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.
Executive/Leadership, Overcoming Challenges, Ethical Dilemmas, Problem-Solving, Hard Truths
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, Speaking & Writing, Consulting & Related Professional Services
Consulting
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Balancing growth with capacity: Shanna faces the challenge of choosing which clients to work with due to limited capacity, even when turning down potential clients is difficult.
2. Prioritizing client needs: Shanna highlights the importance of matching clients with the right expertise, even when it means turning down work that doesn't align with her skillset.
3. Empathy and networking: The interview reveals a strong emphasis on client relationships and professional networks, showing how she navigates decisions involving friends or former colleagues.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
The biggest challenge in my current role is that I started this firm to truly help people develop and grow. There are many people who want help, so the hardest thing for me is knowing who I can assist with my skillset and services.
It's about deciding when I may not be the right person for them, even if I know them – they might be a friend, a former colleague, or someone I've worked with for years. However, if I don't have the skillset to help them, I need to say no.
This is the hardest part for me: turning someone down when they're looking for assistance, but knowing that it's not the right fit and that someone else would be better for them.