Ideas at Dawn AEC Marketing Consultants

Are you new to the AEC marketing industry and in need of some more training? Maybe you are a few years in and need to level up those skills! 
Or you can be a seasoned professional in need of a fresh perspective.
We've had all three different categories in this full-day comprehensive training for AEC proposal management.  

I will take you through : 
✅ Learn the secret for getting SMEs to respond so deadlines are not missed
✅ How to create compliant, concise, and owner-focused content so your proposal scores the most points 
✅ How to effortlessly streamline processes and procedures so the technical team doesn't dread being involved
✅ Learn the framework to onboard AEC professionals with industry-specific knowledge
✅ How to avoid the big missteps in thinking proposal development in the AEC industry is the same as in other industries
and much, MUCH more! 

and if that wasn't enough to convince you...
for the first time, I'll be walking you through how to leverage AI for proposal content. It won't do the proposal for you but it will make you more efficient. 

Save your spot now right here!   https://keap.app/checkout/ezz173/winning-aec-proposals

ATTEND: 6 Steps To A Successful Proposal

Have you ever felt like you're just not making enough time for your family? Or for your own self? 

I know I have.
Being part of the AEC marketing industry, it is an all too familiar scenario. 
We are dedicated professionals. We give it our all, literally. 

However, we also deserve time for (the other) things that matter. 

Watch this video as I discuss what I eventually came to call my "3 frogs" that have completely changed the game for me. 

Being home for dinner is now the norm.

WATCH: How YOU Can Achieve Your Main Goals for the Day! 

The more we know the more we grow. 

So why is it so hard to ask to have the opportunity to learn more in some corporate settings?
It shouldn't be but often anything of value comes with a price tag (no pun intended). 
Read how you can approach the situation more confidently.

READ: The Other Big Ask: Why Is It So Hard To Ask For More Knowledge?

Have you ever been so buried in pursuits that you thought to yourself, I wish we could hire some (temporary) help? Good news, such a thing exists. However, as busy marketers, we rarely plan for such an event. Listen as Angie discusses how to form a successful partnership with a proposal/marketing consultant. As a veteran in the architecture/engineering/construction (A/E/C) marketing industry, she has been on both sides of the fence and understands the partnership point-of-views intimately. Angie will discuss how being proactive could and should become an essential part of your business. Prepare now for the influx of work that never seems to stop but at times never foresee coming.

LISTEN: Scribble Talk 

Based in Denver, Angie Wolfe founded Ideas at Dawn Marketing Consultants in 2019. They bring large civil engineering and construction firms a competitive advantage with their proposals and training to win more work without adding on more payroll. 

TURNKEY PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT - Ideas at Dawn provides help in all aspects of proposal development, including overall management, volume leadership, writing, editing, graphics, desktop publishing, production support, and coaching your team. The team can collaborate with you and develop proposals using Microsoft Office, Google, and Adobe Creative Cloud. We apply proposal management techniques and tools to fit your team, the delivery method, and the time frame. We manage the proposal efficiently and cost-effectively from scheduling through submission. We leverage your team’s technical knowledge to create compelling and compliant proposals so you win more work.

PROPOSAL TRAINING AND MENTORING - Using the six-step framework developed by Angie, Ideas at Dawn provides a 1-day training and coaching and mentoring to the trainees for three months to level up their skills, so you win more work. They will learn how to produce a successful proposal and receive one-on-one mentoring to help implement the six steps within your organization to increase the team’s confidence, knowledge, and respect from SMEs, so you have more time while winning more work. All trainees have access to a full suite of tools and templates to manage the proposal easily and receive information with the first request.

Business Owner, Trainer, Speaker, and Proposal Manager

Kiewit

Manage a team including senior managers in the production of technical and creative content for business development, proposals, and reports.

Develop and execute the plan to respond to proposals and reports.

