▶ S26F Cohort 5 is open — but not for long.

Paris landed two $20K contracts within months of completing the course — while still working full-time. The roadmap she used? Subcontracting to Six Figures. Cart closes soon — this cohort runs June 29–August 2.

👉 Enroll now at https://s26f.publichealthclub.com/

Public health consulting doesn't require a cold pitch pipeline — and Paris is proof. In this episode, Dr. Des sits down with Paris Mebane, founder and CEO of Global Grassroots Solutions (a rural health consulting firm specializing in community health assessment, strategic planning, and organizational capacity building) and founder of The PM Approach, a membership community helping public health professionals pass the PMP exam. Paris breaks down how she landed two simultaneous $20K contracts through existing relationships within months of completing Subcontracting to Six Figures — while working full-time — and how niching down from 40 services to 3 changed everything.

In This Episode, You'll Learn

• How Paris landed two $20K contracts simultaneously through relationship-based consulting — no RFP required
• Why going from 40 services to 3 was the single most important move she made early in her consulting business
• How Paris used time blocking and the CEO Circle accountability structure to balance full-time work with consulting
• The "fail fast" mindset shift that broke her analysis paralysis and got her moving
• How a PHC study group idea turned into a 126-member exam prep community and a full second business
• Why your first consulting contract is probably already inside your existing network — you're just not talking about yourself
• The difference between S26F (build the foundation) and CEO Circle (scale and sustain it)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can public health professionals land consulting contracts without ever submitting an RFP?

Yes — and it's more common than people expect. Paris Mebane landed her first two contracts ($20K each, simultaneously) entirely through existing professional relationships. Dr. Des herself stopped submitting RFPs years ago and still fills her client roster through word-of-mouth and networking. Your first contract is very likely already inside your existing network.

How do you balance a full-time job with a consulting practice in public health?

Time blocking and accountability structures are the two levers Paris credits most. She uses time blocking to protect her consulting hours and CEO Circle accountability sessions to stay consistent on execution. The accountability call dynamic is simple: you don't want to show up with nothing done.

What is Subcontracting to Six Figures and what does it actually teach?

Subcontracting to Six Figures is Dr. Des's flagship consulting course for public health professionals. The first module walks students through identifying and niching down their services — Paris went from 40 potential services to 3. The course then covers business structure, website and brand assets, RFP writing, marketing, and business development strategy, all built sequentially so students don't skip ahead before the foundation is set.

What is the difference between Subcontracting to Six Figures and CEO Circle?

S26F builds the foundation — business structure, niche, services, and first contracts. CEO Circle is for consultants who are already in motion and need to sustain and scale. Paris is now in both. CEO Circle includes a book club, accountability sessions, and a community of peers navigating the same stage of business growth.

How do you find your niche as a public health consultant?

Start with two questions: what do I like doing, and what do people naturally come to me for? Paris realized she loved the assessment work — facilitating community conversations, finding the story in data, building the bridge between numbers and community voice. That insight narrowed 40 potential services down to 3: community health assessment, strategic planning, and organizational capacity building.

What is The PM Approach and who is it for?

The PM Approach is Paris Mebane's membership community for public health professionals preparing for the PMP exam. It includes bi-weekly live sessions covering study planning and exam strategy, an endurance drill program to build stamina for the 4-hour exam, a 5-day PMP application course, and ongoing accountability support. Membership is $75/month or $197/quarter.

Resources Mentioned

• The PM Approach — Paris's PMP exam prep membership community 
  • $75/month or $197/quarter
  • 50% off first month through June 30 with code HAPPYBDAY
• Connect with Paris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paris-mebane/
• Buy Back Your Time — Dan Martell (book referenced in CEO Circle book club)
• Subcontracting to Six Figures — Dr. Des's flagship consulting course: https://s26f.publichealthclub.com/
• CEO Circle — PHC's premium mastermind tier: https://www.publichealthclub.com/publichealth-ceo-circle
• The Public Health Club — publichealthclub.com
• PHC Consulting Opportunities Board — where Paris found her most recent contract opportunity (inside the club)

About Paris M.

