We recently connected with Michelle Denio and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

My husband and I had recently relocated from Syracuse, NY to Sarasota, FL. Being new to the area, we didn’t really know anyone so I started doing quite a bit of networking. From the networking events I was doing a lot of one to one coffee connections. These were in person pre covid. In all of the coffee connections, I always found myself giving strategic advice during these sessions but never thought much of it. We were just chatting business and life and I was happily sharing my thoughts. One day as we were wrapping up our chat, the person said to me “Can I pay you for this? This was so helpful and you just gave me an hour of coaching and advice.”
That was the start of it and my first paying customer. Someone I didn’t even plan to charge!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started out in the accounting department of a small business in Upstate NY. Quickly worked my way up the ladder to the business and operations manager. I was integrated into every department of the company and worked strategically to increase our operations and profit margins. When we moved from Upstate NY to Florida, the job was was drastically different and I had to figure something else out. That is when I started networking and as I shared in the previous story how my consulting business was born.
As a strategic growth advisor, I work with solo business owners to help them grow and scale their businesses sustainably and profitably. What sets me apart from others is that I don’t just encourage my clients to duplicate my process or someone else’s. We dive deep to understand why they started their business, what their vision for success is, how they best show up and what they enjoy doing the most and we create their growth strategy off of those things vs looking at what someone else wants, the “shoulds” or anything else that doesn’t align with them. My clients often are visionaries. Big picture thinkers who have so many ideas and can see so much potential and opportunity but lack focus. They need the “how to”s to bring their visions to life. That is what I help them with.
I am most proud of my integrity and to grow my business in the exact way I tell my clients to – in a way that is aligned to them. To some my growth may look slower but that is how I designed it and how I have been able to maintain long term, loyal relationships with my clients. Some clients working with me for over 6+ years straight.
I focus on helping clients see what is already working in their business vs constantly chasing the next new thing. They have had success, they have happy clients and they don’t always need something new. They just need to reflect on what is working and that is the core component to my signature program – The Focused Visionary.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Life and business forever throw curveballs to us when we least expect it. About a year after I started my business I got really sick. I was diagnosed with Spinal Meningitis and was put on bedrest for almost 10 weeks after having a spinal fluid leak post spinal tap. I was newer in business, had been building momentum, was working with a brand coach and a business coach and my body forced me to pause and rest through all of it.
What was so wonderful about this though was that because I had focused so much on building relationships in my business both in networking and with my clients, my clients supported me through this period, gave me grace when I needed to cancel calls and worked through this with me.
This has happened to me a couple of times since then (various illnesses, passing of family members etc) and everytime I am amazed at the support of my community and clients.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Relationship Marketing is my go to strategy and is responsible for over 80% of my clientele. I schedule a minimum of 100 coffee chats (virtually now) per year. These coffee chats are not discovery calls or sales pitches. They are 100% dedicated to getting to know the HUMAN on the other side of the screen, learn about their business and be of service to them. This strategy has built me an audience of raving fans and loyal clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.michelledenionconsulting.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelledenioconsulting/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelledenio05/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelledenio
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HXtA3rp3gJGTVj4HLyifm?si=3ef97c5ef27c408d