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Are you an independent consultant who’s ready to grow your business into a predictable revenue stream while working on your own terms? The Grow Your Independent Consulting Business is a podcast that shares the blueprint to make your consulting business goals a reality. Each week, Business Coach, Melisa Liberman, brings you solo insights or informative guest interviews that will help you to accomplish your Independent Consultant Business goals. She shares specific tools, actionable strategies ...
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Knowing HOW to grow your business can be a minefield. We aim to help demystify and share practical tips on how YOU can grow your business, for increased profit, less work and for the long term. From serial entrepreneurs, HR experts, supply chains and more - we talk to the experts so you don't have to! www.idunn.ie
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If your consulting prospects aren’t turning into paid work, it’s not because your pitch needs work. Pitching, or thinking you need to pitch, is the real problem. This episode breaks down the “Anti-Pitch” consulting sales approach, a simple conversation structure that helps you convert high-value consulting engagements without selling, convincing, o…
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If you think your consulting pipeline only grows with more time, more effort, or a perfectly refined niche, this episode will show you a different path. Kim Andrews, a leadership consultant and executive coach for nonprofit CEOs, joins Melisa to share exactly how she built a thriving, in-demand consulting business. She breaks down the simple system…
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Independent consulting is a relationship business, but most consultants only focus on a few obvious ones. That leaves untapped opportunity on the table. In this episode, you’ll learn the ten relationship types that directly influence your pipeline, your revenue, and your long-term growth. Some are familiar, like client and channel relationships. Ot…
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Is it possible for lead generation to be sustainable for independent consultants who are wearing so many hats in their businesses? What does a sustainable lead generation process look like? In this episode, Melisa breaks down why so many consultants fall into the start/stop lead generation cycle and end up creating feast or famine in their business…
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If you’ve ever felt like your pipeline is out of your control, this episode is for you. It’s common for independent consultants to think an unpredictable pipeline is just “how this works.” But that belief keeps them stuck in feast or famine, working with clients who underpay, don’t fully value their expertise, and leave their skills underused. In E…
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Most independent consultants think their business bottlenecks come from systems, tools, or strategy. But the real bottleneck is often you, and specifically, how you respond to resistance. In this episode, you’ll learn why resistance shows up, how it slows your growth, and a simple plan to move through it so you can scale faster and with less fricti…
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242. Forming a Partnership with Another Independent Consultant with Abbie DuBois and Scott Allen
52:51
Forming a partnership as an independent consultant can feel difficult and even risky. You’re used to autonomy. You’ve created your own unique way of running your business. And, you also feel lonely at times. Bringing someone else into your process? That can feel like a threat to your freedom, your income, or your control. But what if the right part…
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"Let me think about it." It sounds harmless. Strategic, even. But for independent consultants, that phrase can quietly erode revenue, momentum, and confidence. In this episode, Melisa breaks down the hidden toll of decision debt, which is the backlog of unmade choices cluttering your mental inbox. From pricing delays to lingering red-flag clients, …
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What does it really take to hit a $100K quarter as an independent consultant in your first quarter out of corporate? In this episode, Melisa talks with her client Elizabeth Freedman, founder of E•Suite Leader, who went from zero to $100K in the first three months of her business. Elizabeth shares the inside story of not just what she did, but how s…
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If you've ever said, “One day I’ll write a book,” this episode is your call to stop waiting and start writing. LeAnne Lagasse joins Melisa to walk through the real process of writing and launching a book as a consultant, including the parts no one talks about. LeAnne doesn’t sugarcoat the process. From decision fatigue to imposter syndrome to learn…
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Even though the year is wrapping up and vacations take over, landing consulting clients in Q4 doesn’t have to be hard. Q4 isn’t a write-off. When Q4 rolls around, many consultants either start to panic that they won’t hit their revenue goals or they ease off the gas because they’ve already met them. These approaches can cost you momentum and opport…
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Thinking Like a Business Owner Isn’t Just a Mindset. It’s a Skill. Most independent consultants know they should think like a business owner, but what does that actually look like day to day? In this episode, Melisa introduces a simple yet powerful strategy: Business Owner Thinking Time. You’ll learn how to move beyond reacting to tasks or relying …
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You might think your lead generation isn't working because you're not consistent. Or because you're not good at marketing. Or because you’re fully booked and don’t “need” leads right now. Those assumptions are common, and they’re also wrong. In this episode, Melisa breaks down the real reasons your consulting pipeline isn’t where you want it to be.…
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Your pipeline is not where you want it to be. You’re struggling to maintain consistent business development routines. You’re not sure where the next client is coming from. In this episode, Melisa walks you through how to implement a lead generation sprint: a short, focused burst of activity that fills your pipeline with the right kind of opportunit…
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What if the biggest obstacle in your consulting business… is your own management approach? Most independent consultants left corporate to get away from bad managers, but end up recreating that dynamic for themselves. In this episode, Melisa uncovers the #1 management mistake she sees independent consultants make again and again: becoming a “ghost m…