Paris is a rural health consultant and the founder and CEO of Global Grassroots Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in community health assessment, strategic planning, and organizational capacity building for community-based organizations navigating transitions. She is also the founder of The PM Approach, a membership community helping public health professionals successfully prepare for and pass the PMP exam. Paris is one of Dr. Des's earliest Subcontracting to Six Figures alumni and a current member of the CEO Circle.

https://www.drdesshow.com/

https://www.publichealthclub.com/

▶ S26F Cohort 5 is open — but not for long. Enroll Here- https://s26f.publichealthclub.com/

>Join the Public Health Club and Access Consulting Opportunities, workshops and support on your journey! 

Dorian landed over $30k in contracts while still working full-time and still completing his MPH. The roadmap he used? Subcontracting to Six Figures. 

Public health consulting doesn't always start with winning an RFP — and Dorian Johnson, aka the PHuncle is proof. In this episode, Dr. Des sits down with Dorian Johnson, MPH, public health educator, health communicator, and founder of New Jack Strategies LLC, to talk about how he landed a $5K contract, then a $25K contract, all while working full-time and completing his graduate degree. Dorian breaks down how he used LinkedIn, real conversations, and a portfolio-first approach to turn social media engagement into consulting income — without ever waiting until he felt "ready."


In This Episode, You'll Learn


How Dorian landed his first consulting contract through LinkedIn without ever submitting an RFP
Why showing up as a specialist — not a generalist — is the fastest way to get your foot in the door
The exact mindset shift that helped Dorian see his skills as marketable before he had his MPH
How Q1 consulting income reached 75% of his full-time salary — part-time
Why Dr. Des stopped applying to RFPs years ago and still gets clients through word-of-mouth and networking
The "SoundCloud era" analogy Dorian uses to explain why your content is already your portfolio

What Dr. Des's decision to leave her full-time job actually looked like — and the question a club member asked that sparked it

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Dorian: 
https://thephuncle.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorianjo
https://www.instagram.com/thephuncle/



Subcontracting to Six Figures taught by Dr.Des, designed to help you land your first or next contract: https://s26f.publichealthclub.com/




About Dorian Johnson

Dorian Johnson, MPH, is a public health educator, health communicator, and the founder of New Jack Strategies LLC — a consulting firm rooted in culturally grounded storytelling and educational content. Known online as The PHuncle, Dorian creates practical public health content across TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn, helping organizations communicate complex health issues in ways that are clear, engaging, and actually useful. He is a graduate of Dr. Des's Subcontracting to Six Figures program and is actively building toward full-time entrepreneurship while consulting part-time alongside his day job.

Follow Dorian: TikTok / Instagram / LinkedIn — @ThePHuncle


Frequently Asked Questions

Can you land consulting contracts as a public health professional without winning an RFP?

Yes — and it happens more than people think. Dorian Johnson landed both his first ($5K) and second ($25K) contracts through LinkedIn networking and social media visibility, never through a competitive RFP process. Dr. Des herself stopped submitting RFPs years ago and still gets clients consistently through conference conversations and word-of-mouth.

Do you need your MPH or DrPH to start consulting?

No. Dorian started landing contracts before he even completed his MPH. Clients responded to his demonstrated skills — his content, his portfolio, his communication style — not his credential status. The degree helps, but waiting on it is its own form of self-disqualification.

How does social media actually turn into consulting contracts?

By treating every post like a track drop — proof of what you can do. When decision-makers (VPs, directors, program leads) engage with your content, that's a warm conversation waiting to happen. Dorian made it a practice to engage back and eventually mention his services. Several contracts started exactly that way.

What is Subcontracting to Six Figures and who is it for?

Subcontracting to Six Figures is Dr. Des's flagship course for public health professionals who want to start consulting. It walks students through the legal foundations, niche development, RFP writing, and business marketing in a sequential, paced structure — so you build from the ground up instead of jumping to step 10 and stalling.

How do you know when you're ready to leave your full-time job for consulting?

Dr. Des's answer: you probably already are and don't know it. She didn't realize she'd replaced her six-figure salary through consulting and PHC until a community member asked her the right question. Once she did the math, she gave notice a month later. The threshold isn't a feeling of readiness — it's the numbers.

What is the ROI on taking a consulting course when you already have experience?

