COURIUS

I deliver highly interactive keynotes and presentations (Dutch and English) where people listen, play, experiment, laugh, learn and... get into action. A selection of topics like The power of the Connection Quotient, Connective Leadership, Empathy in Action: A Personal Experience, Leading Virtual Teams, Advanced Storytelling, Who does Carl Jung think you are, Powerful Collaborations, Networking: do you dare to be Vulnerable, Strategic Skills & Change Management. Hereby also some examples including the number of the audience:
- ING, Verbindend Vermogen & High Performance Organisaties (220+)
- International Leadership Week 2020, We can ALL be leaders if choose to be (130+)
- Capgemini, Winning Behaviors (240+, 21 nationalities)
- Majid Al Futtaim, Emotional Intelligence (160+, 10+ nationalities)
- Scholengroep Het plein, Krachtig Samenwerken (450+)
- Het grootste kennisfestival van Nederland, Verbindend vermogen kun je ontwikkelen (250+)
- Catharina Ziekenhuis, Verbindend Vermogen (100+)
- Staffing Group, Powerful Human-to-Human connections (60+)
- Cosis, Working together with trust & intimacy (125+)
- Le Champion, Hoe haal je meer uit partnerships (80+)
- Dag van de coach, Verbindend Vermogen (200+)
- Huisartsbeurs, Verbindend Vermogen (200+)

Inspirational Speaker

I have coached & trained Leaders and Leadership Teams from 65+ different nationalities. All my interventions are experience based and have a clear focus leading to personal and team transformations. While delivering my work as well as in my personal life I feel, think and act in line with my core values: brutal honesty, fierce courage, pure playfulness and deep respect. I have had the privilege of working for clients like SHELL, Capgemini, AKZO Nobel, Sogeti, Heerema Marine Contractors, ENGIE, SAP, Usoft, Smurfit Kappa, Dutch National Police and many others. How can I support you personally or your organization? Feel free to reach out and discuss your request.

Leadership Expert, Team & Executive Coach, International Facilitator

My leadership purpose is to humanize society and the workplace by raising the consciousness level of people on their thoughts, feelings and actions. From awareness to choice and actions. From being reactive to being creative. Writing is one of the ways to do so. My writing activities:
- Book 'Verbindend Vermogen' (November 2016) - BESTSELLER
- Book 'The Connection Quotient' (June 2020)
- E-book '12 geheimen van SUCCESVOLLE teams' (May 2014)
- E-book '12 geheimen van KRACHTIG leiderschap' (April 2020)
- Co-author of 'Het Leiderschapsalfabet' (January 2014)
- Over 80 published articles (since 2008)

The bestseller 'Verbindend Vermogen' reached #1 bestseller list Management books in only 2 weeks after release, has been nominated for Management book of the year 2017 and have already reached the 5th print. June 2020 the English version of this bestseller has been published.

Bestseller Author

Our mission
We are a company that makes people, teams and organisations self-aware, connecting them and getting them moving. We help you to achieve your visions, your dreams and your goals. And our standards are high. We aim at creating fundamental breakthroughs and transformations, not just small steps and small changes.

Our specialism
We are specialists in the human side of change. We create focus at the individual, team and organisation levels, achieving decisiveness and results in an atmosphere of trust, respect and an appreciation of each other’s differences. In other words: by working on productivity and positivity. Forming a joint challenge for managers and employees.

Our team
COURIUS network consists of enthusiastic and extremely motivated senior professionals with passion for their vocation. They have extensive management experience and understand what your motivations are. With their experience in the field and as consultant, trainer and (team)coach, they have the knowledge and expertise to provide you with the support you need.

Managing Partner COURIUS

Capgemini

Lead facilitator delivering Leadership Development Programs worldwide. Currently facilitating Pace Setters Program (former IBS) for potential Vice Presidents (including Executive Coaching) and Leadership Exploration And Development (LEAD) for (upcoming) Principal Consultants, both international audiences. Also delivered Emerging Leadership Program (ELP) for the international audience of upcoming Management Consultants.

Executive Coach & Facilitator of Leadership Development Programs

Maastricht University School of Business and Economics

1) Lecturer course Leadership & Change Management as part of MBA program.

2) Coach for an international group of MBA students, individually as well as in peer groups as part of their Leadership Development Trajectory Program.

Lecturer & Executive Coach MBA Programs

Majid Al Futtaim

Executive coach and facilitator of leadership transformation of MAF top talent who "Creates Great Moments For Everyone, Everyday".

 Executive Coach & Facilitator of Transformation at The Leadership Institute

Breda University of Applied Sciences

Guest Lecturer on Change Management and Leadership.

Guest Lecturer

Nyenrode Business University

Guest Lecturer on Strategic Skills for Senior Marketing Professionals.

