The Dr.Des Show

Dr. Des
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Join Dr. Des as she shares her journey, lessons, and expert advice to empower professionals and entrepreneurs to make an impact and build the life they deserve.

  1. 5h ago

    How to Partner on a Public Health Consulting Contract (and Not Waste Your Time)

    ▶ Free Workshop: Public Health Consulting 101 Partnering on contracts is one of the fastest ways to go after bigger opportunities — but only if you do it right. Dr. Des is teaching a free live workshop — Public Health Consulting 101 — on June 16th AND June 17th. Come with your questions. Leave with a plan. 👉 Save your seat at https://www.publichealthclub.com/public-health-consulting-training Resources Mentioned Free Contract Partnership Playbook — Interview questions, MOU guidance, and everything you need to structure a consulting partnership. Free inside The Public Health Club at https://www.publichealthclub.com/ Six Figure Public Health Consultant Playbook — Workbook companion for the PHC Consulting 101 class. Free inside PHC at https://www.publichealthclub.com/ Public Health Consulting 101 — Free live workshop, June 16 + June 17. Register at https://www.publichealthclub.com/public-health-consulting-training Subcontracting to Six Figures (S26F) — Open now for PHC members. General public doors open June 16th. https://www.publichealthclub.com/course Partnering is one of the smartest moves you can make when going after a contract — but most people do it wrong. In Day 4 of Public Health Consulting Week, Dr. Des breaks down how to identify the right partner, why complementary skills matter more than shared ones, how to structure the relationship legally before a single dollar is awarded, and what needs to be in writing before anyone starts the work. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why you should look for complementary skills — not duplicate ones — in a partner How to properly vet a potential partner before committing to a joint proposal Why you should always apply under one business name (and what prime awardee vs. subcontractor means) What a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is and when to use one What needs to be in a formal contract once you've been awarded funds Why project management experience is one of the most valuable assets a consultant can have Timestamps [00:00] Welcome to Day 4 — and why partnering is one of Dr. Des's favorite topics [01:30] S26F update — open for PHC members today; general public June 16th [03:00] The most common partnering mistake people make in the PHC community [04:30] How to identify exactly what skills you need in a partner [06:00] Complementary vs. duplicate skills — and why the difference matters [07:30] How to vet a partner: Google Form + 30-minute interview [09:30] Apply under one business name — prime awardee and subcontractor explained [11:00] What an MOU is and why you need one before the award [12:30] What to include in a formal contract once funds are awarded [14:00] Payment terms, deliverables, and hour tracking — handle it upfront [15:30] Free Contract Partnership Playbook + Six Figure Consultant Playbook inside PHC Frequently Asked Questions How do you find the right partner for a public health consulting contract? Start by reviewing the RFP and identifying exactly what skills it requires that you don't already have. Then look specifically for someone who fills those gaps — not someone who does the same things you do. Post a specific ask, collect applications via a Google Form, and do a 30-minute interview before committing to anything. Should two consultants apply under separate business names? No. Apply under one business. The client will cut one check and work with one point of contact — two separate business names on a contract creates confusion and can hurt your chances. One person serves as the prime awardee; the other operates as a subcontractor underneath them. Decide who takes which role before you submit. What is an MOU and do you need one when partnering on a contract? An MOU — Memorandum of Understanding — is a legal document that outlines the terms of your partnership before any money changes hands. It has no financial obligation attached, but it establishes who is responsible for what. Once you're awarded the contract, follow it up with a formal subcontractor agreement that specifies payment amounts, timelines, deliverables, and how hours are tracked. About The Dr. Des Show The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club. https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    13 min