Manage, design, write, and review high-quality persuasive content in response to state, private, and federal client RFQs/RFPs in Microsoft Word or InDesign.

Research company statistics and data for new work opportunities.

Participate in message development, storyboarding, and analysis of client’s needs and wants.

Write, edit, and finalize formal communication pieces to clients.

Senior Proposal Manager and Writer

Kraemer North America

Responsible for writing technical and creative content for business development, proposals, and marketing.
Developed and executed the plan to respond to proposals.
Managed, designed, wrote, and reviewed high-quality persuasive content including presentations in response to state and private client RFQs/RFPs.
Managed social media marketing including writing, developing, and creating daily content for Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Managed, designed, wrote, and reviewed content for business development and communications materials including the company newsletter, website, advertising, and award submittals while collaborating with U.S. staff.
Participated in the message development, storyboarding and analysis of the client’s needs and wants.

Senior Proposal and Marketing Manager

Lead the development of the strategy, communication, implementation, adoption, training, and enhancements of four firm-wide business development tools/databases for 34 locations to win more work. 
o Business development/proposal process management solution 
o PleaseReview - Internal document review web-based software 
o Cosential - Resume, project information and standardized description database 
o Support role for CRM database and third-party reporting tool  

Managed three-person staff while collaborating with internal and external technical staff, vendors, and marketing and business development staff to create the strategy and manage the work and budgets for these solutions. 

Lead or participated in firm-wide monthly communications including a newsletter and knowledge transfer webinars. Created and communicated best practice processes and use case documents using a variety of communication tools including establishing use guidelines, measurements, and metrics.

Marketing Systems Product and Support Manager

Responsible for hiring, training, coaching, developing, and/or managing a team of 3 to 25 members including senior managers in the production of technical and creative content for business development and communications. 

Managed, designed, wrote, and reviewed content for business development and communications materials including press releases, internal and external announcements, feature stories, website content, webinars, video scriptwriting and storyboarding, event planning, advertising, and award submittals while collaborating with marketing and technical staff across the company.  

Lead the planning and development of internal and external collateral pieces, advertising campaigns, and photo and video shoots to support market growth and high-profile build work projects. Assisted with planning on internal business development conferences and meetings.

Business Development Specialist/Proposal Manager

Provided writing, editing, and production leadership on proposals, presentations, and marketing materials for strategic pursuits or those with a $10+ million fee. 

Collaborated with other marketing and technical leaders across the company during proposal and presentation strategy sessions. 

Participated in the message development, storyboarding and analysis of client’s needs and wants.

National Pursuit Coordinator

Marketing Coordinator

Responsible for hiring, training, coaching, developing, and/or managing a team of 3 to 15 members including senior managers in the production of technical and creative content for business development and communications. 

Managed, designed, wrote, and reviewed content for business development and communications materials including press releases, internal and external announcements, feature stories, website content, webinars, video scriptwriting and storyboarding, event planning, advertising, and award submittals while collaborating with marketing and technical staff across the company.  

Lead the planning and development of internal and external collateral pieces, and advertising campaigns to support market growth and high-profile build work projects. Assisted with planning on internal business development conferences and meetings.

Marketing and Business Development

DO YOU WORK IN AEC MARKETING AND...
Have multiple overlapping proposal deadlines?
Find your team overextended or burning out?
Wish you had buy-in from everyone on the pursuit team?
Struggle to find time to train new proposal staff the right way?
Think “If I just had one more set of hands…” at least once a week?

THEN STOP SCROLLING. THIS IS FOR YOU.

I’ve been in your shoes.
From chasing down SMEs to rewriting bios at midnight to onboarding new coordinators mid-pursuit—I get it.

I didn’t plan on a career in AEC marketing. Like many of you, I fell into it. But over 20+ years, I became a powerhouse proposal leader, managing and winning multi-billion-dollar pursuits with teams spread across the U.S.
I’ve trained new hires, supported teams through burnout, and built proposal strategies from the ground up.