Dorian paid for S26F at the lowest-ever price and made it back 10x with his first $5K contract. His second contract was $25K. By Q1 of his first year applying what he learned, he'd contracted 75% of his full-time salary — part time. The ROI math is straightforward; the hesitation is usually about timing, not cost.

https://www.drdesshow.com/

https://www.publichealthclub.com/

▶ Free Workshop: Public Health Consulting 101
The last piece of the puzzle is knowing how to get in front of the people who can pay you. Dr. Des is teaching a free live workshop — Public Health Consulting 101 — on June 16th AND June 17th. Two days. Same content. Come live.
👉 Save your seat at https://www.publichealthclub.com/public-health-consulting-training

Resources Mentioned

Free LinkedIn Guide — Step-by-step profile optimization, thought leadership strategy, and copy-paste DM templates for pitching clients. Free inside The Public Health Club at https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Six Figure Public Health Consultant Playbook — Workbook companion for the PHC Consulting 101 class. Free inside PHC at https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Public Health Consulting 101 — Free live workshop, June 16 + June 17. Register at https://www.publichealthclub.com/public-health-consulting-training

Subcontracting to Six Figures (S26F) — Special member offer ends June 15th. General public doors open June 16th. https://www.publichealthclub.com/course



Applying to RFPs isn't the only way to land consulting contracts — and for Dr. Des, it's not even the primary one anymore. In Day 5 of Public Health Consulting Week, she breaks down how to use LinkedIn to position yourself in front of potential clients, what thought leadership content actually looks like in a public health consulting context, and the exact approach to go from following someone to getting a call on their calendar.

In This Episode, You'll Learn

Why LinkedIn is non-negotiable if you want contracts to come to you
The most common LinkedIn mistakes that keep consultants invisible
Why you don't need a business page — your personal profile can do the work
What thought leadership content looks like for a public health consultant
Why one month of posting is not enough — and what the real timeline looks like
How to find, follow, engage with, and pitch the people who can hire you

Timestamps
[00:00] Welcome to Day 5 — wrapping up the week and what comes next
[01:30] How Dr. Des stopped applying to RFPs and what replaced it
[03:00] The $25K project management contract that came from an old boss
[04:30] Why LinkedIn is the first place to start if you want inbound contracts
[06:00] The most common LinkedIn profile mistakes consultants make
[07:30] Personal page vs. business page — what Dr. Des actually uses
[08:30] What thought leadership content looks like for PH consultants
[10:00] How long consistency actually takes — and what realistic expectations look like
[11:30] How to find potential clients and slide into the right DMs
[13:00] Free LinkedIn Guide + Six Figure Consultant Playbook inside PHC
[14:30] S26F club member special — offer ends June 15th

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a business LinkedIn page to land consulting contracts?
No. Dr. Des built her consulting practice  from her personal LinkedIn page without ever creating a business profile for Strickland Health Consulting. If you're the one doing the work and showing up as the consultant, your personal page is enough. Start there.

What kind of content should public health consultants post on LinkedIn?
Post thought leadership tied to your niche. If you specialize in evaluation, share findings from a project, discuss methodology, or weigh in on a relevant study. The goal is to make it visible that you know what you're doing — so that when potential clients see your profile, they already trust your expertise before you reach out.

How long does it take to start landing contracts through LinkedIn?
Longer than most people expect. Dr. Des recommends giving it at least six months of consistent posting before measuring results. The people who give up after a month never see the payoff. Consistency is the variable most consultants underestimate — not the platform itself.

About The Dr. Des Show
The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club.

https://www.drdesshow.com/

https://www.publichealthclub.com/

▶ Free Workshop: Public Health Consulting 101
Partnering on contracts is one of the fastest ways to go after bigger opportunities — but only if you do it right. Dr. Des is teaching a free live workshop — Public Health Consulting 101 — on June 16th AND June 17th. Come with your questions. Leave with a plan.
👉 Save your seat at https://www.publichealthclub.com/public-health-consulting-training

Resources Mentioned

Free Contract Partnership Playbook — Interview questions, MOU guidance, and everything you need to structure a consulting partnership. Free inside The Public Health Club at https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Six Figure Public Health Consultant Playbook — Workbook companion for the PHC Consulting 101 class. Free inside PHC at https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Public Health Consulting 101 — Free live workshop, June 16 + June 17. Register at https://www.publichealthclub.com/public-health-consulting-training