Co-Active Training Institute

Senior facilitator delivering the public curriculum (Fundamentals, Fulfillment, Balance, Process and Synergy) as well as the Corporate Coach Training Programs, both worldwide.

Senior Facilitator for Co-Active Training Curriculum

Performance Consultants International

Delivering Coaching 4 Performance training and Executive Coaching.

Senior Consultant

Schouten & Nelissen

Design and delivery of Public and Corporate courses. Topics:
- Individual & Team Coaching
- Management Development
- Personal Development
- Organizational Development

Freelance trainer

Being a personal coach and management, soft skills and projectmanagement trainer I'm fullfilling my passion; developing people. As a consultant I add value to company's by setting up training programs with impact.

Trainer, Coach, Consultant

Responsible for the Microsoft and Service Management portfolio development, relationship with Microsoft and partners, sales and delivery, HR-manager for trainers.

Productmanager Microsoft & Service Management

Responsible for sales & delivery of JAVA and Oracle projects and expertise in the public market, HR and contractmanager.

Manager Java & Oracle

Several assignments like projectleader, implementation of new developed application, interim manager & ITIL proces optimalisation.

IT Consultant

Marco Buschman is an accredited master team and executive coach, internationally recognized leadership expert, facilitator, inspirational speaker, and best-selling author. He has facilitated and supported thousands of leaders, managers, teams, and companies on strategic issues and the development of individuals, teams, and organizations. He is particularly interested in leadership, the power of connection, and creating High-Performance cultures where the focus on results and productivity are combined with an atmosphere of trust, respect, and an appreciation of differences. 

Marco’s style can best be described as optimistic, decisive, empathetic, passionate, and inspirational. His core values of unconditional compassion, brutal honesty, fierce courage, pure playfulness, active inclusion, and deep respect influence the way he feels, thinks, and acts in both his professional and personal life. 

He works with his clients as a trusted partner, leading them to more fulfilment, growth in their personal lives, and business impact. His interventions are experience-based and have a clear focus, resulting in personal and team transformations. 

Marco has extensive intercultural experience, having coached and trained leaders and leadership teams from over 70 nationalities. His clients come from various industries, including technology, consulting, energy, chemicals, engineering, retail, offshore, utilities, software, and manufacturing. 

Marco has authored several publications, including his best-selling book, The Connection Quotient (Dutch: Verbindend Vermogen), and an article featured in HR Future Magazine. He is a guest lecturer at various Dutch educational institutions.

Specialization: Leadership, Executive & Business Coaching, High-Performance Teams/Organizations, Organization Development, Management Development, Team & Personal Development, and Life Coaching.

Marco Buschman, MCC, CTPC, CPCC

Deena Priest

Executive Coach | Accelerating Careers Without Burnout & Designing Smarter Exits | ex-PwC & Accenture Leader | Former Lawyer 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇦🇺

I help corporate leaders turn 15+ years of experience into a profitable solo coaching or consulting business – without undercharging or guessing your way through it.

If you’ve left (or are ready to leave) a senior role in a mid to large corporate business, you probably recognize this:

1. You’re brilliant at delivering complex projects… but talking about your own offer feels vague.
2. You want freedom, but you don’t want your income to fall off a cliff.
3. You keep hearing “charge your worth”, yet you have no idea what “premium” actually means.

You didn’t build a 15+ year career to become a $150/hr freelancer.
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A. WHAT WE DO TOGETHER

I work with corporate directors, VPs and senior leaders to:

1. Design a market-relevant, premium coaching/consulting offer that leverages your track record (not generic “life coaching”).

3. Build a de-risked, structured plan to replace – and then exceed – your corporate salary with a small number of well-fit clients.

3. Create a simple, repeatable client acquisition system (often LinkedIn-led) so you’re not relying on random referrals or hope.

4. Navigate the identity shift from employee to business owner, so selling starts to feel natural, not needy.
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B. WHO AM I

I spent two decades in high-pressure environments across law, top-tier consulting and commercial leadership, working with senior stakeholders who expected results, not fluff.

Now I’m the founder of the SAVVY™ advisory growth system, a step-by-step method to exit corporate and build a profitable, high-trust coaching or consulting business without chaos.

I’ve coached 150+ executives and senior leaders through big transitions – including turning “hidden expertise” into visible, premium offers that real clients pay for.
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C. WHAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE 

1. A sharp, confident vision of what’s next (not just “I’ll be a coach”).

2. A clearly defined, premium offer that you can explain in one or two sentences – and that clients will happily pay for.

3. Pricing, positioning and messaging that reflect your seniority, not junior contractor rates.

4. An authority-led personal brand and simple sales process that consistently creates opportunities and conversations.
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D. HOW TO WORK WITH ME

If you want your coaching/consulting practice to feel as solid as your corporate career – financially and professionally:

👉 Learn more / apply for the next Corporate Pivot Accelerator cohort here:
https://deenapriest.org/corporatepivotaccelerator

Or send me a DM with the word SAVVY and a line about where you’re at now.

