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Shanna, CEO/Founder/Head Consultant at Prima Consulting: Advize Career Interview
A journey from bank teller and waitress to CEO/Founder/Head Consultant of Prima Consulting, this individual's career path is a testament to resilience and adaptability.
The interview reveals a multifaceted role demanding everything from accounting to client coaching, highlighting the dynamic nature of entrepreneurship.
Success hinges on strong listening skills, a passion for people's development, and a relentless drive.
The interviewee shares the immense satisfaction derived from witnessing client growth, alongside the challenge of selecting clients best served by their expertise.
A love for continuous learning and leveraging past experience in the ever-evolving coaching industry is evident, along with the importance of building a strong network and embracing authenticity.
The interview offers invaluable advice for undergraduates, from exploring entry-level research roles to the critical importance of continuous self-improvement and active learning.
This compelling story showcases the rewards and challenges of building a successful career in consulting, emphasizing the value of genuine connection and a passion for fostering the growth of others.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Shanna Weber
CEO/Founder/Head Consultant
Prima Consulting
Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey MBA
Business Management & Admin, Finance
Coaching
Consulting
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
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Career Path of a Founder at Prima Consulting
Shanna's career path, beginning with a bank teller position and waitressing while in college, led to an internship at Arthur Anderson Consulting, followed by full-time employment there before the firm's collapse. This unexpected setback propelled a journey through headhunting, asset management roles at ING (now Voya), Janus Henderson, and Charles Schwab, culminating in the launch of their own leadership development and coaching consulting firm a year prior to the interview, showcasing a resilient and adaptable career trajectory built on seizing opportunities and navigating unexpected challenges.
Main Responsibilities of a Founder and CEO at Prima Consulting
As CEO/Founder/Head Consultant at Prima Consulting, Shanna's main responsibilities encompass "everything from QuickBooks accounting...all the way through coaching, building development, and finding new business," showcasing the multifaceted nature of being a solo entrepreneur. This highlights the significant versatility and wide range of tasks required to successfully manage a one-person firm.
A Day In The Life Of A Founder At Prima Consulting
A day in the life of Shanna, CEO and founder of Prima Consulting, involves a dynamic mix of "working on the business" — networking, marketing, and content creation — and "working in the business" — client coaching and presentations. The ongoing challenge, as Shanna notes, lies in balancing these aspects, a common struggle for entrepreneurs constantly developing their services and promoting their expertise.
Most Important Skills For A Founder At Prima Consulting
For Shanna's CEO/Founder/Head Consultant role at Prima Consulting, strong listening skills and "caring about people's development" are paramount, demonstrating a commitment to client growth beyond profit. The demanding nature of owning the business also necessitates "drive, work ethic, passion, and adaptability," a skill Shanna actively develops due to the unpredictable nature of the work.
Favorite Parts of Being a Head Consultant at Prima Consulting
Shanna, CEO/Founder/Head Consultant at Prima Consulting, finds the greatest fulfillment in witnessing the growth of others, describing the joy of "aha moments" when clients realize their potential and subsequently progress their careers. This passion for fostering development highlights a commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those with whom she works.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Founder At Prima Consulting
Shanna, CEO/Founder/Head Consultant at Prima Consulting, finds the most difficult aspect of her role is discerning which clients she can best serve given her skillset, stating that "the hardest thing...is knowing who I can help." This involves the challenging but necessary act of turning down potential clients, even those with whom she has pre-existing relationships, to ensure they receive the most appropriate assistance.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Consulting Industry As A CEO And Founder
Shanna, CEO/Founder/Head Consultant at Prima Consulting, loves the continuous learning in the coaching and consulting industry, stating that "the coaching techniques are ever changing," particularly with the influx of Gen Z professionals requiring new approaches. This dynamic environment allows for collaboration with "amazing people," attending conferences, and staying at the "cutting edge" of the field.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Consulting Industry According To Prima Consulting's Head Consultant
Shanna, a CEO/Founder/Head Consultant with 23 years in the financial industry, believes success in the coaching industry hinges on practical experience; the most effective coaches, like herself, bring "something to the table that you can't get somewhere else," leveraging past experiences—"I've done that"—to offer relatable, insightful guidance.
What A Founder At Prima Consulting Wishes They Knew Before Entering The Consulting Industry
The CEO/Founder/Head Consultant at Prima Consulting found the workload heavier than anticipated, but this did not deter them. A more significant challenge was determining "what is worth the effort," leading to a trial-and-error approach with marketing and operations, highlighting the benefit of seeking early mentorship and advice on best practices from experienced peers regarding software, marketing, and client information management.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Junior Consultants
Prima Consulting's CEO, Shanna, identifies a need for entry-level research roles, suggesting undergraduates could "help create the content, helping create the messaging," contributing fresh perspectives and assisting with materials for presentations and workshops. This demonstrates a focus on incorporating new ideas and leveraging younger generations' insights into the company's operations.
Significant Career Lesson from a CEO and Founder at Prima Consulting
A significant career lesson for Shanna, CEO/Founder/Head Consultant at Prima Consulting, is the importance of "continuously challenging yourself to grow and to learn," avoiding complacency by constantly seeking new roles, projects, and ideas to fuel a "hunger for knowledge." This proactive approach to learning has been a key driver of their success.
College Experiences That Helped a Head Consultant at Prima Consulting Succeed
Building a strong network through extracurricular involvement, like "Panhellenic and a number of academic fraternities," and proactively seeking help from professors created a foundation for career success. Furthermore, deeply engaging with course material, even in unexpected subjects like "human sexual behaviors," provided unexpectedly valuable lifelong knowledge and perspective, proving that active learning surpasses rote memorization in shaping a successful career.
How Identity Has Influenced a Head Consultant at Prima Consulting's Career
Early in their career, the CEO overcompensated, "trying to meet other people's expectations" by suppressing their authentic self to fit into a male-dominated environment; this ultimately delayed their personal and professional fulfillment until later in their career. The CEO advises younger professionals to embrace their authentic selves and values, emphasizing that "faking it till you make it doesn't actually get you to make it happily."
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