When burnout hit me, I turned that experience into something new—and Ideas at Dawn was born.

SO, WHY KEEP READING?
Because I know what your team is facing, and I built this business to help you fix it—with solutions that actually work in the real world.

Here’s how we help you win more work without adding headcount:

🟡 Turnkey Proposal Management
Strategy, writing, editing, graphics, coaching—all tailored to help your team hit deadlines, tell better stories, and stop the fire drills.

🟡 Global Proposal Training Accelerator
A 6-month training and coaching program designed specifically for engineering and construction proposal, marketing, and business development teams.
We combine my 6-Step Proposal Process, 5 Leadership Practices, and live support to help your team reduce burnout, boost win rates, and grow capacity.
Built for teams navigating high-stakes public and private sector pursuits.

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re rebuilding the wheel for every pursuit, you’re not alone.

Let’s streamline your process, strengthen your team, and help you get your evenings back.

💬 Book a free 20-minute call and let’s talk about what’s going on:
https://letsmeet.io/ideasatdawnaecsolutions/get-to-know-each-other

And hey—if now’s not the right time to work together, that’s okay too. I also host free quarterly webinars packed with actionable tips and insight from industry experts.

Let’s win some proposals—and maybe even enjoy the process.

“Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did.” – Mark Twain

Regret doesn’t come from action.
It comes from hesitation.
From waiting.
From letting fear of what if outweigh the power of why not.

→ The proposal you didn’t submit
→ The conversation you didn’t start
→ The opportunity you didn’t chase

What do we remember instead?
→ The lessons learned
→ The growth gained
→ The doors opened

Perfect outcomes? Rare.
But bold moves? They shape our future.

Key takeaway?
Discomfort is temporary.
Regret lingers.

So—
What’s the one bold move you’re committing to today?

Angie Wolfe, CP APMP

Transforming AEC Marketing | Proposal Management & Training Expert | Helping Companies Win More without Adding Payroll

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Let’s be honest —
The best proposals don’t start in marketing.
They start with your BD and sales team.

When proposal and business development teams truly collaborate, everything changes:
Your insights get sharper.
Your strategy gets stronger.
And your proposals? They win more often.

In my latest webinar, I break down how to bridge that gap and turn collaboration into your competitive advantage.

→ Understand your buyer’s needs — what really drives their decision.
→ Tap into your team’s motivations — align your goals and communication styles.
→ Build a seamless partnership — where BD brings intel and marketing brings clarity.

What do you gain?
→ Stronger pursuit strategies
→ More client-centered messaging
→ A unified team that’s rowing in the same direction

Because the secret to winning proposals isn’t just better writing —
It’s better alignment.

Key takeaway?
When marketing and BD teams collaborate with intention,
you don’t just chase opportunities — you create them.

Watch the full session → https://lnkd.in/eHWn7R_W

How do you keep collaboration strong between BD and marketing in your firm?
Let’s swap ideas that actually move the needle.

I made it to Friday.
Not just surviving,
But steering the proposal ship.

→ Balanced last-minute RFP asks
→ Wrangled SMEs for inputs
→ Navigated color team feedback

What did I gain?

→ A cleaner draft in the pipeline
→ A team that feels aligned
→ Space to reset before the next pursuit

Deadlines managed.
Reviews completed.
Momentum carried forward.

But here’s the truth:
Fridays aren’t just about closing files,
They’re about fueling the next win.

Key takeaway?
Clarity comes when we pause,
Reflect, and regroup.

How do you spend your Fridays?
→ Wrapping up an RFP?
→ Prepping for the next kickoff?
→ Or taking a well-earned breather?

Happy Friday! 🎉
Are you ready for the weekend? 🤩

This week, I tackled proposal chaos.
Not as a setback,
But as a sign of progress.

