{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Growth Without Referrals","title":"Episode 30 - From Career Squiggles to Leadership: Building a Business Beyond Referrals with Colleen DelVecchio","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1320,"description":"What if the path to great leadership wasn't a straight line?\nIn this episode of Growth Without Referrals, I sit down with Colleen DelVecchio, founder of Maxady, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and organizational consultant, to explore why the most successful careers often look more like a \"career squiggle\" than a ladder.\nColleen shares how embracing uncertainty, continual learning, and authentic leadership has shaped both her career and the way she helps organizations develop stronger leaders. We also discuss the realities of growing a consulting business, balancing client work with business development, and why many experts struggle to consistently market themselves—even when they're exceptional at what they do.\nWhether you're a consultant, coach, business owner, or executive leader, this conversation is packed with practical insights on leadership, personal growth, and building a business around the work that energizes you.\nIn this episode you'll learn:\n• Why the \"Career Squiggle\" resonates with today's workforce\n • How great leaders develop through experience—not perfect career plans\n • The biggest challenge consultants face when trying to grow beyond referrals\n • Why speaking engagements create trust faster than traditional marketing\n • How to balance client delivery with business development\n • The importance of building systems that create consistent visibility\n • What organizations really look for when hiring trainers and keynote speakers\n • Practical leadership lessons for developing resilient, high-performing teams\nIf you've ever wondered how to grow your business without becoming a full-time salesperson, this episode is for you.\nAbout Colleen\nColleen DelVecchio is the Founder of Maxady, where she helps organizations develop stronger leaders through executive coaching, leadership development, team training, and keynote speaking. Her work focuses on helping leaders navigate change, prevent burnout, improve communication, and embrace the reality that...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/NYwb67S6-1TluJIm7IWT5DNldCEIlXpN2yNDR9nHiiE/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zODM2/ZWZlYjNmZjljYjZk/MTZhNzE0ZWFjY2Ri/MDkxOC5qcGVn.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}