  2. 1d ago

    How to Find Your Public Health Consulting Niche

    Resources Mentioned Free Niche Development Worksheet — Helps you identify your consulting specialty and articulate it clearly to clients. Free inside The Public Health Club at https://www.publichealthclub.com/ Free Skills Translation Guide — From Day 1. Translate your PH skills into consulting language. Inside PHC at https://www.publichealthclub.com/ Free RFP Go/No-Go Checklist — From Day 2. Inside PHC at https://www.publichealthclub.com/ Public Health Consulting 101 — Free live workshop, June 16 + June 17. Register at https://www.publichealthclub.com/public-health-consulting-training Subcontracting to Six Figures (S26F) — Doors open June 16th. Six weeks, step-by-step. https://www.publichealthclub.com/course How to Find Your Public Health Consulting Niche | The Dr. Des Show Ep. [#] Trying to do everything in public health is exactly what's keeping you from landing contracts. In Day 3 of Public Health Consulting Week, Dr. Des breaks down what a consulting niche actually is, why being a generalist works against you, and the two questions that will help you identify your specialty fast. She also tackles the myth that multiple revenue streams mean doing five things at once — and why it almost never works that way. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why "I do health equity" is not a niche — and what to say instead How being a generalist gets your proposal skipped over The two questions that reveal your consulting niche Why doing work you actually enjoy makes building a business significantly easier How multiple revenue streams actually develop — and why you start with one How to talk about your niche confidently in networking conversations and at conferences Timestamps [00:00] Welcome to Day 3 — and why niche is today's focus [01:30] What a niche actually is and why public health training works against us [03:00] Why "I can do everything" loses contracts [04:30] The two questions: what do you like to do, and what are you good at? [06:30] How Dr. Des's own niche evolved — from health equity trainings to PHC [08:00] Multiple streams of revenue: the real way it happens [09:30] How to talk about your niche in a live networking moment [11:00] Free Niche Development Worksheet inside PHC + S26F doors opening June 16th Frequently Asked Questions What is a consulting niche in public health? A niche is the specific service you offer — not a topic area, a deliverable. "Health equity" is a topic. "Health equity-focused program evaluation for nonprofits" is a niche. Clients hire consultants for specific projects, and if they can't quickly identify what you do and how it benefits them, your proposal gets passed over. How do I figure out my public health consulting niche? Start with two questions: What do you actually enjoy doing in public health? And what do other people consistently come to you for or compliment you on? Where those two answers overlap is usually your niche. If you're still unsure, the free Niche Development Worksheet inside PHC walks you through it step by step. Do I need multiple services to build a consulting business? No. Multiple revenue streams almost always start from one strong one. Pick the service you do best, build a track record with it, then branch off from there. Trying to launch multiple offers at once splits your focus and makes it harder to win anything. Start with one. Get a client. Then grow. About The Dr. Des Show The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club. https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    10 min

  3. 2d ago

    How to Know If an RFP Is a Go or No-Go

    Free RFP Go/No-Go Checklist — Inside The Public Health Club. Download at https://www.publichealthclub.com/ Free Skills Translation Guide — From Day 1. Translate your PH skills into consulting language. Inside PHC at https://www.publichealthclub.com/ Digital Portfolio Workshop — Learn to build a portfolio that gets you hired. Inside PHC at https://www.publichealthclub.com/ Public Health Consulting 101 — Free live workshop, June 16 + June 17. Register at https://www.publichealthclub.com/publ... Subcontracting to Six Figures (S26F) — Dr. Des's six-week course for landing your first contract. https://www.publichealthclub.com/course Not every RFP deserves a proposal. In Day 2 of Public Health Consulting Week, Dr. Des walks through the exact questions to ask before you invest time writing a submission — from whether you actually have the expertise to whether the budget is even worth your time. She also covers when and how to partner with colleagues on larger contracts, and why vetting your partners is just as important as vetting the opportunity itself. In This Episode, You'll Learn The difference between "can I do this" and "can I prove I've done this" — and why it matters Why public health consultants need at least five years of direct experience before pursuing contracts How to evaluate whether the client type matches your background What to do when the budget doesn't match the scope of work How to assess whether the timeline is realistic before you commit How to partner with colleagues on contracts — and how to vet them first Frequently Asked Questions How do you decide if an RFP is worth responding to? Run it through four questions: Does it fit your expertise? Can you prove you've done this work before? Does the budget match the scope? Does the timeline work? If you're thinking "I could probably figure this out" — that's a no-go. Clients hire consultants to come in and lead. They don't have time to train you. How much public health experience do you need before consulting? At minimum, five years of direct public health work — not school, not occasional volunteering. Consulting clients are paying for expertise they can deploy immediately. They need you to come in, do the work, and deliver. Less than five years makes it hard to demonstrate that level of independence. Is it okay to partner with a colleague on a consulting contract? Yes — partnering is one of the best ways to go after larger contracts. But vet your partner the way you'd vet a hire. If they're working under your business, your name and reputation are on the line. Meet with them, assess their work, and confirm they can deliver before you attach your name to a joint proposal. About The Dr. Des Show The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club. https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    12 min

