Contact Kathy for Availability 515.293.4834

Kathy Nielsen

Business Development Consultant

With more than 20 years of experience in the service industry, Kathy Nielsen, “The Chicken Lady,” knows what it takes to run a successful business. Through innovative customer service and leadership training, on-site consulting, insightful speaking engagements, and Boot Camps, she provides industry professionals with all of the tools they need to create and implement streamlined Standard Operating Procedures that take their businesses to the next level.

Kathy’s unique experience provides a perspective that many other consultants and trainers don’t have. She is incredibly passionate about helping businesses streamline day-to-day operations, thereby boosting efficiency and increasing revenue. She is a Designated Professional Speaker with the National Speaker Association, Service Roundtable Member, PHCC Member, and certified in Assessments with Results Group for Leadership, Team, and Individual Development.

Service Roundtable

Learn more about Kathy’s business development consulting services and speaking engagements; call (515) 293-4834 or submit an online contact form.

One of the biggest struggles in the service industry is accounting, which is why we are thrilled to announce that Erin Higgins will be joining Operations Excellence as our new Administrative Assistant. Erin comes to us with a background in accounting that started in college, where she earned a degree in the field. After graduation, she began her first job at a small grain elevator. It was there that she mastered A/P, A/R, counter sales with customers, and accounting system coordination, helping her employer transition from paper/pencil to a fully paperless software system.
After that position, she moved to an industrial refrigeration company, again doing A/P, A/R, HR, payroll, and safety work, communicating closely with customers, employees, and contractors alike. For the last 10 years, she has worked for a private optometry proactive with five locations, assisting with insurance billing, A/P, and A/R. For four years she was also President of the State Association for Technicians in Optometry, helping to advocate for the education and certification of professionals in that industry. Erin spends most of her free time with her husband, Ron, and their two daughters, Morgan and Lydia. They like to travel and be outdoors and enjoy hanging out with family and friends.

Upcoming Events

Success Stories

  • “The only stupid question is one that didn't get asked...”

    Kim W

  • ““Worth every penny””

    Kenneth Willburn

  • “"YOU ARE A SUPERHERO"”

    CRYSTAL MOYA

  • “She is amazing”

    Abby Reid

  • “So grateful that I got to experience this training!”

    Tammi Runco

  • “Totally Amazing Abilities”

    Gunny

  • “Do the Math”

    Mike Nicolai

  • “Any company would benefit from your knowledge. You have a very "down to earth" way about you which makes everyone comfortable while you deliver advice that can be used instantly to improve the business. ”

    Mary Null

  • “Today's accomplishments were yesterdays Impossibilities”

    DAVE MOLINA

  • “My daily workflow is so much easier after you helped me understand the workflow of deposits from Service Titan into QuickBooks! Life changing!”

    Tammie Hedrick, Hedrick Mechanical

  • “Kathy knows her stuff! She kept everyone’s attention over 2 days of training.”

    Eric Buchalter

  • “Lloyd’s Plumbing”

    Ryan Engelker

  • “My favorite thing about you is how you engage your audience, use humor, and own the front of the room. Too many presenters/trainers/etc. cannot do that, and you are tremendously engaging. ”

    Ryan A Nelsch - Director of Operations, Quality First Plumbing

  • “From one crazy chicken lady to another.”

    Michelle Walker

  • “Kathy helped us streamline our office, and explained new features with Service Titan that we where not even aware of yet, as well as unlocked new features that we didn't currently have access too. She greatly reduced the time it took us to do payroll...”

    Michael Johnson

Why Chicken Lady Speaks?

  • A Woman
    in the Industry

    Kathy has worn many hats in the industry, from CSR all the way up to General Manager, including HR and training techs on new technology.

  • A Reputation
    That Speaks for Itself

    Kathy's clients rave about her training. From her personable and down-to-earth approach, to her relatable real-life experience.

  • A Solutions
    Oriented Approach

    Kathy understands that every business is different and is here to help you figure out the best solutions for your business.

Schedule a Training

As the founder of Operations Excellence, Kathy offers a number of different customer service and leadership training sessions to meet the needs of service industry professionals across the nation. She covers everything from ServiceTitan and QuickBooks to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to company culture and standardized hiring processes. Whether you are a Customer Service Representative, Bookkeeper, Office Manager, or GM, Kathy’s training courses and speaking engagements can help you pinpoint barriers, correct weaknesses, and become a Superhero in your industry. Kathy has worked at nearly every level of the service industry—from customer service and bookkeeping to management—and, as GM of a large heating and cooling company, was responsible for growing the business from $1.2 to $5 million. She knows exactly what you need to create a better, stronger business.

To book a training or speaking engagement with Kathy, contact Operations Excellence online or by phone at (515) 293-4834 today.