021 | Building a Business That Works for You: Lessons in Leadership and Growth with Rebecca Innes of Rebecca Innes Consulting

In this episode of Emotional Organization, I’m joined by Rebecca Innes, founder of Rebecca Innes Consulting, an expert in emergency response consulting, resilience planning, and strategic leadership. Rebecca’s journey from a solo consultant to a firm owner provides a fascinating look at what it takes to build, expand, and sustain a consulting business.

We dive deep into:
✔️ The difference between solopreneurship and entrepreneurship
✔️ How Rebecca scaled her business from working alone to leading a team
✔️ The mindset shift from technical expert to business leader
✔️ Overcoming branding challenges and finding your authentic voice
✔️ The human-centered approach to leadership, planning, and business development

Whether you're an independent consultant, a small business owner, or an entrepreneur looking to scale your business while staying aligned with your values, this episode is packed with insights, real talk, and practical takeaways.

Key Takeaways

🔹 Solopreneur vs. Entrepreneur – Not all businesses are built the same. Rebecca shares how she transitioned from working alone to growing a firm while staying true to her vision.
🔹 Human-Centered Leadership – Whether in emergency response or business, people come first. Rebecca’s business philosophy centers on listening, equity, and strategic planning.
🔹 Branding & Authenticity – Crafting a clear brand story and staying true to what lights you up is key to attracting the right clients.
🔹 Scaling with Purpose – Expanding a business isn’t just about growth—it’s about building something sustainable and aligned with your goals.
🔹 Business Development vs. Technical Expertise – Understanding the difference between doing the work and building a business around the work is crucial for long-term success.

About Our Guest: Rebecca Innes

Rebecca Innes is the founder and CEO of Rebecca Innes Consulting, a firm specializing in emergency and crisis management, disaster recovery planning, and business continuity. She has worked across government, business, and community sectors to help organizations prepare for, respond to, and recover from high-stakes situations.

💡 Fun Fact: Before launching her business, Rebecca spent years in emergency response—including hanging from helicopters for search and rescue!

🔗 Connect with Rebecca:
👉 Website
👉 LinkedIn

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🔗 Connect with me (Dr. Denaige McDonnell):
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