  4. 3d ago

    How to Start Speaking the Consulting Language| For Current and Aspiring Public Health Consultants

    Resources Mentioned: Free Translation Guide — Translates your public health skills into consulting language for nonprofits, health systems, and private organizations. Free inside The Public Health Club: https://www.publichealthclub.com/ Public Health Consulting 101 — Free live workshop, June 16 + June 17. Register at https://www.publichealthclub.com/publ... Subcontracting to Six Figures (S26F) — Dr. Des's six-week course for landing your first contract. Learn more at https://www.publichealthclub.com/course The fastest way to lose a consulting contract before it starts? Walk in talking like you're applying for a job. In this episode — kicking off Public Health Consulting Week — Dr. Des breaks down the language shift every new public health consultant needs to make, why your grant-writing instincts will backfire with nonprofits, and how two S26F students translated their skills into a $67,000 contract for a library. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why switching from "I" to "we" is the first move you need to make as a consultant How to translate public health terminology into language your clients actually use Why writing proposals like a federal grant will get you rejected by smaller clients The two paths to landing contracts — and which one Dr. Des shifted toward after burning out on RFPs How public health skills like strategic planning and facilitation transfer to non-traditional sectors What Dr. Des's first three contracts looked like — $40K, $7K, $85K — all while fully employed Frequently Asked Questions How do you start speaking the consulting language as a public health professional? Shift from "I" to "we." Refer to your business by name — "Strickland Health Consulting provides..." — even as a solo consultant. It positions you as a business, not a job applicant. Exception: when a client specifically requests a solo contractor. Why do public health consultants struggle to win contracts with nonprofits? Most PH professionals are trained to write long federal grants. Smaller nonprofits can't absorb a 50-page proposal — and academic language signals a mismatch. Write shorter, outcome-focused proposals and translate your terminology. "Impact reporting" lands; "evaluation" often doesn't. Do I need to leave my full-time job to start consulting? No. Dr. Des's first contract — $40,000 — came while she was fully employed. Her second was $7,000, her third was $85,000, all alongside a full-time job. The best time to start is while your salary still covers the bills. https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    11 min

  5. Jun 4

    Why You're Not Landing Public Health Consulting Clients | The Dr. Des Show

    Register for the Public Health Consulting 101 Training on June 16th & 17th: https://www.publichealthclub.com/public-health-consulting-training Join The Public Health Club | publichealthclub.com Why You Haven't Landed Your First Consulting Client | The Dr. Des Show If you're a public health professional who keeps applying for contracts and coming up empty, the problem probably isn't your qualifications — it's a few fixable mistakes you don't even know you're making. In this solo episode, Dr. Des breaks down the real reasons public health consultants struggle to land their first client or build consistent work: writing proposals like federal grants, leading with credentials instead of outcomes, and showing up without a portfolio that actually proves what you can do. She also shares how to use AI tools to sharpen your one-sentence pitch and why getting out of the house to network might be the most underrated move in consulting right now. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why treating a nonprofit proposal like a federal grant application is costing you contracts — and what to do insteadHow to lead with your expertise (not your degrees) when you're in the room with potential clientsThe one-sentence pitch formula that makes your services instantly clear to non-technical buyersHow to use AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to build a client-specific portfolio fastWhy your resume and portfolio need to be outcomes-based — not task-basedThe mindset shift around rejection that keeps Dr. Des applying even after "no" Resources Mentioned Subcontracting to Six Figures — Dr. Des's consulting course; join the waitlist at the link belowThe Public Health Club — publichealthclub.com (7-day free trial; RFP opportunities, workshops on demand, mentorship sessions)Claude — AI tool Dr. Des uses for proposal writing, portfolio building, and pitch refinement (claude.ai)ChatGPT — voice recording feature recommended for dictating and refining your one-sentence pitchWisper — AI voice-to-text tool for recording your pitch in any software; installable on desktopAbout The Dr. Des Show The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club. Connect with Dr. Des: Join The Public Health Club: publichealthclub.comInstagram: @DesireeCourtneyJ | @the_publichealthclubLinkedIn: Dr. Desiree Strickland | The Public Health Clubhttps://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    16 min