Coach  - Mentor

Even senior executives suffer from imposter syndrome.

All of my client's building businesses ask: "What if I fail?"

My response: "What if you succeed?"

When I started my coaching business, I had zero entrepreneurial experience.

I came from a family of academics: Lawyers, engineers, judges, doctors. 

So the idea of becoming a business owner was a big leap of faith. 

I told myself:

I  wasn’t ready.
I didn’t know enough. 
I needed 5 more qualifications.

Now I see the same mindset stall brilliant, seasoned leaders. 

They have the skills. 
The network. 
The ambition. 

But they still doubt themselves.

Here’s what I’ve learned: 

→ Confidence comes after action, not before. 
→ All skills are learnable. Business is no different. 
→ You don’t need more validation. You need action.

Double down on your strengths. 
Close your gaps.
Execute.

And start before you feel ready.

That’s how legacies are created.

♻️ Repost to remind that action builds confidence.

➕ Follow Deena Priest for more.

I help current and ex-senior corporate leaders build profitable coaching & consulting practices | Structured framework to replace or exceed corporate income | 150+ execs coached | ex-Accenture & PwC

When my kids were born, I decided my loyalty was to them not my 80-hour corporate role.

So I started a flexible, high-impact business. 

Loyalty to a business can be your biggest career risk after 40.

It can keep you stuck in a role where your potential outpaces your reality.

We’re raised to believe loyalty is a virtue.

And it is. But only when it doesn’t harm you.

Here’s when loyalty becomes a liability:

• You put all your eggs in one basket 
• You stay in a role that’s burning you out 
• You are loyal to a company that lays you off
• You are loyal to a boss that doesn’t see your potential

That kind of loyalty isn’t noble. It’s costly.

I’ve seen it too many times:

• High performers afraid to start a business 
• Leaders staying because “the team needs me” 
• Talented professionals pushing themselves to burnout

Here’s what healthy loyalty looks like:

✅ Loyalty to your values 
✅ Loyalty to your wellbeing 
✅ Loyalty to your future, growth, and purpose

When you start directing that loyalty inward, everything shifts:

✅ You realise your potential
✅ You stop tolerating sub-par cultures

In 2025, there are thousands of other ways to earn.

Definitely don't stay loyal to a paycheck.

♻️ Repost if this hit home. 
➕ Follow Deena Priest  for more.

And if you are leaving corporate to start a business, 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀: https://lnkd.in/e4c_nEp7

I help senior corporate leaders launch coaching & consulting practices | Structured, de-risked path to replace income | 150+ execs coached | ex-Accenture & PwC

It's a good time to start a solo consultancy.

Everyone asks:  “But how do I compete with the Big 4 or other big consultancies?”
 
You don’t.
 
You differentiate. 
 
One of my clients (a two-person business) just beat a global player to win a major operating model project.
 
Another launched a solo risk advisory consultancy from scratch.  She’s now leading global engagements.
 
Another Ex-CRO now earns double his corporate salary, running a sales strategy consultancy.
 
These aren’t anomalies.  
They are the new normal. 
 
Why?  
 
Because clients want trusted, specialized advisors who solve painful problems. Fast.
 
Here's how to get started:

1. Define your profitable niche and offer
2. Work out your market positioning and messaging
3. Use LinkedIn as a platform to build your authority
 
You don’t need to be a “big” consultancy.  

You need to be a right-fit one.

Anyways:

In all Ernst (and Young): 

If you want to know what's PwC (Possible Without Corporate),

I'd be Deloitted to speak to you. 

Let's KPMG (Kick-off Profitable, Meaningful Growth.)😉

Take the diagnostic to see if you're ready to build a profitable solo business: https://lnkd.in/eyJx78uv

Deena Priest

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Image credit: wallstreetoasis on IG

Turning senior corporate leaders into in-demand consultants + coaches | Exceed your old salary | Win premium clients | 150+ coached (SAVVY™ method) | ex-Accenture & PwC

Are you overcomplicating your goal of starting a business?
 
If your 2025 goal was to launch your consulting or coaching business…
 
Let me save you from the “analysis paralysis” phase.
 
But first, here's what's not needed:

❌ A website  
❌ An MBA 
❌ A 38-page business plan 
 
And here's what is.
 
𝟱 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗹𝗲 (and will help you replace your corporate salary):
 
𝟭. 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿.  
→ Choose ONE urgent problem you solve for ONE decision-maker.  
→ Package it as a high-value outcome.
 
𝟮. 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟬 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀.  
→ Use your network, warm intros, or alumni groups.  
→ Ask: “Is this a real pain point?”
🚫 No pitching. 
 
