Coaching & Advising with Dr. J
"When someone really hears you without passing judgement on you, without trying to take responsibility for you, without trying to mold you, it feels damn good... It is astonishing how elements which seem insoluble become soluble when someone listens. How confusions which seem irremediable turn into relatively clear flowing streams when one is heard."
— Carl Rogers
When people ask me why they should work with me, I always come back to this quote. It's where my why started. My entire approach to leadership, to organizations, to people — it lives right here.
But my own aha moment came when I realized insight is only the first step. Feeling heard opens the door. What you do next is what changes things. People need tools, knowledge, and someone who can help them take that clarity all the way to action and real impact.
That's the space we create together — insight, action, and momentum.
I've worked one-on-one with founders, CEOs, and senior leaders for over 20 years — across trades, construction, manufacturing, family business, and professional services. The conversations are different every time. The pattern underneath them is remarkably consistent.
What it feels like
Coaching, advising, consulting — these words get watered down. What matters is what happens when we work together. Here's what that looks like.
01
You feel heard. Really heard.
Not managed. Not judged. I'm genuinely curious about what you're seeing, what you're carrying, and what you almost named but couldn't quite get to. I ask questions until the picture gets clear.
02
You see something you couldn't see before.
Not because I told you what it was. Because together we decoded what was already there — connecting dots from things you've said, things your people have said, things that happened years ago that are still showing up today. And then you see it. And it's obvious.
03
You leave with something to do Monday.
Insight without action is just a nice conversation. We don't stop there. Once the smoke clears, we figure out the next real move together — and build from there. No 40-page deck. No jargon. Just what's next.
04
You did it. Not me.
That's the part I love most and get the least credit for. The magic is yours. I just created the conditions for it to happen. You had this in you the whole time — you just needed someone to pull on the right thread.
"Dr. J is the right fit if you built your leadership through doing, not through an MBA. She never talked down to me or assumed I didn't know things. Running a startup is hard, and she helped me develop a way of thinking that catches problems before they turn into bigger ones. I came away with tools that changed how I show up and strengthened how I communicate with my partners and my team."
— Josh DeMeulenaere Vice President Electrical Services, K2 Power Solutions
Who this is for
The Founder / CEO
You built something real. Now you're not sure you're running it right.
You're scrappy, smart, and you've gotten this far on instinct and sheer will. But somewhere between where you started and where you are now, the way you've always done it stopped working. And you're carrying that alone.
I've had this conversation with owners running $2M service companies and $40M manufacturers. The words are different. The weight is the same.
"Am I doing this right? Am I going to hurt people? Am I going to screw it up?"
The Middle Manager
Great at the work. Still figuring out the leading.
You got promoted because you're good. Really good. But being good at the job and being good at leading people who do the job are completely different skills. You need someone who can help you build your leadership toolbox, lead in every direction, and hone your voice doing it.
"I know my stuff. I just don't always know how to get people to follow me."
The Rising Gen
You're stepping into something your family built. That's a lot.
Whether you're taking over from a parent or growing up inside a family business, you're caught between what was built before you and what you want to build next. You need someone who gets all of that, not just the business part.
"I want to honor what was built and still make it mine."
"She sets herself apart by not only asking the right questions — she follows up with good ideas and how to actually get it done. The breadth of what she covers is impressive, but it doesn't feel overwhelming. It feels like having a partner who's in it with you."
— Jordan New CEO, Mid City Supply
How to work with me
All of them start with a 15-minute call. We figure out what you need, then we go from there.
Month-to-month. No long contracts. Easy to pause.
Most months, we meet twice. Between sessions, you text me when something comes up — a conversation that went sideways, a hire you're on the fence about, a family dynamic that's bleeding into the business. I respond. We work it in real time or hold it for our next session. No homework packets. No assessments for the sake of assessments. Just the work that matters right now.
On Demand
Single Session
$750 / session
When something's pressing and you need to think it through with someone who gets it.
90-minute session, virtual or in-person
Written summary with next-step recommendations
No commitment required
Good for: a critical decision, a situation that's been nagging, or trying this out before committing.
Reserve Your Session →Core Retainer
Trusted Advisor
$1,500 / month
Consistent partnership for leaders who want strategic thinking AND real-time support.
2 × 90-minute sessions per month
Between-session access — email, text, chat
Real-world focus: business, leadership, whole person
Month-to-month, easy to pause or resume
Good for: leaders driving change who need a consistent sounding board and someone to keep them honest.
Book a CallPremium Retainer
On-Call Advisor
$3,000 / month
For high-urgency leaders who need real access, fast — not scheduled two weeks out.
Unlimited sessions, short-notice scheduling
Priority direct messaging beyond business hours
Hands-on support: drafting, reviewing, in-the-moment
Everything in Core, with more intensity and access
Good for: founders in rapid growth or frequent crisis who need someone in their corner right now.
Book a CallNot sure which fits? 15 minutes. If we click, we build from there.
Book Your 15-Min Call"The StrengthsFinder workshop with Shannon had many lasting effects. Our newest employee told me it was really good to learn more about herself and her new co-workers. It helped her understand what strengths she could bring to the table and how to approach her new co-workers. The whole team gets along pretty amazingly, and I'm sure understanding each of our strengths has really helped."
— Christen Carter President/Owner, Busy Beaver Button Co.
Most leaders crave a space where they can think out loud — make mistakes, be who they actually are, connect the dots without getting it right the first time. That space doesn't just happen. It has to be created. That's my work.
Leaders who do this work don't just feel clearer. They make different decisions, and their organizations start producing different results. Clarity is the beginning. What you build with it is the point.
What this is: coaching and advising focused on leadership, decision-making, communication, and organizational patterns.
What this isn't: psychotherapy or crisis care. If you're in acute distress or need clinical treatment, I'll help you find the right support.