Episodes
-
Struggling to figure out the perfect niche for your consulting or coaching?
You won’t be after you tune into this episode of the Consulting Matters podcast!
In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my brand positioning process and sharing the four questions I ask every client to help them discover their niche fast – without the spin or second-guessing.
I’ll reveal to you why trying to answer, “What’s my niche?” directly rarely works, why all the time you’ve spent with AI trying to get clarity is leaving you more confused, and what you should be asking yourself and doing instead.
Ready for a more strategic approach to clarifying your niche, while addressing the very fears of choosing the wrong direction or limiting yourself? Tune in now!
What you’ll discover in this episode:
What a niche actually is and what you need to know before trying to figure out yoursWhy figuring out your niche is so much harder than people make it sound, and the three reasons so many consultants and coaches stay stuck. The #1 strategy and mindset shift that changes everything when you're choosing a niche that helps you stand out. Why no one hires a consultant or coach because they want a consultant or coach, and what they're really looking for instead. Simple research strategies that will help you stop guessing and uncover what your ideal clients truly want and needWHERE TO DIVE IN0:00 – Struggling to find your niche?
NEXT STEPS
0:22 – Welcome to Consulting Matters
4:47 – Q1: What your niche actually is
7:09 – The "spotlight" mistake everyone makes
9:23 – Why AI can't nail your brand position
14:04 – Q2: Defining your ideal client
21:09 – Q3: The context for your help (the big one)
25:42 – Q4: Filling the market gap
27:57 – Recap and final takeawaysThanks for listening. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified.
If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/BetsyJordyn
If you're on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/
MORE RESOURCES FOR YOUGet free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads
Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps me reach more consultants and coaches who need these insights and inspiration 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Consulting Matters! See you next week!
-
Struggling to figure out which consulting or coaching business to start?
If you're a mid-career professional with years of experience, strengths, and possibilities, it's not always obvious which direction is right.
In this episode of Consulting Matters, my client Deborah Masak shares what she's learned about transforming decades of corporate leadership experience into a consulting and coaching business built around the highest level of expertise she earned throughout her career. Together, we explore why so many experienced professionals unintentionally build businesses around an earlier version of themselves instead of giving themselves the promotion they've earned.
This conversation will show you how setting the intention to give yourself a promotion can fast-track your clarity and confidence, keep you from selling yourself short, and lead you to a business that reflects who you've become, not just what you've done.
What you’ll discover in this episode:
Why building your consulting or coaching business should feel like a promotion, not a return to work you've already outgrown.How to navigate the messy middle of finding clarity in the right direction and positioning Why choosing one clear area of expertise is more powerful than trying to build a business around everything you've done.How to create compelling offers that monetize your strengths to help your clients solve their problems and achieve their goals. Why getting your professionally designed website done is about more than looking legitimate. It's the confidence you need to fully step into your identity as a business owner.WHERE TO DIVE IN01:11 – Deborah's background & how she met Betsy
NEXT STEPS
02:03 – 30 years in corporate L&D, why she wanted out
07:46 – Finding clarity: testing different business directions
16:08 – Trusting the process through the uncertainty
21:30 – Why we undervalue our newest skills vs. our past selves
34:36 – Deborah's offer: elevating L&D as a measurable driver
36:45 – Quick plug: Betsy & Deborah's joint ROI partnership
40:28 – Building the website & brand messaging
45:09 – The photo shoot "moment of truth"
48:46 – AI vs. human copywriting
54:49 – Deborah's closing advice
56:19 – Where to find DeborahThanks for listening. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified.
If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/BetsyJordyn
If you're on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/
Learn more about Deborah’s strategic coaching and measurement studies for L&D leaders (and how my team and I brought her brand positioning and messaging to life through copy, photos, and visuals)→ https://deborahmasak.com/
MORE RESOURCES FOR YOUGet free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads
Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps me reach more consultants and coaches who need these insights and inspiration 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Consulting Matters! See you next week!
-
Missing episodes?
-
Wondering if you can have it all - a consulting or coaching business AND life you love, without burning yourself out to get it?
If you think building a thriving consulting or coaching business requires sacrificing your health, relationships, or personal life, think again.
In this episode of Consulting Matters, executive coach and burnout resilience expert Rachelle Stone shares what she's learned after more than a decade of helping high achievers create success on their own terms. Together, we explore why burnout isn't just about working too hard. It's often the result of building your business and life around someone else's definition of success instead of your own.
This conversation will show you what's really required to build a consulting or coaching business that creates meaningful success year after year while also creating a life you love.
What you'll discover in this episode:
Why burnout often begins long before you realize you're headed there.How inherited "success scripts" quietly shape your business and career decisions.The simple daily habits that help prevent burnout before it becomes a crisis.Why your values, strengths, and natural wiring are the foundation of sustainable success.How to redefine success in a way that supports both your business and your life.WHERE TO DIVE IN
0:00 Rachelle opens with the question that changes everything: whose success script are you actually living?
4:23 The I-95 moment: how Rachelle burned out without even knowing it
9:36 The coaching class epiphany that finally gave it a name
14:44 Where the tagline "no one should burn out of a life they love" was born
20:13 How to identify and rewrite the scripts running your life
31:18 Prevention vs. recovery: why you want to choose prevention
46:08 How Rachelle lives the mission today, including coaching for free at industry conferences
53:57 The one thing to focus on if you want sustainable success
NEXT STEPS
Thanks for listening. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified.
If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/BetsyJordyn
If you're on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/
Learn more about Rachelle's executive coaching for high-performing leaders and burnout resilience → https://rstoneconsulting.com/
MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Get free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads
Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps me reach more consultants and coaches who need these insights and inspiration 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Consulting Matters! See you next week!
-
Five years ago, J. Kyle Howard hired me because he was struggling to articulate what he did and how to package it into a business.
At the time, he was a former CIO trying to figure out how to turn decades of experience into something other people would understand, value, and buy.
In other words, he thought he had a messaging problem.
What neither of us realized was that the challenge wasn't really about messaging.
As we worked together, something deeper began to emerge.
Questions about identity.
Questions about purpose.
Questions about who he was apart from the career he had spent years building.
This week, as part of my "Where Are They Now?" series on Consulting Matters, J. Kyle returns to the podcast to reflect on what happened next.
And what a journey it has been.
Over the past five years, he tried on different business ideas, moved across the country, went through a significant personal healing journey, and ultimately found his way back to an idea that had been trying to get his attention for more than 30 years.
What I love about this conversation is that it captures something I've observed throughout my career.
People often come to me because they think they need help with positioning, messaging, offers, or marketing.
And sometimes they do.
But for many consultants and coaches, particularly those leaving established careers to build something of their own, the real journey isn't about marketing.
It's about becoming.
It's about discovering who you are when the title, the role, the organization, and all the external markers of success are no longer defining you.
It's about finding the courage to build a business that reflects who you actually are, rather than who you think you're supposed to be.
J. Kyle's story is a powerful reminder that clarity doesn't always arrive in a straight line.
Sometimes the detours are part of the path.
