Sales as Service

From Waiting for Clients to Creating Real Opportunities with Kimberly Boyd

Tamara Smith Season 2 Episode 44

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0:00 | 22:42

Referrals are a strong signal that your work matters—but they’re not a strategy you can rely on long term. In this conversation, I sit down with leadership coach Kimberly Boyd to talk about what happens when a referral-based business starts to feel inconsistent—and what it takes to build something more stable.

When we started working together, Kimberly’s business was built almost entirely on word-of-mouth. It worked… until it didn’t. What you’ll hear in this episode is how she shifted from “cross your fingers and hope” to a more intentional, consistent approach to business development—and what changed as a result.

This isn’t about doing more. It’s about understanding the difference between waiting for opportunities and creating them.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Why referrals can create a false sense of security in your business
  • How referrals shortcut the sales process—and why that matters
  • The mindset shift from “I’m bad at sales” to building a repeatable practice
  • What business development discipline actually looks like week to week
  • The real opportunities that start showing up when you create consistency


Sales as Service Challenge — Start Now!
This week, I want you to stop waiting—and start initiating.

Your challenge:

  • Identify 5 people already in your network
    (past clients, warm leads, referral partners, or peers)
  • Start 5 intentional conversations
    No pitch. No pressure. Just reconnect, check in, or share something relevant.
  • Focus on connection—not conversion

Because this is where a real pipeline starts.

Links & Resources:

Tam Smith is the founder of Studio Three 49 and a professional conversation starter. She helps service-based founders stop waiting for referrals and start creating opportunities through genuine conversations.

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Connect with Tam on LinkedIn

Produced by KNWN Media. Executive Producer: Jess Milanes.