreneur and has appeared in media outlets including Forbes, The She Did It Her Way and The 3-Day Workweek Podcast. Tiffany is a professor of design and branding, as well as the co-founder of the KCAD Third Eye XR virtual reality lab, at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When she’s not helping clients create their legacy brands, she’s spending quality time with her husband and two daughters.
We talk about:
- How branding is about so much more than your logo and colours
- When the time is to invest in a Legacy BrandTM
- How working on your Legacy BrandTM creates a quantum leap in your growth
- Why branding is like a slow down to speed up process
- Being specific about who you are and what you do
Useful links
Take Tiffany’s Brand Clarity Quiz
Follow Tiffany on Instagram
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Do you want to see growth in your business but feel like you’re stuck in resistance?
You might not have realised that was what was happening at first. But then you started noticing that you weren’t taking the action you know should to uplevel your business.
I talk to women I work with about this a lot. You will have come up with all kinds of reasons why you can’t do what you want to do right now. You can kid yourself about what matters and what you need to be doing but you won’t get those excuses past your coach!
In this episode I’m going to give you clarity on why we stay stuck despite wanting to grow. And be warned, there’s some tough love in there as well. I want you to take that aligned action that you’ve written down and not done anything about yet!
I talk about:
- How to stop focusing on the pain of change
- The pressure we can put on one idea or action
- How we convince ourselves it’s better to wait
- What’s really going on in our brains when we come up with a good idea and then don’t follow through with it
- A key question to ask yourself when you are not doing what you said you wanted to do
Useful links
Enrol in Profitable From Day One
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Are you wondering what makes a 7 figure business so very different from a 6 figure business? Apart from the extra 000s as you progress from low 6 figures upwards?
I sometimes get asked why I’ve built my brand, Seven Figure Consultant, around a money goal. And it’s not because it’s all about the money. The central issue is who we are, the impact we can have in the world, and the money shows up when we allow ourselves to show up with authenticity and without holding back.
You will experience ‘getting to 6 figures’ and ‘getting to 7 figures’ differently. Both involve their own challenges and discoveries.
Whether you are just starting your consulting business, have made your first 20, or 50 thousand in revenue, or you are well on the way to 7 figures and beyond, this episode highlights what happens during those stages.
What gets you to 6 figures as a consultant, won’t get you to 7 figures.
I talk about:
- Challenges facing women consultants building 6 and 7 figure businesses
- Taking aligned action to build your business
- An uplevelling secret that has made a huge difference to me
- The difference between women entrepreneurs and women consultants like you
- Hitting capacity and avoiding burnout
- Why I don’t give the same advice to all my clients
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Develop your signature style with stylist Tracy Hooper - Find out more or book a call
I want to start a new conversation about something I’ve been exploring this year: joy.
Do you believe in joy? After the last few years of Covid, any of us could be forgiven for not believing in joy!
So often we come into business with the expectation that it will be hard. As high-achieving women, we got the school grades and the university degrees and our corporate promotions because we worked hard.
So we create our consulting businesses ready to work hard and go through the blood, sweat and tears, with all the fear and scarcity in the background that we’re trying really hard to hide all the time.
Where does joy fit into that? On the podcast this week, I am talking about overcoming our ambivalence around joy and the difference it makes.
I discuss:
- Comparisonitis and how it affects our perception of ourselves
- Noticing moments of joy in your life
- How I’ve changed the way I launch offers
- What happens when you build your business around flow
- How being intentional about joy creates a positive ripple effect in your business and life
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Have you seen that drawing of A Day In The Life As An Entrepreneur before by Derek Halpern? It’s a line with peaks and troughs charting your inner voice as you go from ‘I’m excited!’ to ‘ugh this is hard’, then ‘it’s working’ and back down to ‘I messed up’. And this is how so many of us see life as a consultant. Does it resonate with you?
Growing a consulting business from 6 to 7 figures is one of my favourite things because it’s a transformational journey. So often, the amazing thing is that it’s not just the business that ends up growing. We emerge from the process as higher versions of ourselves. It is so powerful.
But a huge part of this road can feel like fear.
You have to leave what you’ve always known and exchange it for the unknown. It means switching certainty for uncertainty. It can feel like all we do is climb mountains in our business growth plans.
A client contacted me a few weeks ago and said: ‘I feel like my business is constantly mountains and I want some valleys for a change’.
And I was super inspired by this and as the words were flowing out of my mouth in reply, I thought this is a podcast episode! I have to share this! And so this is the topic on the podcast this week.
I talk about:
- Stopping playing by the rules of feast or famine, highs and lows
- Why I love growing consulting businesses from 6 to 7 figures
- Wanting something more but being scared to go and do it
- How members of The Seven Figures Club are often experiencing similar issues as they grow their businesses with me
- Two books that helped me step back and feel excited instead of fearful
- Techniques to reduce overwhelm
Useful links
What a Day in the Life of an Entrepreneur Actually Looks Like
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Do you like sales conversations? No matter what stage of business you’ve reached, sales calls are unavoidable.
You might have got them down to a fine art, or they might make you squirm. Regardless of whether you are comfortable in a sales environment there are always tweaks to be made. You can probably get a good outcome, but small changes can make a big difference to your close rate - and how you feel during the process.
We all want to close more sales and feel good while doing it, don’t we?
My guest on the podcast this week is Connie Whitman and she is sharing her 5 step process to remove objections during sales conversations. Listening to this is 30 minutes well spent!
Known for her high-energy, passionate, heart-centred, and enthusiastic approach to sales, teaching and coaching, Connie has been the CEO of Changing the Sales Game for 20+ years helping business owners, leaders and sales teams build powerhouse organisations.
A three-time #1 international best-selling author of her book ESP (Easy Sales Process): 7-Steps to Sales Success, speaker, and podcast host, Connie’s inspired teaching, transformational tools and content ensure that business owners and salespeople grow their revenue streams through enhanced communication skills.
We talk about:
- Serving your clients where they are now
- How clients might not be ready for your full programme but that doesn’t mean they don’t need you
- The 5 layers of buyer’s resistance
- Adjusting your communication style to suit your clients
- What you need to be doing during sales calls
Useful links
Get Connie Whitman’s communication style assessment
Connie Whitman’s LinkedIn profile
Changing The Sales Game website
Changing the Sales Game Podcast
Enlightenment of Change Podcast
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Have you set goals for yourself, come up with how you’re going to achieve them, and then when things don’t go as planned, you feel like that was the outcome you expected?
You wrote down one thing, and your subconscious mind planned for another. You told yourself this was a practice run, or that that client was never going to work with you anyway, or that actually, not having that work is better because you would have struggled to fit it in with everything else you’re doing.
I have a growing suspicion that in situations where we are trying to grow our businesses and increase our personal wealth but we’re NOT seeing the traction we want to, it’s not because we aren’t capable of achieving it, or creating the opportunities needed to achieve it.
It’s because we are not ready to receive.
This is the topic for this week’s podcast episode and I’m going to show you how to spot when you’re sabotaging your own efforts.
I talk about:
- The power of our thought patterns
- Our boundaries and going beyond them
- What happens when you experience personal growth
- How women are programmed to give and not receive and the impact that has on us
- What it looks like when you decide you’re ready to receive
Useful links
Apply to join my Catalyst program
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
We often get into situations in life and in business where to be quite honest, we don’t know what to do.
This is what happens when we’re in a season of personal growth or business growth. If you listen to this podcast regularly, you’ll know that we don’t usually do just one of these, we do both, personal growth leads to business growth and the two are massively connected.
When you’re growing, you’re in situations you’ve never handled before. And that can be scary. As high-achieving women, we like to be confident we know what to do and what to expect.
In today’s episode, I’m bringing together some moving parts that I’ve been working through and speaking about for the last few months. The thread running through them is self-trust, and if you’ve been listening to the show, I hope it’s going to help you think through some of those concepts you’ve heard about and how they apply to you and your consulting business.
I talk about:
- Shifting from feeling like we need to control the outcome of every situation we’re in
- When you have high hopes for a new opportunity, and it doesn’t live up to expectations
- How setting ‘realistic’ goals which we’re certain we can do, keeps everything small and rigid
- How we’re more motivated by impact and legacy than revenue
- Allowing your business to just be a business, and not the thing that proves or disproves your validity as a human being.
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
One of the big transitions women go through when they are at six figures and looking to get to seven, is shifting from being the person who does all the stuff to needing to be the CEO.
You’ve grown your company this far. You know all the ins and outs of it, exactly how you want everything done. And you have so many ideas!
You also now have a team - and it’s growing! Other people are executing your ideas. Suddenly you need processes documenting and you have people looking to you for answers about how you want things done. It can be quite a learning curve, as well as a change in identity for you as the business owner. You might be wondering, ‘how do I clone myself?’
My guest on the podcast this week is Alecia Huck, the founder of MAVERICK & Company, a management consultant, sought-after speaker, and author. She specialises in helping leadership teams of fast-growing companies build the critical skills, tools, systems and processes they need to keep winning.
She is known for working closely with leaders to customise solutions, protect existing culture, and fix what is broken without “going corporate.” Experienced in industries from construction to criminal justice, Alecia is proud to work with entrepreneurs so they can spend less time fighting fires and more time building what matters.
We talk about:
- Problems you encounter as you scale
- Going from being a super doer to a manager
- 3 key things you need to be aware of when you grow your business
- Why you need to be willing to not get things right
- What you should be focusing on in your business
- Enabling everyone in your organisation to own things
Useful links
If you wish you had a way to clone yourself, here are Alecia’s leadership and management tips and strategies
Follow Alecia Huck on LinkedIn for short videos, smart articles, and more.
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Has life taken an unexpected turn recently? Whether in your business or in your life, no matter what you had planned, you can get thrown off course by events you had no way of knowing would happen.
There has been some heavy, bad and scary stuff going on in the world lately hasn’t there? You may have been affected, directly or indirectly. Or something else might be happening in your life.
We don’t build our businesses in a vacuum. We have all kinds of other things going on and sometimes this makes a really big difference or even stops us from progressing the way we planned. Sometimes, all you can see is scarcity. It’s a real challenge to channel abundance at times like this.
And yet, choosing abundance can make a real difference not only to how you see the world, but what happens next.
On the podcast this week, I am talking about choosing abundance when all you can see is scarcity.
I talk about:
- When life doesn’t follow your 5 year plan
- What abundance actually looks like day to day (no, it’s not about money)
- Turning situations around when you hit a setback
- How choosing abundance creates momentum
- Not airbrushing out the hard stuff or the mess
Useful links
Register for Your High-Ticket Head Start at jessicafearnley.com/challenge
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Think back 5 or 10 years, did you know what your life would look like then? Could you imagine who you would be working with, or the projects you have completed? What about where you live?
As a high achieving woman, you will have done your utmost to succeed in every situation you faced. You will have studied what worked for others, you will have practised your pitches, you’ll have made sure you were walking into the right rooms. But you can’t control every variable and I bet there have been some surprises along the way.
Perhaps there was that contract that appeared out of nowhere. And then there was the time you found yourself in a conversation you never expected, which led to something else amazing.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned in the last year is about the power of radical detachment and I learned it from Laura Wright and Amber Annette. They are the Sould Sisters, and they’re my guests on the podcast this week. Laura and Amber work with the conscious, ambitious business owner who is actively taking her 6-figure service-based empire to 7 figures (and beyond)... and is here to live a freakin’ incredible life while doing it.
Both Laura and Amber have been on the show before but separately, Laura in Episode 38 and Amber in Episode 78, so you’ll recognise their voices.
We talk about:
- Knowing what you want but not being stuck on how that’s going to come about
- Showing up in different ways and how that takes the pressure off yourself
- Documenting your desires and energy through journaling
- Curiosity and being open to possibilities
- Aligning yourself to your energy in different phases of the month
Useful links
Find out more about Laura and Amber on their website
Business Magic with the Elements Masterclass
Follow them on Instagram or join the Facebook community
Listen to Episode 78: Running Your Business In Line With Your Energy, with Amber Annette
Listen to Episode 38: Speeding Up Your Sales Cycle, with Laura Wright
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Are you trying to look like you’ve got it all together while in reality there’s a whole lot of things going on you’re scared of telling anyone about?
You’re not sure if you’re offering the right services. You can’t work certain hours or in certain ways and what if clients think you’re not committed enough because of that, or that you can’t be trusted to handle the work?
You’ve always known you were on the right track before. Top grades in school, did well in extra-curricular activities, bonuses in your corporate life. At every stage in life, you were given a reward for your efforts and that’s what success looks like. But now you’re the CEO and the whole structure of work and reward has shifted. Life has possibly taken some unexpected turns for you as well.
As women, we have a whole thing about needing to be perfect in order to be successful. Recently, a question I’ve been asked a lot (and I’ve asked myself) is: am I too much of a hot mess to get to 7 figures? And that’s what I’m talking about on the podcast this week. I’m warning you now, I’m very vulnerable in this episode!
I talk about:
- How different rules apply when you become your own boss
- Why I had no clue about the journey I was setting off on when I started my business
- How trying to be perfect can be detrimental to your business
- The importance of knowing your north star
- What to do if your mess starts to interfere with your work
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
When your business takes off and you start growing a team of people to support you it’s exciting - and challenging.
