Consulting Success Podcast

How exactly does a flute player end up building and running her own six-figure consulting business? Amy McDougal, President and Founder of CLEAResources, shares her journey from earning a BM in Flute Performance to leading a thriving legal compliance consultancy. 

After a chance entry into law and military service, Amy discovered her passion for preventive legal risk mitigation. She created a niche by blending the personalized approach of a lawyer with the structured frameworks of a consultant, bridging the gap between costly law firms and off-the-shelf solutions.

To reach such high level clients as General Counsels and CCOs, Amy uses innovative, network-driven tactics, emphasizing direct communication over digital marketing. Her clients range from family-owned businesses to global corporations, all seeking effective compliance programs, and she compares compliance to the essential investment in physical security, highlighting its critical yet unquantifiable value. Drawing upon military lessons like followership and an abundance mindset, Amy remains a solo consultant who delivers high-quality, personalized services, and whose referrals and focus on comfort fuel her sustained growth and success.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to identify market gaps and create hybrid consulting offers
• Marketing strategies for reaching niche client profiles (e.g., General Counsel)
• The power of analogy in communicating the value of preventative services
• The importance of both leadership and followership in consulting
• How to build a successful business on your own terms

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:

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

What does it take to go from seeking sales door-to-door to helping $100 million industrial companies achieve 10x growth? Caxy CEO Mike LaVista has done all that and more in his 23-year journey scaling a tech consulting firm, and he shares many of his secrets for success here today. 

Starting with an 80's cover band background, Mike's transition to tech was accidental but fueled by a focus on client needs. Caxy's key pivot, he reveals, was niching down to serve industrial companies scaling to $1 billion. Noting that this specialization dramatically increased project value, Mike highlights Caxy’s innovative "Game Changer Assessment" which has become a cornerstone, positioned as an investment, not a cost. He details how client acquisition has evolved from cold calls to referrals, partnerships, and content marketing - including his own podcast - and that scaling the team has required standardized processes and objective hiring assessments. Mike finishes up today by describing his transformation from tech expert to strategic CEO, embracing coaching and a growth mindset, and propelling Caxy toward exponential growth as it aims to make today's top line tomorrow's bottom line in three years.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to niche down your consulting services for maximum impact
• How to position a high-value discovery offer
• Client acquisition strategies beyond cold outreach: the power of referrals, partnerships, and content
• Key steps to effectively scale your team and avoid delegation pitfalls
• The role of objective assessments in hiring A-players
• Strategies for transitioning from a technical expert to a strategic CEO focused on exponential growth.

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."

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 can focusing on your Ideal Client Profile (ICP) and honing storytelling transform your consulting practice? In this episode, author, keynote speaker, and President of Steers Consulting Group, Stephen Steers, shares some of the strategies that have reshaped his business. With experience advising over 750 companies, Stephen discusses how he pivoted to serve professional services firms and managed service providers (MSPs) in cybersecurity, focusing on what he found most effective for scaling—leaning into niche markets and reliable channels like speaking engagements. By identifying the core motivations that drive buyers, Stephen explains how he uses tailored storytelling to bridge business goals with personal values. The approach simplifies client relationships and emphasizes the value of one or two effective channels for lead generation over spreading yourself too thin. He underscores that growth is often more about mindset than skillset, especially when aiming to scale.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to target your ICP for scalable growth
• Cold outreach strategies for steady leads
• How to get clients and set goals
• The Magnificent 7 Reasons Why People Buy
• The power of storytelling to deepen client relationships
• The benefits of seeking speaking opportunities
• The importance of building and owning your email lists

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."

How exactly does an Australian business coach end up transforming the exit planning landscape in the UK? In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword, Managing Partner of Succession Plus, and Founder of Succession Plus UK, shares his remarkable journey from coaching small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to spearheading a niche consulting business that helps entrepreneurs strategically prepare their businesses for successful exits. Darryl talks about his early days of building a coaching business in Australia, moving to the UK with plans for a short-term stay, and how that journey evolved into a deep passion for helping business owners maximize the value of their businesses before exiting.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Darryl doubled an already seven-figure business by bringing a fresh approach to exit planning in a new market
• The key strategies to de-risk your business and make it attractive to potential buyers
• Why preparing your business for an exit early can prevent the pitfalls of earnouts and protect your valuation
• The value of networking and leveraging personal connections to grow your consulting practice
• The importance of systematizing processes and reducing owner dependence to make your business more scalable and sellable

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:

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

How does a Big Four accountant and part-time Zumba instructor transform into the President and CEO of her own fractional CFO services organization? In this episode, Shannon Weinstein takes us through her unique career journey—from balancing corporate accounting by day and teaching fitness classes by night to launching her own consulting firm. Shannon shares the pivotal moments that led her to realize the financial struggles many small business owners face and how she turned her passion for teaching into a thriving business, helping entrepreneurs master their finances.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The importance of separating personal and business finances early on
• 
  
• How cash flow management can make or break your business—even if you're profitable
• 
  
• Practical tips for overcoming financial fears and taking control of your business's future
• 
  
• Why building a solid financial foundation from the start is key to long-term success

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.

Shannon Weinstein, CPA and President/CEO of Keep What You Earn Co., is a fractional CFO dedicated to empowering small business owners by making financial concepts simple and relatable. Starting her career early, she managed a McDonald's at 16 and later spent 15 years in Big 4 and corporate finance. Through her top 1% podcast, Keep What You Earn, Shannon combines real-life examples with financial expertise to help entrepreneurs understand their numbers and use them to scale their businesses. She's also a much sought-after speaker and advocate for financial literacy.

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

Connect with Shannon Weinstein

Discover more about Keep What You Earn

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."