Subcontracting to Six Figures (S26F) — Open now for PHC members. General public doors open June 16th. https://www.publichealthclub.com/course


Partnering is one of the smartest moves you can make when going after a contract — but most people do it wrong. In Day 4 of Public Health Consulting Week, Dr. Des breaks down how to identify the right partner, why complementary skills matter more than shared ones, how to structure the relationship legally before a single dollar is awarded, and what needs to be in writing before anyone starts the work.

In This Episode, You'll Learn

Why you should look for complementary skills — not duplicate ones — in a partner
How to properly vet a potential partner before committing to a joint proposal
Why you should always apply under one business name (and what prime awardee vs. subcontractor means)
What a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is and when to use one
What needs to be in a formal contract once you've been awarded funds
Why project management experience is one of the most valuable assets a consultant can have

Timestamps
[00:00] Welcome to Day 4 — and why partnering is one of Dr. Des's favorite topics
[01:30] S26F update — open for PHC members today; general public June 16th
[03:00] The most common partnering mistake people make in the PHC community
[04:30] How to identify exactly what skills you need in a partner
[06:00] Complementary vs. duplicate skills — and why the difference matters
[07:30] How to vet a partner: Google Form + 30-minute interview
[09:30] Apply under one business name — prime awardee and subcontractor explained
[11:00] What an MOU is and why you need one before the award
[12:30] What to include in a formal contract once funds are awarded
[14:00] Payment terms, deliverables, and hour tracking — handle it upfront
[15:30] Free Contract Partnership Playbook + Six Figure Consultant Playbook inside PHC

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you find the right partner for a public health consulting contract?
Start by reviewing the RFP and identifying exactly what skills it requires that you don't already have. Then look specifically for someone who fills those gaps — not someone who does the same things you do. Post a specific ask, collect applications via a Google Form, and do a 30-minute interview before committing to anything.

Should two consultants apply under separate business names?
No. Apply under one business. The client will cut one check and work with one point of contact — two separate business names on a contract creates confusion and can hurt your chances. One person serves as the prime awardee; the other operates as a subcontractor underneath them. Decide who takes which role before you submit.

What is an MOU and do you need one when partnering on a contract?
An MOU — Memorandum of Understanding — is a legal document that outlines the terms of your partnership before any money changes hands. It has no financial obligation attached, but it establishes who is responsible for what. Once you're awarded the contract, follow it up with a formal subcontractor agreement that specifies payment amounts, timelines, deliverables, and how hours are tracked.

About The Dr. Des Show
The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club.

https://www.drdesshow.com/

https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Resources Mentioned

Free Niche Development Worksheet — Helps you identify your consulting specialty and articulate it clearly to clients. Free inside The Public Health Club at https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Free Skills Translation Guide — From Day 1. Translate your PH skills into consulting language. Inside PHC at https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Free RFP Go/No-Go Checklist — From Day 2. Inside PHC at https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Public Health Consulting 101 — Free live workshop, June 16 + June 17. Register at https://www.publichealthclub.com/public-health-consulting-training

Subcontracting to Six Figures (S26F) — Doors open June 16th. Six weeks, step-by-step. https://www.publichealthclub.com/course


How to Find Your Public Health Consulting Niche | The Dr. Des Show Ep. [#]
Trying to do everything in public health is exactly what's keeping you from landing contracts. In Day 3 of Public Health Consulting Week, Dr. Des breaks down what a consulting niche actually is, why being a generalist works against you, and the two questions that will help you identify your specialty fast. She also tackles the myth that multiple revenue streams mean doing five things at once — and why it almost never works that way.
In This Episode, You'll Learn

Why "I do health equity" is not a niche — and what to say instead
How being a generalist gets your proposal skipped over
The two questions that reveal your consulting niche
Why doing work you actually enjoy makes building a business significantly easier
How multiple revenue streams actually develop — and why you start with one
How to talk about your niche confidently in networking conversations and at conferences

