Leaving a steady job with nothing lined up might sound risky but for Alison Jeffrey, it was the first step toward building a business on her own terms.
In this episode, Melisa sits down with strategic fundraising consultant and fractional CDO Alison Jeffrey, who shares how she’s intentionally designed a consulting business that blends recurring revenue, project variety, and built-in breathing room.
Alison didn’t follow a blueprint — she followed her instincts, responded to client feedback, and got honest about what was (and wasn’t) working. The result? A business model that gives her both impact and independence.
This episode is for consultants who want more than just projects. It’s for those of you looking to create a consulting practice with structure, sustainability, and intention.
Whether you’re looking to build a more strategic offer suite, strengthen your pipeline, or reduce feast-and-famine cycles, this conversation offers both practical insights and a mindset shift.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How Alison transitioned from “accidental consultant” to intentional business owner
- Why your first few clients shouldn’t define your business model
- The mindset shift that helped Alison walk away from misaligned engagements
- Her strategy for identifying (and securing) a dream retainer client
- Why she treats newsletters as “relationship builders,” not marketing tactics
- How she cultivates her pipeline through authentic connection — not cold outreach
- The rituals and rhythms she uses to align her business with seasonal demand
- How to reframe lead generation as an extension of service, not sales
If you’ve ever felt like your business is running you — instead of the other way around — this episode is your invitation to reset. Whether you’re still in the feast-or-famine cycle, unsure how to create recurring revenue, or stuck saying “yes” to the wrong clients, Alison Jeffrey’s story will show you what’s possible when you build with clarity and intention.
Listen to Episode 221 now and start designing a consulting business that aligns with your purpose, presence and profitability goals.
🔗 Companion Resource: Read Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality eBook : Liberman, Melisa
FOR MORE RESOURCES SPECIFIC TO THE INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT —
- Coaching for Consultants: Click here to schedule your Coaching Exploratory Call.
- Book: Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality
- YouTube Podcast Channel
- Website
- Related Podcast Episode: Episode 212 – Succeeding as a Fractional Consultant with Alessandro Pregnolato
- Connect with Alison: Alison Jeffrey