→ Managed shifting deadlines
→ Balanced SME input
→ Kept strategy front and center

What did I gain?
→ Clearer direction
→ Small wins worth celebrating
→ Momentum heading into next week

Stress handled.
Progress made.
Confidence built.

But here’s the truth: proposal life isn’t about perfect weeks,
It’s about stacking small wins.

Key takeaway?
Every Friday is a chance to pause, reflect,
And recharge for the next pursuit.

So tell me—
What’s one win you’re celebrating as you head into the weekend?

Did you know most firms lose proposals before they even hit “submit”?

Why?

Because they’re busy complying—
when they should be persuading.

→ They answer every question
→ Follow every instruction
→ Check every box

But they forget the most important part:
Convincing the client to choose them.

Compliance gets you considered.
Strategy gets you selected.

That’s the difference between submitting and winning.

In From Chaos to Clarity, I share the exact framework to help you shift from reactive proposal writing to strategic storytelling.

What does that mean in practice?
→ Building clear, client-focused win themes
→ Aligning your message with what evaluators actually care about
→ Leading your team with focus, confidence, and clarity

No more guessing.
No more “hope this works.”
Just a repeatable process that helps you stand out—and win more.

Because here’s the truth:
Checking the boxes might keep you compliant,
But strategy?
That’s what makes you compelling.

Key takeaway?
You don’t win proposals by doing everything right.
You win by doing the right things with intention.

From Chaos to Clarity: Unlock the Proven Process to Boost Your Win Rates: fromchaostoclaritybook.com

How do you make your proposals more persuasive?
Let’s share strategies and help each other raise the bar.

There are so many opportunities for adventure out there.

But here’s the thing—adventures don’t always mean climbing mountains or booking flights. Sometimes they look like:
→ Taking a new route on your morning walk
→ Trying a recipe you’ve never made
→ Starting a conversation with someone new
→ Tackling a project you’ve been putting off

Big or small, adventures push us out of autopilot and into possibility.

Key takeaway? 
Adventure = growth. And every day gives us a chance to choose one.

💬 What adventure are you saying yes to today?

Whether your favorite hobby is…
🎨 Painting
🥾 Hiking
🧘 Yoga
💃 Dancing
📺 Watching Netflix

…make time for it today. 💛

In our busy, always-on world, it’s easy to forget that hobbies aren’t just “extras.”
They’re essential — to your creativity, your mental health, and your happiness.

Your hobbies are where you get to:
→ Step away from the noise
→ Reconnect with joy
→ Express yourself freely
→ Refuel your energy for the week ahead

The truth?
You don’t need to monetize your hobby.
You don’t need to be great at it.
You just need to enjoy it.

So go ahead — grab a paintbrush, roll out your yoga mat, lace up your hiking boots, or hit play on your favorite show.

Whatever fills your cup, make space for it without guilt.

Key takeaway?
Hobbies aren’t a distraction from life — they’re what make it more meaningful. 🌿

👉 What’s one hobby that always helps you recharge — and are you making time for it today?

Happy Sunday! ☀️

A fresh start. A slower pace. A perfect day to recharge before the week ahead. 💛

So tell me — how will you spend your day today?

Maybe it’s…
☕ A slow morning with coffee and no rush.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family time catching up and making memories.
🌿 A walk outside to clear your head and soak up some sunshine.
📚 A little self-care — reading, journaling, or a mid-day nap.
🧘‍♀️ Planning your week so Monday feels a little lighter.

The truth?
You don’t have to fill every minute to make the day meaningful.
Sometimes, rest and reflection are the most productive things you can do.

Key takeaway?
How you spend your Sunday sets the tone for how you start your week — calm, grounded, and ready.

👉 So, how are you spending your Sunday today — relaxing, recharging, or reconnecting?

No success comes without its failures. 

If you’re managing a team, you’ll have to get comfortable with failure.

That isn’t to say you shouldn’t strive for success; rather, embrace a fail-forward attitude. Know that sometimes, your team will fail, and have plans in place to turn each failure into a learning opportunity. 