  6. May 22

    How to Build a Public Health Consulting Business

    Sign up for the FREE Public Health Consulting 101 Workshop: https://www.publichealthclub.com/public-health-consulting-training Join The Public Health Club and access millions in consulting opportunities, workshops to help get you started and a community of professionals and resources to help you get to the next level | https://www.publichealthclub.com/ Starting a public health consulting business doesn't require a perfect website, a full team, or years of prep — but it does require the right foundation. In this solo episode, Dr. Des breaks down exactly how to build a public health consulting business, drawing from her own journey of launching Strickland Health Consulting seven months pregnant and landing her first contract before her daughter was born. You'll learn the minimum experience you need, why an LLC matters (and what it protects you from), the two assets that are non-negotiable before you apply anywhere, and the two paths to landing your first client. No fluff, no gatekeeping — just the real starting point. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why you need at least five years of direct work experience before you start consulting — and how to translate any niche into contractsThe real reason to form an LLC before you sign your first contract (hint: it's not about looking professional)How to pick a consulting niche even if you can do "all the things"The two minimum assets every new public health consultant needs before applying anywhereThe two paths to landing your first client: marketing your services vs. applying to RFPs — and how to chooseWhere to find 80+ non-federal RFPs every single month as a club memberWhy you don't need a website to make hundreds of thousands in consulting Resources Mentioned Subcontracting to Six Figures — Dr. Des's signature course for building and landing consulting contracts; join the waitlist Most In-Demand Consulting Skills Report — free download at publichealthclub.com → Resources → Free ResourcesVanessa Da Costa's Consulting Resume Workshop — available on-demand inside The Public Health ClubDr. Des's Digital Portfolio Workshop — available on-demand inside The Public Health ClubThe Public Health Club — publichealthclub.com (7-day free trial) About The Dr. Des Show The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club. Connect with Dr. Des: Join The Public Health Club: publichealthclub.comInstagram: @DesireeCourtneyJ | @the_publichealthclubLinkedIn: Dr. Desiree Strickland | The Public Health Club https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    16 min

  7. May 14

    What Do You Do After You Graduate?

