When consultants are asked what they need to make more money and grow their business, most say "more leads." But you actually don't need as many leads as you think. In this episode, Leah shares the real problem most consultants face (and how to solve it), so you can stop spending so much energy focusing on leads, and get paid more for each client engagement. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Clients: If you’re a woman running a consulting business, learn how you can ge...
Apr 28, 2024•21 min•Ep. 89
Do you find yourself yearning to be recognized as a strategic partner by your clients? Are you tired of getting stuck in tactical execution work? Then you're going to want to listen to this episode. In this insightful podcast episode, consultants Sarah and Corey Jackson share their transformative journey from being stuck in the weeds of tactical execution to becoming sought-after strategic consultants. They share the steps they took to shift their focus and win over clients who now see them as i...
Apr 14, 2024•46 min•Ep. 88
When we take a marketing or sales action towards getting a new consulting client, we all have that little voice that tell us we shouldn't, or we can't, or who are we to think...? We lovingly call this "head trash," and it's the silent confidence killer that can make you play small in your consulting business. In this episode, listen in as we explore the head trash that comes up in selling, and how to overcome it. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Clients: If you’re a w...
Mar 31, 2024•21 min•Ep. 87
When your consulting business is doing well, it can feel like you got there through luck. But then the thought pops into your head: what if your luck runs out? In this conversation with consultant Meghan Goff, you'll hear how that fear showed up for her, what she did to quiet the fear, and how she learned to not only maintain her business but grow it dramatically. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Clients: If you’re a woman running a consulting business, learn how you ...
Mar 17, 2024•51 min•Ep. 86
In this candid episode, Leah shares the simple yet powerful mantras that keep her grounded and focused while building her business. Leah explains how she stays patient and present instead of getting caught up in comparison, shiny objects, or trying to force quick wins. She reflects on the daily mental practices that help her show up consistently, avoid burnout, and make incremental progress over time. This episode will inspire you to stay true to your path, not get derailed by others’ approaches...
Mar 03, 2024•28 min•Ep. 85
When you're a few years into your business, some of that early excitement has subsided, and you're in The Messy Middle, how do you keep growing your business? That's the question Leah is exploring in this episode with Kathryn Janicek. Kathryn has been running her business for eight years, and she'll share the changes she made to increase her revenue by 40%, build her confidence, and continue to grow her business in The Messy Middle. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Cl...
Feb 18, 2024•48 min•Ep. 84
It's hard to feel in control of your business when things feel disorganized. In this episode, join Leah and a client as they dive into the nitty-gritty of getting and staying organized and being more efficient, so you can better lead the sales process, and work smarter. Tune in for some valuable insights, practical tips, and a deep dive into the complexities of running a consulting business. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Clients: If you’re a woman running a consult...
Feb 04, 2024•26 min•Ep. 83
It's a common assumption among women consultants: in order to grow your revenue, you have to either be completely overworked, or build a large agency and take on more work, resulting in overwork and loss of control. In this episode, Leah debunks that assumption and shares four strategies for increasing revenue while keeping the business small, so you can break through the revenue ceiling, while still having time for what's important to you. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consu...
Jan 21, 2024•29 min•Ep. 82
When you’ve spent the first years of your business getting clients through referrals, how do you go from feeling like the passenger in your business, to the driver's seat? In this episode of the Smart Gets Paid podcast, Alex Kreager, PR consultant, will share how she did it. Discover her strategies for client engagement, the pivotal role of LinkedIn, and how she found the confidence and stability that finally made her feel like a business owner. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying ...
Jan 07, 2024•44 min•Ep. 81
When we think about running a successful business, we often think of financial profitability. But there are a lot of women making good money, but working way too hard. The reason? Because we've been thinking about profitability all wrong. There isn't just one type of profitability, there are three. And once we know what they are, we can have businesses that are financially profitable, personally rewarding, and infinitely sustainable. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting C...
Dec 24, 2023•19 min•Ep. 80
What do you do when you're in a sales process with a potential client, but the client dynamic feels a bit off and you start to see some red flags? That's the challenge Leah's client faces in this episode. Listen in as they talk about handling difficult clients, navigating internal dynamics, and setting boundaries to ensure successful client relationships. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Clients: If you’re a woman running a consulting business, learn how you can get p...
