Consulting Success Podcast

Hey, what's up consultants? So check this: You've built a successful consulting practice meticulously delivering results for your clients. But what if the very approach that got you here is now silently sabotaging your growth? After guiding over 300 enterprise level implementations and engineering $1 million+ transformations, today's guest discovered something counterintuitive, that most consultants are leaving millions of dollars on the table by mishandling this one critical element of the client engagement. 

So join me as Blair Hicken, a 20-year veteran in enterprise consulting, reveals his battle-tested framework for scaling high value advisory services while maintaining deep client relationships. You're going to discover the counterintuitive approach to pricing premium services that actually makes clients reach out more, how to structure your delivery model, command 5 and 6 figure engagements while reducing your personal involvement. and the exact discovery framework that converts complex projects into long term partnerships. Enjoy.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How offering fixed-fee advisory services can increase client communication and project success.
• How to structure your consulting business for scalability by utilizing a network of senior-level contractors.
• The distinct difference and value of advisory services compared to hands-on implementation, specifically in large ERP/CRM projects.
• Strategies to position yourself as a trusted advisor from the very first client interaction, before the contracts.
• How a low-risk discovery offer can build trust and lead to larger, long-term engagements.
• How to mentally navigate the ups and downs of consulting work and leverage project opportunities.
• How to transition experienced contract professionals to your team.

Mentioned in this episode:

Join an Elite Group of Consulting Founders in Montreal for Serious Growth

Imagine being in a room where every other 6 or 7-figure consulting founder is as serious about growth as you are. That’s the Consulting Success Mastermind in Montreal (Sept 18-20, 2025). This is your opportunity to build real relationships with top-performing consultants, share wins and challenges, and grow strategically together. As one past attendee said, it's "exactly what I’ve been needing."

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today!  www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Join an Elite Group of Consulting Founders in Montreal for Serious Growth

Imagine being in a room where every other 6 or 7-figure consulting founder is as serious about growth as you are. That’s the Consulting Success Mastermind in Montreal (Sept 18-20, 2025). This is your opportunity to build real relationships with top-performing consultants, share wins and challenges, and grow strategically together. As one past attendee said, it's "exactly what I’ve been needing."

Ready to make a substantial investment in reaching the next level of your consulting business? In today’s compelling episode, Mike welcomes his cousin and Consulting Success co-founder, Sam Zipursky, to delve into the transformative power of Mastermind events, a strategy that has been instrumental in their many years of Consulting Success. Together, they pull back the curtain on their upcoming exclusive Mastermind in Mexico City, a three-day immersive experience designed to catapult high-achieving consultants to unprecedented heights. Exploring the ways in which surrounding oneself with top-tier entrepreneurs can be a game-changer, they demonstrate how their Mexico City Mastermind will provide the opportunity for unparalleled growth and inspiration for those looking to elevate their consulting practice.

Throughout the episode, listeners will discover:

• The profound impact of Masterminds on Mike and Sam's consulting journey and how this strategy can revolutionize the listener's business.
• A detailed look at what attendees can expect from the exclusive Mexico City Mastermind, including workshops, hot seats, and unique networking opportunities.
• Sam's strategies for building long-lasting business relationships and collaborations that extend far beyond the event itself.
• The importance of creating a solid action plan, a key focus of the event, to help attendees implement their newfound knowledge and achieve breakthrough results.
• Why Mike and Sam chose Mexico City as the perfect backdrop for this high-level event and how listeners can secure one of the limited spots before they're gone.
• The minimum requirements needed to attend the Mastermind in Mexico City, and how to apply.

So don't wait years to find clarity. If you're committed and serious about reaching a new level of success in your consulting business, go ahead and schedule your free growth session. Get in touch today. Just visit Consulting Success - Grow to book your free call today.

Sam Zipursky is a seasoned consultant and co-founder of Consulting Success. With 20+ years of experience, he's a master of branding, design, and digital marketing - skills sharpened by co-founding Kankei Culture in 2001. Passionate about international business, music, and digital publishing, his work spans the globe. Sam speaks English and Japanese, seeks roles in social business, music, and digital publishing, and is an avid traveler as well as a professional DJ.