Where to dive in:00:00 — Entrepreneurship forces inner work
02:09 — What Jay really needed in 2020 wasn't a business plan
06:01 — The promotion that should have been everything
17:33 — Choosing himself over the Northrop Grumman job
18:58 — The hotel lobby stranger who cracked him open
21:20 — 15 days later: two clients and a 35th floor view
23:16 — The question that had bothered him for 30 years
30:11 — What the business actually is in plain English
37:44 — How Jay accidentally became an OD consultant
40:52 — Live messaging coaching on air
50:21 — Three things Jay would tell his 2020 self
Next Steps:Don't Panic: You won't receive everything you need at once. It's a process, so walk your path without fear.Stay Open, Not Defensive: Accept the information that comes to you instead of shutting it down.Express What Hurts: If something is painful, let it out. You don't have to do it publicly, but if you need to cry, cry. Have the experience.Bring Your Authentic Self Forward: If you need help bringing your authentic identity into the world through a consulting or coaching business, book a discovery call with me or explore my services.Other episodes you may enjoy:
Turn Fear into Confident Action with J. Kyle Howard (Ep5) Scaling Success Your Way with Denise Musselwhite (Ep167)What it Really Means To Be On-Purpose (Ep166)
Are We Aligned on What People-Centered Leadership and Organizations Really Mean? (Ep164)
About my guest: J. Kyle Howard is an organizational systems strategist and founder of the Opportunity Systems Institute. With over three decades spanning oil and gas, healthcare, media, and enterprise technology, he developed Opportunity Systems Architecture — a methodology for diagnosing why talented people inside broken systems produce inconsistent results. His work has driven outcomes like a 17% to 98% project completion rate improvement and $2.4M in savings. Learn more at opportunitysystemsinstitute.com.
About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
I am super excited to introduce my brand-new "Where Are They Now?" series on the Consulting Matters podcast, and I could not have picked a better first guest.
You've heard me talk about Denise Musselwhite before. I chose her to kick off this series because I love her story. She found clarity on her purpose as an executive development coach for diverse leaders in tech, and that clarity fast-tracked her profits and got her fully booked faster than even she planned for.
Which, of course, created the happiest of problems: how do you scale success your way?
Tune in to discover why brand and messaging clarity isn't just one of the things you do to grow your business, it's THE thing that accelerates and sustains your success, how Denise is solving the happy problem of scaling on her own terms, and her powerful approach to tracking progress using metrics that go way beyond the financials.
In this episode, you'll hear:
How Denise went from working in the business to CEO in year threeHow getting fully booked led to figuring out scale on her own termsThe KPI system that tracks more than just moneyThe 5-15 Tool that changed the way she runs her businessOutsourcing strategically while keeping what she lovesScaling success her way — what it really looks likeWhere To Dive In3:34 Denise's origin story and why she couldn't unsee it
10:16 The watershed moment that unlocked the leap
20:08 Fully booked and figuring out scale
27:43 The KPI system that tracks more than money
37:20 Year three: from "in the work" to CEO
38:43 Scaling success your way 43:31 Outsourcing strategically (and keeping what you love)
53:04 The 5-15 Tool
54:18 Building your personal board of directors
Next StepsStart tracking your own full-picture KPIs this week… not just revenue, but everything that makes you your best self. Think gym, family time, meals cooked, whatever keeps you at your best.Grab Denise's 5-15 Tool for a simple weekly check-in framework you can start using right away. https://www.denisemusselwhite.com/ Ready to get the kind of clarity that Denise credits for her success? Work with me on your brand positioning and messaging, and take your first steps toward building a consulting business that works on your terms. https://www.betsyjordyn.com/servicesOther episodes you may enjoy:
Employee to Entrepreneur: Embrace A New Mindset with Denise Musselwhite (Ep62)What it Really Means To Be On-Purpose (Ep166)Are We Aligned on What People-Centered Leadership and Organizations Really Mean? (Ep164)How to Monetize Your Zone of Genius (Ep163)Too Many Business Ideas? 5 Steps to Find Your Focus (Ep160)About the guest: Denise Musselwhite is a board-certified executive coach, speaker, and strategist who spent 25 years in tech — often as one of the only Latinas in the boardroom. Through her company Tech & Thrive, she helps women and diverse professionals break through the hidden barriers holding them back so they can step into leadership, land the roles they deserve, and build careers that actually fit their lives.
About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
Are you living your purpose in your business? I brought on Kevin McCarthy to Consulting Matters to talk about purpose! He literally wrote the book on-purpose. Discover what purpose truly is so you can align your business with why you're here and what you're meant to do as a consultant, coach, or business owner. Tune in to hear:
What most of us don't understand about purpose (and how it's keeping us from living ours)Why so many of us struggle to know our purposeThe benefits of discovering purpose and aligning it with your workWhere To Dive In00:00 – Welcome + What Does It Mean to Be "On-Purpose"?
Next Steps
04:08 – Defining Purpose, Vision, Mission, and Values
12:21 – Why Passion Is Often Connected to Pain and Purpose
17:20 – How Our Life Experiences Reveal the Work We're Meant to Do
21:28 – Kevin's Two-Word Purpose Framework and Betsy's "Awakening Worth"
35:48 – Kevin's Purpose: Liberating Greatness
39:23 – The Biggest Trap Consultants and Coaches Face
44:21 – Purpose-Driven vs. Purpose-Called
51:23 – How to Connect with Kevin and Discover Your Purpose1. Discover Your Purpose with Kevin McCarthy
Visit Kevin's websites at OnPurpose.com and OnPurpose.me to explore his books, purpose resources, and two-word purpose assessment. If today's conversation resonated with you, I highly recommend taking the assessment and spending some time reflecting on what it reveals about your unique calling and how you're meant to serve.2. Build a Brand That Reflects Your Purpose
One of my biggest takeaways from this conversation is that purpose isn't just personal; it's strategic. If you're a consultant, coach, speaker, or thought leader, I'd love to help you uncover what makes your work uniquely valuable and translate that into clear positioning, messaging, and marketing. Together, we'll identify where your experience, strengths, story, and purpose intersect so you can attract the clients you're truly meant to serve. Book a call here.3. Identify Where You're Playing Small
Take a few minutes this week to ask yourself: Where am I operating from obligation instead of alignment? What would change if I organized my business around my purpose instead of around what's expected? Sometimes the next breakthrough begins with a single honest question.Other episodes you may enjoy:
Are We Aligned on What People-Centered Leadership and Organizations Really Mean? (Ep164)How to Monetize Your Zone of Genius (Ep163)Too Many Business Ideas? 5 Steps to Find Your Focus (Ep160)Consulting and Coaching in The Messy Middle (Ep159)About my guest: Kevin W. McCarthy is a bestselling author, business strategist, and widely recognized authority on purpose and leadership. As the founder and Chief Leadership Officer of On-Purpose Partners, he has spent decades helping individuals, leaders, and organizations discover their purpose and align their work with what matters most. Kevin is the author of The On-Purpose Person and The On-Purpose Business Person, books that helped shape how many entrepreneurs and consultants think about purpose, meaning, and business strategy today. Through his writing, coaching, and speaking, Kevin continues to help people move beyond simply knowing their purpose to powerfully putting it to work. https://kevinwmccarthy.com/
About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
Is the fear of failure holding you back from what you want to create or achieve in your consulting or coaching business?
