Client Testimonials
“When I approached Courtney, I was at a crossroads with my business, Nexus Botanical Arts, which at the time was modeled primarily around vendor markets. Vendor markets, while wildly fulfilling in connecting with my audience, were becoming a physical burden for me. I needed to find new ways to sustain and grow my business without losing the opportunity to connect with people and share my passion for creating.
Through our six-month engagement, Courtney helped me define my core values and mission, then we worked together to develop a strategic plan that aligned with those priorities. Thanks to her support, I now have a clear path forward that honors what I love most about my work while reducing the physical strain.
What I appreciated most about working with Courtney was her ability to listen deeply and zero in on what truly matters to me in my business. She created a safe and encouraging space to explore my values and brainstorm ideas that felt authentic and aligned. Her methodical approach ensured that our sessions were productive and forward-focused.
I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly Courtney understood the essence of my business and its unique challenges. She has a knack for asking the right questions to draw out clarity and spark creativity. I also didn’t expect to feel so empowered by the process. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the changes ahead, I came away with a clear sense of direction and excitement about the possibilities.
Once I had that clarity of intention, opportunities that aligned with my new strategy quickly began falling into my lap, it seemed! Working with Courtney was empowering, thoughtful, and exactly what I needed to create a more sustainable future for my business.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about the next steps for your business, I wholeheartedly recommend working with Courtney. She has a unique ability to blend strategic thinking with heart, helping you create a plan that feels true to who you are. Investing in her support and expertise has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my business.”
— Mary Hermans, Nexus Botanical Arts
“Courtney has a down-to-earth, professional, and mission-driven mindset. She has helped me to identify areas that need work and to measure them against what is important to me. She's not afraid to point out operational weak spots in my business plan and offer solutions.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the process of our sessions! It felt like we were really working through things and it was helpful for me to verbalize my plans and bounce them off of someone.”
— Clara Shearer, Juniper Grant Consulting
“As a solo business owner, I was really great at writing down lists of things to do, but I never had the time to map out how to tackle those to-dos over months. I only knew how to execute what was immediately ‘on fire’ for the week.
I normally feel like a duck in a river - frantically kicking where no one can see me. Working with Courtney allowed me to take a top-down look at my business and think strategically versus transaction-ally. I've had a lot of these thoughts in my head and having a partner who is willing to listen to every and all concerns but also prioritize those concerns, has been invaluable.
I was able to get so many things done just for having a check box and a map. It was also nice to have someone with restaurant experience but past clients who are in the book space! Basically I found a unicorn of a coach/partner to chat with.
It is so helpful to have a sounding board - I think our phrase was ‘Your life partner is not your business partner’ and it's nice to have a level-headed POV that is not attached to my personal life.
Courtney is an excellent coach to have if you need direction but also minimal hands-on accountability. If you're someone who needs a road map to execute against, she is the best to help you with that.”
— Kim Behzadi, Read It & Eat
Read Kim’s Catbird client case study here.
"I was ready to take the next steps to make my business stronger and more sustainable. Our work has given me a plan of action, and steps to take, that feel good toward making that progress. What a relief to feel like I’m taking care of my business with someone I trust!
I love having someone as a thought partner - someone who is sitting with me, thinking about my business too. As a solo owner, that work usually falls to me. It is empowering to have another person do that work alongside me.
It can be lonely and hard to do all the thinking for all aspects of your business. Courtney wants you to be successful and will help you focus on making your business thrive.”
— Meg Howe, Alice, Ever After Books
Read Meg’s Catbird client case study here.
“Working with Courtney helped me form a really clear plan and strategy to make the best use of my time and set me up for success.
I know from ‘making it’ in NYC as a professional photographer that no one who is in a creative field or an entrepreneur gets anywhere without a lot of hustle and a lot of help from other people with other skill sets guiding them, providing pathways, and lifting them up. Working with Courtney was an investment in my business, and an investment in making the best use of my own valuable time.
Just talking about my business to another person and getting their thoughts and feedback was so cathartic. I felt like so many thoughts, ideas, and questions that kept spinning in my head finally had an outlet. I thought that I was going to have to do a fair amount of ‘homework’ on the side, I was surprised at how much work Courtney did FOR me outside of our sessions together. Win-win!
Working with Courtney was EMPOWERING! It made me realize that this little side hustle I have going is a legitimate business with growth potential, and that I don't need to sacrifice any of my core values in order to grow my business.
What sold me on working with her was when another small business owner and client of hers told me how valuable it is to ‘have someone other than YOU’ thinking about your business. And that is what I tell other small business owners when I tell them about my work with Courtney.”
— Katie Addo, Goldy Way
“I loved that Courtney was truly interested and invested in my business. She spent the time to get to know me and my work before diving in with recommendations and strategy.
I was feeling stuck and uncertain on how to move forward with certain aspects of my business. Our work has helped me clarify what my actual business goals are and what I want to prioritize.
Even if you never did anything with the strategic plan, just talking about your business with Courtney is invaluable. She asks insightful questions and helps you better understand your business, goals, and values.
You'll walk out of these conversations with more clarity about your business and motivation to take the next steps.”
— Samantha Attard, Spiro Collective
“I had been in business for just under a year and was ready to think about growth and optimization of my time and energy.