Connect with Sam Zipursky

Discover more about The Consulting Success Mexico City Mastermind

Mentioned in this episode:

Join an Elite Group of Consulting Founders in Montreal for Serious Growth

Imagine being in a room where every other 6 or 7-figure consulting founder is as serious about growth as you are. That’s the Consulting Success Mastermind in Montreal (Sept 18-20, 2025). This is your opportunity to build real relationships with top-performing consultants, share wins and challenges, and grow strategically together. As one past attendee said, it's "exactly what I’ve been needing."

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today!  www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Join an Elite Group of Consulting Founders in Montreal for Serious Growth

Imagine being in a room where every other 6 or 7-figure consulting founder is as serious about growth as you are. That’s the Consulting Success Mastermind in Montreal (Sept 18-20, 2025). This is your opportunity to build real relationships with top-performing consultants, share wins and challenges, and grow strategically together. As one past attendee said, it's "exactly what I’ve been needing."

How exactly does a classically trained marketer transition from big-budget ad agencies to founding a consultancy that propels private equity portfolio companies to their revenue goals? Summer Craig, founder of Craig Group, joins Michael today to share her journey from corporate roles at HomeAway.com and Gulf States Toyota to building a 23-person growth advisory firm. Along the way, Summer uncovered a critical market gap: the challenge of attributing marketing spend to revenue, especially at the board level. Leveraging her experience and a key early client, she pivoted from media buying to strategic consulting, focusing on the underserved lower middle market. If you are struggling to connect with private equity firms, Summer's insights into aligning marketing strategies with financial outcomes offer a roadmap for consultants aiming to make a significant impact in specialized markets.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Summer identified a critical market need while working with major brands and agencies.
• The steps Summer took to transition from a corporate employee to a consultant, including securing her previous employer as her first client.
• How Summer expanded her client base through strategic networking, and how adding a partner with private equity expertise proved pivotal.
• The critical financial metrics Summer tracks to ensure sustainable growth, including customer acquisition cost and margin analysis.
• How Summer adapted her firm's messaging to resonate with private equity clients, moving away from marketing jargon to the language of value creation.
• Why proactive outbound marketing and awareness building are essential, even in a referral-driven business model.
• That Summer offers a free CRO dashboard designed to help calculate CAC and LTV that’s available here: Summer's FREE CRO Dashboard Download.

Summer Craig

Craig Group

CraigGroup.IO on LinkedIn

Summer's FREE CRO Dashboard Download

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.consultingsuccess.com/podcast

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Join an Elite Group of Consulting Founders in Montreal for Serious Growth

Imagine being in a room where every other 6 or 7-figure consulting founder is as serious about growth as you are. That’s the Consulting Success Mastermind in Montreal (Sept 18-20, 2025). This is your opportunity to build real relationships with top-performing consultants, share wins and challenges, and grow strategically together. As one past attendee said, it's "exactly what I’ve been needing."

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today!  www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Join an Elite Group of Consulting Founders in Montreal for Serious Growth

Imagine being in a room where every other 6 or 7-figure consulting founder is as serious about growth as you are. That’s the Consulting Success Mastermind in Montreal (Sept 18-20, 2025). This is your opportunity to build real relationships with top-performing consultants, share wins and challenges, and grow strategically together. As one past attendee said, it's "exactly what I’ve been needing."

Curious as to how a PhD nutrition scientist pivoted from testing infant formula on pigs to advising Fortune 500 giants? Dr. Stephen Fleming reveals his entrepreneurial journey with Traverse Science here today, sharing how he transformed niche expertise and limited resources into a thriving consultancy. Sharing his strategies for effective customer discovery, he details how he built a loyal client base through strategic networking, and scaled a team while prioritizing work-life balance, especially after becoming a parent. Dr. Fleming goes on to offer tactical advice on doubling deal size with value-based pricing and impactful live proposals, and finishes up by sharing practical nutrition insights for entrepreneurs, including the power of fiber, the benefits of tea, and debunking fad diet myths for sustained energy and focus. 

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to identify and address client needs in a highly specialized field.
• Strategies for effective networking and lead generation, even with limited resources.
• How to structure client engagements and proposals for maximum efficiency and profitability.
• The importance of aligning business goals with personal values and lifestyle preferences.
• Practical tips regarding both nutrition and building and maintaining strong client relationships.

Welcome to the Consulting Success podcast. I'm your host Michael Zipursky, and in this podcast, we're going to dive deep into the world of elite consultants where you're going to learn the strategies, tactics and mindset to grow a highly profitable and successful consulting business.