If so, you won’t be after you tune into my episode with Melisa buie, author of Faceplant: FREE Yourself from Failure’s Funk (great title, right!).
Her book is the result of a quest she had to understand why failure is accepted and even embraced in lab-type situations but not in life.
Through her deep-dive research, she found the answer to this question, and what she discovered is so powerful!
I cannot wait for you to listen to her actionable tips that will forever flip the script on any fears of failure you have and actually embrace the times when it doesn’t work out exactly how you wanted.
We get into:
How learning from failure is a highly learnable skill Her FREE model that will help you instantly apply it to any situation, big or smallWhen facing (or anticipating) failure, and why reflection is a superpower. (We also talk about why reflection for some of us might feel like we’re getting electric shocks). Ready to free yourself from fear of failure?Where to dive in:
00:00 – Why fear of failure holds so many consultants and coaches back
03:17 – From engineering experiments to real-world failures
14:40 – Why failure and learning are two sides of the same coin
22:20 – The F.R.E.E. Framework for navigating setbacks
30:15 – Betsy's personal "faceplant" and what it taught her
34:00 – Reflection as the key to resilience and growth
56:30 – Why learning from failure is a skill anyone can develop
Next steps:
1. Apply the F.R.E.E. Framework to Your Next Setback
The next time a proposal is rejected, a launch falls flat, or a plan doesn't work out, pause before reacting. Focus on the facts, reflect on your response, explore what you can learn, and engage in one small experiment to move forward.2. Build a Reflection Practice
Whether through journaling, expressive writing, or intentional thinking time, create space to process challenges instead of avoiding them. Reflection is often the difference between repeating a mistake and learning from it.3. Clarify Your Next Move
If you're feeling stuck between where you are and where you want to go, I help consultants and coaches uncover the patterns, strengths, and opportunities that lead to greater clarity, positioning, and growth. Sometimes the breakthrough isn't working harder—it's seeing yourself and your work more clearly.Other episodes you may enjoy:
How to Monetize Your Zone of Genius (Ep163)Too Many Business Ideas? 5 Steps to Find Your Focus (Ep160)Consulting and Coaching in The Messy Middle (Ep159)How to Become a Confident Speaker with Dr. Christina Madison (Ep158)About the guest: Melisa Buie is an author, organizational strategist, and problem-solving expert who has spent more than 25 years helping professionals and teams embrace experimentation, innovation, and continuous growth. After earning her PhD, she discovered that true learning begins when we stop chasing perfection and start learning from failure. Through her books, workshops, and leadership programs, Melisa helps organizations build cultures where curiosity thrives, teams solve hard problems with confidence, and failure becomes a catalyst for breakthrough results.
About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
When I got into consulting, I was really drawn to organization development.
I was a young international HR manager at the nonprofit where I worked. As I walked around the organization, I would always get confused by what was said on the break room walls and what was actually lived out.
And I always wanted to bring those two things together.
I think that's a lot of what drove me.
And I think many of us want to bridge the gap between what organizations could be and what they are.
That's part of what got me to form The Common Good Consulting & Coaching Consortium, you’ve heard me talk about… and today I’m bringing people from that group together to discuss whether or not we're all on the same page around what the heck a people-centered organization is, or what people-centered leaders are.
I brought on three of the participants from this Common Good Consortium from different perspectives - from Lean, from OD, and L &D, and we're gonna have a conversation around what it looks like, around what we have in common, around our definitions, and where we have different perspectives and where we can piggyback on one another's expertise.
Tune in to hear from Matt White around Lean and Continuous Improvement, Kristen Chase from OD, and Deborah Masak from L&D.
Let’s dive in!
Where to Dive In:00:00 — Are We Aligned on People-Centered Leadership and Organizations?
06:16 — Why Betsy Started the Common Good Consortium Conversation
07:38 — The Lean and Continuous Improvement View of People-Centered Leadership
12:46 — The Organizational Development Perspective on Culture and Leadership
18:30 — The Learning & Development Perspective on People and Business Results
20:49 — Why OD, L&D, and Continuous Improvement Often Work in Silos
36:26 — The Need for Better Cross-Functional Collaboration
45:20 — The Biggest Challenges Facing People-Centered Organizations Today
54:43 — Moving Leaders from Reactive to Responsive
58:25 — Final Thoughts on Collaboration, Culture, and Long-Term Impact
Next Steps:Participate in a cross-functional group to share best practices across disciplines and a "Common Good Toolkit" of resources and approaches for creating balanced, people-centered decision-making in organizations. This group will be led by Kristin Chase, a seasoned OD consultant who founded the Greater Orlando Organization Development Network (GOOD). She has direct experience bringing a successful professional networking organization to life and will be getting the word out to more of our peers who share our vision and goals. You can let me know if you're interested in this group, or reach out directly to Kristin at [email protected]
Thank you again for all that you do to make a difference each day and for helping me further the conversation around what it looks like for us to more effectively partner with one another to influence organizations to truly serve the common good.
Other episodes you may enjoy:
How to Monetize Your Zone of GeniusHow to Use AI Without It Running The Show with Tamra CajoTo AI or Not to AI: The Question is When Not IfToo Many Business Ideas? 5 Steps to Find Your FocusConsulting and Coaching in The Messy MiddleHow to Become a Confident Speaker with Dr. Christina Madison Do You Love Consulting or Coaching but Hate Marketing?About my guests:
Matthew White: Matthew White is a continuous improvement leader and Lean practitioner who is passionate about servant leadership, leadership development, and helping organizations create more effective and people-centered workplaces. With more than 20 years of experience in healthcare and manufacturing, he leads continuous improvement initiatives while coaching and mentoring leaders and teams in Lean thinking, problem solving, and operational excellence. Matthew’s leadership philosophy is rooted in humility, continuous learning, and adding value to others both professionally and personally as a husband, father of three, and youth baseball coach.
Kristen Chase: Kristen Chase is an organizational development consultant, culture strategist, and executive coach with more than 24 years of experience helping organizations align culture, leadership, and talent for long-term success. Before launching Chase Talent Development, she built the Organizational Development function at Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of NBCUniversal and Comcast, where she advanced to Senior Director of Organizational Development. Kristen specializes in people-centered culture strategy, leadership effectiveness, and executive coaching, blending strategic insight with practical, human-centered solutions.
Deborah Masak: Deborah Masak is a transformational talent, culture, and learning executive with deep expertise in leadership development, workforce enablement, and organizational growth. She has led enterprise-wide learning and talent strategies for global organizations, helping align culture, leadership, and business priorities during periods of rapid change and expansion. Deborah is known for building scalable learning ecosystems, driving engagement initiatives, and partnering with executives to create inclusive, high-performance cultures that fuel long-term impact.
About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
Is your consulting or coaching designed around what you’re best at, love doing, and what people actually want to pay you for?
Today, we are talking about one of my favorite topics and one of the best parts of my brand positioning and messaging strategy.
