How To Thrive As A Solo Consultant with Amy McDougal

6 snips

Dec 9, 2024

Amy McDougal, President and Founder of CLEAResources, pivoted from a flute performance degree to build a six-figure legal compliance consultancy. She shares her unique journey and discusses how blending personalized legal approaches with structured consulting frameworks allows her to effectively serve varied clients. Emphasizing innovative networking over digital marketing, Amy reveals the importance of clear communication and building trust. With insights on creating hybrid offerings and fostering an abundance mindset, she inspires solo consultants to thrive and grow their practices.

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ANECDOTE

From Flute to Compliance

Amy McDougal's career path was unconventional, starting with a music degree.
Through law school and military service, she discovered her passion for legal compliance.

ANECDOTE

Military Calling

Amy's military calling came after taking an ROTC class out of curiosity.
She was inspired by the TV show JAG, which, she notes, is unrealistic.

ADVICE

Getting First Clients

Leverage existing relationships for initial clients when starting a consulting business.
Develop an elevator pitch, engage in speaking and writing opportunities, and seek referrals.

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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

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Mentioned in this episode:

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