Dec 10, 2023•25 min•Ep. 79
When founder Jill James realized she needed to end her marriage, she faced the challenge of supporting herself and her son alone. Fortunately, the skills she acquired in acquiring clients empowered her to make the decision that was best for her. In this episode, Leah has an insightful conversation with Jill James, her client and dear friend, about how our present business decisions can enable us to prioritize our future well-being. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Cli...
Nov 26, 2023•43 min•Ep. 78
Have you ever wondered if you could get paid more for your consulting work? Or perhaps you'd like to get paid more, but the story you're telling yourself is that clients won't say yes. If so, don't miss this episode. Listen in as Leah coaches a client on pricing, pricing confidence, and using pricing to build a better relationship with clients. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Clients: If you’re a woman running a consulting business, learn how you can get paid more fo...
Nov 12, 2023•27 min•Ep. 77
What can you learn from the worst year of your business? That's the question Leah is diving into today. Leah shares her "year from hell" and the valuable lessons she learned as a business owner. Listen as Leah shares practical tips to help you overcome the challenges faced by women running consulting businesses, such as getting the right clients and getting paid more. Don't spend years asking questions - with the lessons shared here, you can make this the year that answers. Connect with Leah on ...
Oct 29, 2023•19 min•Ep. 76
Sometimes you find yourself in a perplexing client experience. In this episode, Leah's clients share their confusion as to how a project that started at their standard rate, ended up at one-fifth of the price. In this episode, you'll hear Leah unpack what happened in the sales process, how to develop a profitable client engagement, how to make the most of a not-great situation, and how to avoid it in the future. Tune in to learn from their experiences and gain valuable advice on navigating clien...
Oct 15, 2023•22 min•Ep. 75
How do you get clients beyond people you already know? It's one of the most common challenges women consultants face, and in this episode, Leah and her client talk through how to do it. Listen in to learn how to get clients outside of the people you already know, the mistake that a lot of women make when they try to get outside their network, and how to avoid getting caught flat-footed when you need to make clients happen. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Clients: If ...
Oct 01, 2023•21 min•Ep. 74
In this captivating episode, join Leah as she chats with Alicia Johnson, whose consulting business is in emergency management. From being an emergency responder during Hurricane Sandy, to starting consulting as a side hustle, to far exceeding her last job working for someone else, Alicia's story is one of learning to own your expertise, trust yourself, and build relationships. Listen in for a truly inspiring conversation. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Clients: If y...
Sep 17, 2023•59 min•Ep. 73
If you've tried marketing or sales strategies to get clients and they didn't work, you might be wondering what you did wrong. But there's a high likelihood that it was never going to work to begin with for a simple reason. In this podcast episode, discover why these strategies won't work and the key shifts you need to make to succeed. With real-life examples, you'll learn to navigate the confusing world of entrepreneurship and find out what's necessary to get B2B clients, and avoid wasting any m...
Sep 03, 2023•31 min•Ep. 72
So many women consultants are Type A Overachievers who are ambitious, who work hard, and who put a lot of pressure on themselves (maybe this sounds like you, too?). But even for high achievers, it can be hard to stay consistent and achieve your goals. In this episode, listen in as Leah talks to a client whose high-achieving nature can lead to burnout and self-doubt. Together, they unravel the underlying reasons for our relentless pursuit of perfection and discover the power of self-compassion. T...
Aug 20, 2023•30 min•Ep. 71
In this episode, join Leah as she opens up about a life-altering experience that transformed her perspective and reshaped her business forever. In this intimate solo episode, Leah shares the unexpected stroke she had at 36 years old and the profound impact it had on her health, sense of security, and overall life. From the initial symptoms to the search for answers, she takes you on her journey of recovery, resilience, and the lessons learned along the way. Discover how Leah's story inspires awa...
