How to Build a Pipeline of Consistent Recurring Revenue In Your Business

Without Being Forced to Work 80-100 Hours a Week to Survive

If you want to discover…

• Why constantly “chasing” after potential clients is detrimental to your business and how to flip the script so they start chasing YOU down instead, desperate for you to take on their projects...

• How I DOUBLED my design business during the 2007-2008 recession and how YOU can do the same by using my counter-intuitive strategy when the predicted recession hits hard. HINT: the secret lies in focusing on the right kinds of clients...

• The quickest way to building a business that not only survives and thrives, but allows you to take ACTUAL vacations, free from constantly checking your email and phone messages, worried that everything will crash and burn because you’re neglecting your business and clients...

All you have to do is...

Dear Friend,

If you’re tired of the mental strain of running yourself into the ground working 12-16 hours a day just to make ends meet…

...if you’re struggling to find enough high-paying clients to cover your expenses and bring on the additional sub-contractors you need to succeed...

...if you feel guilty you don’t regularly make it home for dinner or spend enough time at your children’s ball games, concerts, or dance recitals because you’re basically chained to your desk all day...

...if you’re a project manager and you’re hustling to become a principal in your firm so you can get the promotion you deserve...

...if you’re sick of being a “proposal chaser” who was taught to be a great designer, but never got adequate education in growing and scaling your business...

...then this letter is for you!

Here’s the story:

I’ve Been There Myself

My name is Deb Schmucker and I’ve been a professional landscape architect for over 30 years and a business owner for over 20 years.

When I was starting out, I had great opportunities working for a 15-person small firm, a 70-person medium size firm, and a large 800-person national firm.

Each of those opportunities helped me grow as a designer and laid a solid foundation.

At the large national firm, I was promoted to project manager.

Being a project manager meant I had the opportunity to learn new types of design, like campus planning, parks, athletic field complexes and trails… 

...but it also meant I was now responsible for bringing in NEW clients too.

I didn’t have a clue how to bring in new clients.

I was in my early 30s and very ambitious. I wanted to stay on the promotion track, but if I couldn’t figure out how to bring in new clients regularly, I was going to be in trouble.

A friend of mine at the company, one of the department heads who’d been the regional office manager at another firm offered me some guidance.

He showed me how to create a business plan and a marketing plan. He taught me how to target a specific market and how to talk to them in just the right way so I’d never have to waste time “chasing” after clients.

The key was…

I learned how to get the clients chasing after me!

And it worked!

I started bringing in new clients and now I knew… 

...if I ever wanted to take the leap and start a firm of my own

… I had a proven set of design skills AND business growth and marketing skills that could make my business a success.

And that’s exactly what I did a few years later.

I started my own firm over 20 years ago… a combination of a traditional firm and a virtual firm... and I’ve never looked back.

I stayed small... I used sub-consultants for specialty niche technical support…

...and the firm grew year after year.

Because I’d learned the secrets of marketing and getting clients to chase me…

I sailed through the 2007-2008 recession without a hiccup
by developing strong relationships.

As the private sector work disappeared, my public sector work DOUBLED in size and scope. 

What I realized was, my success was all about developing strong relationships with the right people.

With my mentor’s help, I learned how to find those “right people” to build a relationship with that lead to long-term collaborations.

But challenges DID come a few years later.

At the beginning of 2013 I went from a work backlog of 12-15 months, to having NOTHING… 

...almost in the blink of an eye. It was a NIGHTMARE!

But, because of what I learned from my mentor…

...I was able to rebuild!

And I learned MANY more strategies that helped me build new client relationships… relationships that I’ve built on to completely rebuild my business. 

Now I’m on track to have the BEST YEAR I’ve ever had!

And the best part is… I can go on vacation, go spend time with friends and not have to constantly worry about my business.

I actually have time to exercise, rest, and find fulfillment in other parts of my life.

And you know what, there’s no reason why you can’t have exactly the same success - the promotion to principal or in your own business.

Because here’s the thing…

...if you’ve been struggling to figure out how to fill your business with great, high-paying, loyal clients...

It’s Not Your Fault

When you went to school to learn how to be a great designer, they didn’t teach you marketing.

They probably didn’t even teach you project management or how to put together a great proposal… the kind that almost ALWAYS gets you the gig.

