We recently connected with Deb Feder and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Deb thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Some of the most interesting parts of our journey emerge from areas where we believe something that most people in our industry do not – do you have something like that?

The one thing that I disagree with from common industry practice is having lawyers and professionals anchor their business development strategy with an elevator speech. Elevator pitches (or speeches) are far too often over-practiced, rigid statements that fail to connect with clients. Hoping to cram in everything there is to know about you, the speech comes off devoid of personality. Instead, I believe in a powerful “hello” that serves as a conversation starter, paying attention to small talk, and knowing how to progress a conversation to build trust and a strong network.

Deb, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I practiced law for 15 years and during that time (both in private practice and within company legal departments) I realized we could be doing things much more easily—that having the efficient, effective solution that worked for everyone was key, and that client relationships were at the crux of everything. Having done the work and loved the work, I’m driven to help others in the field strive for their own excellence.

Raised in Iowa by entrepreneurial parents, I grew up believing in possibilities and potential. This underscores all that I do and my commitment to the professional community in changing the way we think about work-life balance, building healthy careers, building incredible relationships, and tackling high-stakes work while enjoying our free time.

I am most proud of creating a community of incredible professionals that support each other, even when they’re considered competitors. I bring people together each week through Focus30 sessions, which began as coaching support during the pandemic and turned into a strong following of professionals convening from around the world each week. Whether it’s through Zoom sessions or in-person retreats, I am most proud of this company’s philosophy of dancing, singing, and celebrating by turning cartwheels (and yes, I really do this for my clients when they have big wins).

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

There are two strategies that have helped grow my clientele:

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele is also the strategy that I help my clients implement, which is using strategic curious conversations. When done correctly, this strategy allows you to know more about your clients, especially what resonates for them and how to deliver the work in a way that lets excellence shine through. These conversations put you in the position of strategic thinking partner for current and potential clients. In essence, pausing for all the conversations, asking good questions, and listening to the answers has exponentially impacted the growth of my business.

I believe in a positive approach, and keeping the work enjoyable and accessible has allowed my business to grow and reach professionals around the world. This reputation has allowed my business to expand and work for those who are ready for growth, but who might be nervous about the type of work involved when working with a coach or strategist.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

After my mom passed away, my grandmother was still living in her late 90s. I became the primary family member responsible for organizing her care and wellbeing until she passed away at 100. At the same time, I was running a business and had two small children. I spent many nights working late, waiting for doctors and nurses, and wondering how I was going to get to carpool in the morning. The days felt endless and without an anchor.

That was when I realized we needed to rethink how we build great careers and get to have it all—while life is happening, because life will always happen. Using strong networks, good requests, and a whole lot of courage, I was able to not just survive this time but find a way to use this as a super power in my business and share the lessons of caregiving and career building all at the same time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://debfeder.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bizdeb/

Image Credits

Photos with headphones/recording studio: Sonya Nutter

Headshot: Brian Gayley

Gray shirt presenting: Jeff Evrard