Timestamps
[00:00] Welcome to Day 3 — and why niche is today's focus
[01:30] What a niche actually is and why public health training works against us
[03:00] Why "I can do everything" loses contracts
[04:30] The two questions: what do you like to do, and what are you good at?
[06:30] How Dr. Des's own niche evolved — from health equity trainings to PHC
[08:00] Multiple streams of revenue: the real way it happens
[09:30] How to talk about your niche in a live networking moment
[11:00] Free Niche Development Worksheet inside PHC + S26F doors opening June 16th

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a consulting niche in public health?
A niche is the specific service you offer — not a topic area, a deliverable. "Health equity" is a topic. "Health equity-focused program evaluation for nonprofits" is a niche. Clients hire consultants for specific projects, and if they can't quickly identify what you do and how it benefits them, your proposal gets passed over.

How do I figure out my public health consulting niche?
Start with two questions: What do you actually enjoy doing in public health? And what do other people consistently come to you for or compliment you on? Where those two answers overlap is usually your niche. If you're still unsure, the free Niche Development Worksheet inside PHC walks you through it step by step.

Do I need multiple services to build a consulting business?
No. Multiple revenue streams almost always start from one strong one. Pick the service you do best, build a track record with it, then branch off from there. Trying to launch multiple offers at once splits your focus and makes it harder to win anything. Start with one. Get a client. Then grow.

About The Dr. Des Show
The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club.

https://www.drdesshow.com/

https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Free RFP Go/No-Go Checklist — Inside The Public Health Club. Download at https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Free Skills Translation Guide — From Day 1. Translate your PH skills into consulting language. Inside PHC at https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Digital Portfolio Workshop — Learn to build a portfolio that gets you hired. Inside PHC at https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Public Health Consulting 101 — Free live workshop, June 16 + June 17. Register at https://www.publichealthclub.com/publ...

Subcontracting to Six Figures (S26F) — Dr. Des's six-week course for landing your first contract. https://www.publichealthclub.com/course

Not every RFP deserves a proposal. In Day 2 of Public Health Consulting Week, Dr. Des walks through the exact questions to ask before you invest time writing a submission — from whether you actually have the expertise to whether the budget is even worth your time. She also covers when and how to partner with colleagues on larger contracts, and why vetting your partners is just as important as vetting the opportunity itself.

In This Episode, You'll Learn

The difference between "can I do this" and "can I prove I've done this" — and why it matters
Why public health consultants need at least five years of direct experience before pursuing contracts
How to evaluate whether the client type matches your background
What to do when the budget doesn't match the scope of work
How to assess whether the timeline is realistic before you commit
How to partner with colleagues on contracts — and how to vet them first

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you decide if an RFP is worth responding to?
Run it through four questions: Does it fit your expertise? Can you prove you've done this work before? Does the budget match the scope? Does the timeline work? If you're thinking "I could probably figure this out" — that's a no-go. Clients hire consultants to come in and lead. They don't have time to train you.

How much public health experience do you need before consulting?
At minimum, five years of direct public health work — not school, not occasional volunteering. Consulting clients are paying for expertise they can deploy immediately. They need you to come in, do the work, and deliver. Less than five years makes it hard to demonstrate that level of independence.

Is it okay to partner with a colleague on a consulting contract?
Yes — partnering is one of the best ways to go after larger contracts. But vet your partner the way you'd vet a hire. If they're working under your business, your name and reputation are on the line. Meet with them, assess their work, and confirm they can deliver before you attach your name to a joint proposal.

About The Dr. Des Show
The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club.

https://www.drdesshow.com/

https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Resources Mentioned:

Free Translation Guide — Translates your public health skills into consulting language for nonprofits, health systems, and private organizations. Free inside The Public Health Club: https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Public Health Consulting 101 — Free live workshop, June 16 + June 17. Register at https://www.publichealthclub.com/publ...

