How I Work: What a Systems Engagement Actually Looks Like
- Martine Dardignac
- Jan 20
- 3 min read
Most people don’t come to The Vendor Lab thinking, “I need systems support.”
They come because something feels harder than it should.
They’re booked, but overwhelmed. They have offers, but no clear flow. They’re working all the time, yet progress feels fragile.
And often, they’ve already tried:
More tools
More content
More effort
What they usually haven’t tried is stepping back to look at how everything is working together.
That’s where I come in.
What I Actually Do (And What I Don’t)
I don’t sell templates, productivity hacks, or one-size-fits-all frameworks.
My work sits at the intersection of:
Systems
Strategy
Real-world operations
I help individuals and businesses:
Understand where friction is coming from
Rebuild the structures that support their work
Create systems that make growth sustainable, not exhausting
Sometimes that looks like a website rebuild. Sometimes it looks like untangling workflows, offers, or decision paths. Often, it’s a combination.
What ties it all together is this: I work on the system underneath the problem.
Who This Work Is For
This work is a good fit if:
You’re already doing meaningful work, but the backend doesn’t support it
Your business (or role) has outgrown how things were originally set up
You’re tired of reinventing processes every time something changes
You want clarity, not just momentum
This applies to:
Business owners and founders
Service-based professionals
Consultants, creatives, and operators
Individuals managing complex workloads or transitions
You don’t need to be at a specific revenue level. You do need to be open to looking at how things actually function.
Who This Is Not For
This is probably not the right fit if:
You’re looking for a quick fix or overnight transformation
You want someone to just “do the thing” without context
You’re not ready to change how decisions are made or work is structured
You’re hoping systems will replace the need for judgment or leadership
Systems don’t remove responsibility — they support it.
How Engagements Typically Work
Every engagement is different, but most fall into one of three categories:
1. Systems Audit & Diagnosis
We look at what exists, what’s working, and where friction is hiding.
This is often the starting point for:
Businesses that feel messy but can’t pinpoint why
People who’ve added tools without a strategy
Teams or individuals at a transition point
The goal here is clarity not immediate action.
2. Rebuild & Restructure
Once the issues are clear, we rebuild what’s no longer serving you.
This can include:
Website and booking flows
Offer and pricing structure
Client or user journey design
Internal workflows and decision paths
This is where things start to feel easier because the system is finally aligned with reality.
3. Ongoing Support & Retainer Work
Some clients continue working together over time.
This usually means:
Refining systems as the business evolves
Supporting new offers or initiatives
Preventing future bottlenecks before they become problems
Think of this as systems stewardship, not maintenance.
Why People Are Often Referred Here
Most of my clients don’t find me through search.
They’re referred by:
Coaches
Consultants
Other service providers
Usually because someone says:
“This isn’t a mindset issue: you need someone who understands systems.”
This work pairs well with coaching, therapy, creative direction, and leadership development because it handles the structural side of change.
If You’re Not Sure Where You Fit
That’s normal.
Many people land here thinking:
“I don’t know exactly what’s wrong...I just know this isn’t sustainable.”
You don’t need the right language yet. You don’t need a perfect plan.
You just need to be willing to look at how things are actually set up.
Interested in working together? If this resonated and you’re curious whether this kind of systems support is the right fit, you can start by getting in touch here.
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