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

Philippa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

I truly believe that I would be so much further along with my business and personal development had I started my business much sooner in life.

I launched Channer Consulting in February 2020, right before COVID-19 changed the face of how the world engaged with brands significantly and so much more. I had earned over 13 years of experience in the marketing field as a communications manager at a local nonprofit and decided I wanted to take what I learned to help other nonprofits and small businesses in the area overcome marketing challenges. I started to envision this change back in 2018 but hesitated due to fear. The fear I would fail, wouldn’t get clients, wouldn’t be taken seriously, and so much more.

Had I started in 2018, when I was inspired by the idea, I would have had much more experience, a larger network, and a greater awareness of how covid impacted the business world. I often share that I do not know what running a business pre-covid would be like. I only know operating post covid and beyond.

Philippa, 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?

Like many marketing professionals, I have an interesting start to my career. I originally studied and earned a Masters’s Degree in Criminal Justice, with the original aspiration to be a federal agent. While awaiting my dream job, I took on what I thought was a temporary role at a local nonprofit. Fourteen years later, I found myself still employed with the nonprofit and serving as the Communications Manager overseeing a team of 12-15 creatives executing marketing tactics based on my direction. I learned a significant amount of information during this experience and discovered that this was a field I wanted to build my career.

I was inspired to take what I learned and start my own marketing business providing Content Marketing Strategy to small businesses and nonprofits in my area. Many of the clients I am serving are just starting out and do not have the team on hand to manage and create marketing content consistently. I help by filling that gap in their team by providing marketing services on a subscription-based model.

What makes me different from other marketing professionals is my teaching approach. My goal with each client is to NOT make them a client for life, but instead to educate them and equip them to understand and execute marketing strategies on their own. I make sure my clients know how and why I prepare each strategy for them and teach them how to use the tools and resources available to them so they do not become dependent on my support.

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

When it comes to growing my audience and clientele, it all comes back to my networking. 100% of my clients are someone that I first met at a networking event either online or in person. And they didn’t become my clients until I had met with them several times, taking the time to get to know them, their business and their marketing struggles. Some of the things I make sure to do with them to build that relationship includes:

Connecting on Linkedin
Sending a personalized email to them right away after meeting them
Sending a post card in the mail inviting them to a brunch or lunch meeting
Sending them resources that help with any marketing challenges they have shared (before they are clients)

These steps have helped me to establish a good reputation with them and earn their trust.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

There are two books that I discovered early in my journey that has impacted the way in which I approach managing and building my business in significant ways.

First is The Ice Cream Maker by Subir Chowdhury. The Ice Cream Maker is an inspiring tale about making quality the key ingredient in everything you do. Rather than take you through step-by-step instructions and guidance on incorporating quality into your business, Chowdhury accomplishes this through storytelling. I learned a lot about how quality is important, from the smallest aspect of my business to the largest and everything in between.

The second is Built to Sell by John Warrillow. Built to Sell by John Warrillow is the next book on my list, as it helps us create businesses that can thrive without us being in the center. Can you imagine what your business would be like if you got injured or had a loss in the family that required taking some time off to grieve and adjust? If your business completely shuts down without your direct involvement, then you need to check out this book.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.channer-consulting.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channerconsulting/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippachanner/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIYIejlVqBHh4ceu4B-iG7w/
• Other: https://www.channer-consulting.com/podcast