Insights from Andrea Hogan: A Big Dogs Network Leadership Conversation
In a business world defined by constant change, few people embody reinvention and strategic growth as powerfully as Andrea Hogan. This article, the first in a new monthly series from the Big Dogs Network, highlights insights from our recent conversation with Andrea, founder of Allwest Consulting and former North America Regional CMO at Qualcomm. The Big Dogs Network is a professional network of business leaders and entrepreneurs with experience working for or with Fortune 1000 companies, dedicated to fostering collaboration, leadership, and continuous growth. Each month, we feature programming that delivers practical insights on business development and marketing, often led by luminaries in marketing, strategy, and innovation.
A powerhouse marketing executive, Andrea has scaled businesses, launched new product categories, and forged strategic partnerships with global leaders like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta. Today, she applies this “big company” expertise to accelerate growth for B2B technology companies and startups as a fractional CMO and brand growth advisor. Her journey is one of transition, resilience, and strategic reinvention. Our conversation explored her decision to leave a thriving corporate career, the practices that keep her grounded and energized, and her advice for building connections and credibility as a consultant.
Moving From the Corporate Environment to Consulting: A Personal Journey
Andrea’s decision to pivot from a thriving corporate career at Qualcomm to consulting arose from what she calls a “perfect storm” of career, personal, and family factors. After years of leading high-impact go-to-market strategies, she felt her learning curve had flattened and wanted to tackle a more diverse set of challenges. A milestone birthday prompted deeper reflection on the next decade, while her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis in Ireland added urgency and perspective. Stepping away to help transition her mother into full-time care brought clarity and ultimately, the determination to build something new, focused on the problems she loves solving most.
A defining moment in Andrea’s transition was a transformative 35-day journey along Spain’s historic Camino de Santiago. This 2,000-year-old pilgrimage offered the mental space to step back, shed the weight of her corporate identity, and reimagine what came next. Reflecting on the experience, Andrea notes, “There’s something powerful about stripping away every responsibility, walking 30 kilometers a day, meeting new people, and immersing yourself in new places. It lifts the soul and clears the mind.” Returning with renewed clarity, she launched Allwest Consulting to bring world-class expertise in go-to-market strategy, brand positioning, and ecosystem development to smaller, growth-focused businesses.
Andrea’s focus on energy management is a cornerstone of her success, shaping both her personal routines and business approach. Her day begins at 5 a.m. with transcendental meditation, EFT tapping, gratitude reflections, and a green juice (think AG1 or celery), all followed by exercise before 7 a.m. “Energy is not just something you’re born with, it’s a choice,” she says. “When I start my day this way, I can show up better for my clients, my family, and myself.” This disciplined mindset fuels her ability to lead with clarity, win trust, and navigate complex organizations.
Advice for Those Who Want to Work with Large Corporations
Success as a consultant, Andrea explained, depends on building authentic relationships and demonstrating value. This naturally led to a discussion on how smaller firms and independent professionals can break into large corporations. The key, she explains, lies in understanding both the mindset and pain points of large companies.
Warm introductions through trusted champions, such as former colleagues, mentors, or industry contacts, are an invaluable starting point. Smaller agencies, she noted, possess an advantage due to their ability to move faster and deliver pilot projects that prove value with less risk. Speaking the language of business is critical. Andrea explained, “Marketing teams are under pressure to show ROI like never before. If you can connect what you deliver to measurable business outcomes, you’ll get their attention.” She cited an example from Qualcomm where a small video production agency secured a $25,000 contract. Their outstanding work led to multiple referrals within the company, and they were added to the preferred vendor list within three months.
Tools and Techniques for Marketing a Business
Andrea strongly believes that authentic storytelling builds trust and connection. She has observed the highest engagement on her LinkedIn posts that combine personal experiences, such as her Camino journey or reflections on energy, with professional insights. “There’s a ratio to content,” she advises. “Not every post needs to be about your business. The personal stories often create the first connection, and that opens the door to conversations about what you do.
Building and maintaining strong networks requires regular, thoughtful engagement. This includes commenting on others' posts, resharing with added perspective, and direct outreach to keep relationships warm and meaningful. She also advises, “Be clear on your ask. People want to help, but they need to know specifically how.
Specialization is essential for building credibility. Andrea has built a strong reputation in B2B tech marketing, helping growth-focused companies refine their go-to-market strategies, sharpen brand positioning, and drive demand. In parallel, she has carved out a unique niche partnering with Irish tech companies entering the U.S. market, leveraging both her heritage and deep industry expertise to bridge cultural and commercial gaps. She emphasizes that brand presence comes from consistent visibility across all touchpoints and advises leaders to optimize LinkedIn profiles, clarify value propositions, and develop a compelling, resonant elevator pitch.