𝟯. 𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝗮 ‘𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆’ 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝟭–𝟯 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.  
→ Offer part of your service in exchange for feedback.  
→ Focus on delivering a fast, tangible win.  
 
𝟰. 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳.  
Turn that one win into a before/after story, a testimonial, a content post.
 
𝟱. 𝗜𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵.
Develop a real go-to-market-plan. 

Voila.
 
Your 2026 goals sorted. 

Action > Analysis.
 
👇 Which of the above are you stuck on?

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➕ 𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲  "𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿" 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘇 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: https://lnkd.in/eAMqzJ-Q

Follow Deena Priest for more.

I attended the funeral of a dear friend last week.
 
She was 45. Cancer. Two kids.  

And she lived more in 45 years than most do in 90.
 
Raised a family.
Built businesses.  
Travelled the world.    
Kept friendships alive.
 
Her energy was contagious.  
Any time I hesitated, she’d say:  “Come on. Just do it.”
 
And it reminds me that life’s biggest regrets don’t come from what you do.

They come from what you don't do.
 
The conversation you never had.
The business you never started. 
The change you kept deferring.  
The dream you kept on hold.

You tell yourself there’s time.  

After the next bonus.  
After the kids are older.  
After the mortgage is paid off.
 
But the truth is, you’re never fully ready.  

And sometimes "after" never comes.
 
So take the risk.  
Start the thing.  
Make the move.
Just do it.
 
Back yourself fully.  
(If not now, then when?)
 
Because the fear of trying fades.  

But the regret of not lingers.

Make your next chapter count.
 
Warmly,
Deena Priest

From laid-off corporate exec to high 6-figure consultant in 6 months.

This is the new world of work.

Reinvention has become a critical life skill.

In this market:

Job security is gone. 
AI is reshaping industries. 
New career paths are emerging.

(Forbes predicts that 70% of professionals will have portfolio careers by 2030.)

The future belongs to those who can adapt, reposition, and pivot.

Start building your consulting or coaching business whilst still in your corporate job.

This is how I did it:

1️⃣ Monetize Your Expertise
↳Start solving real problems outside your 9–5. 
↳Test offers. Validate your niche. 
↳Don’t wait until you're “ready”

2️⃣ Build Your Personal Brand 
↳If you can't post publicly because of your employer, build (real) relationships behind closed doors.
↳Start showing up where your future clients are. 
.
3️⃣  Stop trading time for money. 
↳Turn your skills into scalable offers—like workshops, strategy days, or advisory retainers.
↳Corporate = capped earnings.
↳Consulting = the sky is your limit.

4️⃣ Create Time Leverage 
↳You don’t need more hours, you need a better system. 
↳Use evenings and weekends to build assets.
↳Automate what you can. Focus only on high-return activities.

5️⃣ Build a new CEO mindset
↳You’re not a “former director”
↳You’re a leader and a trusted advisor solving meaningful problems. 
↳Own it.

“𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥.”— Benjamin Franklin

Reinvention isn’t about restarting.

It’s about leveraging all you've already built to build something better. 

And the best time to start?

Before you have to.

Follow Deena Priest for more.

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🔥𝟮 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁:

1. Download the guide: "𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀.": https://lnkd.in/epwykXmZ
   
2. Try the newsletter for 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀: https://lnkd.in/e4c_nEp7

"I’ll build my business when I have more time.”

This is the biggest blocker to exiting corporate. 

Most people think a salary is the most important thing.

It’s not. It’s your time

The one currency you’ll never get back.

If you’ve spent 20+ years building:
✔️ Deep expertise
✔️ A strong reputation
✔️ Financial stability

You may have built money
But not time or financial freedom.

When I worked 80 rigid hours in corporate, I missed:

> My son’s football matches
> My own health check-ups
> Most of my vacation allowance

“Flexibility” was just a corporate buzzword.

The reality:

99 percent of my time was eaten up by admin, egos,politics etc.

Maybe 1% of my week was focused on real impact.

Use your money and knowledge to map your exit and build your high-impact business. 

Here’s how I did it:

1. Buy clarity before you build
> Invest in someone who’s walked the path.
> Shortcut months of second-guessing with a clear map and mirror.

2. Extract the value from your career
> You don’t need reinvention. Just repositioning.
> Package what already works and make it profitable.

3. Buy back hours with expert thinking
> Ditch the PDFs and random LinkedIn posts.
> Use frameworks that actually move you forward.

4. Build a premium offer that respects your time
> No low-ticket time traps.
> High-trust work with high-calibre clients on your terms.

5. Learn while you earn
> Start now, while still employed.
> Gain clients and confidence before you ever hand in your notice.

Your knowledge built your salary.
Now it can build your exit.

But only if you start treating your time
like your most valuable asset.

P.S - Time is not the issue. Clarity is. Once you're clear on what your business does and how to build it, you find the time to drive things forward.

