Seven Figure Consultant with Jessica Fearnley

This week’s episode is a re-release from the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast Archives.

In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing my amazing client, Alecia Huck. Alecia is the founder and CEO of MAVERICK & Company, a management consulting firm that specialises in working with the leadership teams of fast-growing companies.

Alecia shared her inspiring business journey and the valuable insights she has gained along the way. We also discussed the importance of valuing the work we do over the amount of time we spend doing it, shifting from a time-based approach to a value-based approach to work less while achieving even greater results.

As women entrepreneurs, Alecia and I also delved into the unique challenges we face in the business world. We discussed the importance of letting go of control and embracing collaboration, as well as the need for self-acceptance and gratitude in our professional relationships.

Alecia's story is truly inspiring, and her insights are invaluable for anyone looking to grow their consulting business.

In this episode: 

• [00:00:48] Jessica and Alecia discuss how they first met and decided to work together after a serendipitous LinkedIn post.
• [00:04:15] Alecia shares the journey of her business, from starting as an entrepreneur with no experience to finding her niche in working with leadership teams in fast-growing companies.
• [00:07:29] Working less and earning more, and the importance of shifting focus from time-based to value-based work.
• [00:12:43] The difficulties of breaking free from old narratives and habits that prioritise overworking.
• [00:16:13] Relying on others and allowing them to make decisions for the business or brand.
• [00:18:58] The need to let go of control, loosen up, and take action without striving for perfection.
• [00:21:37] The reality of entrepreneurship and how it often involves unexpected challenges and growth opportunities.
• [00:23:21] Big wins and personal growth.
• [00:26:07] The limitations of working more and the impact of self-acceptance on one's effectiveness.
• [00:29:27] Breaking out of old paradigms to achieve new results and make a difference in the lives of others.

Key Takeaways: 

• As consultants and coaches, the work we do can have a significant impact on businesses beyond just finances, such as employee happiness and team dynamics. Many business owners who have grown their companies organically end up feeling overwhelmed and trapped by their success. Alecia and I both advocate for a shift in mindset from being a freelancer who tracks time to being an expert who focuses on delivering value.
• As women entrepreneurs, we often rely on ourselves too much and find it difficult to allow others to help and make decisions about our business. It’s important to let go and allow others to contribute - We don’t need to control everything!
• Find a balance between working less and earning more. Pushing too hard can lead to burnout and limit growth. True brilliance comes from self-acceptance and being comfortable with yourself.

Quotes: 

“We mix up time and value, right? Because time is really easy to quantify and value can be hard to quantify. And what I think is really great is that if you actually make this shift from valuing your time and talking about things in terms of time and focusing on how long you work… if you shift over to thinking about the value you produce, I think that's better for your clients.” - Alecia Huck

“I call them your snakes in your brain, the voice that's kind of negative, right? It's a little distracting. And you do something really great and it goes, ‘oh, you're just a spotlight hog’. We all have snakes in the brain, and some of us have snakes informed by trauma and really, you know, intense things in our past and that can make them nastier and more subtle. But, this year was a year where I worked probably less than I ever had. And I want to be really clear, the results that I produced with my people were extraordinary.” - Alecia Huck

“I think that we often are so self-reliant, and there are often backstories that completely explain why we're like that, but I think for women entrepreneurs, we rely on ourselves aggressively. And we have to be told how to include other people and how to allow other people to help us, because actually, that's not something that comes naturally.” - Jessica Fearnley

Useful Links

Alecia:

Alecia’s LinkedIn

MAVERICK & Company Website

Jessica:

The Seven Figures Club

Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business

Join the weekly email newsletter for women consultants

Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn

Guest Bio

Alecia Huck is the founder and owner of MAVERICK & Company, a management consulting firm that specialises in working with the leadership teams of fast-growing companies. A sought-after speaker and writer, Alecia helps people have more BIG wins; the kind of wins where you get great results but also become a bigger, better, braver version of yourself along the way.

Connect with Alecia on LinkedIn for great content and to join an amazing tribe of awesome humans.

