Client Stories and Results

Established thought leader had fame without fortune. Now uses his message to build a tech platform for scalable and sustainable growth.

I wrote a book, it did extremely well, got a lot of press, a lot social following. … I was successful by perception but the hard reality was I wasn’t making the turn into financial gain.  It really put me in a place of pain…I eventually called Vickie. I was tired of just being famous; I wanted to be rich too. Working with Vickie helped me see reality and turn to something that was right in line with my core message, who I am and what I really want to achieve.

Tech CEO and entrepreneur launches in new marketplace. Her work gets white house appointment.

“My working with Vickie Sullivan opened a lot of doors to consulting, then these bigger mobilization campaigns and even on to the doorstep of the White House. I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for her…One of the great things that Vickie does…she doesn’t just go to where the market was or where it is day. She really has her finger on the pulse of where the market is going… Vickie is really great at helping you identify those skill sets, and also giving you the confidence.”

Former corporate sales pro becomes an internationally known thought leader with a built-in community and wide variety of revenue streams.

“Vickie’s discipline into pulling back the layers and deepening my understanding of what was compelling about me….as a result, I have developed two software applications, written four books (two of them published by major players), and created a methodology that has created a users group to implement my work. Her work allows me to work on my business in ways that was unthinkable just a few years ago. It’s been a joyous experience and at the end of the day…I couldn’t have done this without her clarity and help in the beginning.”

NFL Player turned entrepreneur accelerates launch

“One of my main concerns was how can I ensure I’m not perceived as another football guy turned entrepreneur. I’ve had coaches my entire life and they not only understood, but helped me achieve the goal and accelerate the process. Vickie dug in and investigated every aspect of my personal and professional background to truly understand. Getting to the starting point was exponentially faster by working with Vickie. I got an accelerated launch by working with her.”

Consultant gets his thought leadership out to the world in a unique way

“We wanted to get traction with our book because we have a perspective no one else does. Vickie came on and spent the first few weeks (even months) taking all of our material and business marketing material and sifted through that to come up with the themes on what would work to really deliver this message. What she came up with was brilliant. She recognized things we were far too close to see.”

Consultant to high-growth companies gets his book on the national best-seller list of CEO Reads and his first speaking engagement at $15,000

“Because of [Vickie], clients understood my value immediately, I could communicate it more concisely, and this helped me get clients faster; my website stood out and it shortened the sales cycle.  Vickie’s analysis and recommendations were absolutely on target.  I couldn’t have done this without her.”

Vickie knew just where to put me where I could be seen

“I came to Vickie because I was challenged with being positioned as an equine therapist, which is not what we are.  I could not find a way to articulate clearly, exactly and precisely what we are and the impact our work has.  I needed a different type of position, but wasn’t sure what that position was.  In Vickie, I found someone who worked faster than I did and with greater impact.  It was uncanny how Vickie knew exactly what I was talking about and she seemed to know beyond what I needed. She had a handle on where I needed to go, beyond what I even perceived.

Vickie got me where I needed to go. She opened up a whole new world for me that I didn’t even know existed.  Opportunities opened up almost magically and I could step into them. The impact it’s had on our business, in 18 months we have gone global — we’ve been on the covers of magazines, we’re being hired by Fortune 100 leaderships, and people continue to fly in from around the world to work with us.  This is the best money I have spent and the return on it has been untold and immeasurable.”

We’re now making millions in other venues!

Husband and wife experts in healthcare, John & KC give up keynote speaking and make millions in other venues!

“Warner Development has worked with Vickie Sullivan to implement her Springboard Marketing concepts off and on for about six months. In that short period of time, her ideas, game plan, and her mind-blowing business savvy have earned us two international contracts and a six-figure consulting/training program, while consistently helping us transform initial entry level programs into long term projects.

Our business has tripled since implementing Sullivan’s marketing
approach to growth!”

Earned a $130,000 consulting contract the first time I pitched Vickie’s recommendations!

High-level strategic thinker repackages his expertise and gets a $130,000 consulting contract the first time he pitches Vickie’s recommendations!

“Wow Vickie!! Within a week of working with you I was delivering my new message and landed a six-figure consulting deal that’s ongoing and just getting better. Thanks for so adeptly helping me to help myself. You are brilliant!”

After consulting with you, we successfully closed a quarter of a million dollar contract.

“Vickie, your results are amazing! Since working together my fees have increased sevenfold. And, after consulting with you, we successfully closed a quarter of a million dollar contract. Any speaker seeking his or her path to maximum profitability need look no further.

From listening to you I expected you to have a profound understanding of the speaking industry and you exceeded my expectations at every turn. Your research-based positioning of my background and message has transformed how jaded decision-makers discuss my keynotes and workshops. I would recommend you to other speakers without reservation.”

Within three years, we went from working full time jobs to generating $600,000 on our own.