Deena Priest

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Many ex-corporate leaders turned coaches underprice.  

Not because they’re new.  
Because they’re still thinking like employees.
 
One client came to me after 20+ years leading multimillion-dollar teams.  

He was coaching for free.  

I asked him why.
 
“I wanted to prove I could help.”
 
Here’s the problem:  
When you undercharge, you don’t prove your value.  

You prove you don’t believe in it.
 
And I see this every week:
 
• Free = devalued
• Cheap = not trusted
• Underpriced = underchosen
 
Your pricing isn’t about greed.  

It’s about energy, equity, and transformation.
 
You don’t need to charge like a hedge fund.  

But you do need to:
 
𝟭/ 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻  
A CRO I coached dropped “leadership coaching” and positioned her offer around a $10M sales leak.  

She landed a retainer within weeks at 4x her original rate.
 
𝟮/ 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲  
One ex-COO came in charging $300/hr.  
We repackaged her expertise into a 90-day delivery ops engagement.  

First deal. $25K. 
 
 𝟯/ 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁
A public sector leader told me, “I don’t want to be seen as greedy.”  

After working through that belief, she doubled her rates and signed two clients in a month.
 
 𝟰/ 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁  
One ex-MD was still asking, “Am I allowed to charge that much?”  

That question vanished the moment she got a “yes” on a $150K proposal.
 
Because you’re not here to play “pretty woman.”
 
You’re here to build a business that respects your decades of work.  
 
Price accordingly.

KR,
Deena Priest

When Sarah left her executive role to become a growth consultant, she didn't earn.

She had decades of experience. 
A solid network. 
A desire to be her own boss.

But three months into her business, she was signing low-value contracts. 

She was trading time for money. 
Back on the same treadmill she’d tried to escape.

Why?

She followed conventional advice:

→ Launch a website 
→ Post on LinkedIn 
→ Create an offer

Her calendar was full of non-value-add tasks… not traction.

When we looked deeper, the problem wasn’t her capability. 

It was her sequence.

She’d started with visibility. 

But what she needed was value and proximity.

Here’s what we changed:

✔ Prioritized quality conversations over content 
✔ Reworked her value proposition from the ground up 
✔ Priced for outcomes not effort or retainer norms

Within 8 weeks, she signed a $50K client.

From activity → traction. 

From corporate expert → trusted advisor.

If you’re in motion but not gaining momentum,  it might be time to reassess your roadmap.

📌Join my free newsletter for strategies to go from Corporate →Entrepreneur: https://lnkd.in/e4c_nEp7.

Follow Deena Priest for more.

I left a 6-figure corporate career in my 40s and started a business.

The identity shift was real.  

But all my clients in their 40s and 50s have that pull toward 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵?
 
By now, many have:  

• Grown-up kids  
• Respected networks  
• Paid-down mortgages  
• 20+ years of wisdom, leadership
 
It 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 like the right time to make a change.

They don't want to climb the ladder anymore.
 
They want to use their expertise to gain more freedom, fulfillment, purpose, legacy.

But here’s what often stalls them:
 
• Clarity: “I’m not sure how to do it”  
• Fear: “What if I fail and have to go back?”
• Financials: “What if I can’t replace my salary?”    
 
👆 All of it? Just fear of the unknown.
 
Here’s what helped my clients and I all move forward:
 
1️⃣ Roadmap 
– A step-by-step plan to replace and exceed your salary

2️⃣ Structure 
– Clarity on what to offer, who to serve, how to get clients  

3️⃣ Community 
– Others walking the same path (so you're not doing this in isolation)
 
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗜 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝘃𝗼𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿™
The system for corporate professionals to launch consultancy or coaching businesses that are credible, profitable, and purpose-led.
 
Turn your expertise into a profitable business without risking income or reputation.
 
👥 Join the waitlist now to get first access and details: https://lnkd.in/e8F7Z2BQ
 
Or send me a message and I will share more details.

Deena Priest

If you're at stage 3, it may be time to start your business.
 
The stats are brutal:  
• Executives spend ~23 hours a week in meetings.  
• Around half of them are totally unproductive.
 
That’s calendar captivity.
 
It’s stopping you from doing the high-impact work that actually gives you energy and fulfilment.
 
When you build your own consulting / coaching business:  

• You get paid for outcomes, not attendance.  
• You spend your time on high-ROI, high-impact work.
• You decide which meetings exist (and who’s in them).  

Here’s how to start shifting out of stage 3:
 
1️⃣ 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀   
→ Don't let others' priorities run your calendar.  
→ Ring-fence 2–4 hours a week for planning and doing.
 
2️⃣ 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿  
→ Start thinking in problems solved.  
→ Who do you help → what do you fix → what changes?  
→ That shift to “I solve this” is the bridge to becoming a business owner.
 