In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I interviewed my wonderful client, Amanda HarNess, an executive coach specialising in leadership development.

Amanda shared her journey from working as an occupational therapist to becoming a successful business owner and coach, adapting and transferring her skills from her previous career.

We discuss the challenges and motivations behind Amanda’s career shift, her signature Leadership First Approach™ and the importance of strong leadership for organisational success. 

In this episode: 

• [00:00:40] Amanda shares about her role as an executive coach in leadership development and her leap from occupational therapy to starting her own business.
• [00:03:23] Amanda reflects on her experiences as a good but unsatisfied employee, seeking more influence.
• [00:06:38] ‘Realising the Entrepreneurial Itch’ - Amanda describes how her desire for entrepreneurship grew during her career and the impact of COVID-19.
• [00:10:58] What advice Amanda would give her past self as she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey.
• [00:12:28] Amanda explains her signature framework, emphasising the importance of strong leadership at the top of organisations.
• [00:15:00] The value of focusing on leadership to foster positive organisational change.
• [00:16:07] Discussion on LinkedIn, content creation and brand photography.
• [00:18:55] Amanda reflects on the value of having a startup coach and seeking help early on.
• [00:19:38] The necessity of investing in oneself for business success.
• [00:26:14] The importance of overcoming past limitations to pursue future goals.
• [00:28:11] The parallel growth of personal and business development over time.

Key Takeaways: 

• One of the most valuable pieces of advice Amanda offers is the importance of trusting your intuition and having confidence in your ideas. She acknowledges that while she has made progress, having a stronger belief in herself earlier on could have accelerated her journey. Amanda also emphasises the significance of investing in yourself, whether through hiring a coach or seeking professional development opportunities. This investment can lead to significant growth in both business and personal life.
• Effective leadership creates a strong foundation for the entire organisation. Poor leadership can lead to misalignment and ineffective communication, which ultimately trickles down to the rest of the organisation.
• Leaders must be willing to acknowledge their shortcomings and invest in their development to create a positive organisational culture. By focusing on enhancing leadership skills, organisations can foster high-performing teams and achieve their goals.

Quotes: 

“I like to say that I was a great employee, but I was also not a great employee, because I either met or exceeded the status quo or the expectations. But I was also still unsatisfied. And so I wasn't one of those employees that just kind of did my work and showed up. I was always pointing out something that could be better and how it could be better, and you know, that wasn't always received well.” - Amanda HarNess

“I felt like I would come up with these ideas or find the things that needed to be changed and just get shushed or someone would smile and nod and then not do anything, and it always felt like I was being held back. And this idea in my mind felt like ‘if I owned my own business, what could hold me back?’” - Amanda HarNess

“If you have misalignment, poor communication, either just bad leadership skills or untrained leadership skills, whatever's happening at the top is going to roll downhill and trickle down in the organisation. … You have to make things strong at the top in order to create the real progress that you want in the organisation.” - Amanda HarNess

“I think a lot of us, we have this thing of like, ‘I can't invest in myself, that would be a waste of money’. But actually the difference that it makes when a business is making money on a regular basis, like those kinds of investments, if you do it properly, it can really make such a huge difference to how the early years of your business actually play out.” - Jessica Fearnley

Useful Links

Amanda: 

Visit Amanda’s website to learn more about her approach and services.

Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn to get more insights and expert advice.

For access to exclusive content and special events become an Email Subscriber.

Amanda’s Photographer, Danielle Uhl.

Jessica:

The Seven Figures Club

Wealth Dynamics

Join the weekly email newsletter for women consultants

Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn

Guest Bio

Amanda is the CEO and Founder of Business Excelerated. She is a coach and consultant who works with leadership teams of organizations with high stakes environments, helping them to make REAL progress using the Leadership First Approach™. By leveraging her expertise in human behavior, psychology, leadership development, and effective communication, she helps leadership teams close the gap between where they are now and where they want to be.

This week’s episode is a re-release from the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast Archives.

In this episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with my wonderful client and seasoned corporate communications consultant, Tara McDonagh.

