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 sales experience. Ellie lays out the practical steps and mindset shifts that fueled her meteoric start, including how she reframed rejection, established ...
Jun 26, 2025•50 min
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 builder, about how consultants can create private GPTs to capture their intellectual property, streamline delivery, and scale their businesses without ad...
Jun 19, 2025•45 min
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 working, what surprised her, and how she’s thinking about integrating physical products into her consulting business long-term. If you’ve ever thought:...
Jun 12, 2025•42 min
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 wa...
Jun 05, 2025•52 min
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't always translate into knowing how to position your delivery as a value driver — something that generates referrals, repeat business, and higher pri...
May 29, 2025•35 min
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 consulting client leads. This is about designing a repeatable, strategic approach that positions you for fast client conversions — and long-term growth. Yo...
May 22, 2025•32 min
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 independent consultants fall into when it comes to follow-up. You'll hear how to approach follow-up in a way that adds value and reinforces your exper...
May 15, 2025•31 min
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. Melisa shares a real client case study that illustrates how thought errors can keep you solving yesterday’s problems and sabotaging your current and...
May 08, 2025•28 min
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 even realizing it. These leaks aren’t just annoying; they dilute your revenue, add unnecessary stress, and make your business harder to run than it n...
May 01, 2025•31 min
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 about the real work of running a consulting business: Facilitating a productive, impactful retreat for your solo consulting business, Why consultants oft...
Apr 24, 2025•48 min
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 building his own consulting practice — Matty gives us a grounded, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to start and grow a consulting busines...
Apr 17, 2025•51 min
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, shape your identity as a sought-after expert, and take focused, decisive action. To help you put the episode into action, Melisa provides actionable ques...
Apr 10, 2025•41 min
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-demand fractional leader for start-ups and companies looking to scale quickly and efficiently. Melisa and Alessandro discuss what it takes to succeed in t...
Apr 03, 2025•46 min
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 strategies top consultants use to leverage podcasts for effective lead generation within the unique consulting business model. Plus, get the inside scoop on t...
Mar 27, 2025•39 min
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 shares real-world examples of KPIs, such as financial tracking, lead generation, and operational efficiency. She discusses how these metrics can bring cl...
Mar 20, 2025•24 min
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 learn how dedicating just 7 minutes to one focused lead-generation action per day can rapidly fill your pipeline with ideal clients. Plus, she’ll walk yo...
Mar 13, 2025•22 min
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 comprehensive 360-degree perspective to consulting, leveraging his current roles as a fractional executive and strategy consultant, along with his pa...
Mar 06, 2025•52 min
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 context of an independent consulting business and shows how it can become the driving force behind your lead generation efforts. Creating a repeatable...
Feb 27, 2025•36 min
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 shares how independent consultants should approach lead generation based on the phase your business is in. She explains how to choose the best strategy an...
Feb 20, 2025•42 min
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-evolving independent market. Miles also gives listeners a sneak peek into his book, Free Birds Revolution , where he uncovers the six forces shaping the...
Feb 13, 2025•41 min
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, principal consultant and owner of Kindred Strategic, a consultancy that works with oil, gas, renewable energy, and software companies to grow their business...
Feb 06, 2025•39 min
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 recently navigated maternity leave after the birth of her second child. She shares her firsthand experience of balancing a new baby with a growing co...
Jan 30, 2025•37 min
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 independent consultant and coach. She highlights the challenges independent consultants commonly encounter and offers practical insights for avoiding the same...
Jan 23, 2025•40 min
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 consulting and 200 podcast episodes, sharing five valuable lessons to help you navigate the ups and downs of building a sustainable independent consulti...
Jan 16, 2025•40 min
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 understanding what’s possible is critical for independent consultants who want to achieve more. She shares five real-life success stories from her clients, ill...
Jan 09, 2025•43 min
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 important concept for your business beyond the start of a new year. This “starting over” cycle applies to a new year and also to key inflection points i...
Jan 02, 2025•30 min•Ep. 199
Understanding key trends can be the difference between staying ahead or falling behind in your consulting business. In this final episode of 2024, Melisa Liberman breaks down the six essential trends that will shape independent consulting in 2025, helping you position your business for greater success. You'll learn why these trends matter and get practical strategies to leverage them in your business. If you want to stay competitive and grow your consulting practice in 2025, this episode provide...
Dec 26, 2024•31 min•Ep. 198
Planning for 2025 can be the difference between another year of incremental growth and transformational success in your consulting business. In this episode, Melisa Liberman breaks down the five essential steps to make 2025 your best year yet, helping you move beyond basic goal setting to create real, sustainable growth. You'll learn why traditional planning approaches often fail independent consultants and get a practical framework for setting yourself up for success. If you're ready to make 20...
Dec 19, 2024•45 min•Ep. 197
Are you making a common sales mistake that's costing you clients and credibility? In this episode, Melisa Liberman reveals why letting potential clients take the lead in your sales process undermines your expertise and provides practical strategies to position yourself as the trusted advisor from the first conversation. You'll learn why many independent consultants fall into this trap and get actionable steps to take control of your sales process. If you find yourself constantly responding to cl...
Dec 12, 2024•35 min•Ep. 196
Managing your consulting pipeline effectively can be the difference between feast-or-famine and predictable revenue. In this episode, Melisa interviews Gosia Fitzgerald, co-founder and CFO of OnePageCRM, who shares insider knowledge on how successful consultants track and convert leads without getting overwhelmed by complex systems. You'll learn why many independent consultants struggle with pipeline management, common mistakes to avoid, and practical solutions that work specifically for indepen...
Dec 05, 2024•36 min•Ep. 195
