Fractional Business Development for Architecture, Engineering, Construction & Commercial Real Estate

Experienced, relationship-driven business development for A/E/C and CRE firms, without the cost or commitment of a full-time BD hire. I work alongside your team to find the right opportunities, strengthen the relationships that matter, support pursuits, and keep business development moving.

Start with a growth conversation See how it works

Who I work with


Small and mid-size firms in the built environment, companies that win work through relationships, reputation, referrals, and long sales cycles.

Architecture & engineering General contractors & specialty trades Commercial real estate services Lighting, design & specialty consultants Built-environment technology Owner & developer professional services

Especially firms whose principals carry most of the business development today, or who have strong technical talent but an underdeveloped BD function.

Sound familiar?


These aren't marketing problems. They're business-development problems, and they're the ones I solve.

Networking is not business development.

Networking creates connections. Business development turns those connections into opportunities. The gap between the two is where most firms lose ground: the conversation that never got a follow-up, the relationship that went quiet, the opportunity nobody was tracking. I help you close that gap, with strategy, follow-through, market intelligence, and disciplined pursuit, so the relationships you already have start producing real business-development activity.

You may not need a full-time BD executive.

You may just need experienced business-development leadership at the level your firm needs right now. Fractional BD gives you senior capability and hands-on execution without adding another full-time salary, benefits, and overhead.

It's a fit when your principals are stretched thin, follow-up is slipping, growth is outpacing your capacity to manage it, or you need structure and accountability around business development but aren't ready to hire for it.

How I work: Strategy. Connections. Results.


More than a tagline. It's how every engagement runs.

Strategy

Where should we focus?

Market and account strategy, target accounts, client prioritization, pipeline review, opportunity identification, pursuit strategy, competitive positioning, and go/no-go discipline.

Connections

Who do we need to know?

Relationship development, strategic introductions, referral sources, teaming partners, client and prospect outreach, industry involvement, and consistent, strategic follow-up.

Results

How do we keep it moving toward outcomes?

CRM and pipeline management, opportunity tracking, pursuit support, next actions, accountability, and reporting.

Disciplined strategy, strong relationships, and consistent execution create a more intentional and accountable approach to business development.

I don't just build the strategy. I help execute it.


I work as an embedded part of your team, not an outside adviser who hands over a plan and leaves. Depending on your needs, that can include:

The best business development usually happens long before an RFP is released. I help you build relationships, understand the market, and position your firm before a project ever reaches the procurement stage.

Every engagement starts with a clear-eyed look at where you are.

The SGP Growth Assessment reviews your current business-development environment, pipeline and relationships, systems and CRM, market presence, marketing infrastructure, and active pursuits, so we agree on where to focus first. From there we build a customized set of growth priorities and a focused first 90 days.

See the assessment and first 90 days →

Why Melissa

I've spent decades in sales, marketing, and business development, much of it inside the built environment. Before founding Smithson Growth Partners, I led business development and marketing from inside a Nashville commercial contractor, so I understand firsthand how firms pursue work, respond to RFQs and RFPs, build relationships, and position themselves to win. I know how owners, developers, brokers, architects, engineers, contractors, and specialty consultants actually work together, and I'm deeply connected across Nashville and Middle Tennessee's A/E/C and CRE community.

More about Melissa →

Let's talk about your growth priorities.

A short conversation is the best way to see whether fractional business development is right for your firm.

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