In this episode of Big Deal Energy, host Laura Khalil tackles one of the biggest challenges facing consultants and service providers: escaping the limitations of hourly billing. Learn how to transform your business model from time-based pricing to value-based productized services that create predictable income and better results for your clients.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why hourly billing is holding back your consulting business
• The real problems with custom proposals and time-based pricing
• How productizing your services leads to predictable income
• Why working more efficiently shouldn't mean earning less
• Real-world success story of a consultant who transformed their business through productization

Ready to transform your consulting business? Laura is hosting an exclusive workshop on productizing your services in March 2025. Get early bird access and pricing by joining the email list at laura-khalil.com

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Solo service providers can be just as profitable as million dollar businesses. You don't need more staff, more products, or a bigger audience. Join 1000+ email subscribers who are learning how to sign bigger contracts every week --> https://laurakhalil.ck.page/

💡 Want to run a thriving business without a full-time team? In this episode of Big Deal Energy, your host Laura Khalil pulls back the curtain on the exact tech stack that keeps her business running smoothly—without hiring full-time staff.

🚀 Tune in to learn:

• The must-have tools for managing operations, sales, content, and marketing.
• How Laura keeps everything organized and automated—without getting overwhelmed.
• The actual costs of her tech stack (spoiler: it's under $400/month!).
• Which tools help her stay focused and efficient, even with distractions.

📌 Plus, get links to every tool mentioned in this episode in the description below (some are affiliate links, which means you may even get a discount!).

If you’re a solo service provider looking to streamline, optimize, and scale without burnout, this episode is for you!

💼 Operations & Payments

✅ Honeybook ($40) – Handles contracts + payments, so I never chase invoices.
✅ Quickbooks ($50) – Keeps my CPA happy and my books clean.
✅ Thrivecart ($690 one-time) – I purchased it years ago and highly recommend it for those selling products online.
✅ Dex – My favorite lightweight CRM.

🎥 Content & Marketing

✅ Membership.io ($110) – Hosts Elevate’s content library, call recordings, templates, and scripts.
✅ Descript ($15) – Edits my Big Deal Energy podcast.
✅ ChatGPT ($20) – Does all my proofreading and helps me with any kind of routine task I need to do. (No affiliate link yet.)
✅ Kit ($50) – Where I write and send all my emails.

🌎 Website & Client Experience

✅ Squarespace ($23) – My website + sales pages, all in one place. (No affiliate link yet.)
✅ Zoom ($13) – Because, obviously. (No affiliate link yet.)
✅ Calendly ($10) – No more back-and-forth scheduling. (No affiliate link yet.)
✅ Flow Club ($40) – “Body doubling” magic that keeps me productive. Try for free for 14 days!

Please note that some of these are affiliate links.

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Solo service providers can be just as profitable as million dollar businesses. You don't need more staff, more products, or a bigger audience. Join 1000+ email subscribers who are learning how to sign bigger contracts every week --> https://laurakhalil.ck.page/

In this episode of Big Deal Energy, host Laura Khalil kicks off the new year with a powerful discussion about the difference between growing and scaling a consulting business—and why it matters.

Laura shares practical insights to help you:
 • Understand the key differences between growth and scale.
 • Identify the common income ceiling most consultants face and how to break through it.
 • Build a business model that prioritizes profitability and freedom over unnecessary complexity.

Whether you’re aiming for consistent $10K, $20K, or $30K months, or just trying to figure out your next steps, this episode will help you design a roadmap for success in 2025.

Plus, Laura invites you to her upcoming Revenue Roadmap Workshop (January 21, 2025), where she’ll help you:
 • Discover your freedom number.
 • Decide whether to grow or scale your business.
 • Map out the key steps to hit your revenue goals without burnout.

Register here: https://laura-khalil.com/revenue-roadmap/

If you’re ready to stop winging it and start building a business that works for you, this episode is for you!

Don’t miss this timely conversation. Hit play now, and let’s make 2025 your most profitable year yet!

🎧 Subscribe and share with fellow consultants and freelancers ready to scale smarter, not harder.

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Solo service providers can be just as profitable as million dollar businesses. You don't need more staff, more products, or a bigger audience. Join 1000+ email subscribers who are learning how to sign bigger contracts every week --> https://laurakhalil.ck.page/

In this episode of Big Deal Energy, host Laura Khalil dives into one of life’s universal experiences: the shitty day. 

You know, those days where everything seems to go wrong, piling up one frustration after another. Laura shares a personal story about three nightmare days in a row—from a kitchen disaster to car troubles—and how she found a way to get through it without letting the stress control her. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in need of a reminder that even the worst days have an end.

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Solo service providers can be just as profitable as million dollar businesses. You don't need more staff, more products, or a bigger audience. Join 1000+ email subscribers who are learning how to sign bigger contracts every week --> https://laurakhalil.ck.page/

In this episode of Big Deal Energy, we’re flipping the script on sales! If you’ve ever felt like you’re talking too much or coming off as salesy, this one’s for you. Laura Khalil breaks down the power of The Curiosity Conversation, a simple, three-question framework designed to help you connect on a deeper level with anyone you meet. These aren’t your typical sales tactics—they’re thoughtful, open-ended questions that build trust, uncover real needs, and position you as a trusted advisor. Whether you’re networking, meeting a prospect, or chatting with a friend, these questions will transform the way you approach every conversation. Tune in and learn how to talk less, listen more, and create lasting connections that naturally lead to business opportunities.

Get ready to ditch the pitch and bring curiosity back to the conversation!