I really love the work I do with my clients, and it’s what we're gonna discuss in this episode of Consulting Matters… discovering your best-at-strengths.
Specifically, how to mine and monetize them, which isn't just about making you happier…
It's to make you more productive, more profitable, and best of all, instantly stand out in the crowded consulting and coaching marketplace.
Tune in to discover:
What best-at-strengths are (and how they aren’t just things you’re good at)Why your best- at-strengths are incredibly hard to see, value, and appreciateHow taking your “best-at-strengths seriously will change both your client’s life and your ownThe steps you can take now to start the process of mining and then monetizing what ultimately brings your clients the most value and you the most joyWhere to dive in:00:00 — Intro: Are You Building Around Your Real Strengths?
02:36 — What “Best At” Strengths Actually Are (and Aren’t)
07:20 — How to Know You’re Operating in Your Zone of Genius
09:42 — Why Your Real Strengths Are So Hard to See
18:51 — Why Taking Your Strengths Seriously Changes Everything
23:35 — How Betsy Used Her Strengths to Pivot Her Business
28:18 — Why Your Strengths Are Your True Differentiator
30:42 — How to Mine and Monetize Your Best Strengths
37:32 — Final Reflection + Action Steps
Next Steps:Pay attention – to your best days at work, to the compliments you below offTake seriously what you uncoverAnd of course, work with me to help you package your strengths, along with your expertise and passion into a brand strategy that positions you for the clients and opportunities you’re ready for. Book a call and let’s chat.Other episodes you may enjoy:
How to Use AI Without It Running The Show with Tamra CajoTo AI or Not to AI: The Question is When Not IfToo Many Business Ideas? 5 Steps to Find Your FocusConsulting and Coaching in The Messy MiddleHow to Become a Confident Speaker with Dr. Christina Madison Do You Love Consulting or Coaching but Hate Marketing?About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
You heard it from me, now hear it from my sister!
I recorded the podcast you heard on Wednesday, "To AI or Not to AI: The Question Is When, Not If," on my ahas about AI from our conversation at the beach a couple of weeks ago.
I told my sister about it, and she was like, " Hey, I got more information.” And I said, “Well, I have more thinking!”
So, I’m releasing a BONUS episode of Consulting Matters on this week’s topic on AI with my very special guest, my sister Tamra Cajo!
Tamra (or Tami, as I call her) is a nonprofit leader who is in love with Claude (where Claude and I are on a break right now). But somehow, over the course of our weekend together, we found common ground on how to get the best out of AI - without it running the show.
When you tune into the bonus episode, you won't just hear me summarize our conversation, but see it LIVE.
Plus, you'll get to see firsthand (if you watch the episode on my blog or on YT) and find out if we both inherited our dad’s gift for persuasive conversation.
If you really want to know how I am as a person and a professional, check this one out. It’s a fun conversation.
Where to dive in:
00:00 – Welcome + Why This AI Conversation Matters
02:38 – AI as an “Extra Employee” in Nonprofit Leadership
07:09 – Neurodiversity, ADHD & Using AI to Organize Thinking
11:48 – Where AI Helps vs. Where Human Expertise Still Matters
14:08 – The Need for AI Guardrails, Policies & Slowing Down
18:41 – AI, Mental Health & Why Human Relationships Still Matter
23:36 – Creativity, Authenticity & the Danger of “Too Smooth” AI Content
27:42 – Leadership Coaching, AI Prep Work & Knowing What You Don’t Know
32:28 – Authenticity, Inner Wisdom & Avoiding AI Dependency
39:23 – Final Takeaways: AI as a Tool, Not the Leader
Other episodes you may enjoy:
To AI or Not to AI: The Question is When Not IfToo Many Business Ideas? 5 Steps to Find Your FocusConsulting and Coaching in The Messy MiddleHow to Become a Confident Speaker with Dr. Christina Madison Do You Love Consulting or Coaching but Hate Marketing?Starting a Consulting Business: How to Get It Right from Day OneAbout my guest: Tamra graduated with a master's degree in social work from Loyola University in Chicago (2005) and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Iowa (1993). Tamra is a bilingual licensed clinical social worker with over 10 years of experience working in early childhood and prevention. Previously, Tamra was the lead trainer in the Midwest for ACT Raising Safe Kids, an evidence-based violence prevention curriculum. In addition, Tamra has been trained in a number of other evidence-based curriculums including Circle of Security Parenting, Families Moving Forward (FMF), Helping the Non-Compliant Child, Chicago Parent Program and Youth Mental Health First Aid. Tamra was certified in Kundalini Yoga in 2001 in Santiago, Chile and has continued to further her education in both yoga and mindfulness for young children. Tamra practices mindfulness and meditation on a daily basis as a way to stay grounded and be present both at work and at home.
About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
To AI or not to AI? That is the question. Just kidding!
Today’s episode of Consulting Matters is about when and how to use AI, which is the real question that every Consultant Coach must answer.
I decided to tackle this topic after my sister and I went away for a beach weekend a couple of weeks ago. My sister and I normally just talk about the deep meaning of life and explore our childhoods… the usual sister stuff. So, I was very surprised when she got in the car, and the first conversation we had was about our different experiences with Claude.
She's in love with our Claude. And right now, Claude and I are on a little bit of a break.
We had a different perspective, but what was fascinating was how AI kept popping up all weekend. It was ongoing…
And so we had a really rich conversation around how to get the best out of AI, like her positive experience, and how I've been kind of hitting walls with AI lately.
The results of our conversation are this particular podcast.
This is a good conversation for all of us to have around what it looks like to have a healthy relationship with AI. What are the guardrails to ensure the relationship stays in the productive zone and is actually productive in practice, not just hype?
I did not expect to do a whole big thing on AI, but here we are!
Today I wanna get into:
The number one thing you always, always, always need to keep in mind, no matter what you ask AI to do so that it's not running the show.The four questions to ask yourself for every important partnering task you might have with AI, which I differentiate from when we might use AI as a sort of glorified search engine.How to set up policies that make sure your clients are protected from the challenges that AI might create in their work and their work with you that you might not have intended, and how to use those questions that I'm suggesting for yourself to keep yourself in that productive zone. Why it's in your long-term best interest to stay intentional in your relationship with all your tech, not just AI.Let’s dive in!
Where To Dive In:0:00 — Why Betsy’s relationship with AI changed
2:46 — The #1 rule: You are the leader, AI is the tool
7:24 — The 4 questions to ask before using AI for important work
14:08 — How to create AI guardrails for clients
20:02 — The hidden impact of tech and AI on brain power
24:00 — Staying intentional with AI and protecting creativity
25:58 — Final recap + next steps for using AI well
Next Steps:Pay attention to your relationship with AI: Ask yourself whether your current use of AI is actually healthy and productive or if it’s becoming frustrating, distracting, or flattening your thinking and creativity.Create guardrails for yourself and your clients: Put clear boundaries around how and when AI should be used.Go “old school” sometimes: Pull out a journal. Write ideas by hand. Give yourself space to think, process, and create without outsourcing everything to AI.Remember that transformation happens through relationships: AI can support work, but it cannot replace human insight, coaching, strategy, or connection.Get expert help when needed: Don’t rely on AI for everything, especially areas requiring expertise like brand positioning and messaging. If you've thrown all of your positioning and branding into AI and it's not yielding results, book a Discovery Call here.Other episodes you may enjoy:
Too Many Business Ideas? 5 Steps to Find Your FocusConsulting and Coaching in The Messy MiddleHow to Become a Confident Speaker with Dr. Christina Madison Do You Love Consulting or Coaching but Hate Marketing?Starting a Consulting Business: How to Get It Right from Day OneAbout the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
I want to share my inspiration for this week’s episode. It’s personal, but it’s powerful so hang in there…
I’m so passionate about building your business and brand around your ideal clients because they make us happier, they are more profitable, and most importantly, they lead to lasting relationships.