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If you're like most independent consultants, one of the reasons you left corporate was to get out of managing. You wanted to avoid the team drama, the politics, the performance reviews. So it makes sense if you’ve put “leadership” in the rearview. But here’s the trap: when you assume leadership no longer applies, you create a blind spot that quietl…
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If you want to run a consulting business that feels lighter and more in your control, you need to start thinking like a million-dollar business owner, before your business is anywhere near that level. This is part two of my series on the Million Dollar Mindset. In part one (Episode 231), we covered the first two pillars of the million dollar consul…
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If you’ve been stuck at the same revenue level in your consulting business, whether that’s $200K or $500K, it’s probably not your sales skills or your pipeline holding you back. It’s your mindset. Too many independent consultants unknowingly run their business from the same thinking that created their current or even past results. That mindset is m…
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Are You Hitting a Revenue Plateau in Your Independent Consulting Business? You might be stuck in a revenue plateau right now. Maybe it’s obvious. Your consulting revenue has been flat year over year. Or maybe it’s hidden. Your numbers might be technically going up, but you could still be hitting a plateau you didn’t even realize existed. Either way…
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That lead generation issue you’re trying to fix with a new strategy? That pricing problem you’re solving with more market research? They’re probably not business problems. They’re likely mindset problems disguised as business problems. In this episode, Melisa gets into the real root cause behind most consulting business problems. It’s not your offe…
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Twelve years into her consulting career, Rachel Hughes has built a business that attracts inbound leads, top-tier engagements, and industry recognition, without sacrificing her sanity or freedom. In this episode, Melisa talks with Rachel about the mindset and strategy shifts that transformed her from overthinking and reactive to intentional and in-…
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If you’re avoiding thought leadership because you “don’t know what to say”, this episode is your turning point. In Episode 227, Melisa dismantles the most common blocker independent consultants face when it comes to publishing thought leadership: not knowing what to share, or fearing they’ll just add noise. She introduces a powerful mindset shift a…
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You’ve made it halfway through the year — now what? Too many independent consultants either stay the course out of habit or abandon their goals altogether. In this episode, Melisa walks you through a five-step framework to recalibrate and intentionally design a second half that actually aligns with what you want, not just what you committed to back…
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What are enterprise buyers really looking for in 2025 when they bring in external talent? This week, Melisa is joined by industry veteran Brian Hoffmeyer (known as “Hoff”), who returns to the podcast to share invaluable, behind-the-scenes insights from his vantage point at Beeline, the world’s largest independent vendor management system. Whether y…
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Think building a seven-figure consulting pipeline in just 16 weeks is impossible? Think again. In this episode, Melisa Liberman sits down with Ellie Holbert, a first-year independent consultant, who shares the real story of how she went from zero pipeline and a canceled contract to 56 opportunities and a multi-seven-figure funnel without prior sale…
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It’s common for consultants to think of AI as a tool to boost efficiency, enhance insights, automate tasks, and improve client deliverables. It can help you scale your processes and routines. But have you also considered that AI can help you scale your thinking? In this episode, Melisa talks with Amanda Long, marketing strategist and custom GPT bui…
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Most consultants think physical products are only for authors or e-commerce brands, not for them. In this episode, Melisa challenges that assumption head-on and takes you behind the scenes of a new physical product line she’s launching. This isn’t a product pitch, it’s a case study. She’s sharing the full backstory of why she started this, what’s w…
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What if your consulting business wasn’t meticulously planned, but evolved from one bold decision after another? In this episode, Melisa talks with longtime client Alison Jeffrey, a strategic fundraising consultant, about how Alison went from leaving a full-time job with no safety net to building a seasonal, profitable business rooted in authenticit…
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Client delivery is one of the most critical — and underleveraged — parts of your consulting business. In this episode, we walk through a practical, three-part framework to increase the value of your delivery, both for your clients and for your business. Most independent consultants tell me they feel confident once they land the work. But that doesn…
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Sometimes you need a client win — fast. Whether it’s to refill your pipeline, create a cash infusion, or just shake off a dry spell, this episode walks you through how to create and implement a quick-win strategy that actually works (and doesn’t feel like a scramble). We’re not talking about discounting your value or saying yes to low-quality consu…
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Does this situation sound familiar to you? You send a consulting proposal. Or you email your one-pager, expecting a next step. Then — silence. You don’t hear back. If you’re questioning your follow-up strategy, not sure what to do to follow-up, this episode is for you. In this week’s episode, Melisa dismantles the outdated (and ineffective) habits …
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You solve problems. That’s what you do best as a consultant. But what if you’re focused on solving the wrong problem in your own consulting business? In this episode, Melisa breaks down a counterintuitive truth: many consultants plateau or underearn not because they don’t have solutions, but because they’re solving problems they’ve already outgrown…
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What if the biggest reason you're not hitting your revenue goal has nothing to do with strategy — and everything to do with tiny, invisible breakdowns in your business development process? In this episode, I walk you through the concept of “leaks” in your consulting business — those points where value, opportunity, or efficiency is lost without you…
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215. Independent Consulting Business Retreats, Productizing, Mid-Funnel Focus, and More with Claire Elvers
