What if you could run a corporate retreat... for a company of one? 

That’s exactly what independent consultant and brand strategist Claire Elvers did. In this episode, Claire joins Melisa to share why she carved out the time and space to take her business offline — and what she learned from zooming out.

This conversation is packed with real talk about the real work of running a consulting business:

• Facilitating a productive, impactful retreat for your solo consulting business,
• Why consultants often neglect mid-funnel strategy (and the impact of doing so), 
• How to create more leverage without hiring a team, and 
• How to stay focused on building a business — not just delivering client work.

Claire also opens up about her non-linear path into independent consulting, how she made her first project happen, and why productizing her expertise has become a game-changer for her growth and freedom.

Whether you’ve been thinking about taking yourself “offsite,” or you’re stuck in the weeds and need to see your business with fresh eyes, this episode will challenge you to think like a business owner — not just a service provider.

Tune in to Episode 215 for practical insights and peer-level perspective on building an independent consulting business that reflects your goals and plays to your strengths.

Timestamps for Key Moments

• [08:12] Why Claire created a solo business retreat — and what it revealed about her next stage of growth
• [15:47] The strategic questions she asked herself to get clarity and create focus
• [21:30] How she’s productizing her expertise and making it easier for clients to say yes
• [29:22] Mid-funnel blind spots most consultants overlook (and how to fix them)
• [36:50] The most important mindset shift Claire made to start and grow her consulting business
• [43:03] Advice from one consultant to another on making the leap and finding your footing

Related Resources

• Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-215/
• Retreat Checklist PDF: Download The Independent Consultant's Corporate Retreat Checklist https://www.melisaliberman.com/retreat-checklist
• Related Podcast Episode: Episode 090 – Corporate Retreat for the Independent Consultant, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-90/
• Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at consultmelisa.com
• Connect with Claire: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-elvers-4a09271/

Want More?

• Get Melisa’s Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book
• Visit with Melisa’s Website: melisaliberman.com/ 
• Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 

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