Tara shared her journey from agency work to leading corporate communications and eventually starting her own consulting business. We also discussed Tara’s ‘Raise the Tide’ group, which empowers women in communications to secure leadership roles and achieve significant career advancements. 

Her commitment to authenticity and strategic mindset has not only shaped her successful LinkedIn presence but also inspired many women to embrace their professional goals with confidence. It has been truly inspiring to witness Tara's impact on the field and the supportive community she's built!

In this episode: 

• [00:00:21] Tara's journey in corporate communications, from agency to consulting, and her passion for advancing women in the field.
• [00:01:43] The unexpected long-term professional relationship between Jessica and Tara and how it evolved.
  
• [00:04:16] Tara's vision for the 'Raise the Tide' group and the impact it has had on advancing women in corporate communications.
  
• [00:06:01] Tara's mission to empower women in corporate communications, challenge gender bias, and elevate their roles.
• [00:13:08] The supportive and empowering environment within the 'Raise the Tide' group, fostering connections and reclaiming love for the communications field.
• [00:15:14] Tara's approach to authenticity and mindset in building a strong and impactful LinkedIn presence.
• [00:18:19] Being bold and brave on LinkedIn, attracting and repelling with content, and the impact of taking risks.
• [00:24:08] Tara discusses the breakthroughs in mindset and the impact of working on mindset in her business journey.
• [00:25:36] The development of openness and curiosity, leading to deeper fulfillment and growth.

Key Takeaways: 

• Tara emphasised the importance of authenticity and staying true to your values, especially on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Her approach to LinkedIn is not just about tactical strategies but about embodying her vision and values in every post. This authenticity has garnered attention and rallied people around her message, proving that integrity in communication is paramount.
• Tara’s journey highlights the importance of empowering women in corporate communications, actively supporting women's advancement to leadership roles, fostering a more inclusive and representative industry landscape.
• In this episode, we delve into the significance of mindset shifts for professional growth. By addressing mindset barriers and fostering a growth mindset, you can overcome professional challenges more confidently, unlocking your full potential along the way.

Quotes: 

“I have this mantra I use in Raise the Tide: We don't take the first no. And I think that's critical for women to hear.” - Tara McDonagh

“My vision is to advance this field of communications that we're in, that I absolutely love, and by advancing it, I mean getting an equal share of voice at the decision making table. … And to do that, we need to advance the women in this field because we're a field that's dominated by women, and yet women don't dominate leadership roles. 80% of CEOs at public relations agencies, the top agencies, are men.” - Tara McDonagh

“Everything I post, if it doesn't align with my values and it doesn't serve a purpose with my vision, then why am I doing it? Why am I posting it? How is it going to benefit anyone? So I look at my values and one of my values is integrity, for example. So that leads me to be more vocal on certain things that I know will attract certain people and repel others.” - Tara McDonagh

“I think sometimes we have to turn it up to 11 because the people who love it will love it even more, and the people who don't love it, it might annoy them quite a lot, but at the same time that will get them really focused on the fact that they are not open to your message. And I always think it's better to have people make that polar reaction. They either love it or they hate it. There's no in between because either way, it prompts them to take action.” - Jessica Fearnley

Useful Links

Tara: 

TaraMcDonagh.com

Connect with Tara on LinkedIn

Jessica:

The Seven Figures Club

Join the weekly email newsletter for women consultants

Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn

Guest Bio

President and Chief Communications Strategist, Tara McDonagh, started Tara McDonagh Communications Inc. (TMC) out of frustration with a lack of awareness of Communications’ potential for impact on an organizations’ business goals.  Her communications consultant practice helps Communications leaders and their teams get out of triage-mode and elevate their reputation as critical business advisors while her coaching work elevates professionals in our field.  

Tara is armed with 25 years of experience in public relations, crisis communications, internal communications, and public affairs - leading Corporate Communications for some of the nation’s largest and most established brands.

As a thought-leader and change-agent in her industry, Tara is deeply focused on achieving her vision of a corporate world that not only invites, but expects, Communications leaders to act as trusted business advisors, complete with equal share of voice at the decision-making table. 