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Solo service providers can be just as profitable as million dollar businesses. You don't need more staff, more products, or a bigger audience. Join 1000+ email subscribers who are learning how to sign bigger contracts every week --> https://laurakhalil.ck.page/

Can taking on larger contracts force you into work you don't enjoy? In this episode of Big Deal Energy, Laura Kalil tackles this pressing concern through a captivating story of one of her clients who transitioned from a $30,000 monthly retainer to feeling adrift. Discover how they identified what she loved versus what she dreaded, utilizing the Elevate Method to secure fulfilling work, ultimately projecting a $50,000 close in Q3. Learn how embracing discomfort and intentional business practices can transform your consulting career and turn uncertainty into a thriving, client-filled schedule.

Laura details the journey of navigating post-contract instability and the importance of leaning into discomfort to create opportunities you truly love. Through actionable advice and real-world examples, you'll uncover strategies to maintain consistency and intentionality in your business. Hear firsthand how her client went from zero clients to a packed schedule of work she’s passionate about. Tune in for an inspiring episode that promises to change how you approach large contracts and consulting work. Don't miss this chance to transform fear into a flourishing consulting career!

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Solo service providers can be just as profitable as million dollar businesses. You don't need more staff, more products, or a bigger audience. Join 1000+ email subscribers who are learning how to sign bigger contracts every week --> https://laurakhalil.ck.page/

Ever wondered why prospects say they can't afford your services? Discover the untold psychology behind this common objection and learn why it might signify more than just financial constraints. We'll reveal how this objection could indicate a need to better demonstrate value or even prompt you to elevate your client base. By understanding the true essence of this pushback, you can transform it into an opportunity to refine your market targeting and enhance your service appeal.

Get ready to shift your mindset on sales rejections and objections. Learn to view each 'no' as a stepping stone towards a 'yes' and leverage this perspective to stay motivated and driven. We dive into the critical importance of persistence, the power of an empowered mindset where clients must prove their worth to you, and the benefits of continuous sales training. This episode is packed with strategies to turn objections into growth opportunities and master the sales cycle, with additional resources available at bravebydesign.net to help you build a thriving client pipeline.

Follow Laura on LinkedIn and Instagram

Solo service providers can be just as profitable as million dollar businesses. You don't need more staff, more products, or a bigger audience. Join 1000+ email subscribers who are learning how to sign bigger contracts every week --> https://laurakhalil.ck.page/

What if the only thing standing between you and securing those high-profile contracts is your own fear of reaching out? Join us in this episode of Big Deal Energy as we uncover how one of our Elevate Mastermind clients confronted and conquered her fear of connecting with high-level decision-makers. By identifying her self-limiting beliefs and turning them around, she transformed her outreach strategy and made impactful connections. We use a powerful analogy involving helping someone in pain to illustrate that titles are nothing to be intimidated by—we should, instead, focus on the value and solutions we bring to the table.

Our discussion doesn’t stop at overcoming fear; we also delve into the mindset shift needed for sincere and service-oriented business development. Learn how engaging with genuine curiosity and offering help can foster authentic relationships that lead to substantial opportunities. We'll share strategies to break down self-imposed barriers and initiate meaningful interactions. Plus, if you're keen to further hone your skills and land larger deals, don’t miss our recommendations to explore Elevate Launchpad for more comprehensive training and resources.

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Solo service providers can be just as profitable as million dollar businesses. You don't need more staff, more products, or a bigger audience. Join 1000+ email subscribers who are learning how to sign bigger contracts every week --> https://laurakhalil.ck.page/

Can AI really transform your business? Discover how with Krista Grasso, business strategist and creator of the Lean Out Method and Lean Scaling System, as we unravel the overwhelming array of AI tools available for service-based businesses. Krista shares valuable insights on cutting through the clutter to find the tools that truly enhance rather than replace the human element in your operations. Expect a few laughs along the way as we experiment with AI-generated content in the voices of famous personalities to make this complex technology more approachable.

Ready to revolutionize your content and marketing strategies? We dive into the last pillar of business scaling: creating and refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) using AI. Krista reveals how tools like ChatGPT, Cast Magic, and Searchy Wisdom can be tailored to reflect your unique brand voice, making your content stand out in a crowded online space. Learn practical tips on building custom GPTs to support your team’s efficiency, streamline your operations, save time, and cut costs—all while maintaining consistent, personalized communication with your audience.

Imagine AI not just as a tool, but as an invaluable business coach. Krista and I explore how customizing GPTs can lead to better client understanding and engagement, ultimately boosting your business efficiency and client satisfaction. We discuss the strategic importance of creating effective SOPs and role success kits with AI, backed by a compelling case study. Tune in to discover how AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and CastMagic can transform client engagement and conversion processes, setting your new hires up for success and empowering your clients to solve their problems independently.

Follow Laura on LinkedIn and Instagram

Solo service providers can be just as profitable as million dollar businesses. You don't need more staff, more products, or a bigger audience. Join 1000+ email subscribers who are learning how to sign bigger contracts every week --> https://laurakhalil.ck.page/

How do you go from 0 to $40,000 sale in 24 hours? Molly Beran and I break it down in this episode of Big Deal Energy, as we teardown my recent experience buying a car. 

Follow Laura on LinkedIn and Instagram

Solo service providers can be just as profitable as million dollar businesses. You don't need more staff, more products, or a bigger audience. Join 1000+ email subscribers who are learning how to sign bigger contracts every week --> https://laurakhalil.ck.page/