You’ve always been the CEO of your business, but now you have more management responsibility than before, and you have to learn how to work with more people in your business. It used to be that you only needed to communicate with one or two people, now you need to share your vision with several people. And you have to field questions from them.
It’s a stage of business where you can be unused to the amount of chaos that suddenly gets generated. You’re figuring out who is doing what and what needs doing next, onboarding clients, keeping on top of customer service. You can feel like you’re suddenly spending a lot of time firefighting when your days didn’t used to be like that.
My guest on the podcast this week is Karen Sergeant, a Team Growth Strategist and advisory Chief Operating Officer (COO). She helps small business owners survive their growth-spurts, grow their teams — and build a strong culture based on consent and accountability. She offers short intensives and ongoing consulting engagements that empower owners and leaders to build strong equity-centred business practices and teams. She’s based in Tucson and works with clients around the world.
We talk about:
- What a COO does and how they can help your business
- How what made your business successful could become an issue as you grow
- Developing a company culture
- Enabling team members to meet your expectations
- What’s really happening if you feel your team isn’t performing at the level you want
Useful links
Get Karen Sergeant’s Hiring Guide
Find out more about Karen Sergeant on her website
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Are you feeling unhappy, overwhelmed and demotivated by your consulting business? It can be very unsettling. You’ve put your heart and soul into building your consulting business and now you find yourself wishing it was different.
It’s likely that all the things you wanted to do when you started your business still light you up. And you know your work is well received by your clients. Why do you feel like work is such an obligation each day, instead of something to look forward to?
It is likely that you are doing tasks which take you out of flow. There’s the work you set out to do and love, and then there are all the things which go with it.
According to Wealth Dynamics, when you are in flow, you are 5 times more productive than when you are out of flow. That equates to achieving a week’s worth of work in a single day!
In today’s episode of the podcast, I am talking about how to tell when you’re out of flow.
I discuss:
- How we ignore signs we are doing tasks that don’t light us up
- How working in flow re-energises you
- Restructuring your role in your business based on your personal Wealth Dynamics profile
- The warning signs you are out of flow
- The cost of being out of flow
Useful links
Take the Wealth Dynamics test for $97
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
It can be extremely scary to put yourself out there. When you run your own business you have to make big decisions. You started your business for a reason, but in the early days, you can lose sight of that as you focus on getting the work in.
But then you get to a point where the impact and difference you make to your clients becomes tangible. You can see the change you have made just by being on the planet and doing the things you feel led and called to do.
When you are in your younger years, it can feel like a big burden that people always tell you that you have potential. How do you live that out? How do you make sure that it's something that is big enough? And you can circle back to that. How can you make a bigger impact? You have to encourage yourself to take these bigger steps. How do you have the courage to do that?
You’re going to get some great advice from this week’s podcast guest, Sharath Jeevan OBE. He is one of the world’s leading experts on reigniting our inner drive (intrinsic motivation), and the author of “Intrinsic”. He was awarded an OBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours and advises a range of organisations on motivation related challenges, from L’Oreal to the London School of Economics to national governments.
He founded and led STIR Education – arguably the world’s largest intrinsic motivation initiative. STIR impacted 200,000 teachers, 35,000 schools and 7 million children across a number of emerging countries. Sharath is currently the Executive Chairman of Intrinsic Labs, which supports organisations all around the world to solve deep motivational challenges, from governments to leading UK universities and high-profile corporations.
We discuss:
- One of the biggest challenges consultants face
- Developing your personal mission statement
- The multiplier effect of investing in ourselves
- Ways to develop mastery
- Getting buy in from key decision makers and approaching those conversations
Useful links
Sharath’s book Intrinsic is available from Amazon and independent bookstores
Follow Sharath on Instagram & Twitter @sharathjeevan_
Connect with him on LinkedIn
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Getting to six figures as a consultant is a really good validation of your service, market proposition and your ability to sell.
Now you’ve set your sights on the next level and you might think seven figures in revenue, one million dollars or pounds or Euros, requires huge amounts of hard work and hustle.
But reaching seven figures doesn’t have to be scary. It doesn’t mean even longer hours. Or making yourself do things that make you uncomfortable.
It does involve making some changes behind the scenes. When you’re at the low six figures, so 100, 200, or 300 thousand in revenue or thereabouts, this is often a really important turning point for a consulting business.
If this is where you are now then this episode of the podcast is going to expand your thinking about what is possible for your business.
I discuss:
- Misconceptions about what female-owned businesses can achieve
- Raising the horizon of our expectations
- What you need to start doing to go from low six figures to seven figures
- Why you need to get comfortable with the prospect of a seven figure business
- What happens inside the Seven Figures Club, my community for women consultants making the transition from six to seven figures
Useful links
Apply to join the Seven Figures Club on Jessica’s Work With Me page
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Are you good at switching off from work? Or do you find yourself working into the evenings, or even, in your ‘free time’ thinking, ‘Oh I could just do [insert work activity here]’.
When you love what you do, you can get absorbed in it. It can be hard to switch off. You get used to overworking, just as you get used to being a little bit sleep deprived and stressed. You might even feel like something is wrong if you don’t have that background stress.
Then, when you do take time off, you can find yourself wondering what to do with yourself. So you turn the laptop back on, and suddenly it’s midnight again and your morning routine demands you’re up at 6am.
This week on the podcast, we’re talking about sleep and winding down. My guest is Amanda Slinger, a Sleep and Courage Coach for female entrepreneurs. She helps clients to sleep divinely and wake recharged, and to align their biorhythms for peak performance so they can have the impact they need to be truly successful (without the hustle and burnout).
Amanda has over 25 years’ experience as an entrepreneur and is the Founding Director of two seven-figure businesses, with a third on the way.
She is also host of Courage On Fire, a podcast and community about living courageously, about dreaming big and taking action on what’s really important, instead of allowing fear and uncertainty to get in the way.
We discuss:
- Creating clear boundaries
- Using sleep trackers
- How to activate your body clock
- Becoming conscious about how sleep impacts your day
- Why we can find it hard to relax
Useful links
Take Amanda Slinger’s mini sleep audit
Find out more about Amanda Slinger on her website
Follow Amanda on LinkedIn and Instagram
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
We so often believe business growth has to be hard. All too often as high achievers, we have cultivated a deep belief that we need to put in the hours, the blood sweat and tears, to get the results.
If we can do everything perfectly - or to the highest standard possible - we will get the grades.
That’s how school and university, and to a certain extent, our corporate careers worked, right?
Except when it comes to business - it doesn’t work like this any more.
The title for this week’s episode of the podcast is Embracing the Path of Least Resistance in your Consulting Business and it is a total game changer when it comes to self-care and business growth.
I’m going to share how the path of least resistance has a huge positive impact on your business growth plans.
I discuss:
- What we’re really assessed on in business
- What you need to work on to build the life you dream of
- Finding your personal energetic ‘flow’
- How our beliefs can get us stuck
- A common mistake I see women consultants making with their marketing
Useful links
Take the Wealth Dynamics test for $99
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Are you thinking of quitting your corporate role? Or maybe you’ve got an idea for a business, but you don’t know whether it will support you and you would like to test it.
A way of bridging the gap before you leap full time into being the CEO of your own business is to start a ‘side hustle’, a business you run alongside your job. If this is the first you have heard of it, or you know people who have done it but wondered how they were juggling the two, then listen to this episode of the podcast.
I’m talking to Lauren Widrick, who is a Side Hustle + Sales Expert. She helps people escape their soul-sucking corporate jobs by starting smart, sustainable side hustles. Lauren made the leap from Investment Banking to full-time entrepreneurship, and she’s got the process down to a science. Nearly 100 people have completed her Slay your Side Hustle program, which takes you from business concept to cashflow in 90 days. She also runs a Sales Swagger mastermind, so that your new business can become your sustainable, lucrative livelihood.
She’s the host of the Grab Life by the Goals podcast, a wife, mum to two daughters, a professionally trained coach, and proof that you can disrupt and expand in every area of your life.
We discuss:
- How a side hustle could help you transition from your corporate career
- Legal considerations if you are planning to set up a business alongside your job
- How a coach can benefit you as you build your side hustle
- A key mistake to avoid when you start a business
- How to know when you can quit your corporate role
Useful links
Get Lauren Widrick’s Freedom Fund Calculator and Side Hustle Playbook at laurenwidrick.com
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
I’m going to let you in on a secret: you don’t have to be a Seven Figure Business Owner to start thinking like a Seven Figure Business Owner.
You might have done a double take at that, and thought, ‘but Jessica, that gorgeous country house with a swimming pool isn’t going to buy itself’. Or, ‘it’s all very well for you to say that, I’m currently in the low six figures’.
I get it but this isn't about spending cash you haven't got yet. Getting to seven figures can sometimes feel like you have a mountain to climb. Some things you want might seem a long way off. One of the biggest hurdles you will face on the journey to seven figures is you.
This week on the podcast, I’m talking about getting acquainted with your Seven Figure Future Self and how that will help you build your business more easily.
I discuss:
- What really needs to change for you to achieve the lifestyle you want
- Dealing with overwhelm in your consultancy business - and what not to do
- A technique I use when dealing with negative self-talk
- How to use your future self to move you on when you are stuck
- What I do to make myself feel better when I feel wobbly in my business
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Do you love to surprise and delight people? Or would you like to, but don’t know how to go about it?
Some people are super good at buying presents for people, but for many of us, it can be fraught with uncertainty. What if they don’t like it? What if they think it’s weird to get a gift from me? Perhaps you are simply wondering what to send in the first place.
If you see other people giving (or receiving) gifts and wonder how the sender went about doing that, then this week’s podcast episode is for you. I’m talking to Evona Niewiadomska, founder of Gifting Made, about how to create revenue generating relationships in your business.
Gifting Made is a one of a kind, personalised and strategy-based business appreciation and gifting system, helping powerhouse women and business owners in real estate, business coaching, law and financial services to drive revenue, stay top of mind, and deepen connection in an ultra-meaningful way, turning clients into raving fans!
We discuss:
- The difference between transactional and personal relationships
- Creating the foundation of a relationship
- How to decide what kind of gift to send
- When gifts make an impact - and when they don’t
- Being intentional about gifting
Useful links
Get Evona’s Client Connection Checklist
Find out more about Gifting Made
Connect with Evona Niewiadomska on LinkedIn
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
You know when you go to your favourite cafe with your friends and just have a laugh and set the world to rights, wouldn’t it be great if business networking was like that?
Far too often, it’s a soulless room with people thrusting business cards at you and asking what you do. And then blatantly losing interest as soon as they discover you’re not their ideal client and moving on. You’re standing there in your best business outfit hoping for an interesting conversation. Instead, you’re listening to 60 second elevator pitches.
For a start, it’s not a fun way to spend your time. It’s also not a great experience for consultant women building 7 figure businesses. You’re not wondering how to get started. You’re not asking about how to get leads from Instagram, or where to find your first clients. Your business is working. You’re looking to talk to women on the same path as you.
My guest on the podcast this week is Meghann Conter, founder of The Dames, an international community that celebrates women running and leading 6 & 7-figure companies or divisions. If you’ve been wishing for a different kind of networking, you’re going to love our conversation.
We discuss:
- Creating connections while having fun
- How you can’t be what you can’t see and being willing to evolve and change
- Community building and collaboration with women who get it
- Being willing to follow a thread and see where it leads
- Thresholds you cross as you grow your business to 7 figures and beyond
Useful links
To attend a free experiential virtual event hosted by The Dames, register at https://thedames.co/roundtable*
Find out more about The Dames*
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
*These are affiliate links so I may get a small commission if you purchase through these links.
Do you get a slight feeling of panic and overwhelm when you look at your diary for the week ahead? You’ve got to do so much in a tight time frame. It feels as if your consulting business requires you to operate at 100% capacity all the time.
You’ve got to the place you really wanted to get to - your consulting business is taking off and you’re experiencing that level of success. But you have the urge to escape. You’re not feeling excited or fulfilled by what you’re doing.
What’s going on?
I’m talking about why you might be finding your consulting business so draining on the podcast this week.
I discuss:
- The stories we tell ourselves about what success looks like
- Why you need to look beyond time management
- Developing an alter ego to run your business
- The cost of doing activities which do not align with your personality
- Changes you can make to feel energised by your consulting business
Useful links
Take the Wealth Dynamics test for $97
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Are you reluctant to ask for help even though you are overstretched?
So often we can be reluctant to pass on the baton. Rather than thinking about the fact we’re not so keen on an aspect of running our business, or that bringing on additional team members is going to help us, we see it as cheating in some way.
At school if you had outsourced your homework or asked another child what the answer was during an exam, you would have been in big trouble. We carry that with us. Asking for help, or bringing in someone who excels in an area we do not, is not cheating in business. In fact, it’s the way to get ahead.
I’m talking about creating leverage in your consultancy business with Doug C. Brown on the podcast this week. Doug is CEO of Business Success Factors and international best-selling author of the book Win-Win Selling: Unlocking Your Power for Profitability by Resolving Objections. He is a nationally recognized sales revenue growth expert and consultant who has consulted with companies such as CBS Television, Intuit, and Proctor and Gamble. His proprietary system has generated over $500M in sales, and he helps companies optimize their sales process and increase their sales by over 850%.