Before we dive into today's episode. Are you ready to grow and take your consulting business to the next level? Many of the clients that we work with started as podcast listeners just like you, and a consistent theme they have shared with us is that they wished they had reached out sooner about our Clarity Coaching Program rather than waiting for that perfect time. If you're interested in learning more about how we help consultants just like you, we're offering a free, no pressure growth session call. On this call, we're going to dive deep into your goals, challenges and situation and outline a plan that is tailor made just for you. We will also help you identify where you may be making costly and time consuming mistakes to ensure you're benefiting from the proven methods and strategies to grow your consulting business. 

So don't wait years to find clarity. If you're committed and serious about reaching a new level of success in your consulting business, go ahead and schedule your free growth session. Get in touch today. Just visit Consulting Success - Grow to book your free call today.

Dr. Stephen Fleming, a neuroscientist with a PhD from the University of Illinois, helps research directors at global nutrition brands like Nestle and Reckitt Benckiser better understand and promote their products. His company, Traverse Science, provides evidence synthesis and literature reviews to substantiate claims, guide R&D, inform policy, and more. By offering an objective scientific perspective, Traverse Science empowers research teams to avoid data overwhelm, make informed decisions, and focus on their core strengths. Dr. Fleming's mission is to cut through misinformation and provide evidence-based solutions for the food and beverage industry.

Connect with Dr. Stephen Fleming

Discover more about Traverse Science

Mentioned in this episode:

Join an Elite Group of Consulting Founders in Montreal for Serious Growth

Imagine being in a room where every other 6 or 7-figure consulting founder is as serious about growth as you are. That’s the Consulting Success Mastermind in Montreal (Sept 18-20, 2025). This is your opportunity to build real relationships with top-performing consultants, share wins and challenges, and grow strategically together. As one past attendee said, it's "exactly what I’ve been needing."

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today!  www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Join an Elite Group of Consulting Founders in Montreal for Serious Growth

Imagine being in a room where every other 6 or 7-figure consulting founder is as serious about growth as you are. That’s the Consulting Success Mastermind in Montreal (Sept 18-20, 2025). This is your opportunity to build real relationships with top-performing consultants, share wins and challenges, and grow strategically together. As one past attendee said, it's "exactly what I’ve been needing."

How exactly does a mechanical engineer with dreams of working with race cars end up becoming “The Fry Guy” with his own million-dollar consulting business in the potato processing industry? Mike DeLong, President of Projex Consultants, is here to share his unconventional journey doing just that. 

Striking out on his own after years working at McCain Foods, Mike credits Projex’s early success to emphasizing clear service offerings, a targeted client focus, confident communication, and creating a powerful referral network by leveraging industry relationships with equipment suppliers. Discussing his efforts to scale his business, he notes that he hired a virtual assistant to focus on high-value tasks, then recruited skilled professionals with competitive pay, remote work, and unlimited PTO, to help overcome the challenges of solo consulting. As you will hear, Mike’s remarkably high client retention comes from genuine care, sharing industry insights, and consistent communication, demonstrating that clear vision, strategic relationships, and a people-first approach are the keys to building a thriving consulting business.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to leverage niche expertise to build a thriving consulting business
• Strategies for activating and nurturing referral networks
• How to strategically scale your team with virtual assistants and industry experts
• The importance of balancing entrepreneurial ambition with personal values
• Tactics for building and maintaining strong client relationships

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today! www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Mentioned in this episode:

Join an Elite Group of Consulting Founders in Montreal for Serious Growth

Imagine being in a room where every other 6 or 7-figure consulting founder is as serious about growth as you are. That’s the Consulting Success Mastermind in Montreal (Sept 18-20, 2025). This is your opportunity to build real relationships with top-performing consultants, share wins and challenges, and grow strategically together. As one past attendee said, it's "exactly what I’ve been needing."

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today!  www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Join an Elite Group of Consulting Founders in Montreal for Serious Growth

Imagine being in a room where every other 6 or 7-figure consulting founder is as serious about growth as you are. That’s the Consulting Success Mastermind in Montreal (Sept 18-20, 2025). This is your opportunity to build real relationships with top-performing consultants, share wins and challenges, and grow strategically together. As one past attendee said, it's "exactly what I’ve been needing."