Aug 06, 2023•19 min•Ep. 70
In this insightful episode, we're going deep on scaling consulting businesses with Mandi Ellefson, the founder of Hands Off CEO. In a captivating conversation, Mandi and Leah explore the fascinating differences between how men and women grow their consulting businesses differently. Discover the pitfalls and challenges faced by both, and learn what it takes to scale your own business while managing your bandwidth. Whether you're a solopreneur or aiming to build a million-dollar agency, this episo...
Jul 23, 2023•52 min•Ep. 69
We all know that running a consulting business can be quite a busy endeavor, especially when it comes to attracting new clients. However, it's essential to focus on activities that will genuinely boost your client base. In this episode, Leah shares a valuable lesson with a client, shedding light on the importance of not only investing your time wisely, but trusting yourself as well. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn Resources: → Referrals on Repeat: If you get consulting clients through word of mout...
Jun 25, 2023•25 min•Ep. 68
Selling your consulting services to businesses can feel like watching paint dry - it takes ages for clients to finally say yes, sometimes even up to 18 months! So how can you run a successful consulting business when it can take so long to get a new client? Just ask consultant Kathy Almy. Join Leah and Kathy for a great discussion on how Kathy has grown her consulting business despite her clients having a very long sales process (seriously long!), and how you can do the same. Connect with Leah o...
Jun 11, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 67
If you've spent your career making others look and sound good, it can feel weird to turn the camera on yourself, so to speak, and make your own voice heard. Kim Rittberg felt the same, having spent her career in media as a producer for Netflix, People, and others. But now she's turned the camera on herself in her business, and she's chatting with Leah to share how you can do it too. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Clients: If you’re a woman running a consulting busin...
May 28, 2023•55 min•Ep. 66
Several years into Smart Gets Paid, Leah's niche is pretty clear and easy to recognize: women who run independent consulting businesses. But it wasn't always that clear. So in this episode, I pull back the curtain and share with you how I came to my niche, the women I work with. But I get there in a roundabout way, by talking to a client who's struggling to find HER niche. Tune in to my conversation about how I found my niche, and how you can find your own. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Hi...
May 14, 2023•28 min•Ep. 65
If you want to elevate the clients you're working with, how do you do it? How do you go from catching smaller fish, to catching big fish? Join Leah for a conversation with Nora Shepard, head of business development at the Simply Be personal branding agency, to learn how. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Clients: If you’re a woman running a consulting business, learn how you can get paid more for your consulting contracts and attract more of the right kinds of clients ...
Apr 30, 2023•55 min•Ep. 64
Even though there's no silver bullet to getting consulting clients, there is one thing that can make getting clients easier: having a good Painkiller Statement. But what you might not know is that creating your Painkiller Statement is one of the hardest things to do. In this episode, you'll hear why my client is so frustrated with her Painkiller Statement, and how to make it easier to create. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn Resources: → Referrals on Repeat: If you get consulting clients through wo...
Apr 16, 2023•30 min•Ep. 63
In this very special episode, Leah sits down with her Dad, Bob Neaderthal, to talk about the lessons he learned in running his small business for 30 years, what she learned from watching him, and the lessons he instilled which she shares with her clients today. Join us for a heartwarming discussion. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn Resources: → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Clients: If you’re a woman running a consulting business, learn how you can get paid more for your consulting contracts and att...
Apr 02, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 62
You didn't start your business so you could work all the time. And yet, so many women are working way too hard in their consulting businesses, for "ok money," and they don't have enough time for what really matters. But it doesn't have to be this way. In this conversation with Rosie Stafford Smith, she shares how she built a profitable consulting business and has time for what truly matters. Resources: → Referrals on Repeat: If you get consulting clients through word of mouth or referrals, it ca...
Mar 19, 2023•46 min•Ep. 61
In this episode, Leah shares the three biggest mistakes she made in running and growing her consulting businesses, along with how to avoid them, so you can avoid the same pitfalls and grow your business. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn Resources: → Referrals on Repeat: If you get consulting clients through word of mouth or referrals, it can feel like you're waiting for the next one to come your way. Get the 5 step Referrals on Repeat system to take control of the referrals so you can get referrals...
Mar 05, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 60