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What if you could run a corporate retreat... for a company of one? That’s exactly what independent consultant and brand strategist Claire Elvers did. In this episode, Claire joins Melisa to share why she carved out the time and space to take her business offline — and what she learned from zooming out. This conversation is packed with real talk abo…
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What if the most valuable tool in your consulting business is one you already have — and didn’t even realize? In this episode, Matty Bakkeren joins Melisa to share his early-stage consulting business experience as an independent consultant and the strategies he uses to create momentum in his business. From listening to this podcast in his car to bu…
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Are you curious what it takes to consistently earn 50K per month as an independent consultant? In this episode, host Melisa Liberman reveals the four key components you need to implement in your consulting business to create a consistent 50k per month consulting business. She outlines how to create an aligned offer, attract high-quality demand, sha…
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Want to know the secrets behind a successful fractional consulting business? Learn how to build trust, sell yourself as a fractional leader, and land high-value clients. In this episode, Melisa Liberman chats with Alessandro Pregnolato, a seasoned fractional consultant. Alessandro is one of Melisa’s clients and has established himself as an in-dema…
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Do you want to generate inbound leads for your consulting business? Do you want a path to meeting your ideal clients? In this episode, host Melisa Liberman shares how to leverage a podcast for consulting lead generation. She shares four simple steps to put this lead gen strategy into action and record your first episode Discover the proven strategi…
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Do you advise your consulting clients to leverage KPIs but don’t apply the same strategy to your own business? You’re not alone. In this episode, host Melisa Liberman explains how to implement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to manage your consulting practice more effectively. Melisa outlines the power of a simple consulting KPI dashboard and sha…
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Are you struggling to find time for lead generation? What if you could fill your pipeline in just 7 minutes a day? In this episode, host Melisa Liberman shows you how to do just that. Melisa breaks down the common obstacles independent consultants face when it comes to lead generation and shares a game-changing strategy to overcome them. You’ll lea…
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Are you an independent consultant or a fractional executive aiming to grow your business? Have you ever thought about how much easier it would be to land consulting clients if you could understand exactly what buyers are looking for? Don’t miss episode 208, where I, Melisa Liberman, talk with John Healy, Chief Executive of Whrrr.work. John brings a…
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When you think of a "campaign," your mind might immediately go to ads. But, in today's episode, Melisa talks about campaigns as a way to center your business development and lead generation activities around a specific theme so you can more effectively fill your pipeline as an independent consultant. Melisa defines the concept of a campaign in the …
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One of the primary focuses for consulting business owners is generating high-quality leads. What’s the secret to being effective at generating high-quality leads in a way that’s also sustainable and repeatable? The secret to effective and sustainable lead generation is based on what phase your consulting business is in. In this episode, Melisa shar…
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In this episode, Melisa sits down with Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners, a leading marketplace that connects independent consultants with enterprise and mid-sized businesses. Melisa and Miles dive into the key qualities of successful consultants, sharing insights about common mistakes to avoid and strategies for staying competitive in the fast-ev…
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Mastering relationship marketing can lead to significant revenue opportunities in your business. You might think it either comes naturally to you, or it doesn’t. That’s not the case. You can learn and improve your relationship marketing skills, as a path to grow your consulting business. In today's episode, Melisa is joined by Sara Macauley, princi…
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If you're an independent consultant, the idea of taking time off—whether it's for maternity leave, a sabbatical, or just a much-needed break—probably raises some big concerns. Is it even possible to step away? Will your business still be there when you come back? In this episode, I’m talking with Anuska Chhaya, the founder of Chhaya Consulting, who…
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202. How to Build a Consulting Business That Lasts: Lessons From 200 Episodes & 12 Years in Business (Part 2)
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As independent consultants, we're all on a journey of growth and learning. It's easy to feel isolated when things don't go as planned, but the truth is, we all face setbacks in our business. In the second episode of her series on lessons learned from 200 podcast episodes and 12 years in business, Melisa shares her experiences working as an independ…
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201. How to Build a Consulting Business That Lasts: Lessons From 200 Episodes & 12 Years in Business (Part 1)
41:37
Making the leap from a corporate job to becoming an independent consultant is a big step—and it can feel overwhelming. Building a thriving consultancy takes time, and like any entrepreneur, you'll face challenges, make mistakes, and experience growing pains along the way. In this first episode of a two-part series, Melisa reflects on 12 years of co…
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Welcome to a special milestone episode—#200! Are you limiting your potential as an independent consultant? You might be surprised at what’s truly possible for you—whether it’s doubling your income, hitting $1M in revenue, or building a consulting business that fulfills you in ways you never imagined. In this episode, Melisa dives into why understan…
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For many independent consultants, entering a new year can feel like starting over. While starting over can initially feel exciting, it can quickly sabotage your business if you’re not careful. In this episode, Melisa points out the dangers of thinking you’re starting over and shares actionable strategies to break the start-over cycle. This is an im…
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