We talk about:
- How we get conditioned to believe certain things about running a business
- Creating more with the same amount of energy
- Investing in your business
- Putting processes in place and optimising them to achieve more
- Linking the value of your work to the return for your client
Useful links
Get Doug’s Sales and Marketing Checklist
Find out more about Doug at https://businesssuccessfactors.com/
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
What do you think when people talk about ‘overthinking’? If you’re like me, you’ll be puzzled about why considering all the angles and focusing on the details is considered a bad thing.
When you run your own consulting business, even if it isn’t your name on the invoices, it’s your reputation, framework and processes people are getting. That matters and you want to be sure every client is getting the best experience. Whether you are delegating service delivery, or relying on team members to support you in other areas of the business, you will have thought through everything involved.
You will know how you want the work delivered. If it’s something you did before you reached capacity and brought someone in, you will have your own way of completing the task. It can be difficult to work with a team when you have effectively kept every aspect of your business in your head.
The result can be that you are still carrying the weight of all those tasks and decisions, despite not being the one delivering the work. Your team is not using their initiative, instead they are relying on you.
In this week’s episode of the podcast, I am talking about being an overthinker surrounded by underthinkers and how this can affect your team dynamics and your ability to switch off.
I talk about:
- What’s going on if your team needs you to tell them what to do all day
- Carrying the mental load in your business
- How this negatively impacts the running of your business
- Making it easier for team members to follow your processes
- Motivating your team members to achieve more
Useful links
Annalisa Barbieri’s article in The Guardian
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Do you talk down your desires? You’ve built your business to a comfortable level and you know you want to do more, but it feels greedy somehow. You’d like more time, more fun, and a 7 Figure consultancy to make that happen without feeling like you have to work long hours speaking to clients all day, every day.
You have a vision of what your life could be like. How do you bring more of yourself into what you do while enabling your business to run without you?
This week on the podcast, I am talking to Shayla Boyd-Gill about how to luxe your business. If you would love to bring more of your life and the things you love into your business and create an experience for your clients which makes a bigger impact, this conversation is for you.
Shayla went from bankruptcy to a multiple six-figure business. Now she is a Family Freedom and Affluence Mentor and creator of the Luxe Your BusinessTM Sales System and a sales strategist who shows women entrepreneurs how to have it all – family, freedom, and affluence – while doing what they love. She juggles being an entrepreneur with being a wife and mum of six homeschooled children.
She teaches her clients - service-based businesses - to restructure their businesses and lives by boosting their high-ticket sales so they can make more money in less time without a heavy client load.
We talk about:
- Creating the life you want
- Taking your laptop on trips away
- The messy middle of building your business to 7 Figures
- Making a bigger impact with your business
- Being strategic and knowing what to focus your time on
Useful links
Get Shayla Boyd-Gill’s Sales Discovery Call Workbook
Find out more about Shayla at https://shaylaboydgill.com/
Follow Shayla on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and LinkedIn
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Many of the women I speak to come to the topic of building a team from a really negative place. There are lots of reasons for that but if you have aspirations to grow past 7 figures, you are going to be working with a team.
Often we are thrown into leadership situations without any preparation or experience. As you transition from a solo consultant to a CEO your leadership style and performance will be something you intentionally work on.
But how do you know who to recruit? Who is going to be a good fit for your consultancy?
In this week’s episode I am sharing two questions about building a team that have been blowing my clients’ minds this quarter.
I talk about:
- Learning to build a team
- Limiting beliefs around recruiting for your small business
- Identifying what you need to bring other people in to do for you
- What you need from your team at different stages of your business
- Enabling your team to be more productive
This is episode 100 of the podcast! Thank you for listening. I am super excited for our NEXT 100 episodes as I feel like we are only really just scratching the surface of what it takes to get to Seven Figures as a Woman Consultant.
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Some things in business we are led to believe are ‘the way’ to get results. One of those is writing sales copy where you focus on your clients’ pain points. You think about what’s keeping them up at night and then you emphasise that negative and present your solution.
One of the things my clients say most often when we talk about copywriting and marketing is, I've seen it done this way and I don't want to do that. Do you feel like that too? That go for the jugular, masculine style of hitting people where it hurts just doesn’t sit well with you.
There is an alternative. You can write sales copy which feels positive and supportive and still sells your services.
My guest on the podcast this week is best-selling, award-winning fiction and nonfiction author Michele PW. She is the author of 5 books in the "Love-Based Business" series that share how to sell more with love and build a solid, profitable business on a foundation of love. In addition, she owns a copywriting and marketing company that has sold nearly $50M worth of products and services.
We talk about:
- Tapping into love-based emotions in copywriting instead of fear-based
- How to acknowledge your client’s situation in your sales copy without twisting the knife
- Using your clients’ words to create connection
- Buying and selling from a place of emotion
- How to get people to act
Useful links
Get your copy of Michele’s love-based copywriting template
Find out more about Michele at MichelePW.com
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Are you wondering what it’s really like to run a Seven Figure business? Are you also asking yourself whether it’s possible to do that at the same time as having other commitments and interests outside work?
Reaching Seven Figures can feel like a mountain top. It’s up there, in front of you, something to be conquered. You might picture yourself always working, or completely the opposite, off enjoying yourself leaving your team in charge of the day to day.
To give you a realistic picture of what it’s truly like to run a Seven Figure business, this week on the podcast I’m talking to Paige Goss who has grown her company to over 10+ million in revenue in 4 short years.
Paige is founder and CEO of Point Solutions Group, a technology and engineering professional services firm based in Denver, Colorado. She started the firm in 2017, while her wife was pregnant with twins! She also invests in and advises multiple women-owned and lead firms. She is co-founder of Precursa, a SaaS platform. And she goes snowboarding in her spare time.
Paige shares what it’s really like to grow a Seven Figure business and how in her words, ‘that’s when the fun starts’.
We talk about:
- Her journey to Seven Figures
- Starting a business at the same time as starting a family
- Dealing with negative self-talk
- How your identity changes as your business grows
- Challenging people’s expectations of you
Useful links
Paige Goss’s LinkedIn Profile
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Scarcity can be all around us. Just read your news app and you usually get a huge dose of scarcity to get you going in the morning. At the moment the UK papers are all full of stories about the petrol shortages - that’s gas for my friends in the US. They’re also warning us that there’ll be no food in the supermarkets this Christmas.
But scarcity isn’t something that only exists in the media. It’s instilled in us as children and we can create it for ourselves. Sometimes this is obvious. Every time we tell ourselves a client won’t pay for our services, or decide that we will carry on doing tasks which should really be outsourced, that’s scarcity in action. But it also hides in unlikely places.
Tackling scarcity is important for personal and business growth. If you can spot everyday scarcity, you will enable yourself to create the life you want more easily because these roadblocks will not be in your way. This is a key issue for women consultants whatever stage of business you’re at.
This week on the podcast I’m sharing how you can break the rules that make us think life and business have to be hard.
I talk about:
- Examples of how we hide scarcity in different places in our lives
- The internal rules we create for ourselves
- What we need to do to support a growth mindset
- Focusing on what is really important
- Empowering yourself to act in your best interests
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn is a platform that can feel a bit like Marmite.
I've known many women who say, I posted a couple of times, and no one commented or liked what I wrote. I felt like a loser. So I gave up and I hate LinkedIn because it doesn't work. However, I know from my own experience that LinkedIn can be incredibly effective for building your business. I became a LinkedIn Top Voice in 2019 and it’s been an amazing experience.
But before that happened, I was using LinkedIn effectively to build relationships. Do you want to know how you can post for engagement on LinkedIn and build and leverage your network? Then listen to this week’s episode. I am talking to Donna Serdula who pioneered the concept of LinkedIn profile optimisation.
Donna realised early on that the LinkedIn profile was so much more than just an online resume. She created her own methodology for how to use the platform in a manner that really provided results for the investment of time and energy. Donna and her team of over 40 writers have helped thousands of executives, entrepreneurs, sales stars, business leaders, and professionals from around the world create professionally branded LinkedIn profiles. She is the founder of Vision Board Media and LinkedIn-Makeover.com, and wrote “LinkedIn Profile Optimization For Dummies,” published by Wiley.
We talk about:
- Deciding what you want to get out of LinkedIn
- Where to start with LinkedIn (it’s not what you might think)
- How to become part of the community
- What LinkedIn is looking for from you
- Building a network: when to follow and when to invite people to connect
- How to start conversations and building relationships
Useful links
Access Donna Serdula’s LinkedIn Headline Generator
Donna’s LinkedIn profile
Visit LinkedIn-Makeover.com
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Did you know that a business can have up to 50 employees and still be considered a small business? Or that a small business is defined as having a turnover of less than $50 million?
When you think about how ‘big’ a small business can be, it puts quite a different lens on what for many women consultants can seem a lofty dream - reaching Seven Figures.
So much of the online business world is geared around getting to Six Figures. But it all gets a bit vague after that. There’s not much information out there about hitting your first $1 million and beyond.
That’s why in this week’s podcast episode, I wanted to lift the lid on what changes when you hit Seven Figures in your consulting business. It’s important to be able to visualise the next chapter in your business if you’re going to make it happen.
I discuss:
- What you will need from your team
- Having more visibility as CEO
- Keeping control of cash flow
- How we are all a bit weird about money
- Your identity as a Seven Figure business owner
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Many women consultants find they have created a business which exactly replicates all of the things they didn’t enjoy when they worked in corporate.
They might have left saying, ‘I will never...’ but fast forward a year or more later and there they are. They were going to create a freedom lifestyle, instead, they are working long hours.
Often as high achieving women, we have got where we are by pushing ourselves really hard. We continue to do that in our consultancy businesses. And we can be the worst boss we have ever had. Not just working late, but forcing ourselves to overwork, not letting ourselves have time off, giving ourselves short deadlines, and expecting perfection.
You might think work is always like this and the anxiety that goes with it is just the way it is. If this resonates then this episode is for you.
My guest is Dr Susan Bernstein, who cultivates cultures of happy high achievers. She teaches individuals and organizations to craft their work and workplaces to be full of joy and fulfillment that ripples out to everyone.
We talk about:
- The stigma around anxiety
- Repeating patterns from corporate that you wanted to let go of
- The signs of burnout
- Identifying your unmet needs
- Practical steps you can take if you have corporate baggage
Useful links
Susan Bernstein’s website
Follow Susan on LinkedIn
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
We are so often rushing to keep up with ourselves. There are constant demands on our time, from our clients, our own business, and other people in our life. Plus we want time to exercise, see friends and actually take a break. We’re supposed to get plenty of sleep too! How on earth do you fit it all in?
In today’s episode of the podcast, I am talking about estimating time. I am the friend who is always running 10 minutes late, and I know from conversations with some of you that estimating time is an issue that resonates for you too.
Estimating time is such an important aspect of running your business. It enables you to know whether you can take on that client, or whether you can take that day off. It can also signal that you might need to make changes in your business.
This is my first solo episode for a while. I’ve missed sitting down for my usual weekly slot with you.
I talk about:
- Personality types and how these can help you see where your strengths lie
- How we often try to fit in with other people’s way of doing things
- The impact on ourselves of being productive all the time
- What the smallest unit of time in your day should be
- How your time management might be sign it’s time to grow your team
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
When you think about talks you have watched or listened to, which ones stick in your mind? Did the speaker tell you a story? It might have been about them, about someone they worked with, something they saw, or they might have used a story to get you to think about how you respond to a situation.
Whether you do public speaking all the time, or you’re summing up the courage to give it a go, storytelling helps you put together a compelling talk. You don’t just want to speak to your audience, you want to deliver a message which resonates with them. And ideally, one that has them keen to find out how they can work with you.
How do you go about doing that? And how do you handle your nerves? Perhaps there is something you want to share but you think you can’t.
My guest on the podcast this week is speaking coach and storytelling expert Johanna Walker. We talk about being an introvert and how that doesn’t stop you from speaking. We also discuss other reasons why you might not be sharing your voice. There is something in here for everyone, even if you don’t think you will ever stand on a stage.
Johanna is a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, she’s presented for corporations, non-profits, start-ups, community organizations, and the TEDx stage, helping audiences develop authentic presence as speakers, find the ideas they want to be known for, and craft those ideas into compelling presentations that attract clients and make bigger impact.
She’s also the founder of Craft Your Talk, a transformational speaker coaching program for emerging speakers, and The Speaker’s Playground, an unconventional training program where entrepreneurs and community leaders become confident and memorable speakers.
We talk about:
- Being a quiet person
- The different spaces we inhabit and how we show up in those
- The power of telling your story
- Public speaking and whether it’s for you
- Re-writing stories about fear
- How to put together a compelling talk
Useful links
To find out more about Johanna Walker, visit her website https://www.johannawalker.com/
Get Johanna’s free PDF How To Tell Stories That Attract More Clients & Make Bigger Impact www.johannawalker.com/betterstories
Follow Johanna Walker on LinkedIn and Instagram
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Do you ever stop to take stock of how your life has changed? If you could go back and speak to 21-year-old you about her dreams, what would she think of your life now? What would she celebrate? What things would she tick off as done?