“Thanks to Vickie’s direction, we were able to jump start our business in a really big way. Within three years, we went from working full time jobs to generating $600,000 on our own. With the big contracts her branding advice helped us get, we’re on our way to our seven figure goals next year. These results were definitely worth the investment we made in her work.”

I completely recouped all of the money I invested in working with Vickie. Within 12 months, I had made an additional $100,000.

“When I wrote the check to Vickie I thought I was either making the stupidest or the wisest business decision of my life. Thankfully, it was the latter. Within six months of implementing Vickie’s recommendations, I completely recouped all of the money I invested in working with Vickie. Within 12 months, I had made an additional $100,000 that was directly attributable to Vickie’s recommendations. In the three years since I implemented Vickie’s recommendations, my annual income has increased by more than 500% and continues to climb. And, even better than that, I’m working with top notch clients who clearly understand and value my services. Thanks, Vickie!”

I created a lucrative new revenue stream.

“Vickie’s advice is right on target. After applying the techniques I learned in her tapes alone, I obtained a consulting contract in my target market. In the day I spent with her, I learned how to reveal my uniqueness, differentiate me from the competition, and leverage my research and writing projects for profit.”

Since working with Vickie, I’ve doubled both my fees and bookings.

“Vickie gave a focus to my scattered business, helping me to narrow in on what was my unique saleable message. Since working with her, I’ve doubled both my fees and bookings. My message sells itself, without having to send a video or press kit.”

Landed my first $10,000 speech within six months of working with Vickie

Media strategist for Dr. Phil writes self-help book and gets first $10,000 speech within six months of working with Vickie!

I booked over $100,000 in my first year (part time) and have many of these tips to thank for it.

“These CDs have helped me jumpstart my speaking career. I booked over $100,000 in my first year (part time) and have many of these tips to thank for it. Vickie makes a one of a kind product (and she’s a pretty funny voice in your head too!).”

Within six months … signed contracts with the two largest speakers bureaus in the country.

“Within six months after working with you, we have dramatically improved our marketing effectiveness and signed contracts with the two largest speakers bureaus in the country. We couldn’t have done it without your help with our message and our target market. Thanks for your insights and encouragement!”

My message is now concise, clear, and focused on the contemporary corporate needs to today.

“I wanted to reach more people with the message of hope that we all should have about the environment, about each other, about leadership, about the lessons that I learned from space. To be able to get this across to people, I needed someone to help me frame it for the corporate world…. Vickie helped me to crystallize things one would not think possible to do.”

Vickie knew how to interpret me to the world -- it's kind of a magic key!

“Vickie was the perfect key that could understand both the center and circumference of an idea and know how to take the juice from the hub of my idea and connect it to where the markets are emerging… and where the world was ripe for that connection.  Vickie knows how to interpret you and how to interpret you to the world — it’s kind of a magic key!”

Of all the investments we’ve made in our business, I consider your services among the most practically valuable.

“From one audience, the sponsoring bureau and I received six inquiries immediately following my presentation and another one early the next morning. Best and quickest responses I’ve ever gotten. Have I said thank you yet? … Of all the investments we’ve made in our business, I consider your services among the most practically valuable. We’ve begun using your strategies to exceed our already aggressive revenue goals.”

Vickie helped our 24-year-old health care consulting firm in many ways...

“Our work with Vickie has enable our consultants to increase their impact, increase our revenue, and respond to a variety of complex problems in the market place.”

I was afraid Vickie wouldn't understand me, but she helped me see not only my value, but understand my expertise...!

“Vickie figured me out through applying her tools, processes, and questions.  Vickie’s intuition and experience of working with so many types of experts over the years helped her understand what’s of value in the marketplace…”

So grateful I took the risk...!

“Vickie gave me advice that was so counter-intuitive that it took my breath away…and it has made ALL the difference!”

Small changes increased my speaking fees by $1,500 per speech!

Super busy speaker with a great message, Maribeth learns that small changes in describing her work increase her speaking fees by $1,500 per speech!

She provides the safe atmosphere it takes to start with a so-so idea, play with it, and develop it into a strong idea.

“Working with Vickie is a lot like that old Peace Corps slogan: The hardest job you’ll ever love. It is very stimulating, challenging, and a lot of fun. Vickie helps you develop a unique position, not with spin or clever tag lines, but by leading you to dig deeper into what you believe and how you accomplish your results for your clients. Vickie gives you honest feedback about your strengths and weaknesses, but she is not intimidating or condescending, as some highly paid consultants can be. She is very respectful and comfortable to talk to. She provides the safe atmosphere it takes to start with a so-so idea, play with it, and develop it into a strong idea. I now have a wealth of rich ideas to use for website copy, articles, and speeches.”

My first seminar brought in enough new business to almost cover the entire investment.