3️⃣ 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀  
→ Prioritize conversations with those who benefit from your expertise.
→Their challenges will literally point to where your future business fits.
 
Free up your time → Make an impact → Earn well. 

If every meeting leaves you thinking, 
"I could be doing something better with my time”… 

Your next chapter is probably not another promotion.  

It’s a business.
 
Deena Priest

📌Join for strategies to go from Corporate → Profitable consultant or coach: https://lnkd.in/e4c_nEp7

I missed a billion-dollar opportunity.

In 2005, someone approached me about building a coaching subscription platform. 

Back then, almost no one knew what that even was.

We sketched out the vision. Mapped the model.

It had real potential. But I hesitated.

“I don’t know how to build tech,” I told myself. 
“Maybe later.”

Someone else moved. 

That same idea is now a billion-dollar business.

It’s not about the money.

It’s the hesitation. The self-doubt. The fact that I didn’t back myself.

Sir Richard Branson said it best:
“𝘐𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵, 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘺𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳.”

Because the cost of hesitation is real: 
Regret. Time. Momentum. Income. Relevance.

If you’ve been:
• Laid off
• Restless
• Sitting on 20 years of wisdom
  
And have wanted to start a business, here's your chance:

𝟭. 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 
If not you, someone else will do it.

𝟮. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻-𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 
Get clear on what problem you solve better than anyone else.

𝟯. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘁 
This is the biggest gap for most ex-corporate leaders and the most powerful shift.

𝟰. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁  
The right roadmap and peer group changes everything.

I’ve seen clients land deals within 3 weeks of doing this.

Not all opportunities knock twice. 

Some slip by quietly. 

And one day, they belong to someone else.

Don’t let action come too late.

P.S - What’s one opportunity you still think about?

♻️ Repost to encourage action over perfection.

Follow Deena Priest to exit corporate and build a coaching or consulting business.

How I knew at 40 it was time to exit corporate and start my coaching business.  

(Even though the money was good.)
 
First of all:  

I wasn’t burned out.  
There was no dramatic exit.
 
I simply couldn’t shake the feeling that I was no longer in control of my time or my life.
 
Meetings ruled my calendar.  Politics ate up any impact I hoped to make.
 
Frankly, I was bored of exchanging my time for money.
 
So even though I was "well-compensated"...  I didn’t have time freedom or financial freedom.
 
After my kids were born, I realized:
 
It’s not about getting rich.  
It’s about owning your time.
 
I didn’t need anyone’s validation. 
I wanted presence at home.
 
I didn’t want more responsibility.  
I wanted optionality.
 
If you're here too, wondering whether to start your own business...
 
Here are 12 signs you’re ready:
 
 1. You’re done trading time for salary bands
 2. You know your potential is being underutilized
 3. You’ve realized no job is actually secure
 4. You want to lead with purpose, not politics
 5. You want to own your calendar, not be owned by it
 6. You already have decades of experience and skills
 7. You value freedom more than titles
 8. You want to grow your brand, not someone else’s
 9. You want to make a meaningful impact
10. You’re highly self-disciplined
11. You’re not driven by external validation anymore
12. You’re ready to bet on yourself
 
What’s missing for 99 percent of corporate leaders ready to pivot?
 
A clear roadmap.  
A de-risked plan for turning your expertise into income.
 
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗱 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 -> 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄.

(𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿. 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝟱 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲.)

https://lnkd.in/ekE3tHxP

I’ll show you exactly what to focus on to secure clients before Christmas.

Because in the end, money is the tool. 
Not the goal.
 
Freedom is the goal. Don’t forget that.
 
KR,  Deena Priest

Your coaching and consulting clients won’t always know what they want.

This is true of both B2C and B2B clients. 

They’ll tell you symptoms: 
“We need clarity.” “We want to grow.” “We’re stuck.”

But if you take that at face value,
you risk selling the wrong thing. 
Delivering the wrong result. 

And ending up with a client who’s “meh” at best or disappointed at worst.

That has a cost: No referrals. No renewals. Damaged reputation.

When I first started consulting, I made this mistake. 

Jumped to strategy. Skipped the deep work. 

And built solutions for problems they hadn’t fully committed to solving.

Everything changed when I redesigned my discovery process.

Now I use 2 core frameworks to uncover what clients really need:

𝟭. 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗗 (𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝟮𝗖 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀)
Uncovers both logical and emotional needs, wants and drivers.

𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 
– What triggered the conversation? 

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 
– What’s not working day-to-day? 

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 
– What’s it costing them to stay stuck? 

𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 
– What’s really underneath it? 

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 
– What do they say they want?

𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 
– What will make them feel this was worth it?

--------

𝟮. 𝟱𝗗 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 (𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝟮𝗕 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴)
Use this when the ask is big, political, or vague.

𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗲 
– What do they truly want? 
– Often the request is surface-level. 
– Dig for what’s driving it. Reputation? Revenue? Legacy?