In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing my client Niven Postma, an advisor, author and keynote speaker.

We explored Niven’s expertise in addressing workplace disengagement and her ongoing PhD research on office politics, particularly concerning women.

We also talked about LinkedIn, where Niven has built a strong presence by sharing insightful content, as well as the importance of genuine connections and effective communication. 

In this episode: 

• [00:00:47] Introducing Niven Postma.
• [00:02:33] Niven explains her work addressing workplace disengagement and her focus on effective teams.
• [00:04:15] Methods of engagement, including team effectiveness and customised workshops on office politics.
• [00:05:55] Jessica and Niven share their experiences with academic writing and its reception.
• [00:09:03] Social media and content creation, including Niven’s intentional strategy for using LinkedIn.
• [00:13:33] LinkedIn’s potential for global connections and becoming a LinkedIn top voice.
• [00:15:09] The importance of pursuing meaningful work and the unexpected resonance it can create.
• [00:17:03] The evolving opportunities available through platforms like LinkedIn and global interconnectedness.
• [00:18:09] Making conscious choices in life, how it shapes your identity and the importance of shared human experiences.
• [00:21:22] Niven explains how she navigates cultural differences in her research and identifies universal themes.
• [00:23:49] Lessons for corporate women on office politics.
• [00:26:32] The challenges of corporate ladder mentality and the need for new business perspectives.
• [00:28:45] The importance of recognizing personal blocks and seeking external help for growth.
• [00:30:17] Niven discusses her powerful vision board session and its significance in her journey.
• [00:34:15] Niven and Jessica discuss the importance of rest and its mental benefits to regain focus and creativity.

Key Takeaways: 

• Niven emphasised the importance of authenticity. Share your true insights and experiences rather than trying to fit a mold. 
• Niven highlighted an interesting statistic: Nearly 80% of employees feel disengaged at work. This disengagement isn’t due to a lack of desire to contribute but a disconnect between employees and their work environments. Listen to the episode to hear strategies to combat disengagement.
• Niven’s ongoing PhD research focuses on how office politics differ for women. Women often need to be more strategic in navigating office politics due to different expectations and biases. 

Quotes: 

“Significance is not something that you can pursue, it's something that will ensue when you are doing things that matter in a way that are powerful to and for you.” - Niven Postma

“There is a profound difference between being right and being effective. They're not the same thing. Being the best and being the most successful, you know, against the metrics you define as successful, which are highly personal, these are not the same things. So being the best, it might be necessary, it's not sufficient. And being right may be useful, it's not sufficient.” - Niven Postma

“We've got almost 80% disengagement in organisations around the world while at the same time we've got almost 80% of adults saying that even if they were to become financially independent and didn't need to work, they'd still want to work. So for me, this is such a tragedy, such an irony, such a waste.” - Niven Postma

Useful Links

Niven: 

NivenPostma.com

Connect with Niven on LinkedIn

Jessica:

The Seven Figures Club

Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business

Join the weekly email newsletter for women consultants

Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn

Guest Bio

Niven Postma has held executive positions since she was 29, in a career that has spanned multiple sectors and roles, including: CEO of the Businesswomen’s Association, Head of the South African Reserve Bank Academy and Head of Leadership and Culture for the Standard Bank Group (the largest bank by assets in Africa).

Having started her career as a strategy consultant, she now works with global executive teams to build what she calls “Whole System Leadership” and so doing, fundamentally transform how they are able to work together and what they are able to achieve.

Niven is the author of If you don’t do Politics, Politics will do you, a contributor to Harvard Business Review, a part time tutor at Cambridge University’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and a guest lecturer at Stanford University and London Business School.

She is an expert facilitator on women’s leadership development programmes around the world and is currently enrolled for her PhD in Organisational Behaviour, seeking to understand whether organisational politics are different for women.

While we are off the air this Summer we would love to hear from you about what you love about the show, and how we can make it even better when we’re back later in the year. What episodes have you most enjoyed, what guests would you love us to feature. I would also love to know when and where you listen to the podcast! 

