What if your biggest competitor could be your greatest ally? This week, Michael is joined by Liselle Regueiro DeGrave of DeGrave Communications and Rachel Dickman of RMG Communications, two PR firm owners who have thrown out the traditional rulebook. Instead of merging or competing, they operate under a unique model they call "collabetition," running their own successful firms while strategically collaborating on major projects. They share their individual journeys from the burnout of corporate and government work to the freedom of entrepreneurship, and how a decade-long professional relationship built on trust became the foundation for their innovative partnership.
Liselle and Rachel get into the nuts and bolts of how they make this unconventional model work. They reveal that by maintaining separate companies, they lower their financial risk and retain their unique brand identities, all while presenting a united, more powerful front to clients. This approach transforms the high-stakes, often cutthroat, world of government RFPs into a win-win scenario. They detail their process for jointly evaluating opportunities, leveraging their combined networks, and sharing costs and profits, proving that true collaboration can create a pie big enough for everyone. They also discuss the nuances of value-based pricing, navigating complex hiring laws like California’s AB5, and the critical importance of outsourcing to reclaim time and focus on growth.
In this episode, you will learn about:
- The "collabetition" model for flexible, low-risk growth.
- The key to making business collaborations work.
- How to structure joint proposals and share profits.
- How to qualify government contracts and avoid wasting time.
- How to price for value, not just billable hours.
- Navigating tricky hiring laws (like CA's AB5) when scaling.
- Why outsourcing is crucial for buying back your time.
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.
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Liselle Regueiro DeGrave is the President and Owner of DeGrave Communications. With nearly 20 years of experience blending in-house and agency expertise, she leads her integrated team to deliver impactful communications and marketing strategies for clients across California. A self-taught entrepreneur, Liselle founded her firm in college and has scaled it into a thriving business. With Rachel, she co-hosts the award-winning PRessing On Podcast.
Rachel Dickman is the Founder and CEO of RMG Communications and a nationally recognized leader in public relations. With over two decades of experience, she helps public sector clients transform their communities through award-winning campaigns. Her work has earned numerous honors, including a PRSA National Bronze Anvil and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Rachel co-hosts the popular PRessing On Podcast with Liselle.
Connect with Liselle Regueiro DeGrave
Discover more about DeGrave Communications
Connect with Rachel Dickman
Discover more about RMG Communications
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