conscious
consults
small business consulting + coaching
As a former business owner who scaled and sold my company, I understand the challenges you face. My approach blends strategic consulting, hands-on project support, and leadership coaching to help you build a thriving business that aligns with your values.
Whether you need ongoing strategic partnership or specific support, we’ll work together to improve company performance while developing your capabilities as a leader. The result: measurable business improvements and your growth as a confident, capable leader.
sample engagements
Business Strategy & Growth Planning: I help you assess your current position, identify growth opportunities, and develop a clear roadmap for scaling your business sustainably. We'll create realistic financial projections, optimize your business model, and ensure your operations can support expansion.
Leadership Development: I support you in developing leadership skills such as strategic planning, decision-making, delegation, time management, and building high-performing teams. Our work together helps you transition from working "in" your business to working "on" your business.
Financial Management & Optimization: I guide you through understanding the fundamentals of your business finances. We work together on key processes such as analyzing cash flow, creating projections, optimizing pricing, and managing expenses. The result is improved financial literacy and the ability to make informed financial decisions.
Team Building & Culture Development: I help you recruit, retain, and develop a values-aligned team. We’ll create effective hiring processes, consider appropriate compensation and benefits, craft thoughtful policies, and implement effective performance management frameworks. Together, we'll build a positive company culture that supports your business goals while enhancing team member retention and satisfaction.
Exit Strategy & Succession Planning: Drawing from my personal exit experience, I guide you through preparing your business for a sale or other ownership transition. We develop a comprehensive exit plan that maximizes value, prepares your operations, and improves your outcomes.
Ongoing Thought Partnership: I serve as your experienced and encouraging ally in navigating both critical challenges and day-to-day operations. Through regular check-ins, I’ll increase your clarity, confidence, business skills, and work-life balance. This combination of consulting and coaching revolutionizes your approach to your business while providing consistent, reliable support.
collaborative approach
While I serve as the primary consultant for most engagements, I recognize that complex business challenges sometimes benefit from specialized expertise. When appropriate, I draw from an extensive network of business professionals—including financial analysts, marketing specialists, HR experts, and industry-specific advisors—collaborating with carefully selected experts whose complementary skills enhance your outcomes. These strategic partnerships allow me to scale resources to meet your unique needs while maintaining the consistent, personalized approach that defines my work. My collaborative model ensures you receive comprehensive support tailored to your specific business challenges and goals, without sacrificing the relationship-based consulting experience that delivers lasting results.
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Small Business Leadership & Consulting Bio
Kate Zuckerman is the founder and principal of Conscious Consults, bringing over 20 years of hands-on entrepreneurial experience to her work with small business owners. As Co-Founder and Chief Cultural Officer of Blue Ridge Bucha, Kate built and scaled a successful beverage company over 11 years from concept to a thriving regional business with 20+ team members, distribution across 9 states, 300+ accounts, and $1M in annual sales. Under her leadership, the company was recognized as Whole Foods Market's Regional Supplier of the Year and created meaningful environmental impact through its innovative refillable bottle program.
Kate's 25-year entrepreneurial journey encompasses every facet of business management—strategic planning, financial operations, marketing, team development, and successful exit strategy. This comprehensive experience gives her a unique understanding of the interconnected challenges business owners face at each growth stage. Her consulting approach combines practical business guidance with leadership coaching, helping entrepreneurs build sustainable companies while developing their own capabilities.
Kate currently serves as a Business Advisor for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a role she particularly values for the collaboration with expert colleagues and the opportunity to work with diverse entrepreneurs across various industries. This advisory position enhances her consulting practice by exposing her to a wide range of business models and innovative solutions. Kate also supports the entrepreneurial ecosystem through her volunteerism with Community Investment Collaborative (CIC), serving on their Loan Committee. Her academic background includes fluency in Spanish, a BA in Latin American Studies from Pitzer College, and a Graduate Certificate in Social Justice from Harvard University's Extension School.
To see if we might be a match for each other, reach out to me today to schedule a confidential discovery call at no charge.