Of all the organizations I worked with when I was a consulting business owner, Wyndham Vacation had the biggest impact on me. The industry was like Disney, so it felt like home. But it was the people, many of whom became private clients when they were starting their own consulting or coaching business. And some of them became treasured friends like Julie MacPherson.
After Julie left Wyndham to do her own thing, she and I would spend hours having deep talks about purpose, calling, and the world of spirit and soul, which she made the transition to last Thursday after a long battle with cancer.
I’m so grateful to have known Julie, and that only happened because of my business.
She is my inspiration for what you’ll hear today on the Consulting Matters podcast.
I want to encourage you to pursue clients who are your people, who you love, and who love you too. Loving your business starts with loving your clients.
This podcast is a labor of love for aspiring, new, and seasoned purpose-driven consultants and coaches ready to change the world – including your own.
And you can’t get to your ideal client and your Julies if you don’t get out of analysis paralysis and all the directions your next-level consulting or coaching business could take, and into focus
Today is a continuation of last week’s Messy Middle, something I’ve been in myself lately. I’m going to give you five steps to help you break out and step into your focus.
Timestamps0:00 – A personal story on clients who become meaningful relationships
1:58 – Episode intro: clarity in the messy middle
4:00 – Rethinking “speed” and separating clarity from messaging
8:30 – Why your business must evolve as you evolve
11:00 – The upside of analysis paralysis
13:30 – Why overthinking (and AI) can keep you stuck
15:40 – Let your life lead the direction
18:00 – The 5 questions to find clarity begin
25:00 – Passion, purpose, and what needs to change
27:30 – Commitment and actually moving forward
Next StepsUse my five questions to help you find clarity through the messy middle. And of course, if you need help, I'm only a Discover meeting away, click here.Other episodes you may enjoy:
Consulting and Coaching in The Messy MiddleHow to Become a Confident Speaker with Dr. Christina Madison Do You Love Consulting or Coaching but Hate Marketing?Starting a Consulting Business: How to Get It Right from Day OneThe Trust Factor: Why Brand Clarity Matters for Consultants and Coaches with Dr. J.B. AdamsThe 3 Types of Expertise Every Consultant and Coach Needs to Name and ClaimAbout the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
Why is the messy middle a big part of our experience as consultants and coaches, and what we do with our clients?
Find out on today’s episode of the Consulting Matters podcast.
So, I just got back from the second annual in-person retreat with my client, of four years, Katie Anderson, who is the messy middle of writing her second book.
On the last day, we recorded a podcast for her show Chain of Learning on how our work together during the retreat on the messy middle is part of the learning, how to embrace it, and how it helped Katie and her growth, leading to clarity on the shape of the next book.
If you’re a fan of Katie’s work or want to see first-hand the struggles and payoff of getting clarity on your big ideas, check out our conversation. You can find that interview here.
But our conversation got me thinking about the messy middle for myself and why it’s such a big part of our work as consultants and coaches, and our experience as we grow our businesses to continue the conversation on the power of the messy middle – what it means to be in it and how to help ourselves and our clients navigate it… and that is what today’s episode of the Consulting Matters podcast is all about.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
The meaning and power of the messy middle (and why it’s so darn uncomfortable)Why your approach to handling your own experience with the messy middle impacts your effectiveness with your clients and their messy middle navigationHow to recognize the messy middle as the real reason behind why clients hire consultants and coaches (regardless of what clients ask for)Let’s dive in!
Where to dive in:00:00 – Why the “Messy Middle” Matters
00:14 – Episode Intro + Context
02:33 – What the Messy Middle Really Is (and isn’t)
04:53 – Transformation, Identity Shifts & Why It’s Uncomfortable
07:04 – The Hero’s Journey Explained
11:42 – Your Role as the Guide (Consultant/Coach)
14:04 – Seeing the Pattern Everywhere
16:19 – You Have to Go First (Your Own Journey)
21:00 – Why Clients Actually Hire You
27:51 – Messaging: Speak to Transformation, Not Tactics
30:13 – Final Takeaways + Next Steps
Next steps:If you are in the messy middle, and that’s why your lack of clarity in what you do and confidence in your messaging is becoming so pressing, or you want to pivot your positioning to work with more clients who are in the messy middle, let’s chat. Head on over to my website at www.betsyjordyn.comStart to notice the heroic journey in what you read and watch, and try to connect your own experience with transformation to those stories – see yourself in the larger transformation narrative.If you’re in a time of transition, don’t go it alone. Experience the value of getting help to accelerate your own journey and gain insight into the value you provide your clients.Evaluate how you’re positioning yourself with your clients – from transactional service provider to transformational strategic partner.Other articles you may enjoy:
Finding Clarity Through the Messy Middle: Reflections from My Book Retreat with Betsy Jordyn How to Become a Confident Speaker with Dr. Christina Madison Do You Love Consulting or Coaching but Hate Marketing?The Consultant or Coaches's C.U.R.E. for Fear & Self-DoubtStarting a Consulting Business: How to Get It Right from Day OneAbout the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
Want to add keynote speaking to one of the things you offer in addition to consulting or coaching, but lack the clarity and confidence to make that happen?
Find out how to overcome that with my guest, Dr. Christina Madison, on today’s Consulting Matters podcast.
This episode is for anyone who wants to take the stage as a keynote speaker but holds themselves back, feels shy or introverted, and wants to overcome it.
Dr. Christina Madison shares how she went from being a pharmacist and academic to where she is today – a sought-after keynote speaker with 200+ TV appearances and multiple appearances on the TEDx stage.
On the show she shares practical advice on how to take the stage with confidence, even if you’re an introvert and aren’t a natural performer.
She also shares how to find your core message and the purpose that drives you as a speaker and the change you want to see in the world.
So, whether you want to use speaking to get more consulting or coaching clients or become a paid keynote speaker, this episode is for you.
Where to dive in:00:00 - Introduction to Christina Madison
00:35 - Pharmacy Background and Transition
01:47 - From Clinical Work to Advocacy
02:09 - Entertainment Background and Stage Presence
04:19 - Storytelling and Personal Trauma
12:31 - Leaving Academia for Entrepreneurship
16:14 - TEDx Opportunity and New Chapter
19:01 - Personal Stories in Public Health Messaging
23:16 - Addressing Systemic Biases in Healthcare
27:24 - Developing Stage Presence
30:31 - Practical Advice for Aspiring Speakers
34:03 - Roadmap for Building a Speaking Career
39:58 - Crafting a Message Rooted in Issues
44:19 - Bias and Healthcare Advocacy
50:40 - Healthcare as a Human Right
52:11 - Final Words on Opportunity and Passion
Next StepsClarify the message you feel called to shareChristina’s journey didn’t start with confidence, it started with conviction.
