We were lucky to catch up with Chantelle Quow recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chantelle , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story that illustrates an important or relevant lesson you learned in school

A particular experience from when I was enrolled in my MBA program stands out vividly.

During one of our group projects, we were assigned a team member who consistently failed to contribute their share of the work. It quickly became clear that they had no intention of holding their weight and so, in a decisive move, our team collectively decided to “fire” him. When the administration intervened, telling us we couldn’t remove him from the group, we firmly responded that we were not willing to carry someone who wasn’t contributing. This was especially significant given that only a few people in the program were Black (including myself), adding an extra layer of complexity to our decision.

This experience taught me a crucial lesson: I didn’t get to where I am by letting people ride my back or by riding anyone else’s. Some people prefer to go along to get along, while others are driven to get the work done. I have always aligned myself with the latter group. I learned the importance of surrounding myself with team members who are committed, hardworking, and equally invested in achieving our collective goals.

This incident not only reinforced the value of teamwork but also highlighted how effective a team can be when every member is pulling their weight, collaborating, and working towards the same objective. Additionally, it underscored the richness of diverse perspectives when working with people from different backgrounds.

Ultimately, the key takeaways from this experience were twofold: never allow others to take advantage of you and understand the power of working together to achieve a common goal. These lessons have been pivotal in shaping my approach as a leader and have contributed significantly to my success as a business consultant.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As the CEO and founder of CQ Business Consulting Inc., I have dedicated over a decade to providing research-driven business and strategic planning services across various sectors. My educational background, with an MBA in Strategic Management and a BA in Business Economics, equips me with the expertise to guide businesses and organizations toward entrepreneurial and organizational success.

At CQ Business Consulting Inc., our mission is to transform plans into profits. We assist clients in securing funding, enhancing performance, and growing their businesses. My work encompasses a range of services, including pitching, management training, strategic planning, marketing strategy, market research, and financial analysis. These solutions are customized to align with the unique needs and goals of each client. Over the years, I have helped clients secure over $250,000 in funding, improve operational efficiency, and expand their market share and customer base.

Additionally, I am passionate about sharing knowledge. I lead workshops, courses, and provide resources for startups and entrepreneurs, teaching them the fundamentals of business and how to effectively pitch their ideas.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

While I was pursuing my education, I started bookkeeping as a side-hustle. This journey was pivotal in laying the foundation for what would later be my full-time business. It taught me practical skills, financial acumen, and the importance of attention to detail. It also fueled my passion for helping businesses manage their finances effectively. As I transitioned to entrepreneurship with CQ Business Consulting (CQBC), I leveraged my side-hustle experience to offer my clients strategic planning solutions so they could have a road map for achieving their business goals.

I began to scale CQBC when I met a like-minded entrepreneur and we jointly discovered that there were gaps in our businesses that could be met through collaboration. By working together to hire contract team members and interns, we were able to creatively fill those gaps and I found myself in a position to secure more clients, bigger contracts and pursue greater opportunities.

There have been many milestones along the way as I’ve grown my business, however I can name some significant events that have defined my professional journey. Registering my business was my first significant milestone. It was the moment I officially took the leap into entrepreneurship, laying the foundation for what would become a successful consulting firm. Then, betting on myself and my vision, I left the security of a steady paycheck to pursue my dreams. This decision was driven by a deep belief in my abilities and a desire to create something impactful on my own terms.

Enrolling in the MBA program was a crucial step in arming myself with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed. The education I received, coupled with the invaluable lessons learned through experiences like managing team dynamics, equipped me with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of running a business.

Finally, landing my first big client was a milestone that validated all my hard work and determination. A multi-million dollar accounting firm contracted me to help one of their clients with a business plan. I found myself in their office, engaging with their team, and attending meetings downtown. This experience not only boosted my confidence but also allowed me to start charging thousands for my services, marking a significant step forward in my business journey.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building my reputation in the market has been a multifaceted process, but it largely boils down to consistent messaging and strategic visibility.

From the very beginning, I focused on ensuring that my messaging was clear and consistent. Whether it was through speaking engagements, my website or social media, I made sure that people, clients, and audiences were repeatedly seeing the same core message. When people see CQBC, they know exactly what it stands for and what it speaks to. This consistency helped to solidify my brand in their minds.

Identifying the right audiences and making a concerted effort to speak at events where they were present was another critical strategy. I took every opportunity to share my expertise and talk about my business. This proactive approach paid off, especially during the pandemic. Because I had been out there speaking at every event I could, people started calling me when they needed a business plan. They remembered me as the go-to person for business planning because I had done a great job of letting everyone know exactly what I did.

Being visible and vocal was key. I was on stages, conducting workshops, and doing everything possible to ensure that when someone thought about needing a business plan or applying for funding, they thought of Chantelle. I built my reputation simply by being seen and remembered.

Additionally, I focused on delivering high value in every interaction. People often share that whenever they hear me speak, I drop a lot of knowledge. This not only reinforces my expertise but also encourages them to refer others to me, even if they don’t become clients themselves.

In essence, my reputation was built on a foundation of consistent messaging, strategic visibility, and delivering value at every opportunity. This combination has made CQBC a recognized and respected name in the market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cqbcinc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cqbc_inc/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cq-business-consulting/

Image Credits

Tyler J. Sloane
Gina Ayanna