Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kate McClinton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kate, thanks for joining us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

Throughout my teaching career I worked to help others start businesses, come up with a plan for their big ideas, and find grant funding for whatever they were planning.

During COVID I ran back into a friend who was starting his nonprofit idea and it sounded so impactful, so dope and could help people so much. He told me I should start my consulting business and help him change the world. So I dove right in and took the risk.

Thankfully, Cooper with Art in the Paint was the fire starter for me and since that day I have quadrupled my client base, changed my career path and also have had the privilege to watch his nonprofit truly do what was planned and change the world.

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?

I started my adult life in education. I taught middle school English for 17 years. I enjoyed every minute of my time in education. Through the stress and the tears I worked diligently to impact my student’s lives in a positive way.

In my teaching career I had the opportunity to run some clubs and organizations including the Beta Club and the Entrepreneurship Club. In that process I started to see the amazing ideas my kids had for businesses. I wanted to help and foster this so I started doing research on the process of starting from the ground up.

Through that learning I developed my skills in business, marketing, systems and procedures, and started really growing as a grant writer. I knew that I could utilize these skills to help other people getting started.

Now, I work with clients to do all things related to starting and scaling their businesses. Grants, business applications and licenses, logos and basic website design/re-design, as well as just analyzing systems and procedures to see where there is room for growth and improvement. I love my work and love seeing my clients grow.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

My most effective way to grow my clientele has been word of mouth. I work to make sure that my clients feel valued and heard, that they are pleased with my services and that they are satisfied at the end of our contract. Because of that, I get most of my clients through references from other clients. I appreciate the value that people see in me and the work that I do and therefore consistently work to keep that level of focus and commitment on providing what is needed.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn working constantly and putting work above my personal children.

In education you are on call and have to be flexible for others needs the whole day. It’s easier to work than to make plans for someone else to do your role, and have to clean up/catch up after. So, I never missed work. I never took care of myself. My kids often spent hours at the school with me and watching me work at home. It’s the nature of the beast if you are going to be strong educator.

Now, I realize I can create my schedule. I can build in time for my needs. I under promise to clients so I can make sure to meet whatever deadlines and I make sure that when I work, I focus completely on that work so that it is the best possible product for the client.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kdeconsults.com
• Instagram: @kdeconsults