Ask yourself what you’ve experienced or observed that feels like, “this shouldn’t be this way.”
That’s often the beginning of a message worth speaking about.Start practicing your voice in low-stakes spacesBefore the big stages, Christina practiced in smaller, safer environments.
Look for opportunities to share your ideas… whether that’s with peers, small groups, or local organizations, so you can refine both your message and your presence over time.Align your message with a clear brand positionOnce your message starts to take shape, the next step is making sure your brand reflects it. This is where working with Betsy can help you connect the dots, so your speaking, your content, and your offers all reinforce the same clear, compelling position in the market. Book a discovery call or explore my services.Other articles you may enjoy:
Do You Love Consulting or Coaching but Hate Marketing?The Consultant or Coaches's C.U.R.E. for Fear & Self-DoubtStarting a Consulting Business: How to Get It Right from Day OneThe Trust Factor: Why Brand Clarity Matters for Consultants and Coaches with Dr. J.B. AdamsThe 3 Types of Expertise Every Consultant and Coach Needs to Name and ClaimAbout the guest: Dr. Christina Madison, PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP is a TEDx speaker, clinical pharmacist, and Founder and CEO of The Public Health Pharmacist®, a public health consulting firm. She specializes in communicable diseases and has over 15 years of experience in public health, along with 200+ national TV appearances sharing her expertise. A recognized leader and award-winning advocate, she has played a key role in vaccine education and distribution, including administering over 12,000 COVID-19 vaccines in Southern Nevada. Dr. Madison is also an Associate Professor at Roseman University and a passionate advocate for underserved and vulnerable communities. https://www.thepublichealthpharmacist.com/
About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
I want to talk to you today about…marketing. That dreaded part of consulting or coaching business ownership that so many of us want to avoid.
Not only does it make us feel ick – like we’re begging for an audience, but also super-vulnerable, especially because as consultants and coaches, we’re the product, we’re the service, we’re the brand. There’s nowhere to hide.
I don’t know about you, but this is exactly how I felt when it was time for me to get serious about building a business and brand of my own after getting by with referrals and networking. The idea of creating articles and blog posts that might not be read or making videos for the first time, when I’m not by nature an “on camera” type, made me want to hide.
But I had a wise mentor at the time who pushed me on this, and at first, I balked. And then I started to experience the results – clients finding me all around the world, all because of the content I was putting out there. If you want to replace the chase for clients and start not just attracting clients in general but the ones meant for you – this week’s Consulting Matters podcast is for you.
In today’s show, I’m going to do my best to convince you to fall in love with marketing and make it an integral part of your consulting or coaching service to your clients.
I talk about:
The real truth about marketing that most consultants and coaches don’t fully getWhy being an “expert” can become a mindset trap that stands in the way of the predictable client pipeline you want5 Actions that you can put into place right now that will make you love marketing (or at least be on your way to loving marketing)If attracting more right-fit clients is one of your goals, this episode will give you the mindset to make it happen…with predictability and confidence.
Where to dive in:00:00 Why Marketing Feels So Hard
Next steps:Review the reflection exercises and identify one key mindset shift you want to make around marketingPinpoint what you believe now and what you want to believeIdentify at least 7 reasons that it’s worth it for you to make that shiftWith the five Actions you want to master – identify where you can use some outside support. If it’s messaging, you can grab my free guide on my website along with some other freebies at https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads If this episode is revealing that you want to build a stronger business and brand foundation underneath your expertise so that you can actually move forward with more effective marketing with greater confidence, let’s chat. Got to my website and book a free discovery meeting and let’s craft your custom solution.Also tune into some recent podcasts with my clients to get inspired about the power of building your brand foundation with clear and compelling messaging. I’ll add the links in the show notes.
01:30 When Marketing Actually Works
03:30 The Truth About Marketing
07:14 What Marketing Really Is
12:20 The Expert Trap That Blocks Clients
16:33 How Clients Decide to Work With You
18:54 5 Ways to Start Loving Marketing
28:19 Key Takeaways + Next StepsOther episodes you may enjoy:
The C.U.R.E. for Fear & Self-Doubt (Ep157)Intentional Success: How Leslie Faircloth Took Control of Her Business & Brand (Ep156)Shift Your Consulting & Coaching from Services to Transformations with Joseph Pine (Ep154) How to Start Your Consulting Business Right…the First Time with Sara Guttman (Ep153) Why Brand Clarity Is About Trust with Dr. J.B. Adams (Ep152)About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
Got big visions for your consulting or coaching business?
Chances are you also have big fear and self-doubt. Great news!
I’m going to explain why fear is both an expected, and welcome companion on your journey to growing your own thriving consulting or coaching business and give you the cure for dealing with it on today's Consulting Matters podcast.
Because just when you think you got a handle on it, when you finally gathered the courage to leave your 9-5 and go out on your own, it shows up AGAIN when you decide to invest in a more professional brand, shift to a new client, land more strategic and transformational engagements and step into greater thought leadership.
At every pivot point, there's fear and self-doubt.
Not only do you stress out with anxiety about finding clients – especially in uncertain times like today – but also second-guess yourself and feel like a fraud.
Can you relate? If so, pay close attention to this episode where I share with you:
What fear is and why it’s an expected and even welcome companion on your consulting or coaching business growth journeyLegit reasons why fear and self-doubt are an even bigger deal for consultants and coachesI’ll also be sharing with you a proven cure for fear and self-doubt.In previous episodes on the show, I addressed the CURE for imposter syndrome in episode 4 and burnout in episode 60. In this episode, I’ll share my updated thinking on the framework.
Let’s dive in!
Where to dive in:00:00 Big Vision, Big Fear
Next steps:Rate yourself on a scale of 1-5 - (where 5 is “all in” and 1 is “I have a plan B and C” – how committed are you to your own business vision. If you’re anything less than a 4.5 or a 5, what fears are holding you back?Decide what actions you need to take to convince your fears that you get them and the needs they are alerting you to, and you got them and will not let those needs to go unmet as you pursue the achievement of your business vision? If you need help expanding the vision you have for your consulting or coaching business – with greater clarity and confidence in what you do and how to package it up into offers that gets the right clients to say “yes, yes 1000x yes” to working with you, let’s chat. This truly is the BEST way to turn those fears into allies on your journey to greater consulting or coaching success and impact.
01:10 Why Fear Keeps Coming Back
02:37 C – Characterize Fear
12:02 U – Understand Resistance
16:37 R – Respond with Compassion
25:00 E – Expand Your Vision
26:50 C.U.R.E. Recap
29:30 Action StepsGo to www.betsyjordyn.com to learn more about my VIP Brand positioning and messaging programs. Better yet – hit the big button at the top of my website and book a free call with me.
