TL;DR: Wrapping up a long-term consulting engagement brings mixed emotions—relief from a demanding workload, a sense of wistfulness for the client friendships and pride in the impact made. This experience reinforced my shift toward deeper, long-term client partnerships, particularly with clients that value strategic, sustained efforts over quick wins.
Wrapping up a long-term consulting engagement is always a mix of emotions. After more than two years of working with a client I deeply respected, my role has come to an end. It’s not the first time I’ve parted ways with a client, but this one feels a little bit different. This wasn’t just another contract—it was a truly meaningful partnership where I had the opportunity to make a real impact.
As I reflect on this transition, I find myself in a swirl of emotions. There’s relief—it was an extremely active account, requiring a lot of in-the-moment, on-the-fly work. That kind of pace can be exhilarating, but also exhausting. With a full plate of other client work, stepping away alleviates some of the stress and pressure I’ve been feeling.
At the same time, I feel a little wistful. For over two years, this team has been part of my daily work life. I’ve built relationships, shared successes, and witnessed firsthand the incredible work they do. I’ll miss the people, the learning, and most of all, the sense of impact—knowing that my work helped raise awareness of their mission and strengthened their position in the community.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this engagement has been the mutual respect and appreciation. They valued my expertise and trusted my guidance. They understood that meaningful change—raising awareness, educating the community, shifting mindsets—doesn’t happen overnight. That’s something that marketing consultants don’t always get from clients.
This experience has reshaped the way I approach my consulting practice. I used to juggle up to 12 assignments at once, balancing multiple short-term projects. But I’ve realized I prefer to go deeper. A few months ago I took the decision to take on fewer clients with larger scopes, allowing me to be more strategic and ultimately have a greater impact. The shift has meant less stress, fewer administrative headaches, better client relationships, and—to be frank—better cashflow. In theory, it should also mean more personal time, though that part hasn’t quite worked out yet.
What This Experience Taught Me as a Marketing Consultant
A big takeaway from this engagement? Not-for-profits make fantastic clients. They have the budgets to support meaningful work and the patience to see real results unfold over time. Unlike some private sector clients who expect immediate returns, organizations like this understand that effective marketing and communications require education, strategic positioning, and long-term awareness-building.
I now am investing my time and energy only into partnerships that allow for sustained impact, rather than quick wins. This client has set the bar high—over the past two years, this organization has increased its community recognition, secured new funding, forged partnerships, won awards, and taken on a leadership role in the sector. It’s now driving initiatives on a national scale. That’s the kind of lasting impact I’m proud to have been part of.
I haven’t really marked the end of this chapter. There’s no time to dwell when you’re knee-deep in new client work. So, now I’m taking this quiet moment to appreciate the journey and the role I played in helping a great client achieve big goals. Because in the end, that’s what makes consulting so rewarding: knowing that the work mattered, that it made a difference, and that when I step away, I leave the client in a stronger position than when I arrived. And really, what more could I ask for?
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