The 2x2 for Consultants

What does multicultural inclusion really mean? I sat down with Sandhya Jain-Patel —founder of CulturePRISM and co-author of Beyond Diversity—to talk about authentic storytelling, lived experiences, and why culture is way more than a checkbox. We also touched on her journey from Christie’s to Disney, and what companies get wrong (and right) in their DEI efforts.

One of the questions I get asked all the time is whether consultants should be paid for referring business to someone else.    The answer is yes, but I understand the hesitation. Asking for compensation can feel awkward, especially when all you're doing is making an introduction.    But here's the way I think about it: when you refer someone, you're creating value for everyone involved. You're hel...

You don't have to wait until retirement to reinvent your career.    Namrata Sarmah followed the traditional path all the way to the C-suite before realizing there was more than one way to be successful.    Today, she advises PE-backed companies as a product leader, runs global leadership communities, and helps executives create what she calls a plural career.    If you've ever wondered what comes...

High-performing people like consultants use anxiety as fuel. It helps us push harder, solve problems faster, and achieve more. In small doses, that’s helpful to keep us moving. The challenge is that anxiety is also a signal from the nervous system. If we never learn how to manage it, the same thing that drives performance can eventually lead to burnout, overwhelm, and unhealthy habits. And whether...

What comes after a decade at BCG? I sat down with Michael Stutts to talk about his path from consulting to executive leadership—and how personal branding and clear communication shaped the journey. We also touched on his book, There's No Room Service at the Psych Ward, and why mental health deserves more airtime in the business world. 👉 Get a copy of his book: https://www.amazon.com/Theres-Room-S...

Troy Ruemping has spent his career asking the question most consultants skip: what problem are we actually solving? He's done it at McKinsey, at the Big Four, and now while splitting his time between independent consulting and building his own food tech venture. In this conversation, Troy breaks down the discipline behind great strategy work — and what happens when you take those skills into an en...

We've always been told the same story about building a business: network hard, move fast, say yes to every opportunity.    Sudeshna Sen believed it too – until she left corporate and tried to build something of her own.    That’s when she realized the playbook we know isn’t always the answer.    What she found, after slowing down and actually listening to other founders, was that their problem ran...

There’s a version of indie consulting that isn’t talked about openly.    Not the glamorous ‘build your personal brand and land dream clients.’ But the actual mechanics of how many consultants find work: through hiring companies and curated networks that connect talent with clients.    And depending on who you ask, those companies are either a shortcut or great opportunities – or middlemen taking c...

How do you keep a product relevant when the market won’t sit still? I sat down with Kris Hardy to talk about product refresh cycles, why customer insights matter more than ever, and how smart collaboration between product and sales teams can drive real innovation.

The more your money you make, the more complicated it gets to manage it. Think taxes, structure, payroll – and a whole set of decisions no one teaches you how to make. But Lorie Jones , founder of Fearless Financial Advisors , has built her career helping founders manage what comes next financially. In this conversation, we go deep into the three stages every founder goes through – and how to navi...

I get the same questions over and over from people starting out. And I get it – because I asked all of them too. Only I had to figure things out on my own, either by Googling things, asking around, or trying out stuff to see if they stick. So instead of overcomplicating it, I’m just going to walk through the ones that matter most and give you the straight answers I wish I had when I started. 

Parm Sidhu is what most consultants say they want to be: an operator and an advisor at the same time. While working at Deloitte, Parm built Student Storage into a 20-campus business across Canada. It’s an impressive feat, especially this early in his career. And it’s also why my conversation with Parm matters. Because once you’ve run something yourself, you don’t think – or advise – the same way a...

What if your AI avatar works, while you enjoy life? I sat down with Natalie Monbiot to talk about digital twins, how they differ from deep fakes, and what a virtual human economy might look like. We got into the ethics, the tech, and how AI clones could reshape communication and expand what’s possible in business.

Nothing is ever 'just data.' Last year, we started featuring the worst charts and visuals the internet has to offer. We've racked up a fair amount in our collection, so we invited chart champ Amelia Waters to critique some bad charts and give us a few pointers on how to do it right. Watch the full episode in our YouTube channel next week: youtube.com/channel/UC5DlEn-4CszFJw-aCTcTopQ/

What do nut milk, corporate porridge, and startups have in common? Seems like a random list, right? I sat down with Ben Manwaring to talk about his winding career path—from consulting to startups to his current chapter in Amsterdam. We got into flexibility, risk-taking, and what it really looks like to blend creativity with business growth.

Would you trade a comfortable life in the city for a spot in an RV park?  Joe Griffith did – and it’s the best decision he made.  He used his expertise as a former Bain consultant and built Wander New Mexico , now the no.1 rated tour company in New Mexico.  He’s still running it a decade later while consulting independently on the side.  The interesting part isn’t just how he’s doing both – it’s h...

Ever heard of a corporate athlete? I sat down with Mariela Hunter to talk about biomarkers, sleep, and how AI is becoming essential for us to keep ourselves in top shape–personally and professionally. We also got into her shift into fractional work and why the future of performance is all about human–AI collaboration.

Can you rebuild a legacy business from the ground up? Not everyone can, but Deborah Whitby did. Rebecca McDowell and I sat down with the Austin Plumbery CEO to talk about our stories. We discussed the real-life highs and headaches of building a business. From branding and pricing to hiring and customer experience, we swapped lessons on growth, lifestyle, and what it really takes to run something t...

Here's how you can get a meeting with anyone. I sat down with my good friend Katie McCormick Lelyveld —founder of MELD and former press secretary to Michelle Obama—to talk about authenticity, networking, and the real work of building lasting relationships. We also touched on intergenerational conversations, women in leadership, and how small moments lead to big connections.

Fractional work looks simple – and exciting – from the outside. You leave corporate, land a client, and price your time. You breathe easier because you do the work you’re passionate about. In many ways, it’s wonderful. But here’s what doesn’t get talked about enough: The real challenge of fractional life shows up in about six months. In a bonus episode of The 2x2 Podcast , Anna Wondany – founder o...

How many tools and platforms do you use in your practice? Do you have a graveyard of unused subscriptions, or do you still do everything manually? I think you only need four essentials – every one of them useful for everyday tasks. Anything else you add should pass the ultimate efficiency test: Reach the least number of clicks to get sh*t done.  

The most successful fractional works have tells. Amanda Nizzere is a fractional CMO who has reached full capacity in just two years ( impressive, right? ). But she’s spent that time doing more than just client work for AN Strategy . As the host of the Female Fractionals podcast, Amanda has had dozens of candid conversations with fractional executives about what works (and what doesn’t) in a fracti...

What can real estate brokers teach consultants? A LOT. So I sat down with Luisa Mauro to trade notes on building trust, earning referrals, and staying authentic in a competitive market. We talked about prospecting, team building, and why genuine care—not just strategy—is what keeps a business growing.

Every consultant can build a deck. But only a few can run the room. Ryan O’Toole spent his entire career inside rooms a lot of us only hear about – PE board rooms and PE-backed leadership teams. He’s been the consultant, the operator, and the advisor. This makes him unusually good at explaining how boards actually work. In this interview, we’re talking about everything you and I need to know about...

How long does it take to reach true mastery? Johan Sauer is an experienced independent consultant who worked with over 200 companies over the course of his career. In this episode, we talk about the evolution of brand management and the importance of creativity and mentorship in consulting. We also discuss the challenges faced in the consulting industry, the significance of continuous learning, an...