Other episodes you may enjoy:
Shift Your Consulting & Coaching from Services to Transformations with Joseph Pine (Ep154) How to Start Your Consulting Business Right…the First Time with Sara Guttman (Ep153) Why Brand Clarity Is About Trust with Dr. J.B. Adams (Ep152) 3 Types of Consulting /Coaching Expertise: Which one is yours? (Ep147) 5 Truths About Branding, I Only Saw After Tearing My Process Apart (Ep146) Inside My Brand Messaging Process (and Why It Always Works) (Ep140)About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
Want to know the difference between leaving your consulting or coaching success up to chance or creating with strategic intention?
Today on the Consulting Matters podcast, we’re getting into the differences between getting clients and building a business and standout brand with my guest and client, Leslie Faircloth.
For a lot of us, we get into consulting or coaching after leaving our jobs because we have a generous network who as soon as they hear of our availability, they are introducing us to people who could use our expertise (or maybe hire us themselves)
And then at some point we realize, while this is great for now, we know that this isn’t enough to create the sustainable success we need to go all in our consulting or coaching business.
That’s exactly what happened with my client Leslie, who instantly after leaving her job as a director of small business programs with the navy was getting people wanting to work with her.
She got professional photos taken, and put up a website. It seems like it should be enough, right?
For her, it wasn’t.
What was missing? The strategic intention and brand foundation underneath her expertise.
If you’re an aspiring, new or even seasoned consultant or coach looking for the strategic path, a thriving business, clients and impact, this is the episode for you.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why “people already want to work with me” isn’t enough to build a sustainable businessWhat happens after the initial wave of referrals and interest starts to level off The shift from being in demand… to building a business that consistently creates itAs you listen, notice the shift Leslie made in how she thinks, speaks, and shows up. Then go take a look at her website: https://lesliefairclothconsulting.com/
It’s a clear example of what happens when your brand and positioning finally match the level of work you’re here to do.
Where to dive in:00:00 The Difference Between Getting Clients and Building a Business
Next Steps:See what this shift actually looks like: https://lesliefairclothconsulting.com/
02:05 Leslie’s Transition from Government Career to Consulting
07:30 Discovering a Passion for Supporting Small Business Underdogs
12:40 The Decision to Leave Stability and Start a Business
16:30 Early Success Through Referrals and Network
20:30 When “People Want to Work With You” Isn’t Enough
23:45 The Missing Piece: Strategy and Brand Foundation
28:00 Clarifying Your Ideal Client, Message, and Value
33:10 From Service Provider to Strategic Partner
36:20 Building a Brand That Reflects Your True Value
40:30 Confidence, Visibility, and Showing Up Differently
44:30 Lessons for Consultants Ready to Build with Intention
Take a few minutes to explore Leslie’s website and see how her brand, messaging, and positioning now reflect the level of work she’s truly here to do. This is what it looks like when everything clicks.Ready to create this kind of clarity in your own business?
Book a discovery call with me and let’s explore how to build the strategy, messaging, and positioning that supports consistent clients, stronger offers, and a business that actually feels sustainable.Not ready to work together yet, but know your message needs work?
Start here with my free guide: From Confused to Confident 👉 https://www.betsyjordyn.com/confused-to-confidentAbout my guest: Leslie Faircloth is a Defense Small Business Growth Strategist and Advisor who helps ambitious, diverse small business owners create and execute the strategies they need to win defense contracts and become a competitive, mission-critical force in the market. Drawing on nearly three decades inside the defense acquisition workforce as a contracting professional and small business director, Leslie has helped hundreds of businesses navigate the complex intersection of compliance and opportunity to achieve contract wins and sustained growth. Her work is deeply personal—having built her own career as a young civilian woman in a military-heavy industry where she was often underestimated, she is passionate about helping others break through those same barriers. Through customized strategy, real-time expert guidance, and practical training, Leslie equips her clients to stop spinning their wheels and start winning.
About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
What if the most powerful thing you could do for your clients isn't to consult or coach them… but to mentor them?
We are the ones who guide our clients to achieve their aspirations and become who they are striving to become!
We come alongside clients who are in the middle of their heroic journey.
So if the client is the hero, then who are we?
We are the mentors. We are the guides.
We are the Obi-Wans to their Luke Skywalker.
Ever since I left Disney to start my own consulting business over 15 years ago, I have been obsessed with the heroic journey.
The heroic journey is a framework of transformation that mythologist Joseph Campbell captured…. There's an individual living a normal life who encounters something unexpected that calls them to adventure. They hesitate, and then they meet a wise old man or woman as a mentor.
It appealed to me at first because of how it captured what was really behind me leaving my high-profile job at Disney for my own business, which wasn't just a career transition but a total life transformation. My own heroic journey.
But then there's another angle that really speaks to me, especially as I pivoted from consulting to the business mentoring I do now, and that's the role of the mentor who shows up at critical moments with a mix of vision for what is possible for the hero or heroine and tough love to step into it. This role is what I see as the true purpose of transformational consultants and coaches… mentor to heroes and heroines on their journey of transformation.
We are the Rafiki to Simba.
We are the Obi-Wan to Luke.
And when I heard people at a local OD networking meeting talking about Yogi Mueller and his book The Great Slapping, I knew I needed to have him on the show.
Tune in to fully appreciate and step into the mentor role with your clients.
In today's episode, we're getting into:
The role of the mentor in the “hero’s journey” and how it reframes your work with clients at a deeper level What real mentorship requires: trust, truth, and the willingness to deliver feedback that actually creates transformation The difference between accidental mentors and intentional mentors, and why that distinction matters for your impact How to both become a better mentor and show up as a mentee who actually grows and evolvesChapters:00:00 – Why Mentorship Is More Powerful Than Coaching
Next Steps:Get clear on the role you actually play
02:05 – Yogi’s Journey: Disney, Career Shifts, and Reinvention
10:49 – Building a Business and Finding Your Voice
15:44 – Why Clients Buy You, Not Your Framework
19:08 – Mentorship vs. Transactions: A Different Value Proposition
23:00 – The Meaning Behind The Great Slapping
25:28 – The Mentors Who Shape Us (and Why It Matters)
29:39 – The Hero’s Journey and the Role of the Mentor
33:38 – Why Consultants Have Authority Without Position
42:18 – The “Great Slapping”: Tough Feedback That Transforms
47:50 – What Makes a Great Mentee
53:21 – Why You Need a Mentor (Even If You’re the Expert)
59:02 – Growth, Blind Spots, and Stepping Into the Mentor Role
Are you showing up as a consultant, a coach… or a mentor? Define how you guide your clients through their transformation journey so your positioning reflects the real value you bring. Refine your brand positioning to match your impact
If your messaging doesn’t clearly communicate how you help clients become who they are striving to become, you’re leaving opportunity on the table. Your positioning should make it obvious that you are the partner who meets them in the middle of their heroic journey. Work with me to step fully into the mentor role
If you’re ready to elevate your positioning and show up as the guide your clients actually need, Betsy can help you clarify your message, own your role, and build a brand that reflects the transformation you create. Learn more here https://www.betsyjordyn.com/servicesOther episodes you may enjoy:
Shift Your Consulting & Coaching from Services to Transformations with Joseph Pine (Ep154) How to Start Your Consulting Business Right…the First Time with Sara Guttman (Ep153) Why Brand Clarity Is About Trust with Dr. J.B. Adams (Ep152) 3 Types of Consulting /Coaching Expertise: Which one is yours? (Ep147) 5 Truths About Branding, I Only Saw After Tearing My Process Apart (Ep146) Inside My Brand Messaging Process (and Why It Always Works) (Ep140)About the guest: With over 30 years in Talent Development, Yogi Mueller helps forward-thinking executives build the leadership pipelines they need to support real business growth. His background spans hospitality, Disney leadership, and even a former career in comedy, bringing a rare mix of clarity, candor, and humanity to every room he walks into. Yogi is the go-to partner when leadership teams are misaligned, new leaders lack direction, culture feels unclear, or high-potential programs need credibility fast. Through his signature Embrace the G.R.I.T. approach and G.R.I.T. Index Assessment, he helps leaders get honest, take ownership, and grow through the hard lessons that actually drive transformation. He is also the author of The Great Slapping, a raw take on mentorship, feedback, and what it truly takes to develop leaders who don’t shy away from what’s required to grow. https://www.linkedin.com/in/yogimueller/
About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
Is your consulting or coaching business in the product, service, or transformation business?
