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Colleen Reed, founder of American College Consulting, shares her journey from high school teacher to successful college consultant specializing in helping Canadian students attend American universities. Her thriving family business now includes her husband, daughter, and several specialized consultants who collectively serve students across Canada.

• Inspired to become a college consultant after her own positive experience with an independent consultant in high school
• Started her business in 2008 when her daughter was in eighth grade
• Built her practice exclusively through word of mouth referrals
• Transformed her business into a family affair with her husband handling athletes and business operations
• Daughter serves as the "secret weapon" for essay writing and activities lists
• Focuses on developing strong personal connections during consultations
• Believes students must participate in consultations and "buy in" to the process
• Uses CollegePlannerPro and FreshBooks to streamline business operations
• Manages a large caseload by outsourcing tasks she finds tedious
• Finds ongoing professional development and college tours essential for staying current
• Maintains a network of fellow consultants through HECA and regional groups
• Advocates for Americans to consider affordable, high-quality Canadian universities
• Currently navigating challenges related to political uncertainty and visa concerns

"The highlight of my life is when a student says 'thank you so much, I never would have heard of this school and it has been amazing.' That, to me, is the best."

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Margaret Baudinet shares her journey from college consultant to CEO of College Solutions, balancing business growth while raising quintuplets and building a thriving consulting practice with specialized services and a team of seven counselors. Margaret shares her journey:

• Purchasing College Solutions from founder Larry Dannenberg in July 2020 during the pandemic
• Transitioning from a small team to a comprehensive organization with leadership roles and specialized services
• Managing the surprise of quintuplets born in 2016 while maintaining her consulting career
• Developing grade-specific packages for underclassmen to provide flexibility and improve cash flow
• Raising prices while effectively communicating value to clients
• Building strong referral networks with financial planners as primary sources
• Using Boomerang email software to manage inbox and improve productivity
• Creating targeted growth strategies focused on specific markets rather than general expansion
• Embracing the concept of work-life "seasons" rather than perfect balance
• Hiring team members who complement your weaknesses and leverage tools like ChatGPT for processes

https://www.collegesolutions.com/

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Business of College Consulting. If you enjoyed it, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or share it with a friend in the college consulting industry!

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Kim Derrick shares her unconventional model- a high-volume college consultant, revealing how she helps more students with fewer one-on-one meetings while maintaining exceptional results and strong relationships. Kim shares how she:

• Started as a volunteer in school settings, including 15 years with Georgia Tech's Stamps President Scholars Program
• Focuses on "the big four" pillars: college list development, grades/course selection, testing strategy, and authentic activities
• Structures business with yearly contracts rather than four-year packages, allowing flexibility for families
• Maintains over 90% client retention despite limited one-on-one meetings
• Delivers content through videos, emails, and targeted communication based on student needs
• Prices services according to grade level, with costs increasing as students approach senior year
• Founded the High Volume Low Touch Facebook group for IECs interested in alternative business models
• Emphasizes setting clear expectations with families through explicit contracts and sign-offs
• Uses technology tools like Loom videos to maintain personal connection without scheduling meetings
• Recommends new IECs focus on their strengths rather than trying to be experts in all areas

Check out Atomic Habits by James Clear for insights on making small changes that lead to remarkable results - a philosophy Coach Kim applies to both her business and her work with students!