Debbie Schwake and Ashley Evenson discuss their escapee journeys and how they formed a collaborative partnership. They emphasize the importance of collaboration and transparency in their working relationship. They have their own independent businesses but also work together on projects, leveraging each other's strengths. 

They highlight the flexibility and work-life balance that comes with being a solo entrepreneur. They see a growing need for fractional talent in the consulting industry, particularly among small to mid-tier companies. Their target audience is those who need an outside perspective and expertise to help with business issues and growth plans. 

Ashley and Debbie discuss their unique position as consultants with both big brand and industry experience, providing expert-level consulting to small and medium-sized companies at a fraction of the cost. They emphasize the importance of being hands-on and implementing recommendations, rather than just providing advice. They also highlight the value of an outside-in perspective and the need for validation and direction, rather than relying solely on tools. 

Networking is a key strategy for both of them, focusing on building relationships and offering support without asking for business. They stress the importance of belief in oneself and the power of humanizing your brand through video and personal connections.

Guest Links

Debbie Schwake: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dschwake/ 

Ashely Evenson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyevenson/

Website: https://andcoalition.com/ 

Takeaways

• Collaboration and transparency are key in forming successful partnerships.
• Having independent businesses allows for flexibility and work-life balance.
• There is a growing need for fractional talent in the consulting industry.
• Small to mid-tier companies can benefit from outside expertise and an outside-in perspective.
• Working together on projects allows for leveraging each other's strengths. Consultants with big brand and industry experience can provide expert-level consulting to small and medium-sized companies at a fraction of the cost.
• Being hands-on and implementing recommendations is crucial for success in consulting.
• Small and medium-sized companies often need an outside-in perspective and validation, rather than relying solely on tools.
• Networking is a valuable strategy for consultants, focusing on building relationships and offering support without asking for business.
• Belief in oneself is essential when starting a business, and humanizing your brand through video and personal connections can be powerful.

Titles

• Targeting Small to Mid-Tier Companies
• The Power of Collaboration and Transparency The Importance of an Outside-In Perspective
• Belief in Oneself and Humanizing Your Brand

Sound Bites

• "There's so much opportunity in the more the synergy you put together and the shared values."
• "You can't get into a partnership like this without that commitment to one another to make sure everything's always above the board."
• "Part of this is about life flexibility. Part of this is about getting that balance back in your life."
• "We come from very big consultant brands, but also industry experience."
• "We will go there, advise, have that outside view, but we will go ahead and go into your CRM."
• "Don't limit yourself to Fractional. If you find a business with a problem that you can solve, there's different ways you can do it."

Keywords

escapee journey, collaboration, transparency, independent businesses, partnership, flexibility, work-life balance, fractional talent, consulting industry, small to mid-tier companies, outside perspective, expertise, business issues, growth plans, consulting, small business, networking, outside-in perspective, validation, direction, belief, humanizing brand