What kind of businesses do you work with?

I don’t specialize in any given industry. What unites my clients are their values, sensibilities, and approach to growth.

My clients care about making a contribution to their community/industry and are in it for the long haul. They’re thoughtful, full of integrity, and interested in building a rich life they don’t have to escape from.

I tend to work with “front edge of the curve” types. People who are the first to do something in their industry or community, or who are bridging industries, crafts, and modalities to bring us something new altogether.

The first in clean beauty, the first small-batch furniture makers, the first to teach a specific consciousness framework to organizations… that sort of thing.

My clients are curious, motivated, self-aware, and self-responsible. They value play and feeling alive in their work. They tend to have deep expertise in their craft (or multiple crafts) in addition to being a business owner. I’d describe most people I work with as “craft first”. They embody this remarkable combination of reverence for tradition with a hunger for what’s next.

These are the people I love being around.

This is the sandbox I like playing in.

What’s your professional background?

I have 12 years of experience in marketing and 8 years of experience in finance. I’ve worked with funded and bootstrapped startups, non-profits, and several independent businesses of various scale (from a few thousand to a few million in revenue). I’ve been self-employed for most of my career.

My early career was focused on content marketing, strategic communications, community building, and online education. I worked with international craft brands and financial technology startups.

I got to work on the first multi-craft social network, the first robo-advisor in Canada, the first no-fee banking account for small business owners in North America, the first debit card for kids in Canada….

So many rich, engaging experiences where I worked directly with the founders and saw what it takes to build, scale, and navigate a business.

I’ve always loved being in at the ground floor, working with people and companies who endeavour to be the first in their space to do a thing. Who look around and say, “There’s got to be a better way”, and have the courage to build that conviction.

What I’ve moved away from is working with business models that require short cycles and growth at the expense of sustainability (common in venture-funded startups). My skills and sensibilities are set up for those interested and equipped to take the long view of time (h/t Krista Tippett).

I’m in it for slow, steady, sustainable.

How does your finance background factor into all of this?

I’m a Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP). That means I’m certified to offer fee-only financial planning advice. I completed a year-long graduate certificate in financial planning, worked briefly as a paraplanner, and I continue to complete CE credits each year to retain my licence and meet the ethics standard.

I’m also a certified Trauma of Money facilitator. This, in addition to the years I’ve spent personally in trauma therapy, allows me to bring a compassionate, trauma-aware approach to my client work.

I don’t offer financial planning services (but I can recommend some fantastic people, if that’s what you need!). I do fold this awareness into my work, especially with creatives and solo small business owners. I’m often not interested in a conversation about marketing or offer/product design without a broader awareness of your business model, cash flow, and pricing. The money needs to make sense. Too much marketing advice is divorced from financial awareness. This cuts us off from such a powerful source of information, such a vital way of knowing.

My financial education and experience is another tool in my toolbox. It’s a lens I offer to hold fuller, grounded conversations about your business.

I’ve worked with coaches, consultants, or agencies before. How does your approach compare or differ?

Most people come to me when they’re looking for something in the realm of a marketing consultant, business coach, or business strategist. They know they need more support at this stage of their business but they’re not exactly sure what kind.

I’m often that first step—or that long-term, on-retainer, foundational support.

As a generalization, consultants typically help you solve defined problems while advisors help you define—or spot—those gaps in the first place.

So for me, I don’t help you optimize your social media, I help you decide if you should be on social media in the first place. I help you develop the big picture marketing and sales strategy, and then define the next smallest steps to put it in place.

I’m the one that helps you decide if and when and how to hire the social media manager or the marketing agency. I advise you on what to be mindful of when you’re going through a rebrand or doing quarterly reviews. I help you identify and ask for what you need so you go to the meetings as clearly and confidently as possible. I can even facilitate some of those meetings (interviews with agencies, as an example).

As far as business support goes I am the hub, the center. 

Being a founder is isolating. There’s no one above you cheering you on, celebrating you, or keeping you accountable. There’s no one you can talk to openly, in confidence, about everything you’re navigating. Your partner can only hear so much and your therapist can’t get in the weeds with you on your business strategy.

I bridge that gap.

I am that person.

How do I know it’s time to work with you?

A good indicator is you’re having the same conversations over and over. Your mind, or your team, is on loop. You’re coming up against the same problems, the same questions, the same sticking points. I can help you get out of the weeds, untangle your thoughts, and make clear decisions.

Most people come to me when they’re navigating big directional decisions. Those complex, weedy decisions where there is no One Right Answer. They’re balancing conflicting motivations and they want someone who’s in their corner. Someone they can trust, who can strategically and thoughtfully point out gaps and help them navigate the tension.

That’s what our work together is really about. Space, perspective, awareness, and practice. We’re creating the space required for you to access and express more of yourself. We’re opening you up to new ways of seeing and doing business (ways that prioritize your agency and reduce reactivity). We’re designing and practicing the structures and skills required to grow—and sustain—a profitable, enjoyable business.

Do you work with co-founders?

Yes! I work both with solo founders and small teams of 2-4 co-founders (I particularly love working with couples!).

For teams, a lot of our work is going to be relational. I’m helping you understand each other and get on the same page so you can define unifying goals, direction, and culture. I’m teaching you how to collaborate in more spacious, efficient ways. I’m facilitating the conversations you couldn’t have on your own.

Our work together is focused, guided time to rethink your approach to business, growth, or leadership. It’s space to ask, explore, and practice living the big questions.

This is a great way to develop the skills and self/relational awareness necessary to be successful long term. I can also serve as a helpful balancing perspective when making decisions on behalf of your business.

If you’re a small team specifically interested in hiring me to consult/advise on marketing for your business, check out Growth Consulting.

Can I hire you to write my copy for me?

No. I no longer write copy for others. I am happy to advise you on your overall messaging and positioning. We can workshop that together in our 1:1 work.

I continue to take on a very limited number of ghostwriting and/or communications consulting projects each year. That’s typically a small collection of educational or thought leadership articles curated around a theme. Contact me to see if your project is a fit. Please note that these projects start around $7,000 CAD and I tend to be booked out 2-6 months in advance.

I want to work with you but I’m not in a position to commit to anything long-term. Can I buy an hour of your time?

I understand. Yes, I reserve a section of my calendar on Tuesdays for “Office Hours”. These are paid, one-hour sessions to use as you’d like. Space to brainstorm, to soundboard, to get my insight and perspective on your business. Sign up for yourself here.