“I hired Vickie after attending one of her day-long workshops. Her phone sessions were intense, but incredibly productive. I had some doubts about making what seemed like a huge commitment, but the proof was in the pudding. My first seminar brought in enough new business to almost cover the entire investment. I’m on my way, thanks to Vickie!”

Your findings were radical — and right on.

“When you showed me how your recommendations could make me $500,000 the first year, I didn’t believe you. Well, you were wrong; it took 18 months. That’s good enough for me! Your findings were radical — and right on. Thanks for your help in growing my business.”

Her intuition is well-honed, and her insights and observations exacting.

“It is hard to put into words how Vickie tapped into the essence of what we are about. Her intuition is well-honed, and her insights and observations exacting. Her marketing approach mirrors our own style and our strengths. This isn’t sales work — it’s fun!”

Bottom line: you delivered real-world results.

“You took what was unique about me and created a concept that differentiated my work in a way that I hadn’t thought of. I tried your positioning to a group of bureaus the next night and it was a hit! I got interest from six different bureaus — I know that I wouldn’t have gotten that response if it weren’t for your strategic direction. That alone has recouped my investment in working with you. Bottom line: you delivered real-world results.”

I’ve doubled my revenue from last year already and it’s only April!

“Your work with me has doubled my income. In fact, I’ve doubled my revenue from last year already and it’s only April! Thanks for your on-target advice and great newsletter.”

This woman is psychic!

“Vickie gave me a critical piece of advice about my demo video, something no one has ever told me. Just 48 hours later, a buyer from a large association said the exact same thing. This woman is psychic!”

Your advice also prevented costly mistakes.

“You were very thorough in your knowledge of the speaking industry and of my situation. Your strategies were on target and effective in moving my speaking to the markets I want to expand in. Your advice also prevented costly mistakes I would have made by following the traditional approach. Thanks for your help.”

Her processes really worked for me, and right away!

“After being in the speaking business for ten years, I thought I heard every trick on how to get more business. Wrong! I was amazed at the specific to-do’s Vickie shared with me. Her processes really worked for me, and right away! I did an “assignment” while on an overseas speaking engagement, and when I got home, I had an e-mail inviting me back, with a confirmed date!”

I will never think about speaking the same way again.

“It was worth every penny to get your perspective on how I can talk about my work in a way that goes beyond project stories to a speech that will really communicate the essence … I will never think about speaking the same way again.”

(Vickie’s note: Make Mine A Million has generated millions of dollars in order to make small business loans to women across the country. Her claim to fame with Strategy Communication Action is creating and producing Take Our Daughters to Work Day.)

The return on investment is as close as you can come to a sure thing.

“Vickie Sullivan has a real knack for helping people work smarter, not harder, in reaching the next level of their professional career. The return on investment is as close as you can come to a sure thing.”

Since working with Vickie, my rates have soared.

“There are few people who have made significant changes in my career. Vickie Sullivan is among those few. Unlike so many “coaches” or “mentors”, Vickie goes way beyond mere recommendations to increase your success. She digs down to the strategic foundations and builds on those fundamentals to deliver long range solutions with immediate results. Since working with Vickie, my rates have soared and every single event at which I have spoken has rated me top in their evaluations.”

You not only did what you said you would but far exceeded our expectations.

“Working with you was amazing. You not only did what you said you would but far exceeded our expectations. Your ability to quickly, yet accurately, synthesize our company information into a meaningful focus was terrific. The work we did on repositioning and refocusing our organizations has already paid off! We look forward to more great results as we move forward this year. On behalf of the whole Thunderbolt Team-thank you.”

$65,000 in product sales and seminar fees in just eight months.

“The few dollars that I invested in listening to and applying your savvy strategy … generated over $65,000 in product sales and seminar fees in just eight months. I cannot thank you enough, Vickie!”

Vickie is the real deal.

“Vickie is the real deal. Her no holds barred, contrarian ideas work, pure and simple. I’m still shocked at the business I immediately generated as a result of her positioning and marketing concepts.”

Just weeks after our consultation, Vickie helped me close a $13,000 consulting deal.

“I had the skills but not the savvy . . . the background but not the backbone . . . the intent but not the intensity. One day with Vickie Sullivan transformed my confusion about the speaking/ consulting business into solid direction. I learned how to leverage my speaking and consulting into new business opportunity. Just weeks after our consultation, Vickie helped me close a $13,000 consulting deal with a prospect that would not get off the fence. Now I expect multiple speaking and facilitating engagements from this new client by using Vickie’s Springboard Marketing.”

I generated speaking opportunities in the new marketplace within 60 days.

“Vickie helped me reposition my expertise in a way that set me apart from my peers and immediately enabled my target audience to see the value. Result: I generated speaking opportunities in the new marketplace within 60 days. And all without cold calls!”

Her work has long-term value for short-term investment.