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 
– What’s in the way? 
– Uncover both external blockers (budget, regulation) and internal ones (silos, resistance).

𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 
– What does success actually look like?
–  Push for tangible outcomes across 3, 6, and 12 months.
 – Not just “more alignment” or “better culture.”

𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 
– What could derail it? Who needs to buy in? 
– What priorities, politics, or hidden agendas exist?

𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 
– What do they actually need? 
– Co-create the solution based on what you’ve now uncovered.

The best consultants and coaches ask sharper questions. 

They define the real problem and co-create the solution.

Client success = Your success.

What's your go-to discovery framework for coaching or consulting?

-----
I'm Deena Priest. I help corporate professionals and executives with 15+ years experience build 6-figure coaching and consulting businesses.

7 years ago, I was afraid to leave my corporate job.

Today, I’m afraid of my 10-year-old daughter.

(She’s brutally honest. Zero filter. No mercy.) 😬

But seriously... we all need someone like that.

Because the more senior you are...  the less truth-tellers you have around you.. the more you ignore the voice in your head that says "do something purposeful."

Has anyone ever sat you down and asked:
“Why are you still grinding 80+ hours a week… for someone else’s dream?”

Nope. Didn't think so. 

But if deep down, you’ve felt:

The uneasy question: “Is this really it?”
The itch to start something of your own 
The frustration that you're capable of more 

Then maybe it’s time to stop ignoring it.

Ask yourself:

1. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸? 
→Is it time? Security? Identity? 
→Or is it fear disguised as “being realistic”?

2. 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? 
If so, from whom? And is it worth it?

3. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀, 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆? 
(Were you, like me, taught that promotions = prosperity?)

4. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿? 
Is there a market for that?

5. 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲?
Smart people overthink everything.

One of my clients had 25 years in global leadership. 

Brilliant. Respected. Burnt out. 

He kept saying, “I’ll start something of my own when the timing is right.”

Then came the layoff.
Suddenly, someday became now.

Today, he runs a solo sales advisory business that brings in multiple 6 figures.

Most knowledge workers could turn their skills and knowledge into a business. 

But mindset eats strategy for breakfast.

You need to believe it's possible or nothing will happen.

Do you have an honest truth-teller in your life?

Follow Deena Priest for more.

📌Join my free newsletter "Purpose & Pay" for strategies and frameworks to go from Corporate → Entrepreneur: https://lnkd.in/e4c_nEp7

7 Pieces of Business Growth Advice I Ignore.

(And my coaching business still grew).

I’ve worked with some brilliant business advisors. 

But here’s what no one ever tells you when it comes to business: 

Trust your instincts.  

Here’s the common advice I 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 follow:

1. 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼’𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 
   → I trust myself. I know their world better than any guru.
   
2. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆 
   → If AI can generate it, it doesn’t add value. 
   → I share lived lessons.
   
3. 𝗕𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 
   → I chose 1-2 that actually work for me. 
   → That’s more than enough.
   
4. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 
   → I built a message that attracts action-takers.
   → No cold pitching required.
   
5. 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 
   → I write how I speak. 
   → Human > expert.
   
6. 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 
   → Clients don’t buy your method. 
   → They buy solutions to their pain.
   
7. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀 
   →  I mix it up. 
   → Insights > image.
   
Truth is…

When you run a business, the advice can be overwhelming.

But real traction comes from trusting what actually works for you and your ideal clients.

⚡Understand your market. 
⚡Test and refine your approach.

And never outsource your instincts.

P.S - What's been your biggest business lesson?

If you're leaving corporate to start a coaching or consulting business, join the free newsletter for strategies: https://lnkd.in/e4c_nEp7

Follow Deena Priest for more.

I see 3 terrible pieces of advice for consultants and coaches on LinkedIn.  

Especially for those who've recently started their businesses. 
 
Here they are:
 
𝟭. “𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱.”
 
It sounds smart and feels productive.  

But here’s the reality:

A personal brand won’t save you if your offer and positioning are vague.
 
I know people with 100K followers…  who post daily…  who go viral…  and are still broke.
 
Because branding without a clear offer = attention without income.
 
Build your offer and positioning first.  
Speak to real humans second.  
Build your brand last.
 
 
𝟮. “𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁.”
 
No. 
 
Niche is discovered not guessed.
 
You can’t “think” your way to clarity.  

You test and validate with discussions.

Conversations > assumptions.
 
 
𝟯. “𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹.”
 
Not at the start.
 
Funnels don’t work without trust.  

Trust doesn’t come from ads or emails.  

It comes from conversations.
 
Momentum > funnels.
 
 
Most of the advice out there is recycled, misapplied, or shared by people who aren't actual consultants or coaches. 
 
You don’t need hacks.  

You need trust and proof.
 
