Build Bold LLC

Big news from Build Bold!

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve officially joined the powerhouse team at Dragonfly AEC Consulting as a Business Development Strategist!

This next chapter allows me to continue the strategic work I love—partnering with AEC firms to sharpen their positioning, pursue the right opportunities, and level up their BD and marketing efforts—while teaming up with some of the most talented women in the industry.

For my amazing Build Bold clients and colleagues: nothing changes, except the fact that we now have even more brainpower behind the bold. I’m still your go-to for strategic planning, pursuit positioning, and growth guidance, just with even more tools (and creative energy) at my fingertips.

I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity to expand my reach and impact, and I can’t wait to see what we build together as part of the .

Head over to Dragonfly’s site to check out the official announcement and learn more about what we’re up to:
🔗 https://www.dragonflyaec.com/post/dragonfly-welcomes-katie-stern

Let’s get to work.

Also, follow us over on LinkedIn to stay connected!
🔗https://www.linkedin.com/company/dragonfly-aec-consulting/

Dragonfly welcomes Katie Stern AEC veteran Katie Stern joins Dragonfly AEC Consulting, bringing fresh energy and expertise to the firm's business development planning and pursuit strategy services.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧-𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐃 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩?

𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦.

When I step into a pursuit, it’s not about replacing your internal expertise — it’s about amplifying it.

✅ Technical staff get help translating their expertise into connection and clarity for the client.

✅ Marketing and BD teams have their existing strategies, insights, and client knowledge elevated — not replaced.

✅ The entire team benefits from an outside perspective that makes feedback easier to hear, adjustments easier to make, and preparation more focused.

Teams listen differently when it’s coming from someone who sits outside the office dynamic — and that shift often makes the biggest difference when the stakes are high.

And when you’re preparing for a major client interview, or just want to equip your team with good presenting skills, that difference matters.

Curious how I could support your next pursuit? Let’s talk!

What I’ve learned after years inside AEC firms:
It’s almost never a lack of effort.
𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.

⛵️ When Marketing, BD, and firm leadership aren’t rowing in the same direction, the boat drifts:

Proposals feel disconnected from the website story;

Project managers promise one thing while pursuit teams pitch another;

Great ideas stall because no one “owns” the next step.

The result? Lost momentum and missed work you could have won.

If you’re feeling that sideways pull in your firm or department, you’re not alone (and you’re not broken). Clear goals, shared language, and consistent hand‑offs are fixable, often faster than you think.

Have you felt this in your firm?

I’d love to hear what “rowing together” (or not) looks like on your team.

“We’re too small for brand strategy.”

I’ve heard this from AEC firms more times than I can count. But here’s the truth: The smaller the firm, the more critical brand clarity becomes. 🔍

You don’t need a massive budget or a full rebrand. You need a clear way to talk about:

🔹 What makes you different

🔹 Why clients keep coming back

🔹 And how your team consistently communicates that story — in proposals, interviews, and casual conversations.

A strong brand strategy gives small and mid-sized firms a sharper edge in the market.

It’s what helps your messaging stay consistent as you grow. It’s how you make the most of limited marketing resources. And it’s what helps your people feel confident representing the firm — because they know what to say, and why it matters.

Don’t wait until your message gets diluted. 💧

Start small. Get clear.

That’s the real strategy.

Kicked off Session 1, of my six-part Public Speaking Series, today with the team at RM Creative Architects and Interior Designers!

Today’s focus: building confidence in public speaking with techniques to calm nerves, find your message, and connect with your audience.

This series (or any individual session) is available for AEC teams looking to sharpen their speaking skills and elevate their client communication.

Booking summer and fall sessions now. Reach out to learn more!