The 2x2 for Consultants

Can we actually trust AI outputs? I sat down with Usman Lakhani, an AI governance expert, to talk about what responsible AI looks like — and why independent consultants need to get literate fast. We covered practical frameworks for aligning AI with strategy, the role of data governance, and how trust, ethics, and risk management all show up in real-world implementation.

This 2026, I have a challenge for you: take home $400K in revenue. Did that number scare you? Or does it sound like a piece of cake? I think $400k is the mark of a successful consulting practice – it means you live a financially comfortable lifestyle without burying yourself with work. Are you up for the challenge?

Leslie Elliott , Poolie CEO and mom of four, is a business builder. And it seems her son is also wired for it. It started when she found a half-empty twelve-pack Sprite in her 6th grader’s backpack. She asked James about it, and he said he goes to an H-E-B before school and sells soda to his friends. He made $20/day and called it SchoolDash. This is when Leslie knew she has an entrepreneur in the...

How well do you understand your work? In this conversation, Wes Wheless shares his journey from being a consultant to helping other independent consultants articulate their expertise through visual communication. He discusses the challenges consultants face in defining their niche and the importance of intellectual property in establishing a unique brand. Wes emphasizes the power of visual metapho...

Can you keep climbing the corporate ladder after it collapsed? Anna Wondany did. And so can fractional executives. She' s a fractional CMO and the founder of Hey CMO , a fast-growing network for marketing leaders who want independence without isolation. In this episode, we talk about what it means to work fractionally, how to prevent your own competence from drowning you, and why always saying yes...

Thanksgiving week is the prime time for gratitude – and crunch time for nonprofits. Seasoned fundraising and development strategy expert, Pradnya Haldipur , has been in the nonprofit world for a long time, working with large organizations like Doctors Without Borders. But now, she’s a newly minted fractional expert already gaining success in just six months. In this interview, she gives us a peak...

Ready for the war room that is Black Friday planning? I sat down with Scott LaBoda to talk about his path from consulting to retail and back again—with stops at Tom’s Shoes and Lululemon along the way. We got into merchandising, supply chains, and what’s ahead for both luxury and mass retail.

In the immortal words of Wu-Tang Clan, “Cash rules everything around me.” They weren’t talking about corporate finance, but Nicki Monson agrees the words are still true. Strangely, she’s not a Wu-Tang fan, but I’ll forgive her for that. Nicki was the VP of finance at Stenograph, a dynamic SaaS startup. And before that, she held leadership positions for over 20 years at bp, a global energy powerhou...

What does it take to actually find your niche? I sat down with Terry Chevalier to talk about his move from big-firm consulting to running his own shop—what’s hard, what’s worth it, and how he’s carved out a niche in telecom and exit planning. We also talked coaching, business transitions, and why defining the problem you solve is half the battle.

Is ESG really that important? I sat down with Cooper Wechkin , founder of RyeStrategy , to talk about climate accounting, sustainability, and why small and mid-sized companies shouldn’t sit this one out. We got into Cooper’s journey from undergrad startup to ESG consulting, and how thoughtful strategy can shrink your footprint, and grow your business.

What’s it like going from BCG to the chaos of startups? I sat down with Sam Hollin to talk about his move into the world of growth consulting —what changes, what carries over, and how to navigate the shift from structure to speed. We dug into networking, intuition, and the kind of personal growth that comes from building in real time.

How do you get your name out there, without feeling cringe about it? I sat down with Tracy Samantha Schmidt , former Time Magazine reporter, to talk personal branding, earned media, and what actually works in today’s PR landscape. We covered her path from journalism to consulting, how to think about content distribution, and why a strong messaging framework is non-negotiable.

This is what networking looks like beyond the handshake. I sat down with Melissa Aarskaug , host of Executive Connect , to talk about building meaningful relationships, leading with purpose, and how personal branding surfaces—regardless of your industry. We also got into mentorship, giving back, and the lessons that come from the toughest parts of a career.

What is customer success actually and where is it headed? I sat down with Pablo Bernal , former product leader at Microsoft, to talk about the shift from reactive support to proactive services, and how AI is reshaping the way we align technology with real customer goals. We also got into Pablo’s sabbatical, career transitions, and what the future of the industry might look like with AI at its disp...

Client work is only half the business. The other half? Contracts and rates.  After working with hundreds of consultants, I realized that the ones who last aren't just talented. They know how to run the business side too. They know what agreements they make and how they set their rates.  And so, we made a special podcast episode for it — all the common questions I get asked about contracts and rate...

What does creativity have to do with consulting? Paige Darby and I sat down with Susie deVille to talk about how tapping into intrinsic energy can change the way we lead, collaborate, and grow. We also got into Susie’s leap into indie consulting, the Kolbe assessment, and why adding play to your process actually sharpens performance.

Here's why you should treat your indie practice like a startup. I sat down with Pedro Girardi to talk about his journey from BCG and Delivery Hero to independent consulting—and the resilience it takes to make that leap. We got into the value of strong networks, co-working spaces, and staying grounded through big transitions.

What’s a day in the life of a fractional CRO like? I sat down with Kristi Gaudioso to talk about her move from Microsoft to indie leadership—and what it takes to drive revenue without being full-time. We covered sales strategy, adaptability, and why community and collaboration matter more than ever in the fractional world.

Hey—I’m Lauren Wambold Patel, and this is The 2x2 Podcast . If you’re an independent consultant, strategist, or fractional exec who’s serious about building your business—not just picking up gigs—this channel is for you. I’ve built an eight-figure consulting firm from the ground up. No agency model. No corporate safety net. Just the real work of building something sustainable, scalable, and entire...