How do you build that?
 
You guessed it:
 
Conversations.
 
What’s the worst piece of advice you had to unlearn?

------------
If you like posts that cut through the noise, you’ll enjoy my newsletter. It’s where I share the things about leaving corporate to start a business that I don’t post publicly. 

Join here: https://lnkd.in/e4c_nEp7

I built my business in secret while still in corporate.  

Because one day, you're told you are "a key asset to the business."

The next day, you find yourself on a redundancy list.
 
Because employment is just a subscription model.
You can be cancelled anytime.
 
That’s why smart people build their own side businesses and diversify their income.

So they can support themselves and their families regardless of the circumstances.
 
And if you’ve already left corporate to start a business?

Then getting the business right matters so you never have to go back to LinkedIn job boards at 2am.
 
That’s why I built 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝘃𝗼𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿.  

For people like you.  
People like me.  

VPs, Directors and senior leaders with decades of experience and the desire to do work that matters.

And who understand how fickle corporate life can be.
 
🎯 Join the waitlist for details: https://lnkd.in/e8F7Z2BQ

(One of my clients was let go after 20 years. 3 months later, she closed her first $25K consulting contract.)
 
In the meantime, here’s a 𝟱-𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 “𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲” 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱:
 
1. 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘂𝘀.  
   What feels easy to you but hard for others?
   
2. 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.  
   Solve an urgent need or problem.
   
3. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 ‘𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸-𝗶𝗻-𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿-𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽’ 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿.  
   Premium. Specific. Scalable.
   
4. 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿.  
   No needless DMs. 
   Just clear proof and clean authority.
   
5. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲
   Not one that becomes your life.
 
Bottom line:

Corporate is not a forever home.
 
If you’ve built teams, led change, and held the weight of a $200K+ salary…
 
You can build something of your own.
Something profitable, purposeful, and powerful.
 
And if a layoff ever hits, 
 
You’ll already be the CEO of something better.
---
🎯Join the Corporate Pivot Accelerator waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/e8F7Z2BQ

KR,
Deena Priest

Sales is 99% mindset. 1% skill. 
 
Many who leave corporate to start their own businesses really struggle with this.  
 
Some of you had previously sold 5M+ deals for a Fortune 500 with a straight face. 
 
But asked to sell your own offer… 
You'd rather eat a Brazilian spider. 🕷️
 
Your brain serves up: 
“I’m being pushy.” 
“They’ll think I’m desperate.” 
 
You hate used car salesman vibes.  
 
Here’s what you don't need to do: 
 
❌ Send mass automated messages 
❌ Start pitching people immediately  
❌ Behave like a hustle bro 
❌ Chase endlessly  
❌ Avoid people  

Reframe your internal dialogue: 
 
You’re not a “used car salesman.” 
You’re a specialist who stops expensive problems. 

Approach it like this:

1. Ensure you have a market-resonant offer
2. Work out your positioning
3. Reach out to a warm and cold network
4. Try to give them as much value as possible
5.  Manage your mindset from "hassling" to "helping."
 
Sales is: 
✅ Helping someone get clear on their real problem. 
✅ Saying honestly if you can solve it.
✅ Inviting them to work with you if there’s a fit. 
 
That’s it. 

It’s possible for anyone to go from Little Red Riding Hood to Wolf of Wall Street (minus the fraud.)
 
Fix the 99% (mindset) so you can hone the 1% (skills).
 
What’s the one sales belief you’d love to drop? 

Deena Priest

How to exit corporate, make an impact and make money.
 
It’s one of the most asked questions on claude, ChatGPT and at 3AM in your head.
 
Here’s what won't make it happen:
 
➡️ You won’t make money just because you’re smart.  
➡️ You won’t get clients just because you have experience.  
➡️ And you definitely won’t succeed trying to figure it all out alone.
 
If you want a profitable business that gives you control, purpose, and income...
 
Here’s what you actually need:
 
1. 𝗔𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺  
   (Not “helping people or businesses grow.” A real painkiller.)
   
2. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗯𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀  
   (So you're seen as a premium solution, not a nice-to-have.)
   
3. 𝗔 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱
   (No logo, website, or 3-month branding detour needed.)
   
4. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲
   (Clarity and courage, not confidence, creates action.)
 
It’s not about leaving corporate.  

It’s about building a business that’s future-proof, fulfilling, and financially resilient.  

This is the work I do with senior leaders every day—if you’re ready, send me a message.

📌 Until then, 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘇 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 once leaving corporate: https://lnkd.in/eyJx78uv
 
Follow Deena Priest for more.

Image Credit: AI3E on instagram.

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Marco Buschman, MCC, CTPC, CPCC

Deena Priest

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taplio

The Battle

Marco Buschman, MCC, CTPC, CPCC

Deena Priest

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Deena Priest's LinkedIn Performance

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