Our lives change constantly and often without us realising. We look at ourselves and find we have evolved. Perhaps you are taking on bigger contracts, are attracting clients who are more suited to you, or have found new joy in your leisure time.
How has your view of yourself changed? And who do you want people to see? This is all part of stepping into the next level version of yourself and it’s a journey we go on as entrepreneurs. We always think, ‘it's my business that needs to grow’. But actually, it's you who needs to grow first.
I am talking about this transformation and personal growth with portrait photographer Carrie Roseman on the podcast this week. Carrie is known as ‘The Posemaster’ and she is a photogenic coach. She works with clients who are on a personal growth journey and creates legacy artwork for their walls and their brands.
If you haven’t had a brand photo shoot yet, or not had one for a while, you will find out a lot about what happens during one. Regardless of whether you are considering getting photos of yourself taken, this is a wonderful discussion about how we see ourselves and our personal growth.
We talk about:
- What pose means and some of the things you can do during a photo shoot
- Capturing your brand in your photos
- How you want to be perceived
- What draws people to us
- Valuing yourself
Useful links
Get Carrie’s 5 Confidence Boosts here
Follow Carrie Roseman on Facebook and Instagram
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Do you feel you’re being pushed outside your comfort zone as you grow your business? Perhaps you’re following someone’s formula and that means doing an activity you find really uncomfortable. It might even be giving you sleepless nights.
I talk a lot about growth on this podcast. When things grow, it’s because they have the optimum conditions available to them. They’re in the right place, with the right resources and they’re able to take that energy and use it to bloom.
It’s the same for you and your business. It’s hard to grow if you’re trying to be someone you’re not. It’s hard to grow if you’re on a path that doesn’t suit you, or you’re doing something you don’t believe in.
Looking at where you thrive and what works for you is vital to building a seven figure business on your terms. When my guest this week, Lisa Dadd, came up with the title for this week’s episode I knew we had to share this conversation. It’s all about soul sales and the missed potential of growth inside your comfort zone.
Lisa specialises in teaching non-sales people how to sell. She spent 15 years working in corporate healthcare before becoming an independent consultant. Leveraging a diagnostic tool called Soul Language, Lisa now works with innovative leaders to integrate an awareness of who they are at their core, into the way they do business.
We talk about:
- How women shift to fit into a corporate environment
- Revealing who you are and how to work with your energy
- What Soul Language is and how it can help you
- Growing in conditions where you will flourish
- Listening to our feelings and evaluating them
Useful links
Book a Soul Language Sales Consultation with Lisa Dadd
Email Lisa Dadd at lisa@lisadadd.com
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On a scale of 1 to 5, how much joy is there in your working life? We have this idea of business as being grey and serious, don’t we? When you worked in corporate, there was an expectation of what your day looked like, how you would behave, what work would be like. And now you sell to corporates, you’re probably still following those same rules.
We get told all the way through school that we need to knuckle down and work hard. That narrative stays with us, doesn’t it? It’s almost as if we have this rule that says if something is enjoyable, that’s a hobby or not a ‘real’ business but if something makes money, that involves hard work.
And yet, when you run your own business, you are choosing what that looks like. You decide what your services are, who your clients are, what hours you work, how you make sales.
My guests on the podcast this week are M. Shannon Hernandez and Amy Hager who are both all about that joy in life and business. They are known around the globe for the Joyful Marketing Methodology. They work with online coaches and consultants, teaching them how to grow a highly profitable business that includes abundant time off.
We talk about:
- How we often think our business needs to be hard work
- Shifting your business model to create time, money and energy
- Why we don’t allow ourselves joy and how to start bringing it into your business
- What you’re doing with your time outside your business
- What joy is
Useful links
Join the Marketing and Selling For Coaches and Consultants Facebook Group
Get the Business Expansion Scorecard
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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Do you want to speak in front of more audiences? Podcasts enable you to share your expertise and have great conversations which raise your visibility - all from the comfort of your own home.
Whether you are yearning to start your own podcast, or are wondering how to become and guest on other people’s and what you need to do, this episode will give you lots of tips.
I am speaking to Jessica Rhodes, the leading expert on how to leverage podcast guesting for increased brand awareness, more leads and higher profits. She created the podcast booking industry in 2013 when she founded Interview Connections, the first and leading agency of its kind.
Imagine spotting that opportunity! We talk about getting in front of the curve with business ideas too! But primarily, we’re talking about everything you need to know about making use of podcasts - including attracting corporate clients.
We discuss:
- How podcasts enable women to speak without travelling
- How you never know who is listening to a podcast interview with you
- What podcast listeners are looking for
- Starting your own podcast v. being a guest
- Whether to start small or head for the big name podcasts
- How to make your own podcast run smoothly
Useful links
Find out more about Jessica Rhodes at https://interviewconnections.com/
Listen to Monetize The Mic at https://interviewconnections.com/podcast
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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Have you ever hosted a webinar? I hear all sorts of comments from women about why webinars will not work for their business. And lots of misconceptions about what a ‘successful’ webinar looks like.
And I get it. I am the classic introvert entrepreneur - when I first heard about webinars, I thought there is no way I am doing that. But now, they are a key part of my marketing strategy. And they could be part of yours. Yes, webinars can work for consultants serving corporate clients!
To tell you all about how you can be making use of webinars, I invited Webinar Queen DeKesha Williams onto the podcast this week. DeKesha is CEO of Vizions Consulting, which helps small business owners who struggle with growing their list, building a tribe and making money online using webinars to launch their signature offer to the masses.
DeKesha answered a lot of questions around every aspect of running webinars. This is a packed episode!
We talk about:
- How webinars fit into the buyer’s journey
- Making use of your training material to showcase your expertise
- Whether to use online business selling techniques or have a different approach for corporate clients
- Elements you need to include in your webinar
- How to make sure decision makers watch your webinar
- The biggest thing standing in your way
Useful links
Get DeKesha Williams’ free webinar checklist www.thewebinarchecklist.com
Connect with DeKesha on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dekesha and tell her what your biggest ‘aha’ from this episode was
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What do you hear people saying they struggle with that you find really easy? Or things people look at in wonder that you think are ordinary because you’ve been accomplished at them from an early age? Often, we don’t realise that the things we’re naturally good at can be hard for other people. When you are naturally good at something it is very easy to minimize that. You tell yourself, ‘everyone can do that, that's not a thing. That's not something that people pay money for’. I speak to women who do this all the time. You have talents you might be keeping hidden, or that you do not realise are valuable to others. My guest on the podcast this week is Debra Sunderland who is on a mission to awaken people’s genius. Debra challenges leaders by inviting them to create a collaborative, vibrant, responsible, and joy-filled culture, which fosters highly desirable results.
We talk about:
- Life being play even when you’re at work
- Not seeing your greatness because it’s easy for you
- How being an entrepreneur involves learning to be unsafe
- Sitting with discomfort
- Our capacity to create
Useful links
Find out more about Debra Sunderland at www.sunderlandcoaching.com
Download Debra’s free guide “How To Accomplish More With Less Stress” https://www.sunderlandcoaching.com/free-guide
Take Debra’s quiz on stepping into your genius at beyonddoingquiz.com
Debra has a discount for Seven Figure Consultant Podcast listeners of 3 hours of coaching for $998. Email Debra at debra@sunderlandcoaching.com
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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We are hard wired for storytelling. We learn through stories and we teach our children through them. That doesn’t stop when we are adults, or become business owners. Our stories influence our brands and the messages we send out about what we do and our values. One of the issues so many people struggle with is figuring out ‘who’ is the business and how much of themselves to put into it. This is where brand archetypes come in. They help you define your brand so it stands out and attracts the right people. To find out more about this, I spoke to branding expert Stephanie Gunther on the podcast this week. Stephanie is on a mission to educate her clients on the sheer power of implementing and strengthening the many facets of branding: from the visual look to the brand messaging to the personality of a company and the people in it. She is President and CEO at Wax Creek Inc and takes already successful individuals and companies to a totally new level by developing a unique, memorable and shareable brand.
We talk about:
- How comparing yourself to others leads you to move away from yourself
- Whether it’s better to market based on your uniqueness or go with a formula
- Using archetypes to create a story your clients will love
- How to start creating a brand
- Having the confidence to niche and the difference it makes to your brand
Useful links
Find out more about Stephanie Gunther at Wax Creek.
Follow Wax Creek on Facebook
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How do you feel about the cash flow in your business? Is there more going out than coming in? Are you actually paying yourself a salary you feel happy with? You’re working hard, you’re bringing money into your consulting business, and you want to be able to use that cash. You started your business for financial freedom as well as to build the lifestyle you want and get results for your clients.
But when you have revenue coming into the business, but not in the quantity as money is flowing out, that cash flow problem is really hard to face. Balancing those two things is a challenge for so many of the women that I speak to.
The good news is that you can get to grips with your cash flow and sort this out. My guest on the podcast this week is Connie Vanderzanden who makes numbers easy for people by seeing a different way of how cash flows through your business and creating a different relationship with money.
She is on a mission to help entrepreneurs live the lifestyles they desire by learning the simple steps, structure, and discipline to create and save money. With 35 years of accounting and bookkeeping experience, a variety of industry knowledge, and her own real-life business growth journey since 2001, Connie developed the Going Beyond Revenue Cash Handling System, focusing on cash flow planning that creates profitable and sustainable businesses.
We talk about:
- Being a spender
- Getting stuck in a shoestring mindset
- Spotting money holes in your business
- Rethinking your relationship with money
- How a profitable business benefits your lifestyle
Useful links
For money action tips including Three Steps to Increase the Profit in Your Business and a free 30 minute chat with Connie Vanderzanden go to www.moneyactiontips.com
Follow Connie on LinkedIn or Instagram
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What do you bring to the table that nobody else does? When you start a business it’s so easy to try to fit in. You can find yourself effectively saying, ‘tell me who you want me to be and I’ll do it’.
But there’s a reason why you didn’t fit into the corporate box. You have an energy and a sparkle that you bring to your work. You do things in a way other people don’t. Maybe you see things differently, or you have your own framework.
What you bring to your business, audience and clients is your magic and I see so many women consultants who hide this away. They don’t want people to discover the real them. But when you uncover her and let her shine, that’s when magic really does happen for your business and your clients.
This week on the podcast, I’m talking to Michelle McGlade who believes success is an inside out game and leadership of self is the key to building teams and unlocking your next level growth in business and life. Michelle is an award-winning CEO, best-selling author, speaker and podcast host.
We talk about:
- How we hide behind our brands
- Feeling stuck and knowing there is something bigger for you
- Holding back what we think and how we’re feeling
- Recreating what you didn’t like about your corporate career in your business
- The vulnerability involved in self-growth
Useful links
Take the Unhide Your Magic Quiz
Find out more about Michelle McGlade on her website
Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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Do you dream of a different life? Perhaps you want to live in another country, or build a business which allows you to have lots flexibility to enjoy yourself. So many discussions around building a seven-figure business are focused on the balance sheet, and doing the work. But you didn’t start your consulting business to work around the clock and never see your friends or family. Maybe you had a bigger dream. Maybe it’s a dream you are thinking will always be a dream.
This week on the podcast, I’m talking to Sumeena Gupta who took a sabbatical after 10 years working in the City and went travelling with her husband. They ended up building a new life for themselves in Indonesia and a seven-figure business. I met Sumeena at an online retreat last year and when we were chatting we realised we are from adjacent towns in north London.
Sumeena has built multiple successful hospitality businesses over the last 15 years and now works with women as a business mentor. She helps women build businesses that allow them to have freedom, impact and build wealth, with the ultimate result of generational change. She's on a mission to be part of the change she wants to see in this world!
We talk about:
- The lack of role models for women of colour
- Building an alternative lifestyle
- Creating a seven-figure lifestyle business
- Breaking free from other people’s expectations and not asking for permission
- Being a role model for your children
Useful links
Join Sumeena’s Facebook group Womxn who Business
Find out more about Sumeena on her website
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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Are you growing your business accidentally or intentionally?
Sometimes we can feel more comfortable with ‘accidentally’ doing it. That champagne moment when you land a contract which makes a significant change to your bottom line without purposefully seeking it.
Intentionally growing your business is when you work towards a big picture you have in your mind.
But I see so many women who do this: you might have a goal in mind but you shy away from writing it down, or telling it to anyone.
And then when you do talk to someone about it, or you start to think about that goal, you find yourself saying, ‘but I suppose I have to be realistic…’ And you make it smaller.
If you have found yourself setting a goal and then dialling down your expectations of what is possible, then this episode is for you. I am talking about the limiting power of ‘realism’ in your consulting business.
I discuss:
- The power that comes from speaking our intentions
- Creating supportive close relationships
- What you need to do to hit your financial goals
- The first conversation I often have with my clients
- Telling ourselves we can’t - when actually, we can
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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Have you got more money in your bank account than you have ever had before? Or are you predicting that this is going to happen in your consulting business soon? Do you know what you are going to do with it? I don’t mean going on a shopping spree or buying a dream property, but how you will manage that wealth. A sudden change in fortune can be destabilising. What can feel like a piece of the puzzle slotting into place can open up a new section of the board as you take decisions you haven’t had to make before.
Wealth brings new decisions and you might find it difficult to talk about those with friends and family who are not in your position. There's also such a cultural discomfort with women and wealth.
