In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Lee Davidson, a life coach and business consultant who specializes in working with the LGBTQ+ community and purpose-driven ventures. We talk about how prioritizing values over profits can actually lead to better business outcomes, why showing up authentically in your community is the most effective lead generation strategy, and how to say no to misaligned clients without sacrificing revenue.
Key Timestamps:
2:40 - How Lee's social entrepreneur identity shapes client work
7:00 - The mutual interview process for vetting ideal clients
9:20 - Biggest challenges in building a consulting practice
12:50 - Why helping your community leads to business growth
18:00 - Most effective lead generation strategies
21:50 - How to define success beyond financial metrics
24:30 - Advice for incorporating social impact into consulting work
Connect with Lee:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsonleecoach/
Website: davidsonlee.com
Show Notes
Are you tired of taking any client who can pay your fees? What if the key to building a thriving consulting practice wasn't about casting the widest net, but about becoming laser-focused on serving a specific community with genuine impact?
In this episode, host AJ Riedel talks to Lee Davidson, a life coach and business consultant who has built a successful practice by prioritizing values alignment and community impact over pure profit.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
How to use a "mutual interview" process to attract only ideal clients who align with your values
Why showing up authentically in your local and digital communities generates the highest quality referrals
The strategic approach to saying no to high-paying clients when they don't fit your mission
How to measure success through impact metrics rather than just revenue
Practical ways to incorporate social impact into any consulting business model
Why small, community-focused businesses may be more effective than trying to scale big
How to leverage platforms like Reddit and Facebook groups for authentic client acquisition
Why You Should Listen to (or Watch) This Episode
If you're struggling with the feast-or-famine cycle or finding yourself saying yes to clients you don't actually want to work with, this episode will show you how values-driven consulting can actually be more profitable and sustainable. Lee's approach proves that when you're crystal clear on your mission and show up authentically for your community, the right clients find you - often through word-of-mouth referrals that convert at much higher rates than traditional marketing.
Listen to These Key Moments:
2:40 - The Social Entrepreneur Mindset: How Lee's global perspective and focus on human experience shapes every client interaction
4:50 - Values-First Strategy Sessions: The specific process Lee uses to ensure mission alignment before taking on any project
7:00 - The Mutual Interview Process: Why Lee interviews potential clients as much as they interview her
9:20 - Overcoming Client Acquisition Challenges: Lee's strategy of positioning herself in value-aligned networking events and speaking engagements
12:50 - Community Impact as Business Strategy: Why helping your local community actually accelerates business growth
15:40 - Digital Community Building: How to give "virtual cupcakes" through platforms like Reddit and Facebook groups
18:00 - Referrals as Primary Lead Generation: Why word-of-mouth generates Lee's highest quality clients
19:30 - Establishing Niche Expertise: Lee's journey to becoming recognized in the LGBTQ+ consulting space
21:50 - Redefining Success Metrics: How to measure impact through testimonials and client transformations
24:30 - Incorporating Social Impact: Practical advice for adding meaningful mission work to any business model
If you liked today's episode, do these two things:
Click subscribe on whatever podcast platform you use to make sure you don't miss future episodes
Leave me a review in your podcast app or YouTube so other self-employed consultants can learn about the podcast
Connect with Lee:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsonleecoach/
Website: davidsonlee.com
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajriedel/
Book an Exploratory Consultation: https://calendly.com/ajr-2/exploratory-consultation
Thriving Consultant newsletter: https://ajriedel.mykajabi.com/newsletters/the-thriving-consultant
Website: https://www.ajriedel.com/
Email: ajr@4rmg.com
Until next time, keep thriving through!