In other words, make sure they don’t repeat the same mistake twice while also ensuring they know they’re allowed to make well-intentioned mistakes.​ 

#leadership #failforward #marketingconsultants #proposalwriters

Happy Weekend! 🎉

Weekends are for:
→ Slowing down
→ Recharging
→ Doing something that makes you smile

Whether that’s cheering on your kids at a game, diving into a good book, heading outdoors, or simply catching up on rest—it all counts.

Key takeaway? Rest isn’t wasted time. It’s the reset that makes us better on Monday.

💬 What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this weekend?

Leadership isn’t defined by titles.
Not by corner offices,
Not by nameplates,
Not by org charts.

It’s defined by impact.

→ The influence you create
→ The inspiration you spark
→ The change you catalyze

Robin Sharma said it best:
True leadership transcends formal titles.

Because here’s the truth:
Anyone can hold authority.
But not everyone leaves a legacy.

Key takeaway?
Leadership isn’t a role you’re given.
It’s a responsibility you choose.

So let’s debate it—
Do you agree or disagree?
Can leadership exist without the title?

Supercharge Your Team's Efficiency and Double Your Bids!

Want to learn more about what we offer and how we can train your team?

Send me a message, or set up a call here: https://lnkd.in/ewvZpaXC

Sundays are the perfect day to prep healthy meals for the week! 🥗✨

A little bit of time in the kitchen today can save you a lot of stress (and last-minute takeout) later in the week.

Meal prep isn’t just about food — it’s about setting yourself up for success.

→ It keeps your energy steady.
→ It helps you make better choices when your week gets busy.
→ It gives you one less thing to think about on those chaotic weekday mornings or late work nights.

Meal prep can look different for everyone:
🍴 Cooking a few complete meals in advance
🥦 Chopping veggies and portioning snacks
🥗 Prepping your lunches for work
🍝 Making a big batch of something easy to reheat midweek

The truth?
It’s not about being perfect — it’s about being prepared.

Even spending 30 minutes today can help you start your week feeling lighter, healthier, and more in control. 💪

Key takeaway?
Healthy weeks don’t happen by accident — they’re built one Sunday at a time.

👉 Do you prep meals on Sundays? Or do you have another go-to ritual that helps your week run smoother?

✨ Sunday Reminder:
You can handle whatever this week throws at you. 💪

No matter what’s waiting on your calendar — deadlines, meetings, decisions, or surprises — remember this:
You’ve handled tough weeks before, and you came out stronger every time.

Take today to breathe, reset, and remind yourself of your strength.

You don’t have to have every detail figured out.
You just have to take it one step, one task, one moment at a time.

Here’s your quick mindset reset for the week ahead:
🌿 You are capable.
⚙️ You are resilient.
💛 You are ready.

And if things don’t go exactly to plan? That’s okay, too.
Progress isn’t about perfection — it’s about showing up, learning, and trying again tomorrow.

Key takeaway?
Confidence doesn’t come from knowing what’s ahead — it comes from trusting yourself to handle it.

So take a deep breath, shake off last week, and step into this one with calm and purpose.

👉 What’s one thing you’re focusing on to make this week a great one?

“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”
— Jack Kornfield 💛

Powerful reminder, right?

We’re often so quick to offer kindness, patience, and understanding to everyone around us — our teams, our families, our friends — yet we rarely extend that same compassion to ourselves.

We forgive others for being human, but we expect ourselves to be superhuman.

Here’s the truth:
Compassion isn’t complete if it stops at everyone else’s doorstep.

Real compassion includes:
💬 Speaking to yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend.
🧘 Allowing yourself to rest without guilt.
🌿 Acknowledging that growth takes time — and mistakes are part of the process.
💛 Giving yourself permission to be enough, right where you are.

The more we practice self-compassion, the more empathy, patience, and presence we can bring to others.

