Frequently Asked Questions

Working With Me

How does a typical engagement start?

It starts with a 20-minute strategy call. I'll ask about your business, your challenges and what you're trying to achieve. From there I'll give you an honest view of whether I can help and, if so, which engagement model fits your situation. There's no pitch on that call. If we're a good fit, I'll recommend a clear next step. If we're not, I'll tell you that too.

How do you decide whether I need mentoring, a project or a retainer?

It depends on the nature of the work, the complexity and how long you'll need support. If you have specific questions and want a sounding board, mentoring is usually right. If there's a defined problem to solve with a clear scope, a project makes sense. If you need someone carrying context about your business and contributing strategic input on an ongoing basis, that's retainer territory. I'll recommend what I think fits on the strategy call, but the decision is always yours.

What's the difference between mentoring and a retainer?

Mentoring is reactive. You bring the questions, I help you think through them. Sessions are standalone and I prepare based on what you share beforehand. A retainer is an ongoing relationship where I carry context about your business between conversations, flag things proactively and contribute to decisions and delivery over time. Mentoring clients who find themselves needing input between sessions, or bringing complex operational questions that require deeper involvement, are often better served by a retainer.

Do you provide references?

I keep my client list confidential, which is the same confidentiality I'd extend to you. I have case studies on the site that show how I work and the types of outcomes I help providers achieve. If you want to get a sense of how I think before committing, the strategy call and my published content (articles, newsletter, LinkedIn) are the best way to do that.

What are the typical deliverables?

My primary deliverable is clear, actionable strategic advice. Depending on the engagement, that may also include pricing models, operational frameworks, policy documentation, service design blueprints, recruitment systems or strategic roadmaps. I keep written outputs concise and practical. I don't produce long reports for the sake of justifying fees. If the answer fits on one page, it goes on one page.

How much does it cost?

Mentoring sessions start at $330 + GST per hour. Ad Hoc Consulting costs $275 + GST per hour. Retainers range from $1,500 to $5,500+ per month depending on the level of involvement. Projects are scoped individually. I'm transparent about pricing and I'll give you a clear recommendation on the strategy call. There are no hidden fees and no lock-in contracts.

My Approach

How are you different from a generic business consultant?

I've built and scaled in this sector. I co-founded a national Allied Health provider, grew it to 300+ clinicians and $15M+ in revenue, and navigated every challenge my clients face: NDIS pricing changes, workforce shortages, compliance pressure, cash flow and reform uncertainty. I also work across 75+ providers at any given time, which means I have a real-time view of what's working across the sector. That combination of founder experience and current pattern-matching is hard to replicate.

Do you work with competitors in the same market?

I may work with providers who operate in overlapping markets. I manage this through strict confidentiality. Nothing shared with me by one client is ever disclosed to another. If I felt a genuine conflict of interest existed, I would raise it with you directly. This has never been an issue in practice.

Will you tell me what I want to hear?

No. You're paying for honest, independent analysis. I'll challenge your assumptions when I think you're heading in the wrong direction, and I'll back up my perspective with evidence. I aim to be direct without being blunt, but my job is to help you make better decisions, and that sometimes means saying things that are uncomfortable.

Sector and Expertise

Can you help with NDIS reform and Support at Home readiness?

Yes. I work across both NDIS and aged care regulatory environments and track reforms closely. This includes Support at Home pricing and service model design, NDIS registration and verification requirements, clinical governance under the Aged Care Act 2024, associated provider obligations and workforce planning under new regulatory models. I translate policy into operational decisions.

Do you work with large organisations or just small practices?

Both. My clients range from sole practitioners and early-stage businesses through to large national NFPs, government teams and consulting firms. The engagement model varies but the approach is the same: independent, evidence-based advice grounded in operational reality.

Do you work with government, PHNs or peak bodies?

Yes. I work with public sector, not-for-profit and Primary Health Network teams who need independent insight into how Allied Health, NDIS and aged care systems operate at the provider level. This includes reform and commissioning projects, feasibility assessments, workforce analysis and program design.

Practical Questions

Where are you based?

Melbourne. I work nationally via video and phone, and travel for onsite engagements where the scope warrants it.

How quickly can we start?

Mentoring sessions can usually be booked within a week. Retainers and projects typically begin within two to four weeks depending on scope and my current capacity. If I don't have availability, I'll tell you upfront.

What if I'm not sure what I need?

Book a strategy call. I'll help you figure out what the real challenge is and whether working together makes sense. You don't need to come prepared with a brief. Just come ready to talk honestly about where your business is at.