“Vickie’s work was very effective in helping me move to the next level in my speaking career. What was so surprising was how valuable her work was years later when I was ready to move to an even higher level. Her work has long-term value for short-term investment.”

I ended up booking and making more money in the six months after consulting with her than I had made in the previous two years.

“Before working with Vickie, I marketed my speaking the same way everyone else did: hired someone to make phone calls. Vickie showed me why that strategy would never work for me and gave me a completely different approach. I ended up booking and making more money in the six months after consulting with her than I had made in the previous two years. It was incredible.”

Vickie was well-informed and knew what she was talking about.

“Vickie was well-informed and knew what she was talking about when she spoke on getting others to sponsor you. She broke it down so we could identify our own situation and what steps to take. She also helped me realize that I had sponsors in the past and could proactively get them again.”

(Vickie’s note: JJ was a participant in my teleseminar “Getting High Fee Speaking Engagements Through Sponsorships”.)

We knew that we could rely on you for anything.

“Your expertise helped us focus our message into small nuggets of wisdom that differentiated our work from other consultants. We get great responses from our audiences. More importantly, you broaden your work and extended your schedule to include what we needed without “nickel and dime-ing” us. We knew that we could rely on you for anything. Thanks for being so supportive.”

Her repositioning of my work has paid off big!

“Vickie played an important role in my transition from one-shot speaking engagements to more long term work in the corporate environment. Her strategies were effective in getting work with companies such as Texas Instruments and Raytheon without making tons of cold calls. Her repositioning of my work has paid off big!”

Since I began working with Vickie 20 months ago, my fees have tripled.

“Since I began working with Vickie 20 months ago, my fees have tripled. Product sales from July ’97 to July ’98 were up over 500% from techniques she suggested. Vickie is an expert in lazering what you do and the benefits of your program and presenting them in a manner that meeting professionals see the potential. I thought I was allergic to marketing until Vickie showed me how to do it “my way” and succeed.”

Vickie is one of the few people working with speakers whom I trust.

“Vickie helped me to strategize my business plans for the long-term. We discussed my goals, and Vickie turned on her laser beam. She (a) asked all the right questions, and (b) came up with a brilliant series of ideas, many of which have been implemented. One of her ideas was Negotiation Boot Camp, which has been a big success. The goals I outlined for Vickie—including a doubling of income—have been realized. Without her help, I’d probably still be back where I was. Vickie is one of the few people working with speakers whom I trust. She’s tops in my book.”

She provides a depth of knowledge, combined with a slight twist that sets her work apart from anyone else.

“When I think of Vickie, the phrase “insightfully creative” comes to mind. She provides a depth of knowledge, combined with a slight twist that sets her work apart from anyone else. Each time we talk I am again impressed by Vickie’s ability to hone in on the issues, then provide a new perspective that works!”

She is a master at her work.

“Vickie was a master at helping me focus very tightly on my passion and message. Her hub theory is incredibly valuable in determining the talents, desires and direction one wants to create. Vickie’s support and energy are stimulating – promoting a desire to take action. She is a master at her work.”

She’s the best!

“Vickie Sullivan was extremely effective in helping me make the transition from a professional educator to a professional speaker. I noticed a very different reaction from the audience after working with Vickie. She’s the best!”

Our business took off … we haven’t made a single cold call since!

“By the time we worked with you, we had tried a lot of different approaches that hadn’t worked … You helped us identify the best of our best, set new priorities and rekindled our enthusiasm and confidence. After spending some time with you, a fresh energy swept through, and our business took off … we haven’t made a single cold call since! Wow!”

My fees doubled within six months of our consulting sessions.

“I appreciated your advice on career positioning as well as helping me to identify my target audience. Your direction helped me to not lose sight of the fact that this is indeed a competitive business as well. Not surprisingly, my fees doubled within six months of our consulting sessions and yes, the bureaus have also started to book my services.”

My overall gross sales from consulting YTD are up by 50%.

“After three months of coaching from Vickie, gross sales from books and products increased by 50%. After six months coaching from Vickie, gross sales from books and products increased by 200%. My overall gross sales from consulting YTD are up by 50%. Vickie has been the firing pin for building my business.”

You were incredibly helpful to me.

“When I first started in the professional speaking industry, I had made the same mistake as many people make…your input about the expectations of meeting planners and the trends in the speaking industry were crucial for me…you were incredibly helpful to me in identifying who can help me and, more importantly, how they could do that.”

I increased my speaking engagements to the point where I could almost replace my income from building within my first year.

“As a full-time Custom Builder and published author, I started speaking on a part-time basis. From your training, I increased my speaking engagements to the point where I could almost replace my income from building within my first year. If there is anyone out there seriously interested in building his or her organization to its highest levels of success, I strongly recommend you as guru, coach and marketing specialist.”