Strategic Growth, Data Clarity, and Saying “No”: The Business Development Journey of Candice Miller
By: Hilario Caro, Talent Optimization at StaffBuffalo
In this insightful episode of the Pain Points Podcast, Lauren Lewis sits down with Candice Miller, Founder of Miller Advisory Group, to explore her path from banking to legal operations to launching a thriving consulting practice. Candice’s story is all about clarity—clarifying your services, your strengths, your boundaries, and the data behind every decision. Her perspective is a refreshing blend of strategy, honesty, and people-first leadership.
A Roundabout Path to Her Perfect Niche
Candice’s journey began in accounting and finance, followed by years in banking—“very boring stuff,” she jokes—before a surprising pivot: being assigned to audit law firms.
She immediately fell in love.
The complexity, the structure, the operations… and eventually, the business development side. That experience led her into an internal leadership role at a law firm, where she built strategy, operations, and revenue initiatives. After navigating the chaos of COVID, she made the leap to entrepreneurship and founded Miller Advisory Group.
Four years later, she’s built a business focused on helping law firms grow smarter, use data better, and make more strategic decisions.
Learning to Say “No”—and Growing Faster Because of It
One of Candice’s biggest early breakthroughs was defining what not to do.
Like many new consultants, she said yes to everything at first. But over time, she realized the real wins came from choosing a clear niche:
What do I do exceptionally well?
What drains me?
Where can I deliver the highest value?
What should I refer out instantly?
Her growth accelerated when she stopped trying to be a one-woman solution to every problem and started building a vetted network of fractional experts she could call in.
“I don’t have to know everything—I just have to know who to call. That mindset changed everything.”
Data, Technology, and the Hidden Pain Points Inside Law Firms
Candice specializes in the intersection of business development, data intelligence, and operational clarity—a combination most law firms deeply need but rarely have in-house.
Often, firms bring her in for BD.
But once she examines their systems, she uncovers bigger obstacles:
Fragmented technology
No data hygiene
No insight into revenue drivers
Attorneys bogged down in admin work
No structure for follow-up or tracking
Misalignment between goals and behavior
“You can’t grow a firm if the foundation is a mess. Bad data leads to bad decisions.”
She also helps firms integrate AI thoughtfully—not as a shiny add-on, but as a tool that reduces burnout, supports efficiency, and strengthens client service.
Building Better Business Developers—Without Changing Who They Are
Most attorneys don’t consider themselves natural business developers, and they certainly aren’t taught BD in law school. Candice bridges that gap by customizing strategies around personality and motivation—not pressure.
Her approach includes:
One-on-one BD coaching
Personality-driven tactics
Role-playing networking conversations
Time-blocking and BD hygiene
LinkedIn strategy and consistency
Systems for nurturing relationships
“You don’t need to turn an introvert into an extrovert. You just need to give them tools that feel authentic.”
Her goal is to make business development part of an attorney’s weekly rhythm, not an overwhelming task that gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.
Community Leadership & Purpose Beyond the Office
Candice is deeply committed to her community—especially through Big Brothers Big Sisters, where she has been a mentor for nearly nine years. Her “little,” now a college freshman on scholarship, is a testament to the long-term impact of consistent mentorship, encouragement, and belief.
Her community work isn’t separate from her professional mission—it’s the heart of it.
Helping people grow is what she does everywhere she goes.
Growing Law Firms with Purpose and Precision
Through Miller Advisory Group, Candice provides:
Fractional leadership for law firms
Business development strategy
Data analytics and reporting
Operational efficiency and process improvement
AI and tech evaluation
Leadership development and coaching
Her sweet spot is mid-sized firms that need strategic guidance without the overhead of another full-time executive.
Candice brings order to chaos, clarity to growth, and humanity to every conversation.
At StaffBuffalo, we admire leaders like Candice who transform organizations through honesty, structure, and purpose. Her journey is a powerful reminder that when you focus on your strengths—and learn to say no to the rest—you create space for the right opportunities to flourish.
If Candice’s story inspires you, let’s connect. We’re here to help your team grow with clarity, confidence, and the right people in the right roles.