Today's episode is all about getting your consulting or coaching business firmly into the transformation business.
And that means shifting your perspective on whatever you do with your clients or what you want to sell them from the end…
to the means to a bigger end, which is what your clients truly desire…
…achieving their aspirations and becoming who they want to become.
Without this shift, we leave value on the table.
To help us unpack this and create the path from products to services to experiences to transformations, I'm beyond excited to bring you author, speaker, and advisor to Fortune 500 companies like my beloved Disney, where I first got introduced to his work back in 1999 when I was a brand-new organization development consultant, Joe Pine.
One of my first projects at Disney was with the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds. The GM was Cesar, and at our first meeting, he handed me Joe's Experience Economy book and asked for my help implementing these principles to stage more engaging, immersive experiences for the guests at the Fort.
So I have been a fan of Joe's work since then. And even more so with his book on the Transformation Economy, which made me realize why I have butterflies all over the place, and as the icon of my logo, because of how much I love this industry and how much this is such a key part of what I do.
In today's episode, we're getting into:
The differences between the product, service, experience, and transformation economyWhat transformation really is, and how understanding that transforms your understanding of what your product actually isThe steps you need to take to make the shift into transformationChapters00:00 Is Your Business a Service or a Transformation?
02:30 What Is the Experience Economy (Simple Breakdown)
08:54 Products → Services → Experiences → Transformations Explained
12:30 How This Applies to Consultants & Coaches
19:01 Why Transformation (Not Coaching) Is What Clients Buy
24:57 The Shift: The Client Is the Product 32:16 The Real Starting Point: Disruption, Not Strategy
36:00 How to Design Transformational Client Experiences
47:41 Why Most Consultants Think Too Small
55:11 Will AI Replace Coaches? The Real Answer
01:05:27 How to Charge for Transformation (Not Time)
Next StepsGet clear on the transformation you deliver. What is different for your client because they worked with you. Check out Joe's book to dive into this more.
Look at your client journey and elevate one moment. Where can you be more intentional, more thoughtful, more experiential
If you are ready to move from service provider to strategic partner, connect with me to clarify your positioning and build an offer that reflects your true value. Learn more here https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
Other episodes you may enjoy:
How to Start Your Consulting Business Right…the First Time with Sara Guttman (Ep153)Why Brand Clarity Is About Trust with Dr. J.B. Adams (Ep152)3 Types of Consulting /Coaching Expertise: Which one is yours? (Ep147)5 Truths About Branding, I Only Saw After Tearing My Process Apart (Ep146)Inside My Brand Messaging Process (and Why It Always Works) (Ep140)About my guest: B. Joseph Pine II is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and management advisor to Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial startups, and cofounder of Strategic Horizons LLP, a consulting studio focused on helping organizations create new forms of value. He is best known for co-authoring The Experience Economy, a landmark book that redefined how businesses compete by staging memorable experiences rather than simply delivering goods and services, and his latest work, The Transformation Economy, builds on that foundation by showing how businesses can guide customers toward meaningful outcomes and lasting change. Through his work, Pine helps leaders elevate their offerings, rethink their positioning, and design experiences that drive both impact and revenue. Learn more at https://strategichorizons.com/
About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
-
Want to know how to start your own consulting business right... the first time?
No false starts.
No expensive trial and error.
Find out how with my guest and client, Sara Guttman, on today’s Consulting Matters podcast.
Today, we’re getting into what it actually looks like to seamlessly step out of your leadership career and into consulting business ownership, instead of doing what a lot of us do (myself included)...
We instantly get some clients through our network.
We throw up a DIY website,
We find more established consultants and coaches to subcontract for.
And voilà—we’re “in business.”
This works. Until it doesn’t.
The referral network dries up.
The subcontracting keeps us under someone else’s brand.
The DIY website reads like an online resume.
Worst of all, we realize we've achieved everything except what we set out to achieve when we started our businesses, especially control over our careers, time, impact, and earning potential.
Can you relate?
But with my client Sara, she avoided all this.
And I'm so excited to have her as my guest on my show, so she can tell you how!
We met last September when she joined my impact and income accelerator as a low-cost probe to see if she wanted to start her own consulting business.
Once she got affirmation on that, we got to work on her brand positioning strategy and website design, and I even got to direct her website photoshoot.
She has lots to share about:
Her journey into business ownership
Why it was important for her to set herself up as a strategic partner from the get-go
How she dealt with self-doubt
Why she made avoiding expensive trial-and-error her mantra for investing in her business development up front.
Chapters00:00 Introduction and Sarah's Background
03:13 Sarah's Career Journey from Radio to Community Center
09:37 Realizing the Impact of Venue Management
11:58 The Seed of Entrepreneurship: Asking for Advice
16:11 Avoiding the Doom Loop and Making Strategic Moves
21:16 The Power of Strategic Positioning vs Service Delivery
26:28 Brand Messaging and Naming Strategies
34:32 Clarifying Business Offerings and Messaging
43:49 Reflections on the Business Launch and Next Steps
52:56 The Value of Strategy and Support in Business Growth
01:00:21 Sarah's Website and Contact Info
01:02:13 Key Takeaways: Confidence, Courage, and StrategyOther episodes you may enjoy:
Why Brand Clarity Is About Trust with Dr. J.B. Adams (Ep152)3 Types of Consulting /Coaching Expertise: Which one is yours? (Ep147)5 Truths About Branding, I Only Saw After Tearing My Process Apart (Ep146)Inside My Brand Messaging Process (and Why It Always Works) (Ep140)About my guest: Sara Guttman is a meeting and event space consultant who helps nonprofit organizations turn their facilities into reliable revenue streams. After a decade leading venue operations at the Boulder JCC, she now partners with nonprofit leaders to help them generate sustainable income through strategic use of their event spaces. https://saraguttman.com/
About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services
- Show more