I have prepared a quick survey that will take 2-3 minutes for you to complete, and I would love it if you could take a moment to tell me your thoughts and feedback.

All you have to do is visit: https://jessicafearnley.com/survey

If you leave us your email you can be entered in a prize draw for a free Wealth Dynamics test token worth $97.

I would love to hear what you have to say. We have some pretty exciting plans in the mix already but it would be fantastic to hear from you so we can make this show the best podcast out there for 6 and 7 figure women consultants.

In this week’s Seven Figure Consultant Podcast episode, I wrap up our mini-series on creating wealth for women B2B consultants and thought leaders. I’m answering listener questions on key topics like business finance organisation, investment strategies, and setting profit targets. I also talk about the mindset shift required to move beyond just saving for a rainy day.

As I prepare to take a short break from the podcast to focus on my upcoming book, this episode stands as a valuable resource for women entrepreneurs seeking to create wealth and make a positive impact with their consulting business.

Quotes: 

“I see consultant women making hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue each year, and it is a really unique niche of women entrepreneurs. A stat that I reference often here on the show is that 90% of women entrepreneurs don't make six figures, and only 2% get to seven figures. So it follows that of all the kinds of women entrepreneurs, if you're a woman consultant, you need to be thinking about what to do with your money, how to run your business when you have consistent revenue, building up reserves, all these kinds of things that 90% of women entrepreneurs never need to know about.”

"What opportunities are you letting pass you by because you don't feel like you should invest in your business? Growing your team, bringing in expertise, getting the coaching support that you need as the leader of the business, joining groups and networks that could really help expand your reach and increase sales."

Useful Links

Episode 174: Managing Your Wealth with Kaitlyn Carlson

Episode 175: Seven Figure Secrets - Getting the Right Financial Advice for Your Consulting Business

Episode 158: Take Your Firm From A Money Drought To 6-Figure Cash Flow, with Octavia Conner

Who Not How, By Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy

Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business

The Seven Figures Club

Jessica’s LinkedIn

https://www.jessicafearnley.com/event/Are you feeling burned out by your consulting business?

Are you at the low to mid 6 figures, and feeling like you can't see the path to 7 figures?

Come and join me for an exclusive live workshop TOMORROW Thursday 2nd May, where I'll be showing you how to transition your consulting business from a 6 figure business model built around exchanging time for money, to a 7 figure business model that creates more time freedom and sustainable growth.

It's called The Business Remodel - Growing Your Consulting Business from 6 to 7 Figures and we'll be covering:

1. The Business Remodel that all 6 figure consulting businesses need to make in order to shift to 7 figures
2. What it means to focus on value over volume and why this is a pivotal shift for consultants.
3. How you can start to implement this right away and begin your consulting business remodel today.

We'll be going live at 3PM GMT | 10AM ET | 8AM MT. 

Register for free at jessicafearnley.com/event

In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with my wonderful client and seasoned corporate communications consultant, Tara McDonagh.

Tara shared her journey from agency work to leading corporate communications and eventually starting her own consulting business. We also discussed Tara’s ‘Raise the Tide’ group, which empowers women in communications to secure leadership roles and achieve significant career advancements. 

Her commitment to authenticity and strategic mindset has not only shaped her successful LinkedIn presence but also inspired many women to embrace their professional goals with confidence. It has been truly inspiring to witness Tara's impact on the field and the supportive community she's built!

In this episode: 

• [00:00:21] Tara's journey in corporate communications, from agency to consulting, and her passion for advancing women in the field.
• [00:01:43] The unexpected long-term professional relationship between Jessica and Tara and how it evolved.
• [00:04:16] Tara's vision for the 'Raise the Tide' group and the impact it has had on advancing women in corporate communications.
• [00:06:01] Tara's mission to empower women in corporate communications, challenge gender bias, and elevate their roles.
• [00:13:08] The supportive and empowering environment within the 'Raise the Tide' group, fostering connections and reclaiming love for the communications field.
• [00:15:14] Tara's approach to authenticity and mindset in building a strong and impactful LinkedIn presence.
• [00:18:19] Being bold and brave on LinkedIn, attracting and repelling with content, and the impact of taking risks.
• [00:24:08] Tara discusses the breakthroughs in mindset and the impact of working on mindset in her business journey.
• [00:25:36] The development of openness and curiosity, leading to deeper fulfillment and growth.