Key takeaway?
You can’t pour from a cup that’s empty — and you can’t lead with compassion if you don’t extend it inward first.

👉 How do you practice self-compassion in your daily life — especially on the hard days?

I watched Moana again.
Not just for the music.
But for the message. 🌊✨

→ Faced uncertainty head-on
→ Navigated uncharted waters
→ Found strength in the storms

Sound familiar?
That’s proposal management in a nutshell.

What did I learn?
→ Courage fuels progress
→ Adversity builds resilience
→ Every challenge leaves a mark—and a lesson

Because the truth is—
the proposal journey isn’t calm seas.
It’s long nights, shifting tides, and unknown horizons.

But just like Moana, we keep steering forward.
We lead with heart.
We find new paths when the map runs out.

Key takeaway?
Success isn’t about smooth sailing.
It’s about showing up with courage, curiosity, and conviction—
even when the waves rise.

How do you navigate your proposal storms?
Let’s share what keeps us steady. ⚓

👉

Open article: Unveiling the Secrets of Proposal Management Through Disney's Moana by ideasatdawn.com

Unveiling the Secrets of Proposal Management Through Disney's Moana

I used to think work-life balance was a myth.
That constant hustle was the price of success.

But here’s what I’ve learned—
Burnout doesn’t build progress. It blocks it.

Finding balance isn’t about doing less work.
It’s about working with more intention.

→ Protect your personal time — guilt-free.
→ Step away from screens — even for five minutes.
→ Invest in real relationships — at work and at home.

What did I gain?
→ Clearer focus
→ Better energy
→ A sense of calm I didn’t know I was missing

Because when you recharge you,
Everything else gets stronger — your proposals, your leadership, your life.

Key takeaway?
Balance isn’t a luxury.
It’s your best strategy against burnout.

Watch the full video → https://lnkd.in/e24nQYAU

How do you protect your energy and maintain balance in your day?
Let’s share what’s working — and keep each other accountable.

Open video: Avoid Burnout with These 3 Tips on youtube.com

I embraced gratitude this season.
Not as a cliché,
But as a mindset shift.

→ Paused to reflect on the wins (big and small)
→ Recognized the people who made them possible
→ Let go of the things I thought I lacked

What did I gain?
→ Clarity in what truly matters
→ A deeper sense of appreciation
→ Renewed motivation to keep showing up

Stress eased. Perspective gained. Energy restored.

But here’s the truth:
Gratitude doesn’t ignore the hard stuff,
It reframes it.

Key takeaway?
When you focus on what you have,
You create space for more of what you want.

As German Kent said,
“It’s a funny thing about life — once you begin to take note of the things you’re grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.”

What’s one thing you’re grateful for right now?
Drop it below and let’s spread a little perspective. 💛

I’m opening a few spots for a Proposal Readiness Audit for teams gearing up for 2026 pursuits.

Here’s what I do:
 • Review one recent proposal or draft
 • Identify your top three gaps holding your team back
 • Build a simple, practical action plan you can use right away

It’s a fast turnaround — 3 business days — and the investment is $2,500.

Want me to hold a spot for your team?

If you want your team ready for 2026, send me a message and I’ll lock in your spot.

I embraced gratitude this season.
Not as a passing thought,
But as a daily practice.

→ Looked back with appreciation, not regret
→ Found calm in the middle of chaos
→ Chose to see lessons instead of losses

What did I gain?
→ Clarity from confusion
→ Peace in the present
→ A grounded vision for what’s next

Stress softened. Perspective deepened. Focus sharpened.

But here’s the truth:
Gratitude doesn’t just make us feel good—
It transforms how we see everything.

As Melody Beattie said,
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough and more.
It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

Key takeaway?
Gratitude is strategy.
It turns reflection into resilience,
And appreciation into action.

What’s something you’re grateful for that changed your perspective this year? 💛

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