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221. From Accidental Consultant to Strategic Advisor: Lessons from Alison Jeffrey

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Manage episode 486942958 series 2899748
Content provided by Melisa Liberman. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Melisa Liberman or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

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 authenticity, intention, and relationships.

Alison shares candidly how she stopped chasing “good enough” clients, redefined what success looks like (even when walking away from high-paying work), and leaned into her natural strengths as a strategist, connector, and advisor not just a fundraiser.

Whether you're building from scratch or refining your consulting business model, this episode offers hard-earned insight on how to build a business that aligns with your values, your energy, and your long-term goals.

Timestamps for Key Moments:

[05:00] The mindset shift that started it all — leaving without a plan and trusting it would work.

[10:00] Why Alison walked away from a high-paying engagement — and what happened next.

[15:00] The hidden power of strategic positioning — moving from “fundraiser” to “advisor.”

[25:00] How to consistently build a pipeline using relational strategies, not hustle tactics.

[35:00] Creating a seasonal business model that supports high-revenue periods and planned slow-downs.

[40:00] How to structure fractional advisory roles without becoming a staff augmentation.

Tune in to Episode 221 to hear Alison’s practical, powerful path to building a sustainable consulting business and how you can apply her approach to your own.

Related Resources

Want More?

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

  continue reading

222 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 486942958 series 2899748
Content provided by Melisa Liberman. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Melisa Liberman or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

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 authenticity, intention, and relationships.

Alison shares candidly how she stopped chasing “good enough” clients, redefined what success looks like (even when walking away from high-paying work), and leaned into her natural strengths as a strategist, connector, and advisor not just a fundraiser.

Whether you're building from scratch or refining your consulting business model, this episode offers hard-earned insight on how to build a business that aligns with your values, your energy, and your long-term goals.

Timestamps for Key Moments:

[05:00] The mindset shift that started it all — leaving without a plan and trusting it would work.

[10:00] Why Alison walked away from a high-paying engagement — and what happened next.

[15:00] The hidden power of strategic positioning — moving from “fundraiser” to “advisor.”

[25:00] How to consistently build a pipeline using relational strategies, not hustle tactics.

[35:00] Creating a seasonal business model that supports high-revenue periods and planned slow-downs.

[40:00] How to structure fractional advisory roles without becoming a staff augmentation.

Tune in to Episode 221 to hear Alison’s practical, powerful path to building a sustainable consulting business and how you can apply her approach to your own.

Related Resources

Want More?

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

  continue reading

222 episodes

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