And out of the typical 4-5 years of college most architects, engineers, or contractors spend in college, you’re lucky if you had even 1 professional practice class.

And on top of all of that…

...if you’re anything like I was at the beginning of my career, you’re SO busy doing the work that you don’t have time to figure out the RIGHT way to fill your client pipeline and do your marketing.

It doesn’t have to be that way. There is HOPE!

You really CAN learn some simple, yet HIGHLY effective ways to do your marketing without sacrificing the quality of your design by taking time away from the work.

What you need is...

A New Kind of Mentor

Someone who’s been… and is STILL in the trenches. 

Someone who’s both an expert designer AND who has figured out the marketing and client-getting side of running a business.

That’s why I’m excited to offer you a…

FREE 30-minute “Discovery” Call with Me

Here’s how it works:

We’ll get on the phone and talk about your business. 

We’ll get to know each other and you’ll tell me all about what your struggling with.

The goal of these calls is to offer you some general helpful advice and to see if you’d like to work further with me to help you through your struggles.

There’s no pressure. And NO judgement.. 

I sincerely aim to help everyone I talk to because I know, first-hand, the challenges and stresses of operating a business.

If you decide that we're not a good fit, we’ll part ways as friends and I’ll wish you the best.

But if you DO decide you’d like to work with me, these are the kinds of things I’ll help you with…

• How to brand yourself in such a way that you never have to wonder where your next client or project is coming from.

• How to use technology to build quality relationships with decision makers at companies or with clients you’d love to work with.

• How to communicate with your clients and prospects in a way that makes them fiercely loyal to you over every other proposal-pusher they come across.

• How to change your way of thinking that will help you grow as the leader of your firm while improving your financial circumstances long term.

...and much more!

If we decide to work together, I can guarantee you this… I’m with you, 100%!

I’ll give you my best and be just a phone call away any time a crisis strikes.

Here’s what Others are Saying

“Deb and I met while I was working in one of my first real jobs out of college. I had been at an architecture and interior design firm for about 3 years and was getting restless around my role. I knew a change was coming.

“Deb truly listened to me and helped me process other options around the industry as well as other jobs that I wouldn’t have considered. She was a great help as we worked through my resume, my interviews, and the job offers I received during a time when I felt like my career was hitting a ceiling. 

“I’ve had great leadership growth in my new job and I’ve advanced to a new position as project manager all thanks to Deb’s guidance. I can’t say enough about this woman’s heart! She’s a true mentor who can successfully coach you and help you achieve the changes and leadership roles you want to have.”

- Allison Bryant

Where Do You Want to Be a Year From Now?

Do you still want to be exhausted from working 80-100 hours every week?

Do you still want to feel guilty about spending all that time away from your family?

Do you still want to be chasing after every proposal, never sure where your next client is coming from?

Or…

Are you ready to learn how to regularly fill your client pipeline?

Are you ready to take an ACTUAL “unplugged” vacation with your family?

Are you ready to get your life back so you can take care of yourself and your loved ones?

If that sounds like something you’re interested in, let’s talk!

What Is This Really Worth?

Well, let me ask you…

...what would just one more client do for you?

...how about two?

...or three?

What would a contact list full of potential clients with whom you’ve built solid, trusted relationships do for your peace of mind and bottom line month after month?

That’s what I can help you figure out.

It’s Time to Decide

Two roads stretch out before you.

One is the road you’ve been traveling on all along.

It’s familiar. It feels safe. It feels comfortable.

But where does it lead?

To happiness? To success? To peace of mind?

Or to more frustration, struggle, and guilt?

The other road…

...the new road…

... might look uncertain, or even scary.

But it leads to the promotion, the full pipeline, and the knowledge you need to build a sustainable business so you can have a much happier and fulfilled future.

The decision is yours.

To get started down the right road, click the button below and let’s schedule your call.

I look forward to getting to know you and helping you on the road to success!

Sincerely,

Deb Schmucker
President & CEO
Cornerstone PDS

PS -- How long are you willing to put up with the frustration of always having to chase down your next project?

How long are you willing to rely on the lack of marketing education you received to build your business?

To start learning how you can grow your own successful, sustainable design firm using my proven methods, click the button below and let’s have a phone call.

I can’t wait to meet you!