My guest on the podcast this week is Kaitlyn Carlson, who is President and Founder of Theory Planning Partners, a boutique wealth management firm for women in business.
We talk about:
- The cultural discomfort around women and wealth
- Managing quantities of money you may not have experienced before
- Options your business gives you for building wealth
- Developing a wealth mindset
- What you need to do if your financial situation has changed
Useful links
Find out more about Kaitlyn at Theory Planning Partners and book a free 30 minute call.
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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Do you long for a freedom lifestyle instead of your business replicating the chaotic weekly schedule you left behind in corporate?
You’re stuck on the hamster wheel. You tell yourself that busy is good, it shows you’re being productive. But are you spending your time working on the right things?
If you are a regular listener of the show you might have been surprised to see the title of this episode because one of the things I almost always say is that I don’t really believe in time management. That’s still the case.
This week on the podcast I am talking about time management now you’re the CEO, and it’s not about using the Pomodoro Technique or any other systems you might have heard about to get more done in your day.
I talk about:
- Why you need to embrace leadership to grow your business
- Feeling uncomfortable about having a team
- The only 4 things that CEOs should spend time on
- Setting up your business to run without you
- Rethinking the way you do your schedule
Useful links
Get instant access to Jessica’s free workshop Stop Overworking and Make More Money
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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You know those days when you wake up knowing exactly what you’re going to do in your business and you start working and you just don’t have the energy.
You feel flat. You know what you should be doing but no matter how much you berate yourself for not getting on with what’s on your task list, work is slow. You don’t feel like this is what’s right for you. Your body is saying no, while your head is saying, ‘you had a plan! A timetable! Get on with it!’
And then there are times when you get a really good feeling about doing something but your logical brain isn’t so sure. You know, your heart or gut says go for it but your mind says, ‘no’ or ‘wait’.
What is happening here? Why do we go off course? Well you might not be. You’re trying to do things while ignoring your energy. This week on the podcast, I am talking to Amber Annette, a soul-powered life and business coach, dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs do what sets their soul on fire.
We talk about:
- Tracking your energy and spotting patterns
- Using the elements of air, earth, water, and fire
- Knowing when you’re in the right phase for different activities
- Allowing yourself to rest when your body tells you to
Useful links
Find out more about Amber Annette at amberannette.com
Watch Amber’s masterclass on Business Magic with the Elements
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As you start to charge more for your services or when you deliver larger projects and contracts for higher profile clients, something unexpected happens.
Actually, several things. But the one I’m talking about today is that you can find your boundaries are tested. You might have various rules that you stick to like no work after 6pm or no replying to emails at the weekend. But then you get a gig that has you jumping around the room with joy and when you get an email on a Saturday about it, you find yourself replying. After all, it’s a big client, you want to show them you’re on it.
Suddenly, you find you’re working on the weekend, because it’s never just replying to one email is it?
Your boundaries are an important part of your business, not just for you but for your clients. In this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about honouring your boundaries as your business grows.
I talk about:
- When you get a gig that takes you to a new level in your business
- Getting comfortable with your prices
- What drives you to overdeliver
- What to do if you’re tempted to drop a boundary
Useful links
Come along to my free workshop on How To Handle Fast Growth In Your Consulting Business on Tuesday, May 25 at 4pm UK (11am EST, 8am PST).
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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When you set up a consulting business it’s often just you delivering the work at the start. But if you want to sell it or make it less reliant on you being present every day, you need something other than your expertise to sell.
Whether you plan to exit by selling your business or not, it’s really good to understand what makes for a good sales proposition. This changes everything about how you approach your business.
You might be thinking, ‘but there’s only me, I don’t have anything else to offer’. My guest on the podcast this week is Erin Austin, who is a lawyer and consultant using her experience in big law and corporations to help consultants identify the hidden assets in their business.
She shares strategies to decouple your time from your income and how to plan for when a potential acquirer comes calling.
We talk about:
- Using our businesses to generate wealth
- Where the ‘Rembrandts in the attic’ are in your business
- What happens when you get fully booked
- Developing your process and creating a system
- Licensing your framework
Useful links
Find out more about Erin and get the free download "Is There A Rembrandt In Your Attic?" at https://thinkbeyondip.com
Erin’s 8 Strategies To Decouple Your Time And From Your Income - Download here
Erin’s Due Diligence Readiness Checklist - Download here
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What does your desk look like? Super tidy? Key things out but generally clutter free? Or paper everywhere?
No, this isn’t an episode about how a tidy desk means you are super organised and set for success. It’s about people’s perceptions of us and focusing on what matters. As you’ll hear, it’s inspired by a conversation I had with a business friend and I realised it had quite a few business lessons I’m going to share with you.
You’ll have guessed from the title that I have a messy desk and in this episode I share why.
I talk about:
- How trying to save money costs a lot of time and might mean you never reach your goal
- How believing you ‘should’ do something means it’s the last thing you want to do
- Focusing on what’s really important in your business and life
- My biggest frustration with social media
- Letting go of perfectionism
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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Abundance can be a loaded word for lots of us. Life doesn’t always feel abundant.
We can grow up full of fear, convinced the world is a hostile place and that we are going to have to fight hard to make something of ourselves.
This week on the podcast I am talking about stepping into abundance after a client got in touch with me following Episode 71 when I discussed what to do if your client is stuck in scarcity. She asked, ‘how do I know if I’m stepping into abundance, or just making really reckless financial decisions in my business?’
It’s such a great question and this is the conversation we’re having this week.
I discuss:
- Our understanding of abundance
- Making key decisions in life and business
- Beliefs around the choices we make
- The emotional baggage other people’s responses can create
- The scarcity women bring to the first years of their businesses
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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When you step into the role of being the CEO of your consulting business, you need a team you can trust to make everything run smoothly.
That brings with it a whole lot of questions and mindset issues as you let go of parts of your business and ask other people to step in.
Whether you have started hiring a team, have hired and then had second thoughts, or you know you need one but don’t know where to start, this episode is for you.
I am talking to Lauren Goldstein, who is referred to by her clients as “The Business Doctor”. She is founder and CEO of the award-winning and globally recognized boutique business strategy consulting firm, Golden Key Partnership.
As a trusted advisor to CEOs of some of the fastest growing businesses for over 10 years, Lauren has helped owners go from business operators to business owners. In doing this, these owners find they have more time and freedom, are able to create more profitability, enjoy their businesses again, and have a bigger impact with their customers.
Golden Key Partnership helps businesses get off the hire/fire cycle, helps teams work more cohesively and efficiently for maximum impact, and tunes up operations to consistently and predictably raise the bottom line of the business.
We talk about:
- Stumbling blocks when you’re building a team
- How to know when you can afford to hire
- What you need to look for when you are hiring somebody
- What to do if you haven’t hired the right people
- Looking after your team while freeing yourself up to be the CEO
Useful links
Lauren’s free resources to gain clarity in your business
The Wealth Dynamics test - Get 10% off using the code 7figurepodcast
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When you first start your consulting business, some things seem so hard. You’re busting a gut to sell to lots of clients. You have all the mindset issues you haven’t worked out yet. And you think 6 or 7 figures will never ever happen.
Business growth doesn’t have to be a painful process.
It can often reveal the personal development we need to do on the journey to become the version of ourselves we want and aspire to be.
This week on the podcast I am talking about uplevelling your business without the growing pains and sharing how you can approach challenges in a different way.
I discuss:
- How we have different types of energy
- Situations in which we thrive
- Working in a way which makes uplevelling feel easier
- How doing things differently led to more sales in my business
- Stepping into who you really are
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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Are you talking to someone who is not sure they can afford to work with you? Or do you have a client who you’re talking about next steps with, and the investment involved, but they are holding back?
You know you can help them. You know they need to make the leap. But you suspect they are stuck in scarcity, the fear that the things we need or want will run out, that others will be critical or hostile towards us, and the fear that everyone out there is just waiting to shoot us down.
It’s frustrating. This week on the podcast I am talking about what you do when you’re talking to a client or a prospective client, and you sense they are stuck in scarcity.
I discuss:
- How people can be at a different level of abundance
- The disconnect that can happen when a scarcity mindset and an abundance mindset meet
- Building resilience in business
- How developing client relationships is like dating
- Options for how you respond to your client’s mindset
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
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As a woman consultant, one of the hurdles you face is showing up as the expert. You want to show your authority and captivate the room but at the same time you are probably thinking that you don’t want to come across as too dominant.
Perhaps you were always told that children are seen and not heard and that message about blending into the background has stayed with you. Or maybe you always found that when you said an idea in your corporate life it was ignored, but when a man said something similar a short while later, it was picked up.
This week on the podcast my guest is Tracy Goodwin, an internationally known voice command coach and voice analyst. She helps successful professionals and entrepreneurs unleash their greatest asset, their real voice so they can command a presence, captivate their listeners, and make a bigger impact with their message.
Through her business Captivate the Room, Tracy has served thousands of celebrities, thought leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and state supreme court justices over the last 30 plus years with her signature methodology, the Psychology of the Voice™.
We talk about:
- Finding your true calling
- What happens when you people please
- The lies your subconscious tells you which hold you back
- The power of your voice
- Maximising the best version of you
Useful links
Get Tracy’s free video course
Connect with Tracy on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
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If you’ve spent time in a corporate workplace you will know that leadership and management are not the same. Woe betide the team who end up with a manager when what they really need is a leader!
Being the CEO of your consulting business is probably one of the biggest personal development journeys you will ever go on.
We can often feel like we’re at the mercy of our businesses. It seems as if the workload just happens to us. When it’s out of control we tell ourselves we need to keep saying yes to the high volume of low paid work that comes our way because we’re in that place of scarcity when it comes to the money flowing into the business.
But when you are the CEO of your consulting business, everything you end up doing comes down to what you are choosing to say yes to. You don’t want to manage the status quo and put up with high volume, low paid work. You want to be a leader - someone who sees a solution where you don’t just settle for what’s in front of you, you aspire to something better.
This week on the podcast I am talking about leadership and decision-making now you’re the CEO.
I talk about:
- Whether you are being the manager or the leader in your business
- Your most powerful tool as a leader
- How to make positive decisions
- Accepting that you will get things wrong
- Why we change course in our businesses
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business.
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You might have read the title of this episode with a slight look of panic. I’m asking this question, ‘are you the best’ because underneath the surface, we’re not always clear on this very simple issue.
Am I the best?
Can I really help people?
Do I deserve to be here?
What about my competitors?
I am discussing these questions and more on the podcast this week. They highlight a really fascinating paradox that is often true for high achieving women like us.
I talk about:
- Having confidence in your abilities
- Collaboration over competition and how this can lead to opportunities
- Lining your business up to your level of expertise
- Having a vision for how your business will be
- What you need to focus on to realise that vision
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
How do you know if trauma is getting in the way of your business and who do you turn to for help?
Trauma can come in many forms. You might be acutely aware of it, or it might be in the background. Sometimes trauma can surface, seemingly out of the blue, after being buried for a long time.
This week my guest on the podcast is Kelly Sullivan Ruta. She is a sought-after CEO Development Strategist who brings a unique combination of 26 years of formal education, training, and expertise as a clinical psychotherapist to the entrepreneurial table.
Kelly combines several theories and applications of psychology, clinical social work, neuroplasticity, and the ability to safely navigate trauma to help transform CEOs and business owners from being the bottlenecks in their scaling efforts to confident leaders and change agents in their industries.
We talk about:
- The differences and boundaries between coaching, mentoring, psychotherapy, mindset, and strategic CEO development
- How scaling a business to multi six figures and beyond is the greatest personal development challenge of your life
- How challenges in business can re-trigger trauma
- The impact of trauma on your system
- Not feeling ashamed to ask for help with trauma
Useful links
Connect with Kelly Ruta on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Sometimes when you’re running your consultancy business, it feels like you’re in the plane with your parachute on. Will you jump?
You will yourself on to succeed, even though you are tired, even though your body is saying ‘no’, and you tell yourself you must do this. You might have had a tiger mom figure in your life who pushed you to that point. But all too often - you are the tiger mom, and you want to do everything through fear and force. Then we wonder why we feel so stressed and unhappy!
It doesn’t have to be this way. You can still achieve your ambitions without throwing yourself out of the plane before you are ready and hoping you have a good landing.
This week on the podcast I am talking about pushing ourselves to succeed and how you can grow your business in a way that works for you.
I talk about:
- Managing your energy as you build your business
- How your ambition can make a real impact in the world
- When your business demands more from you than you have to give
- What happens when your inner voice is tired of being ignored
- Understanding who you really are as a person
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business.
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Are you working hard in your business, giving out and helping others, but it feels like you’re not making back an amount of money that adequately compensates you?
It’s a classic scenario that women in all walks of life end up in. You’re stuck in resentment because you’re serving this huge audience but you, the shoemaker, are going barefoot, and it becomes a negative cycle of resentment and negative emotions and aspirations.
The classic entrepreneur business model is to have a standard product or course that you mass market to a huge audience.
But you want your business to be built around value, not volume.
This week on the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I am discussing when your audience and your income don’t match up.