Andrea believes that leaning in and rapidly educating yourself on AI is no longer optional. It’s essential for staying competitive. Understanding how AI not only shapes marketing but also drives operational efficiency, sharper insights, and creative scalability is critical for any business leader today. AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude have become integral to her workflow, assisting with content strategy and ideation, while platforms like Corsiv, “a Duolingo for AI,” as she calls it, help her explore how to productize and scale her intellectual property. She actively studies AI trends, from Harvard Business Review articles to books and thought leadership posts online, recognizing that those who embrace AI will unlock both speed and intelligence in their businesses.
Andrea’s approach to pricing is both strategic and value-driven, structuring her work around clear deliverables and outcomes rather than billing by the hour. This ensures clients see tangible progress and allows her the flexibility to focus on what matters most. Central to this model is her 60-day “Clarity Lab,” which serves as both a diagnostic and a roadmap. During this two-month engagement, she immerses herself in the client’s business to uncover challenges, identify strategic gaps, and outline actionable steps for growth. The Clarity Lab is designed to answer critical questions: Where is the organization today? What is holding it back? What are the most effective levers for market expansion and brand positioning? By the end of the 60 days, clients receive a clear and actionable plan that sets the stage for next steps. This thoughtful process differentiates her from many consultants, ensuring clarity and measurable momentum from the outset. This initial phase also allows both parties to assess fit and alignment, often leading to longer-term retainers or advisory relationships. Andrea explains that “Retainers create deeper integration and allow me to partner with clients on a more strategic level,” noting that these ongoing relationships often yield the greatest impact.
Andrea’s pricing model is strategic and value-driven, built around clear deliverables and measurable outcomes rather than hourly billing. At its core is her 60-day “Clarity Lab,” a deep-dive diagnostic and roadmap that identifies business challenges, strategic gaps, and the most effective levers for growth and brand positioning. By the end of this two-month engagement, clients receive a focused, actionable plan that creates clarity and measurable momentum. This phase also serves as a fit assessment, often evolving into longer-term retainers or advisory partnerships. “Retainers create deeper integration and allow me to partner with clients on a more strategic level,” Andrea explains, noting that these relationships consistently deliver the strongest results.
Making the Leap: Guidance for Corporate Professionals
For professionals considering a transition from a corporate role to consulting, Andrea offers clear advice:
- Say yes before you feel ready. Growth happens when you are stretched and figuring things out under pressure.
- Focus on a narrow niche. Clarity and specificity build credibility.
- Invest in your brand. Every post, interaction, and conversation contributes to how you are perceived.
The emotional challenge of stepping away from a long-term corporate role is often underestimated—especially when you care deeply about the people you work with and the impact of the work you do. Andrea frames it as a process of transformation—“a death and rebirth”—acknowledging that a piece of her identity was deeply tied to her work at Qualcomm. “Life is a series of evolutions,” she reflects. “Each chapter doesn’t vanish; it becomes part of the foundation for what comes next.”
Key Takeaways
Having had the honor of interviewing Andrea on behalf of the Big Dogs Network, I was left both inspired and energized. What stands out most is her incredible energy and the intentionality she brings to everything she does. She clearly thrives on new challenges and approaches both life and work with a contagious zest for discovery and growth. I deeply admire her commitment to ongoing education, whether exploring AI tools, reading on health and wellness, or finding ways to stretch herself personally and professionally. Her ability to balance personal authenticity with professional expertise serves as a reminder that success encompasses more than just results; it's also about how we show up, build connections, and continue moving forward with curiosity and purpose.
Learn More
The Big Dogs is all about sharing experiences, connections, and practical knowledge to help leaders grow and thrive. With a strong focus on strategies that resonate with Fortune 1000 companies, our programming is designed to offer actionable insights from those who have successfully navigated high-stakes business environments.
If you would like to learn more about the Big Dogs, please reach out to any of our leadership members:
Ron Synder (rsnyder@innovations86.com)
Peter Kay (pkay@innovations86.com)
Steve Bellach (steve@blmllc.com)
Kirsty Nunez (kirsty.nunez@q2insights.com)
If you would like to speak with Andrea about the services she offers at Allwest Consulting, you can reach her at andrea@allwest-consulting.com.
This article is the first in a monthly series highlighting key takeaways from Big Dogs events and conversations. Future articles will feature insights from other remarkable leaders with experience in Fortune 1000 companies offering strategies, lessons, and inspiration for today’s business challenges. We look forward to continuing this series with more conversations that inspire action and growth.
Article by Kirsty D. Nunez, President and Chief Research Strategist at Q2 Insights, and member of the Big Dogs Network leadership team.
