The following is from our library of client successes — why not learn how we can help you grow your consulting business?

Lost in Transition: Ken's Leap from Corporate Manager to Independent Consultant

"I needed to figure out how I was going to define the market that I was approaching and narrow it down," reflects Ken Stel, a consultant who specializes in helping tradespeople who have grown their businesses but now find themselves overwhelmed.

Despite having extensive experience in managing companies, training, and leading lean manufacturing initiatives, Ken struggled with the transition to consulting. Starting his business three years ago, he found himself in unfamiliar territory.

Ken's background in international sales management didn't translate easily to marketing himself as a consultant.

"My forte is not marketing and sales," he admits. "It was not something I had done for many years and certainly not in the consulting space."

Adding to his challenges, Ken didn't have a built-in network of potential clients.

"The industries I was in did not lend themselves to developing a book of good contacts so I could easily get into this business and leverage existing contacts," Ken explains. He wasn’t sure if his international connections weren't the right fit for his new business direction.

Strategic Clarity: How the Right Coaching Transformed Ken's Approach

Two years into his consulting journey, Ken discovered Consulting Success through a professor while completing his master's degree in entrepreneurship. After reviewing some videos online, he decided it was time to get the help he needed.

Ken joined the Clarity Coaching program and immediately benefited from the structured approach.

"It structured things in my mind," he shares. "I loved the help with the proposals. I was already doing reasonably well with proposals, but it just gave me another way to structure it that seemed a whole lot better to get your foot in the door."

The one-on-one coaching sessions became a cornerstone of Ken's experience. "I love the one-on-one call with my coach, because for me, it's an accountability thing too," he explains. "It helps give me focus and clarity on the direction I'm going next."

Working alone made it difficult to know if he was on the right track. "It's great to have people like Coach Brian who can say to you, 'Don't do that. Do this now. Focus over here because that's really what you need to do.'"

During his journey with Clarity Coaching, Ken faced a significant personal challenge when he suffered a stroke in October. This setback affected not only his business but also his confidence.

The Clarity Coaching team and community rallied around him to support.

"When they talk about being family, they've certainly shown me that that's the way they approach the people they work with," Ken says. "That's been a big deal for me and I've really appreciated that."

Winning Proposals and Renewed Confidence: Ken's Tangible Results Despite Setbacks

Despite the health challenges he faced, Ken has seen tangible improvements in his business since implementing the strategies learned in the Clarity Coaching program.

"I know I've definitely won a few clients because of the way I've structured the approach to which I learned through the Clarity programme," Ken shares. The professional presentation of his initial proposals has helped him win business and build confidence.

Coach Brian helped Ken better communicate value to potential clients. "Coach Brian helped me to structure it so that I could make it more obvious as to what the value is in conversations so that when I came to the table with my proposal, it was easier to sell it to the client."

The program also helped Ken cut through the noise of modern marketing techniques.

"There's a plethora of different ways you can approach a business, and many of the things that modern marketing tells you are not necessarily what you have to do to grow your business or make your messaging effective."

For consultants considering the Clarity Coaching program, Ken is clear in his recommendation:

"If you have not really done consulting before, it brings clarity and structure to how to move forward. The second thing is it gives you someone — more than someone, but a group of people — to bounce your ideas off of and get feedback that helps you to create much better marketing and content."

Ken continues to build and grow after his health setback, with the ongoing support of the Clarity Coaching program and its community, working toward the consulting business he envisions.

Key Takeaways

• Create a Structured Framework: Develop a clear structure for your consulting approach to organize your offerings and make your value proposition easier for clients to understand.
• Seek Regular Accountability: Find a coach or mentor who can provide consistent feedback and keep you focused on high-priority activities rather than getting distracted by less important tasks.
• Build a Support Network: Establish relationships with other consultants and business coaches who can offer guidance during both growth periods and unexpected challenges.

Work With Us To Grow Your Consulting Business

In our Clarity Coaching program, our coaches have helped over 1000 consultants to build a more strategic, profitable, and scalable, consulting business. To discover how we can help grow your consulting business:

• Read our case studies, client success stories, and testimonials.
• Learn about us: our story, mission, values, and beliefs.
• Visit our Clarity Coaching landing page to learn about our program and community.
• Schedule your FREE growth session call with one of our experts.