I talk about:
- Being known as an expert but that not translating into income
- Feeling powerless about your situation
- Assessing your business model
- Taking action to turn your business around
- Feeling energised about your business
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Have you been running your consulting business while balancing home-school at the same time? Here in the UK, schools are poised to go back and this intensely difficult phase is coming to an end.
Women have been disproportionately affected by childcare and home-school responsibilities during lockdown, and it’s been more pronounced for self-employed women who have often ended up cutting back their paid work, and then falling through the cracks of the government grants for the self-employed. That may have been the case for you, or it might have impacted your work and home life in other ways.
This week on the podcast, I am talking about growing your consulting business with the kids at home and what we can take from this experience.
I talk about:
- Making changes in your consulting business
- The advantage of running your business over a corporate career
- Wanting to make life perfect for our children
- The moments that make us the people we are
- Not being a ‘perfect’ parent
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
How much do you write for your business? When you start out as a consultant you might not write that much marketing material.
You have probably put a website together but how well does it represent you now? And you might be noticing all the additional writing you are doing, from emails to your list to the preparation for a launch.
I’ve been talking a lot on the podcast recently about what it means to be a CEO and doing all the writing you need for your business demands is one area to look at.
If you are wondering how to outsource writing, then this week’s podcast interview is for you. I am talking to Kim Kiel, a direct response strategist and founder of boutique copywriting agency Kim Kiel Copy. With 15+ years of writing multi-6-figure campaigns for small businesses and non-profits, Kim helps brainy brands and experts share their gifts and positive impact with the world.
We talk about:
- Knowing when you need to outsource your copywriting
- Using email when you are launching a course
- Common copywriting mistakes people make on their websites
- Copywriting frameworks you can use to make writing easier
- Whether it’s best to wait until inspiration strikes or to make a habit of writing
Useful links
The Ultimate Checklist for Magnetic Copy that Attracts & Sells
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Have things started to come together in your consulting business? You’ve put your heart and soul into your work and now it’s paying off. You’re approaching projects with energy and confidence and your bank balance has increased.
You’re now earning a really good salary, possibly more than you did in your corporate job. But if you are married or in a lifelong partnership, this can raise an important issue. That is, do you see your consulting business as the ‘supporting income’ in your household? If so, is that something you are happy about?
This week on the podcast, I am discussing the transition to earning more than your partner.
I talk about:
- The impact of the pandemic on women-owned businesses
- How women see themselves as business owners
- The potential of your consultancy business to be life-changing for you
- How earning more than your partner can mean a shift in your relationship
- Figuring out what your dreams and aspirations are
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Do you offer coaching to your clients as well as consulting? Are you drawn to one more than the other, or you are offering consulting, but increasingly feel you want to be a coach?
I speak to a lot of women who get torn between two directions in their business. It can be difficult to decide where to focus your efforts, or what to say to your clients about your offers. Sometimes you are doing one thing, but you really wish you were doing the other and this can lead to feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.
This week on the podcast, I am discussing the dilemma of how best to run your business if you are offering both consulting and coaching, or thinking of branching out from one of these into the other.
I talk about:
- Whether you need to be accredited
- Researching qualifications
- Paying attention to the norms in your industry
- Mapping out your business
- Whether you have two distinct businesses
- Avoiding building up debts
Useful links
Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
There’s no need to be a lone wolf in your business, and work everything out the hard way. You don’t need to make all the mistakes that others have before you. There are no medals for the business school of hard knocks, and there are enough knocks on the journey anyway.
Right at the start of my business when I was still finding my feet, I took a big detour and started offering low ticket services. When I came through the other side, I suddenly realised I had gone full circle. I hadn’t been wrong when I first mapped my brand, in the way that I thought I had at the time - I was bang on right from the word go.
This week on the podcast I am sharing what happens when you take the long way around and the impact that can have on your business.
I talk about:
- How it feels when we’re pushing up against a mindset block
- What happens when we back away from a challenge
- Realising when you have to step up
- The ‘future you’
- How journaling can help you get unstuck
Useful links:
Find out more about working with me and apply
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
There’s a lot of fear right now. There’s a lot of uncertainty about what the next few months will hold. Some of us are in lockdown again and have kids at home instead of at school, with all the pressure and cabin fever and frustration that can bring (for us AND for them).
It might feel like 2021 is over before it’s begun. We start the new year with such promise don’t we? We make plans, set goals, and look forward. But this year we’ve been hit with so many events beyond our control in just a few short weeks.
This week on the podcast, I am talking about how you can reframe this story about 2021. Rather than looking at everything going on around you and thinking the outlook is bleak, times of crisis can actually uplevel your consulting business.
I talk about:
- Setting your sights higher
- Unravelling the stories you are telling yourself that keep you stuck
- What holds you back in business
- How normality can be the enemy of progress
- Refining your role as CEO of your business
Useful links:
Find out more about working with me and apply
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
The corporate world has rapidly adapted to online working over the past year. Companies are now better set up to cope with a remote workforce, and there’s a real need to ensure continuity in business so that the impact on the economy of lockdown is kept to a minimum.
But even though we are all getting better at doing life and work in lockdown, it is still hugely important that you adapt your routines to build in the self-care you need to show up as the best version of yourself this quarter.
Things feel uncertain. There’s a lot of talk about the economy and how it will all take decades to recover from and other equally negative predictions. Despite our best intentions, it can be hard to get your best energy flowing against this backdrop.
This week on the podcast I am talking about how to show up as the best version of yourself when the pressure is on.
I talk about:
- Building in the self-care you need to show up as the best version of yourself
- Knowing what you need to focus on
- How you show up day to day
- Taking the pressure off yourself
- Showing yourself compassion and acceptance
Useful links:
Find out more about working with me and apply
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
If there's ever been a year that has done really hard things to our mindset, it's definitely the one we've just had. Now it’s time to look ahead and we are wondering what the new year will bring.
My guest expert for this episode is Jaclyn Mellone, a mindset coach, founder of the Go-To Gal podcast and of Pays To Podcast. She helps her clients anchor in their authority, grow their revenue, and build a loyal audience.
I think of Jaclyn as the go-to gal for mindset. This is a topic I’ve been speaking about in the last two episodes of the podcast and I’m delighted to share my conversation with Jaclyn with you. It’s a really helpful discussion as we prepare for 2021.
We talk about:
- What happens when our mindset is not in alignment with where we want to go
- How draining the past few months have been and the impact of that on ourselves
- Being grateful for what we’ve got and still wanting more
- The ripple effect of going bigger
- Being afraid to allow ourselves to go to that next step
- How the rules have changed this year
Useful links:
Jaclyn Mellone’s mindset exercise
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Join The Work Less, Earn More Mentorship
When I first set up my business I quickly discovered some great Facebook groups for women business owners. It always jarred with me a bit that there was a real new-age spiritualism that often accompanied this. I didn’t have a problem with other people going down this route – it just didn’t particularly chime with me.
I bundled money mindset up with all this talk about spiritualism and manifesting and the law of attraction and I found it a bit ‘much’.
But over time I’ve really come to appreciate how valuable it is to talk about money mindset, because like mindset and particularly, scarcity mindset, it has a huge impact on how we do life and because of that – how we do business.
This week on the podcast I am talking about money mindset and the part it plays in your consulting business.
I talk about:
- How my life looked great on the outside, but actually I was broke
- How I burst into tears when I suddenly made £4k in one month
- The beliefs we have around money
- What you can do to change how you think about money
Useful links:
You Are A Badass At Making Money by Jen Sincero
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
When I was new in business, if someone said they didn’t know how to get clients I would have sat down with them and got to work coming up with strategies. I would have suggested 7 things they could try like speak at a conference, go networking, or reach out to prospective clients on LinkedIn.
What would often happen then was that, even though they went away with a list of things to do, we would meet again for our next session and they wouldn’t have done any of them. They might have made a half-hearted attempt at one or two things. But there would often be a real sense of despondency and failure.
People are giving you solutions, you might even be paying people to produce strategies and plans, but none of them are working. In fact, you might even be applying strategy to a situation where you are bent on sabotaging your own efforts without realising that’s what you are doing.
Over the last 6 years I have changed how I respond when someone says they don’t know how to get clients. I have realised that when we feel like we don’t know what to do, it’s not a strategy problem, it’s a mindset problem. And this is my topic for discussion on the podcast this week.
I talk about:
- When you don’t truly believe you are good enough to be a consultant
- What happens when we want our prospective clients to validate us
- What you need to remember when thinking about who your ideal clients are
- Beliefs around what people will pay
- Some of my clients’ stories
Useful links
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Most people start a consulting business and put themselves at the heart of it. You are selling your skills and expertise, possibly even your time. But really, you want your business to be able to run without you, enabling someone else to take charge.
Selling your business might seem a long way in the future. You might not even have considered it. But even if this idea isn’t on your radar, the processes involved will help you spend less time working and enable you to become more profitable. So how do you go about scaling your consultancy business to sell?
My guest on the podcast this week is Michael Zipursky, CEO of Consulting Success. He has helped more than 400 consultants from around the world add six and seven figures to their revenue. We discussed how to build your business so that it is not reliant on you and becomes attractive to a potential buyer.
We talked about:
- Understanding the criteria that makes a good business
- Structuring your business so it can support the lifestyle you want
- Knowing what you want to accomplish and working backwards
- Different models for your business
- Breaking your annual goals down into quarterly and monthly goals
- How to structure your business for sale
- Understanding the value of your business to a potential buyer
Useful resources:
Get a free copy of Michael Zipursky’s book Act Now: How successful consultants thrive during chaos and uncertainty
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Are you frustrated that you aren’t bringing home the money you want to be?
You work hard in your business. You put your heart and soul into your work. It means a lot to you that your clients have a good experience of working with you, and you go the extra mile to make sure they have a positive experience.
You’re fully booked. And yet you still aren’t making the money you want to.
In this week’s episode I’m talking about the most common issue I see in woman-owned consultancy businesses: prioritising volume over value.
I talk about:
- Needing more hours in order to make more money
- Developing a premium, super high-ticket offer
- Always being busy in your business
- Fulfilling your potential
- Pouring your time into the wrong things
Useful links:
Limited time offer - Video training on How To Attract High Value Clients
Book in for a one-off call with Jessica to discuss what you are charging in your consulting business.
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Do you feel like you are already charging at the maximum level for your industry?
Do you sometimes wonder if your clients respect you? They can be demanding, and dismissive of your input. Sometimes they seek alternative advice even when you’ve discussed it in detail with them.
You never plan to work late but you seem to spend your evenings and weekends checking your work emails on your phone, and then either feeling duty-bound to respond right away or feeling stressed when you don’t reply until the next day.
These are all signs you might be undercharging and overdelivering. It is a huge issue for many of the women consultants I speak to.
This week on the podcast I am talking about what you can do about it.
I talk about:
- Having blind spots in our business
- The emotional toll of starting a business
- Pricing as if you need companies to do you a favour by hiring you
- Putting professional boundaries in place with your clients
- How to shift out of a negative mindset
Useful links:
Limited time offer - Video training on How To Attract High Value Clients
Book in for a one-off call with Jessica for help to see the blind spots in your business.
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
It feels like there’s an end in sight for the first time this year. After reports this crisis could continue for another 5 years, there is a possibility of a vaccine.
We have also seen two really important glass ceilings shatter with the election of Kamala Harris as the first woman Vice President and non-white Vice President. It’s great to feel that wave of optimism.
One of the best things about my job is working with women who are making a difference. This week on the podcast I am talking about three ways women consultants can have a positive impact during the Covid crisis.
I talk about:
- The positive effect of good news
- Wanting to show empathy to others who are struggling
- Seeing yourself as you truly are
- Being a force for good
- Ways you can help others
- Broadening your horizons
Useful links:
Book in for a one-off call with Jessica to discuss the narrative you have about yourself in relation to money and success.
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
We are in Lockdown 2.0 in the UK at the moment. It’s a bit of a blow, but also not really a surprise.
Back in March there was a real sense of shock and trauma. Companies were planning to furlough or postpone projects.
This time around, there’s more of an emphasis on continuity. We want things to be as normal as possible. Your B2B clients can’t afford to stay on pause for another 6 months.
So, how can you prepare yourself for the months ahead, with yet more uncertainty and a question mark over how long and exactly what the transition out of lockdown will look like?
This week on the podcast, I am talking about doing business in the middle of a global pandemic.
I talk about:
- The shift to online working
- Understanding the landscape of your industry
- Following the money
- Making lead generation your ‘new normal’
- Showing up as a leader
- Attracting higher value clients
This is episode 50 of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast! Thanks so much for tuning in. I am so thankful for your support.
Useful links:
Get the Attracting Higher Value Clients video
Book in for a one-off call with Jessica to talk through how you’re adapting your consultancy business
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Confidence and assertiveness are both issues that come up often for women, and they can be huge issues in our professional lives as well as our personal lives.
When you run your own business, despite being in charge, making decisions, you can still find yourself in situations where you are on the back foot. Those times when you want a conversation, or a situation to have a particular outcome, but you feel you aren’t allowed it.
This week on the podcast, I am talking about power because when you realise that you are giving your power away in the way you interact with others and conduct your business, it becomes easier to see how you can start taking it back.