    ▶ Join The Public Health Club You graduated — now what? The Public Health Club has everything you need to land your first public health job: resume workshops, a digital portfolio workshop, career coaching, interview prep, the Public Health Pivot course, and a community of professionals who actually want to see you win. Seven days free, then $29.99/month. 👉 Start your free trial at publichealthclub.com Graduation is a milestone — but nobody tells you what the job search actually looks like on the other side of it. In this episode, Dr. Des breaks down the full post-graduation playbook for public health grads at every level: when to start applying (hint: six months before you walk across the stage), what the hiring timeline really looks like at large organizations, how to build a resume that gets callbacks instead of silence, why you need a digital portfolio and what goes in it, and the job titles in health economics and biopharma that your professors never mentioned — but that you can absolutely get with your degree. She also shares the story of her own first public health interview, why she knew she didn't get the job the moment she left the room, and what she changed to start getting offers. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why Dr. Des recommends starting your job search six months before graduation — and how to handle it if you get hired while you're still in schoolThe full hiring timeline at large organizations (it's longer than you think — and now you'll know what to expect)What an outcomes-based resume actually looks like, with a concrete public health exampleWhy you need a different resume for every track you're applying to — data, policy, program management, evaluationWhat a digital portfolio is, how it differs from a resume, and what to put in it as a new gradHow to use AI to build your resume — and why you need to know what a good resume looks like before you let AI touch itThe six-figure job titles in health economics, outcomes research, and real world evidence that public health grads are overlooked for — and how to get themDr. Des's first public health interview story: what went wrong and what she did differently after Resources Mentioned The Public Health Club — publichealthclub.com (7-day free trial, then $29.99/month; career coaching, mentorship sessions, workshops on demand, job postings, consulting opportunities, 12+ Impact Lead chapters)Resume Development Workshop (two versions on demand) — inside The Public Health ClubBuilding Your Resume with AI Workshop — inside The Public Health Club; includes Dr. Des's custom GPT and Claude skills for resume buildingDigital Portfolio Workshop — inside The Public Health Club (AI-updated version coming soon)Interview 101 Workshop — inside The Public Health Club (revamp in progress)Public Health Pivot Course — inside The Public Health Club; teaches how to translate PH skills into healthcare, biopharma, and adjacent industries using their language and keywordsCareer Coaches inside PHC — office hours available for career and consulting coaching; Khaliah Fleming, Allie Piatkowski, Kristi Brown, Vanessa Da CostaAbout The Dr. Des Show The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club. Connect with Dr. Des: Join The Public Health Club: publichealthclub.comInstagram @the_publichealthclubhttps://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    18 min

  8. May 4

    Public Health Careers You NEVER Knew Existed!

    Join The Public Health Club to access the Public Health Pivot Course to help you pivot into different industries, along with resume development workshops, mentorship and more! https://www.publichealthclub.com/ 🎙️ Episode Summary In this National Public Health Week episode of The Dr. Des Show, we’re diving into one of the most important conversations in the field right now—nontraditional public health careers. If you’ve ever felt boxed into government roles, nonprofit work, or underpaid positions, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible beyond the traditional path. Dr. Des breaks down how public health professionals can leverage their skills in consulting, tech, entrepreneurship, strategy, and beyond to build careers that offer both impact AND income. This episode is your permission slip to think bigger about your career—and your earning potential. 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ What “nontraditional public health careers” actually mean ✔️ Why traditional public health roles often limit income growth ✔️ High-paying, nontraditional career paths you should consider ✔️ How to pivot your skills into consulting, business, or tech roles ✔️ The mindset shift required to explore new career opportunities ✔️ Why public health professionals are uniquely positioned for entrepreneurship ✔️ How to align your career with both purpose AND profit 💡 Key Takeaways (Career + Income Strategy) You are NOT limited to traditional public health jobsYour skillset is transferable across multiple high-paying industriesNontraditional paths often lead to more flexibility, freedom, and incomeThe biggest barrier is not opportunity—it’s awareness and mindset2025–2026 is a major opportunity window for public health professionals to pivot 🧠 Real Talk Moments This episode addresses the realities many public health professionals face: Feeling stuck in low-paying rolesLack of exposure to alternative career pathsBurnout in traditional systemsThe fear of stepping outside the “expected” career trackDr. Des challenges listeners to stop playing small and start exploring opportunities that align with both their skills and financial goals. 👩🏽‍⚕️ About Dr. Des Dr. Desiree Strickland is the Founder & CEO of The Public Health Club, where she helps public health professionals build careers that increase their income, expand their impact, and create long-term wealth. 🚀 Resources & Next Steps 👉 Join The Public Health Club to learn how to pivot into consulting or entrepreneurship 👉 Follow Dr. Des for weekly insights on career growth + income building 👉 Share this episode with someone ready to explore nontraditional opportunities ⭐ Subscribe to The Dr. Des Show ⭐ Leave a review to support more public health professionals ⭐ Share this episode with a colleague who needs to hear this Join The Public Health Club! https://www.publichealthclub.com/ https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    1h 6m
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Join Dr. Des as she shares her journey, lessons, and expert advice to empower professionals and entrepreneurs to make an impact and build the life they deserve.

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  • Creator
    Dr. Des
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Dr.Des Show
  • Show Website
    The Dr.Des Show

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