Subcontracting to Six Figures (S26F) — Dr. Des's six-week course for landing your first contract. Learn more at https://www.publichealthclub.com/course

The fastest way to lose a consulting contract before it starts? Walk in talking like you're applying for a job. In this episode — kicking off Public Health Consulting Week — Dr. Des breaks down the language shift every new public health consultant needs to make, why your grant-writing instincts will backfire with nonprofits, and how two S26F students translated their skills into a $67,000 contract for a library.
In This Episode, You'll Learn

Why switching from "I" to "we" is the first move you need to make as a consultant

How to translate public health terminology into language your clients actually use

Why writing proposals like a federal grant will get you rejected by smaller clients

The two paths to landing contracts — and which one Dr. Des shifted toward after burning out on RFPs

How public health skills like strategic planning and facilitation transfer to non-traditional sectors

What Dr. Des's first three contracts looked like — $40K, $7K, $85K — all while fully employed

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you start speaking the consulting language as a public health professional?

Shift from "I" to "we." Refer to your business by name — "Strickland Health Consulting provides..." — even as a solo consultant. It positions you as a business, not a job applicant. Exception: when a client specifically requests a solo contractor.

Why do public health consultants struggle to win contracts with nonprofits?

Most PH professionals are trained to write long federal grants. Smaller nonprofits can't absorb a 50-page proposal — and academic language signals a mismatch. Write shorter, outcome-focused proposals and translate your terminology. "Impact reporting" lands; "evaluation" often doesn't.

Do I need to leave my full-time job to start consulting?

No. Dr. Des's first contract — $40,000 — came while she was fully employed. Her second was $7,000, her third was $85,000, all alongside a full-time job. The best time to start is while your salary still covers the bills.

https://www.drdesshow.com/

https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Register for the Public Health Consulting 101 Training on June 16th & 17th: https://www.publichealthclub.com/public-health-consulting-training

Join The Public Health Club | publichealthclub.com

Why You Haven't Landed Your First Consulting Client | The Dr. Des Show

If you're a public health professional who keeps applying for contracts and coming up empty, the problem probably isn't your qualifications — it's a few fixable mistakes you don't even know you're making. In this solo episode, Dr. Des breaks down the real reasons public health consultants struggle to land their first client or build consistent work: writing proposals like federal grants, leading with credentials instead of outcomes, and showing up without a portfolio that actually proves what you can do. She also shares how to use AI tools to sharpen your one-sentence pitch and why getting out of the house to network might be the most underrated move in consulting right now.

In This Episode, You'll Learn

1. Why treating a nonprofit proposal like a federal grant application is costing you contracts — and what to do instead
2. How to lead with your expertise (not your degrees) when you're in the room with potential clients
3. The one-sentence pitch formula that makes your services instantly clear to non-technical buyers
4. How to use AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to build a client-specific portfolio fast
5. Why your resume and portfolio need to be outcomes-based — not task-based
6. The mindset shift around rejection that keeps Dr. Des applying even after "no"

Resources Mentioned

1. Subcontracting to Six Figures — Dr. Des's consulting course; join the waitlist at the link below
2. The Public Health Club — publichealthclub.com (7-day free trial; RFP opportunities, workshops on demand, mentorship sessions)
3. Claude — AI tool Dr. Des uses for proposal writing, portfolio building, and pitch refinement (claude.ai)
4. ChatGPT — voice recording feature recommended for dictating and refining your one-sentence pitch
5. Wisper — AI voice-to-text tool for recording your pitch in any software; installable on desktop

About The Dr. Des Show

The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club.

Connect with Dr. Des:

1. Join The Public Health Club: publichealthclub.com
2. Instagram: @DesireeCourtneyJ | @the_publichealthclub
3. LinkedIn: Dr. Desiree Strickland | The Public Health Club

https://www.drdesshow.com/

https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Sign up for the FREE Public Health Consulting 101 Workshop: https://www.publichealthclub.com/public-health-consulting-training


Join The Public Health Club and access millions in consulting opportunities, workshops to help get you started and a community of professionals and resources to help you get to the next level | https://www.publichealthclub.com/

Starting a public health consulting business doesn't require a perfect website, a full team, or years of prep — but it does require the right foundation. In this solo episode, Dr. Des breaks down exactly how to build a public health consulting business, drawing from her own journey of launching Strickland Health Consulting seven months pregnant and landing her first contract before her daughter was born. You'll learn the minimum experience you need, why an LLC matters (and what it protects you from), the two assets that are non-negotiable before you apply anywhere, and the two paths to landing your first client. No fluff, no gatekeeping — just the real starting point.