Key Takeaways: 

• Tara emphasised the importance of authenticity and staying true to your values, especially on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Her approach to LinkedIn is not just about tactical strategies but about embodying her vision and values in every post. This authenticity has garnered attention and rallied people around her message, proving that integrity in communication is paramount.
• Tara’s journey highlights the importance of empowering women in corporate communications, actively supporting women's advancement to leadership roles, fostering a more inclusive and representative industry landscape.
• In this episode, we delve into the significance of mindset shifts for professional growth. By addressing mindset barriers and fostering a growth mindset, you can overcome professional challenges more confidently, unlocking your full potential along the way.

Quotes: 

“I have this mantra I use in Raise the Tide: We don't take the first no. And I think that's critical for women to hear.” - Tara McDonagh

“My vision is to advance this field of communications that we're in, that I absolutely love, and by advancing it, I mean getting an equal share of voice at the decision making table. … And to do that, we need to advance the women in this field because we're a field that's dominated by women, and yet women don't dominate leadership roles. 80% of CEOs at public relations agencies, the top agencies, are men.” - Tara McDonagh

“Everything I post, if it doesn't align with my values and it doesn't serve a purpose with my vision, then why am I doing it? Why am I posting it? How is it going to benefit anyone? So I look at my values and one of my values is integrity, for example. So that leads me to be more vocal on certain things that I know will attract certain people and repel others.” - Tara McDonagh

“I think sometimes we have to turn it up to 11 because the people who love it will love it even more, and the people who don't love it, it might annoy them quite a lot, but at the same time that will get them really focused on the fact that they are not open to your message. And I always think it's better to have people make that polar reaction. They either love it or they hate it. There's no in between because either way, it prompts them to take action.” - Jessica Fearnley

Useful Links

Tara: 

TaraMcDonagh.com

Connect with Tara on LinkedIn

Jessica:

The Seven Figures Club

Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season

Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode

Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast

Jessica’s LinkedIn

Guest Bio

President and Chief Communications Strategist, Tara McDonagh, started Tara McDonagh Communications Inc. (TMC) out of frustration with a lack of awareness of Communications’ potential for impact on an organizations’ business goals.  Her communications consultant practice helps Communications leaders and their teams get out of triage-mode and elevate their reputation as critical business advisors while her coaching work elevates professionals in our field.  

Tara is armed with 25 years of experience in public relations, crisis communications, internal communications, and public affairs - leading Corporate Communications for some of the nation’s largest and most established brands.

As a thought-leader and change-agent in her industry, Tara is deeply focused on achieving her vision of a corporate world that not only invites, but expects, Communications leaders to act as trusted business advisors, complete with equal share of voice at the decision-making table. 

In this week’s bite-size Seven Figure Secrets episode, I’m talking about the importance of understanding cashflow and revenue growth, particularly in consulting businesses.

I'm excited to let you in on a seven figure secret that's been key to my revenue growth! We'll also dive into the critical role of pricing and how to ensure you're targeting the right audience for your services, as well as how women can assert their worth in financial dealings.

Quotes:

“Can you see that when everything is about cashflow each month it’s like it draws your eyes down to your feet and your immediate circumstances. Everything feels hand to mouth. You need to survive this month! But we want ‘thrival’, not just survival!”

“We need to have sight of cashflow and keep on top of it, but cashflow management will not usually be the thing that gets us to our next level. Keep your eyes on the prize. Bring in new revenue.”

Useful Links

VIP Strategy Intensive

Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business

Download the entire Seven Figure Consultant mini-season

Submit your questions for this season’s Q&A episode

Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast

Jessica’s LinkedIn