How This Engineer Built A 7-Figure Potato Consulting Business

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Dec 23, 2024

Mike DeLong, President of Projex Consultants, transitioned from mechanical engineer to potato consulting mogul, earning the nickname “The Fry Guy.” He shares his journey, highlighting the importance of niche expertise and clear service offerings. Mike discusses his strategies for scaling his business, such as hiring virtual assistants and industry experts. He emphasizes building strong client relationships through genuine care and proactive communication, proving that a people-first approach is essential for consulting success.

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ANECDOTE

The Fry Guy Origin Story

Mike DeLong, a mechanical engineer, became "The Fry Guy", a consultant in the potato processing industry.
His journey started unexpectedly while working on a project for McCain Foods.

INSIGHT

Niche Market Success

Consulting Success uses Mike DeLong as an example of success in a niche market.
The potato industry, including French fries and chips, is a multi-billion dollar market.

ADVICE

Early Success Strategies

Define your ideal client and service offerings for early success.
Confident communication and clear proposals are key to landing clients.

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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

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