I really liked the synthesizing part of the [strategic planning] experience. It was an awesome experience to get to talk to Courtney about all aspects of my business, on multiple occasions, and have her turn that into usable content and actionable goals. Such a gift. There was nothing I didn't like.
You will, without a doubt, learn more about yourself and your business in your time with Courtney than you ever would without her. AND. The knowledge you gain will lead to greater profits. Period.”
— Katie Hujer, Making Waves Art Studio
“[We reached out to Courtney for] direction on how to organize the current cash flow and operations of our business.
We didn't realize how nice it is to have someone else understand what we're saying or going through. It was a very welcome surprise how much weight was lifted after speaking with Courtney and how much clearer things were to see and process.
Our experience working with Courtney is and was inspiring. We always left our meetings with a new sense of energy and optimism in our small business. Contact her! We don't have all the answers, no one does, but having someone in your corner these days is invaluable.”
— Caitlin & Brent Esposito, Espo’s Catering
“I didn’t know just how much I needed this valuable resource and outside perspective until I started working with Catbird Consulting. As a small business owner I’m accustomed to the reality of fixing the car while driving it, or in this case, assessing, learning and making big decisions all while running the day-to-day. Catbird Consulting made it possible to do both.
In our initial meeting, it was obvious to me Courtney's capabilities and non-judgmental demeanor would be a fit. We were able to identify an immediate need and, using her project based service offering, we structured an outline of how she could help vet a business opportunity by identifying gaps and digging into data to fill them - a task that required time and attention I just didn't have.
Her thorough assessment and value-focused lens were exactly what I needed to ensure I had a firm and holistic foundation for decision making. I’m excited to continue our relationship beyond this project into long term business planning and process optimization so that the car can start driving itself!
Courtney's critical thinking and strategic expertise could not have come at a more opportune time in my entrepreneurial life cycle and I very much recommend her services to any small business owner seeking an extra level of confidence or perspective when taking your next step!”
— Jodi Battaglia, Curate
“We want to give a shout-out to the best decision we’ve ever made as farmers and business owners. We hired a business consultant to help us organize our ideas, identify our why, and especially our how.
Courtney took the time to learn the vocabulary of our particular business, despite never having worked with a farm before (at least that we know of), and walk us through the steps to make this a sustainable life for all of us.
If you’re a small business owner, need a re-branding, reevaluation, improved profitability, fighting with your spouse about the business…check out her website and schedule that introductory call she offers! This can save you years of toil, and help you in so many ways!”
— Mike & Stephanie Parkot, Always Something Farm
“After just acquiring a new business, my head was spinning with ideas and progress felt stagnant and I did not know where to start. Courtney helped me to prioritize my goals and ensure that they aligned with my core values to lay down a foundation for growth. I loved the methodical approach and the clear organization of the process.
I was surprised how many things I was trying to do at once! Laying it all out and talking it through with Courtney really helped me hone in on my goals. [Working with Courtney was] absolutely necessary to drive growth!
Sometimes it feels overwhelming, whether it be the financial investment or the time investment- but taking a step back and really evaluating how you are spending your time & analyzing if your to-do list matches your business goals is truly an investment in the health of your business.”
— Heather Thurman, Upstate Indie Weddings
“[I was feeling] stuck and overwhelmed. [Courtney’s] perspective has helped me rethink my processes, for the better of course!
What I liked most is that [she doesn’t] judge. That allowed me to discuss things I may not have otherwise. As someone who is not business savvy, it was helpful to have a fresh set of eyes look at my business and take the emotion, if you will, out of it. So glad I signed up!!
I am so grateful for Courtney's objective eye. She listens, really! She listened to my concerns and goals and helped me see things differently so I could move forward in a way that will propel me to further success in my business while maintaining the "heart" of my business. Thank you Courtney!!”
— Joanne Smith, Grace+Clay Esthetics
“[I was having] difficulty determining what to focus on to create more clarity for my business and improve my finances. Paralysis of too many ideas.
I love that [Courtney] created a plan based around my values and guardrails, as well as helping me to identify those. I also feel good about the clear outline of to-do's that helps me to get where I want to go, even if it's at a slower pace.
I've worked…with various business consultants for financial planning or otherwise. I felt that the planning, with others, while insightful and helpful, was not granular enough for me to feel clear on what I needed to accomplish. Secondly, I always felt dread leading up to check-ins because I would not have kept up things we discussed. I think it was often the clash feeling of a Type A planning professional with ‘get it done’ expectations vs. type B, ‘I'm doing my best’ me.
When working with [Courtney], I have a clearer sense of my wins, and I feel at ease knowing [she] gets me, and the way life goes. I can sense my progress and have a clear understanding of what's left on my list to keep moving forward with.
Working with Courtney has been nothing short of motivating and inspiring for my business journey.
I understand the insecure feeling of investing your money into a consultant and not knowing if it will pay off. Sometimes it's even just your own motivation or insecurities that hold you back from putting in the work.
When you work with Courtney she is going to make your plan personal. She'll break all your goals down bite-size. She adds dates to these to help you visualize your ability to complete them. She works with you when your plans change, and helps you reprioritize if you get behind.
Courtney is compassionate and a realist. It's been worth every penny to have her expertise in my corner and I'm so grateful I took the chance to work with her!”