I talk about:
- How it feels when a client is ignoring your boundaries
- When you price yourself lower than you want to in order to win a contract
- Sales and making the first move
- Your superpowers as a consultant
- Saying yes, when you want to say no
- Showing up as a leader
Useful links:
If you are struggling with taking power back in your business, book in for a one-off call with Jessica.
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile.
What do you do with all the thoughts, ideas, notes, and possibly doubts that don’t necessarily belong on your task list or in your business planner?
We have so much in our heads, and when you run your own consulting business it feels like you are juggling a million thoughts at the same time. We need somewhere to put the thoughts which don’t necessarily need to be acted on today, or this week, or that is not part of a work we are doing with our clients.
Something which has really helped me in my life and my business is journaling. It’s always been my go-to for mindset, dealing with stress, looking at why I am holding myself back, a place for working on strategic planning, and so much more. I love journaling and I encourage my clients to do it.
I’m quite an instinctive journaler and sometimes find myself flummoxed by the question: how do I journal? If that is something you would like to know the answer to, then this week my guest on the podcast is Moyra Mackie. She’s an accredited coach and organisational consultant, and has developed Journal Safari to help people create a space where they can step away from being busy and articulate their thoughts and feelings.
We talk about:
- How journaling is like having a life coach
- Giving yourself permission to make space for yourself
- Figuring out your personal journaling practice
- Dealing with our emotions
- Starting from where you are
- Getting stuck and learning from it
- Talking down your inner critic
- Integrating the pieces of yourself
Useful links:
Join The Work Less Earn More Mentorship
Moyra Mackie’s free Journal Taster Exercise (Happiness Deep Dive)
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Are you finding it hard to get projects finished?
Is your to do list bursting at the seams? No matter how many hours you work, that list of tasks keeps growing.
None of us like not reaching our own standards, we are all trying to do our best. You might find this a painful realisation, but you could be the bottleneck in your business.
This week on the podcast I am talking about what happens when you are the one holding up progress.
I discuss:
- Wanting to do more than is physically possible
- Why understanding your role in your business is important
- Giving yourself permission to delegate
- Having the right systems in place
- How present you want to be in your business day to day
- Evaluating whether you’re using your time in the best way possible
Useful links:
Book in for a one-off call with Jessica to discuss how to make your business run the way you want it to.
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
We often spend our time sitting on the sidelines, telling ourselves we will take a particular step in 6 months’ time.
It might be starting your consulting business, or perhaps approaching a company you know you want to work with. Maybe you are planning to make your first hire or starting to scale your business with additional revenue streams.
This week on the podcast, I am talking about getting brave. If you have goals in your notebook that you haven’t started taking action on yet, this episode is for you.
I talk about:
- The role mindset and personal conviction plays in business
- When you feel chronically ‘stuck’ in your business
- Resistance
- Experiencing growing pains in your business
- The pain of stagnation
- The role our beliefs play in our success
Useful links:
Book in for a one-off call with Jessica to discuss how to get the business you want this autumn.
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
What are you struggling with right now? What do you see holding back people around you? Your answer will be different to my answer, and our answers will not be the same as the next person’s.
So many women consultants start their businesses because they want to make a change. They want to change the way things are done in their industry. They might need to change the way they work to fit around other aspects of their lives such as illness or caring for someone else.
Our role as businesswomen and as experts in our industries gives us the opportunity to lead inclusion. We can design the businesses we want to see more of.
This week my guest is Kay Fabella, a DEI consultant and remote teams specialist who builds diversity, equity and inclusion solutions for companies with distributed teams. She works with organisations around the world from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.
Kay and I talked about the power of inclusion, creating opportunities and the part women consultants can play as allies and leaders.
We discussed:
- Why equity is a critical part of the equation
- Recognising that people have different starting points in life
- Different experiences of situations
- How to think about socio-economic factors which could impact members of your team in different ways
- Being better allies to each other
- Dismantling systems to create more inclusivity
- The gender pay gap for women of colour and how women consultants can close this
- Making your network more inclusive
- Leaning in to discomfort and learning through it
Resources mentioned in this episode
Kay Fabella’s Inclusion In Progress podcast.
The Future Of Work Whitepaper.
Lean In’s research on the gender pay gap for black women.
Do you have an intense feeling of angst about your work? Perhaps there is a nagging doubt that you have done something wrong or that you are about to get ‘found out’ and will be asked to leave, or to give a client a refund.
You are not alone. This is an issue many consultants come across: it is called imposter syndrome, the feeling that your success is down to luck rather than being something you have earned.
You might feel unworthy, or anxious, or overwhelmed. It is normal to be nervous if you are doing a keynote for the first time or you are going to be pitching to a big company you really want to sign as a client. But imposter syndrome goes beyond ‘normal’ nerves, and it is more a feeling of wanting to run away or escape.
It is not unique to women, but it is something that many women I speak to experience.
This week on the podcast I am focusing on imposter syndrome, how to identify it, and how to deal with it.
I discuss:
- Signs you might have imposter syndrome
- The feeling of wanting to escape
- How to spot when you are self-sabotaging your business
- Fear of setting prices
- Playing small
- The need to invest in your mindset
- Key questions you need to ask yourself to get the life you want and deserve
Useful links:
Book in for a one-off call with Jessica to discuss what is holding you back.
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
Is your business reliant on everything staying the same? It needs you, your expertise, and your presence. It needs the world to keep working the way it does. Perhaps it is reliant on one or two big clients.
This can put your business at risk if something goes down in your sector or industry, with a particular client you work with, or even within your own business. You are extremely vulnerable if you only do one thing.
Adding revenue streams to your business means adding a corresponding service, or maybe even a new service, to your business so that it either serves your existing client base more fully, or it allows you to broaden your reach.
Now is a great moment to be thinking this through because no matter what field you operate in, your business will be better off with more baskets. If you only have one service or one product, all your eggs are in that basket. We want to move away from that. This is about building resilience in your business.
This week’s podcast is all about adding revenue streams. I discuss:
- Spreading risk in uncertain times
- Spotting the situations that could mean a change for your business
- Knowing when there is a genuine opportunity for growth and expansion in your business
- Engaging and listening to your audience
- Whether you are looking for short-term or long-term revenue
- Why you need to think about the resources involved in setting up a new offer
Useful links:
Episode 040: Is It Really Possible To Work Less And Earn More In Your Consulting Business?
Episode 002: Ready To Scale
Book in for a one-off call with Jessica to discuss your business’ financial situation
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
One thing that has really been a surprise for me to discover while hosting this podcast, is how many women there are out there in the world, who are either in the process of setting up their own independent consulting business, or are already consulting under their own independent brand, but who don’t yet feel part of a cohesive group of women consultants.
It never fails to amaze me that there can be so many amazing women who work as consultants and are building consultancy firms who just do not realise that there are other women out there just like them.
So I wanted to make that the theme of this week’s episode.
In this week’s podcast we explore:
- The mindset battles and personal circumstances that are more likely to hold women back than men.
- The opportunities for networking and collaboration that exist when you stop viewing other women consultants as your competition.
- The latent benefits you enjoy when other women overcome fear and obstacles.
Useful links:
Podcast Episode 008 - It’s Time To Ask For More
Podcast Episode 006 - Closing the Gender Pay Gap for Women Consultants
Jessica Fearnley on LinkedIn
The Work Less Earn More Mentorship
When you are super clear on who you’re talking to, and what they want to know about you, it’s so much easier to communicate confidently and consistently every time you speak and write about your business.
My friend Lucy Eckley is founder and director of strategic communications consultancy Build Your Brand Story. She helps independent consultants build a unique story so they can stand out in their industry, get hired by their ideal clients and grow their expert status.
I invited her onto the podcast to talk about how her work applies particularly to consultants, including:
- How you can stand out by being yourself
- Going beyond the buzz phrase ‘Brand Story’ and exploring what this really means for your consulting business
- The two biggest mistakes consultants make when it comes to personal branding
- How your brand story can turn competition into collaboration
- Signs that indicate your brand story isn’t working for your business
- The key differences between building a brand story and a traditional brand identity exercise
- Which parts of your brand story to use where
- How to share the personal messages about you and your brand story without it negatively affecting your business
- The simple check you should make before you hit 'publish' on social media posts
Resources mentioned in the podcast:
Lucy’s free mini email course - Start building your brand story in just 10 minutes per day.
The narrative around growing a business suggests that in the beginning things are quiet and you have lots of time on your hands but you don’t have much money coming in. And then as it grows, the amount of money coming in gets bigger, but the amount of time you have available gets increasingly smaller. And because of that, your workload and the pace the business moves at are continually increasing. You know, the hamster on the wheel, it just runs with its little paws faster and faster.
But this does not have to be the case for your consulting business at all.
In this podcast episode I explore the myths around running your own business, and why they don’t apply to a consulting business, plus:
- Why consulting is one of the easiest businesses to get started, and grow rapidly to a six-figure income.
- Why working more will only earn more up to a point.
- How to keep growing your business even after you’re fully booked.
- Why taking on a team isn’t always the smartest way to scale.
- How your hard-working attitude could actually be causing you problems.
- What high-achieving really looks like in a consulting business.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- The Six Steps To Seven Figures Video Series
- Jessica Fearnley LinkedIn account
- More information about coaching with Jessica.
Is there such a thing as a stress-free business?
I don’t know that any business will ever be 100% stress free.
But you can minimize the stress you experience, by taking one small, but important action every single month - building up your cash reserve.
When you compare it to the alternative, living hand to mouth, it’s really no contest.
In this week’s podcast episode I discuss:
- What a business reserve is, and why it matters
- How much cash you should be holding in your business
- What to do right now if your reserves are zero (or near to zero).
Useful links:
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Book in for a one-off call with Jessica to discuss your business’ financial situation
Jessica’s LinkedIn profile
The sales process with corporate firms can take quite a long time.
Sometimes we do get in touch with the right person at the right time, and you can meet the person, shake their hand, and have the contract in the bag by the end of the week. That does happen (but not often).
Sometimes it can take six months.
Sometimes it can take 12 months.
And these really long lead times can have a huge impact on your cash flow, and your anxiety levels.
On this week’s podcast, I’m talking to Laura Wright, a self published author, speaker, growth strategist and master sales coach. She has closed a cool $43 million and then some over the last 20 years, she is the founder of Epic At Sales and during our interview she shared some ideas on how to speed up your sales process.
We also discussed:
- How recovering from big financial losses has made her stronger than ever.
- The strength information and skills-based businesses have over those that sell products (especially now)
- The benefits in experiencing times of stress and strain in your business
- The key question you should ask at the start of your B2B sales process
- How to understand and liaise with the decision-making hierarchy of your prospect’s organisation
- How to strengthen your pipeline with clients of varying sizes
- The true purpose behind stretch goals
- Making the most of referral opportunities
- What works best: nurturing one lead with multiple interactions, or connecting with multiple leads?
Useful Links:
Laura Wright’s Overcoming Objections PDF
In the middle of the Covid crisis, many of us are in an uncertain season, a ‘between Winters’ stage and we don’t exactly know how things will play out in the months ahead.
This uncertainty can cause a sense of scarcity, even desperation, and a feeling that we should take on any and all work offered to us, even if it isn’t the work we would usually do.
I encourage my clients to have an Ideal Client in mind for their consulting services. If there’s a type of business you prefer to work with, or a kind of work you prefer to do, it makes sense to focus on attracting more of this.
But what do you do if you get asked to work with someone who doesn’t fit your idea of an Ideal Client, especially now, when we may be feeling uncertain about the future of our economy.
That’s the topic I’m exploring in this week’s podcast episode, including:
- Why you might be feeling more tempted than ever to work with people who don’t fit your Ideal Client criteria.
- Why having an Ideal Client brief or avatar is important for your business
- How to know which opportunities to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to
- How to know when your initial ‘no’ reaction is sensible judgement, or fear of your own limits
- And how to use requests from non-Ideal Clients as inspiration for additional revenue streams.
Mentioned in the podcast
- Six Elements To A Seven-Figure Business Video Series
Last week I had two separate conversations where basically the same question was being asked. And I realised this is totally something that other women consultants will want to hear the answers to, so I’ve recorded this podcast episode.
The question that came up was ‘how can I plan for anything in my business at the moment? Everything shifts so much from one week to the next.’
So in this week’s episode I explore:
- The challenges that may come up for all of us before the end of this year.
- The key questions you should be asking to check in on the health of your business.
- How to decide whether to stick with your original plan or change tack?
- Is now a sensible time to be making big decisions or investments?
Useful links mentioned in the podcast:
- Work Less Earn More Mentorship - find a way to run your consulting business that energises, not depletes, you.
- Episode 019 What To Do Next When A Crisis Hits Your Business
- Episode 027 – Do you know where the value is in your business
- Scaling to Seven Figures Video Guide
There are some misconceptions around building, and having, a seven figure consulting business.
There are so many things that can affect our mindset in the area of business and money, and talking about a business with a turnover more than 1 million each year can open up all kinds of related issues around identity, what we feel able to receive, what we feel we ‘deserve’, what we have grown up believing we are capable of achieving.
It can be a real hot mess of different mindset issues, which I’m going to explore in this week’s episode, including:
- Why I’ve chosen to make ‘seven figures’ the focus of this podcast, rather than six or eight
- How to set your own criteria for success
- The surprising way many consultants feel after hitting their target financial milestones
- The risks of scaling a business when it’s chaotic or unprofitable
- Why business success often doesn’t look or feel how you’d imagined.