In This Episode, You'll Learn

1. Why you need at least five years of direct work experience before you start consulting — and how to translate any niche into contracts
2. The real reason to form an LLC before you sign your first contract (hint: it's not about looking professional)
3. How to pick a consulting niche even if you can do "all the things"
4. The two minimum assets every new public health consultant needs before applying anywhere
5. The two paths to landing your first client: marketing your services vs. applying to RFPs — and how to choose
6. Where to find 80+ non-federal RFPs every single month as a club member
7. Why you don't need a website to make hundreds of thousands in consulting

Resources Mentioned

1. Subcontracting to Six Figures — Dr. Des's signature course for building and landing consulting contracts; join the waitlist 
2. Most In-Demand Consulting Skills Report — free download at publichealthclub.com → Resources → Free Resources
3. Vanessa Da Costa's Consulting Resume Workshop — available on-demand inside The Public Health Club
4. Dr. Des's Digital Portfolio Workshop — available on-demand inside The Public Health Club
5. The Public Health Club — publichealthclub.com (7-day free trial)

About The Dr. Des Show

The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club.

Connect with Dr. Des:

1. Join The Public Health Club: publichealthclub.com
2. Instagram: @DesireeCourtneyJ | @the_publichealthclub
3. LinkedIn: Dr. Desiree Strickland | The Public Health Club

https://www.drdesshow.com/

https://www.publichealthclub.com/

▶ Join The Public Health Club

You graduated — now what? The Public Health Club has everything you need to land your first public health job: resume workshops, a digital portfolio workshop, career coaching, interview prep, the Public Health Pivot course, and a community of professionals who actually want to see you win. Seven days free, then $29.99/month.

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Graduation is a milestone — but nobody tells you what the job search actually looks like on the other side of it. In this episode, Dr. Des breaks down the full post-graduation playbook for public health grads at every level: when to start applying (hint: six months before you walk across the stage), what the hiring timeline really looks like at large organizations, how to build a resume that gets callbacks instead of silence, why you need a digital portfolio and what goes in it, and the job titles in health economics and biopharma that your professors never mentioned — but that you can absolutely get with your degree. She also shares the story of her own first public health interview, why she knew she didn't get the job the moment she left the room, and what she changed to start getting offers.

In This Episode, You'll Learn

1. Why Dr. Des recommends starting your job search six months before graduation — and how to handle it if you get hired while you're still in school
2. The full hiring timeline at large organizations (it's longer than you think — and now you'll know what to expect)
3. What an outcomes-based resume actually looks like, with a concrete public health example
4. Why you need a different resume for every track you're applying to — data, policy, program management, evaluation
5. What a digital portfolio is, how it differs from a resume, and what to put in it as a new grad
6. How to use AI to build your resume — and why you need to know what a good resume looks like before you let AI touch it
7. The six-figure job titles in health economics, outcomes research, and real world evidence that public health grads are overlooked for — and how to get them
8. Dr. Des's first public health interview story: what went wrong and what she did differently after

Resources Mentioned

1. The Public Health Club — publichealthclub.com (7-day free trial, then $29.99/month; career coaching, mentorship sessions, workshops on demand, job postings, consulting opportunities, 12+ Impact Lead chapters)
2. Resume Development Workshop (two versions on demand) — inside The Public Health Club
3. Building Your Resume with AI Workshop — inside The Public Health Club; includes Dr. Des's custom GPT and Claude skills for resume building
4. Digital Portfolio Workshop — inside The Public Health Club (AI-updated version coming soon)
5. Interview 101 Workshop — inside The Public Health Club (revamp in progress)
6. Public Health Pivot Course — inside The Public Health Club; teaches how to translate PH skills into healthcare, biopharma, and adjacent industries using their language and keywords
7. Career Coaches inside PHC — office hours available for career and consulting coaching; Khaliah Fleming, Allie Piatkowski, Kristi Brown, Vanessa Da Costa

About The Dr. Des Show

The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club.

Connect with Dr. Des:

1. Join The Public Health Club: publichealthclub.com
2. Instagram @the_publichealthclub

https://www.drdesshow.com/

https://www.publichealthclub.com/