Links mentioned in the podcast:
My LinkedIn profile
My Work With me page
Find out more about what it looks like to take a consulting business to 7 figures - grab a free copy of my report, the Six Elements of a Seven Figure business.
Do you ever feel like the content you see online for people who run their own business, isn’t well suited for you? That even the premium offers, like memberships and group coaching won’t work for you, or aren’t what you want. I speak to female consultants every week that have felt like they don’t fit the female entrepreneur mould.
In this week’s podcasts I explore why you need to be careful about the content you consume, and the programmes you sign-up to, because as a consultant, you’re running a unique kind of business, including:
- Why often consultants prefer 1-1 over group coaching (and how to know which is a better fit for you)
- Why the wealth of free marketing advice out there isn’t suited to you and your business model
- The reason hanging out in online networking groups can make you feel uncomfortable.
Everyone would benefit from having a business coach.
You should have a business coach all the time.
You should choose a coach with the opposite personality type to your own.
These are just a few myths around business coaching that I get asked about.
In this week’s podcast I’m addressing these, and exploring how you can decide whether a business coach is right for you, including:
- The empowerment that comes from a business coaching relationship
- The role your coach should never play
- What makes someone uncoachable?
- Do you need a coach at all times?
- When your coach should become your business partner
- The impact personality can have on your coaching relationship
- The 4 questions you should ask yourself before hiring a new business coach.
How confident are you about spending money in your consulting business?
What metric do you use to decide if an investment in your business is affordable or not?
There is so much material available online on how to market your business, get more clients, generate more income. We tend to be more comfortable asking for and receiving help in these areas.
But as turning a profit is the goal of our business, and that depends on income and expenses, it’s equally as important to talk about outgoings, and how to make good spending decisions.
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the same topic come up a few times in conversations over LinkedIn messenger - how do we know what we can afford when it comes to investing in your business?
In this week’s podcast I’m looking at how to make successful spending decisions in your business, including:
- How to know if you should buy a particular course, programme, or other big ticket item
- How to know if you are investing the right amount in professional and personal development
- What to do when a course or programme doesn’t bring you results you’d hoped for
- Four questions to ask yourself now so you’re prepared to make your next spending decision
Useful Links:
- Podcast Episode 12 - Risk, Caution and Growing Your Business
- Podcast Episode 20 - Helping Your Business Bounce Back After A Crisis
Often as consultants, we know that we're really good at what we do, we are the expert in our field, but it can be really difficult to be confident in the way that we present ourselves. We want our appearance to affirm that we are who we say we are, and we can do the things that we say we can do.
In this week’s podcast, I interviewed Tracy Hooper, a personal stylist who helps professional women create a style that helps them stand out, look great and make an impact.
We talked about the impact personal styling can have on our confidence and performance as consultants, including:
- How a stylist will work with you to create an authentic look that reflects who you are (they’re not going to hijack your appearance)
- The role your clothing plays in building relationships, and the problems with going too bold, or too corporate
- The different ways you can create your own signature look, including examples of people getting this right
- What you should avoid wearing on Zoom calls
- How Tracy works with her clients to build a wardrobe that works for them, building many outfits from a handful of garments
Useful links:
Tracy Hooper on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyjaynehooper/
Tracy’s website: https://tracyjaynehooper.com
Clothe Yourself In Confidence guide to using colours to influence the messages your appearance is giving out: https://tracyjaynehooper.com/clothe-confidence-1/
The world has been a heavy place to be.
Social media has been… A lot. We’ve had months of coronavirus and lockdown, and protests and riots triggered by the George Floyd tragedy, and flare ups and backlashes, and amazing conversations and eyes being opened to the endemic problem of racism… But there’s been such a lot of activity in such a short space of time. The emotional weight to nearly everything has been so much heavier than we would normally expect.
And it all takes its toll. Doesn’t it.
So now feels like the perfect moment to be talking about this.
How do you re-energise in a hard phase of your business?
However your business is going at the moment, and I know we have the full spectrum in our audience right now – there are some of you who are really busy and feeling that lockdown ‘boom’ of demand for your services. There are some who maybe have seen a little bit of a lull, and others who feel like they’re stuck on pause with very little work going on and very little money coming in.
However your business is going – there is a huge amount to contend with behind the scenes emotionally.
In this episode I discuss:
- Identifying what you want ‘normal’ to look like from now on
- Choosing what you want to keep from the lockdown experience
- 5 things you can start doing right now to recharge yourself ready for the next phase.
On 17th June, in my mentoring group, the Work Less Earn More Mentorship, I’m hosting our monthly masterclass, which is called ‘Designing a Work Schedule that Works for you post-lockdown’. If you’d like to join us live (or catch-up on the replay) you can find out more about the Mentorship here.
As the UK makes a tentative return to work and school, we’re starting to wonder what the next phase looks like for our businesses.
In this episode I’m looking at the transition into the next phase of working, especially if you’re accustomed to working in close proximity to your client, working in their office, travelling to meet them in person, or delivering events in person. This is a huge thing for a lot of consultants, especially in the HR space, but also health and wellbeing and some of those connected services.
In this episode I explore:
- Why business consultants are especially well equipped to handle this new never-experienced-before phase of working life.
- The surprising early feedback I’ve received to my survey of independent consultants.
- Four essential questions you ask yourself to prepare for a successful transition to this new phase of socially distant / remote working.
Bring a notepad and pen - you’ll want to write these questions down so you can journal on them later, and unlock a whole raft of possibilities and opportunities.
Here’s the survey mentioned in the episode - I would love your input on your experience of running a consulting business now (no matter how new or established, or what your current revenue is) - your answers will help me shape my future podcasts, newsletters and offers.
When lockdown first began back in March it felt in a lot of ways that life just hit pause. And certainly for me, that felt traumatic. It was the weight of it all, the unknowns and the fear of what this terrible disease would do to us as a population.
As we move into a phase of easing the lockdown restrictions, I’m feeling a bit of a return to that brain-fuzz trauma uncertain place.
So in this week’s podcast I’m talking about how we can see past this new phase of uncertainty, and start working towards a more secure future for your consulting businesses, including:
- The #1 mindset trap consultants need to avoid
- What to do when a client says ‘yes after lockdown’
- Why this recession is different from any other - and how we can respond differently to it
- How the media narrative could be hurting your consulting business - and what you can do about that.
Often when I start working with clients they have a good handle on what tasks they need to do to run their consulting business, and how much money they make month on month.
But what they don’t see is which activities are generating the most value.
So often in business we can form a real attachment to certain marketing activities, or particular programmes or groups, or even an individual client or company.
We can find ourselves putting so much of our time and energy into one area, and in most cases, if someone asked you – ‘why are you investing so much resource into this one corner of your business’ you would almost feel like, isn’t it obvious?? This is the centrepiece of my whole business.
BUT.
In many, many cases – our instincts can lead us astray here.
In this week’s podcast I explore:
- What happened when I split my focus across too many activities.
- Why your feelings aren’t helpful when assessing what’s working, and what you should be using instead.
- The highest value activity consultants should prioritise when generating new leads.
- How a single line on a spreadsheet transformed my coaching client’s consulting business.
If you feel like you can’t quite get to grips with why your consulting business isn’t bringing in the money it should, or you can’t seem to extricate yourself from your gruelling work schedule, or you’ve got both problems at the same time - we can make huge progress in just a single strategy session, for an investment of £499 or $629.
We spend 90 minutes looking at your business in detail and use that to create an action plan for how to maximise the value of the work you are doing and minimise the effort you have to put in to get that work done.
It’s working less and earning more in action – and it changes businesses.
Get in touch to discuss if this is a good option for you and your consulting business.
Is your consulting business thriving during the Covid crisis?
We have all these tragic news stories coming at us all day every day.
I know women who have felt the impact of the virus first hand – either because they’ve been ill themselves or they’ve suffered a tragic loss in their family.
And I also know many businesses are struggling, or are simply on hold until further notice.
But for many of us, our experience of this pandemic is considerably less bleak - and that can feel a bit awkward - as if we’re not in step with those around us.
In this podcast episode I talk about:
- The two groups of people I see thriving at this time
- And why you shouldn’t feel bad if you belong to one (or both) of those groups
- How to avoid sabotaging your own success when you feel uncomfortably happy (while others are struggling)
If you’re experiencing growth in your consulting business, and you’re keen to take it to the next level, download my free comprehensive guide - Six Elements Of A Seven Figure Business.
This week’s episode is based on a lively debate I had on LinkedIn, started by a friend of mine, Christine Mortensen. Christine wrote “Recession-proof your business is BS” Do you agree?
Over the last few weeks ‘Recession-proof your business’ has become the new hyper-inflated promise touted by formula-flogging ‘coaches’. It’s the Covid-crisis equivalent of ‘six-figures in 30-days’ that has been pedalled over the last few years (can you tell I’m not a fan).
In this episode I explore:
- What you CAN do to protect (not proof) your business from an oncoming recession
- Why one-size-fits-all formulas usually fail
- The most overlooked cause of risk in any business
- And the huge risk we nearly overlooked when scaling at my employed position.
Risk is discussed as one of the pillars in my Six Elements Of A Seven-Figure Business report (my most popular ever free download).
And I explore it in much more depth in the Six Elements Of A Seven-Figure Business video series.
Also mentioned in the podcast:
- Episode 6 - Tackling the gender pay gap for women consultants
- Episode 8 - It’s time to ask for me
The current crisis seems to have split small businesses, including consulting businesses, into three camps:
- Everything’s cancelled
- Everything’s carrying on as normal
- Everything’s ramped up and they’ve got more enquiries than they can handle
In this interview with Catherine Watkin (who coaches people on how to sell from the heart) we discussed how to handle selling to corporates at this time, including:
- How to keep selling without feeling like you’re profiteering
- How to respond if an existing client is considering ending/pausing their contract
- The importance of taking the lead in sales conversations
- How you can connect with the value you bring, so you can have better sales conversations
- The simple, yet powerful offer you can make instead of postponing/cancelling live events and workshops.
And for more help from Catherine, you can access her free video training for authentic sales conversations.
Recently, I did a small survey of my email subscribers asking ‘what are the topics you would most like to hear more content about’. The most popular response was - how to attract higher value clients to your business.
Once you really get your head around attracting these clients – your business will never quite look the same again.
And it’s something that, as women, I think needs to be said. This is a drum that I want to keep on banging on this podcast because it is so important for women to raise their ambitions, and not opt for the small and safe path forward.
In this episode we discuss:
- The question you should be asking yourself, instead of: “what am I allowed to charge”.
- How to have those hard pricing conversations with clients (new and existing).
- What needs to change about your business before you change your pricing.
- Why saying ‘no’ to current clients is often the best place to start.
Start building your 7-figure consulting business - download my free guide The Six Figures Of A Seven Figure Business.
Has your consulting business hit an income ceiling? An amount of money that comes in month after month, which is reassuring yet deeply frustrating at the same time.
If you’ve reached this plateau it can be a lovely place to pause and enjoy the view from for a while, catch your breath and plan your next move.
But many of my clients first come to me because they’ve found themselves trapped at that level for far too long. They’re frustrated because working harder doesn’t yield the results they want, they know there’s more potential in their business, but they don’t know how to unlock it.
In this podcast episode I talk about the two fundamental reasons your consulting business is likely to get stuck, including:
- Why this tends to happen around the six-figure mark (so if you’re nearing that, pay special attention).
- How to identify if your business model is the root of the problem and how to overcome that (clue - it is NOT by working harder).
- How to know if YOU are the underlying barrier and what you can do about that.
News:
We are renaming my membership group to the Work Less Earn More MENTORSHIP this month because the more time goes on the more it’s clear that we are so much more than just a ‘membership’. We trialled offering 20 minute private mentoring sessions 1:1 with me each month and it has gone really well – so if that sounds like something you’d benefit from, consider this your invitation to come and join us!
If you haven’t already, I would LOVE it if you could head over to Apple podcasts and leave the show a rating and review. This helps us reach even more women and it really does make a huge impact.
It may seem counterintuitive but selling to corporate clients can be quicker and easier than selling directly to customers or to micro-businesses.
The busy corporate world prefers a more direct approach that today’s podcast guest, Jessica Lorimer has honed herself, and now teaches to others.
Jess is the UKs most influential sales coach for service-based entrepreneurs who are looking to sell their services to corporates.
In this episode we discuss:
- The disappointing (but unsurprising) fact her survey of female entrepreneurs revealed
- The inbox-spammers giving selling a bad image and how to avoid being that pitchy-person
- How a ‘give give give’ mentality can sabotage your success
- What to do once you’ve exhausted your initial network of contacts
- How to ask for help/support from your contacts clearly and effectively
- The #1 way selling to corporates differs from selling B2C or to micro-businesses
- Who you should and shouldn’t be seeking feedback from
- The business-building activity you need to be doing every quarter
And after you’ve finished listening to this insightful, value-packed interview, you can get more from Jess here:
- Selling To Corporates Podcast
- Top 5 Business Development Questions and get the information you need to convert more prospects into clients