A consulting firm can be a relatively easy business to start, as long as you have a strong business plan. It represents a business comprising one or more consultants that efficiently provide skilled advisory services. These services support and advise companies to achieve their key objectives and maximize their performance capabilities through data-driven analysis.

A consulting firm can offer a number of services, ranging from strategy to problem-solving and planning. The scope of work can often extend past providing actionable results to include project management solutions. Consulting firms often charge high rates for their services and can be extremely profitable businesses.

Before you open your doors to clients, you should first learn the essential steps in how to start a business. Even if you have expertise in the particular niche of consulting that you will be doing, you want to make sure you do a top-notch job with all the other aspects of the business, including developing your business strategy and marketing. If you want some help, we can form your new consulting LLC for free (+ state fee), helping keep your startup costs low.

Start Your Consulting Company LLC

What Consultants Do

Consultants are compensated for their knowledge and skill. The title “consultant” represents an individual that utilizes specialist knowledge in their field to provide guidance and advice to a company or individual. A consultant’s responsibility can vary, but their core objectives and goals are to use their skill set to identify solutions and outline recommendations. Consulting services can range from expanding or improving a specific element of a client’s business to helping them grow their business in emerging markets.

Different Types of Consulting Firms and Services

Consulting firms can provide one or more of the primary consulting services within the industry. These consulting services include:

  • Strategy Consulting
  • Management Consulting
  • IT Consulting
  • Financial Consulting
  • HR Consulting
  • Operations Consulting

Generalist vs. Specialist Consulting Firms

A generalist consulting firm is one that offers a comprehensive range of skills and services from strategy to IT consulting and works across a range of various sectors and projects. A specialist consulting firm focuses its knowledge on a specific skill and industry, for example, IT or HR services.

Why Companies Hire Consulting Firms

Here are some of the popular reasons that a business might seek out consulting services.

  • Assist with problem-solving.
  • Deliver unbiased support during restructuring and terminations.
  • Gain access to specialized skills which do not exist within the business.
  • Gain access to expert skills, ranging from strategy and operations to financial skills.
  • Improve business performance or find support to enter an emerging market.

Consultant vs. Consulting Coach

A consultant utilizes their skills to enhance a client’s business and solve issues by making assessments and recommendations. A consulting coach will work jointly with business owners or individuals to develop their skill sets to help them achieve their maximum potential. In other words, a consultant will provide you with the answers by assessing data, while a consulting coach will help you to develop the skill set you already have.

Consultants and consulting coaches sometimes work hand-in-hand as well. For instance, a consulting coach is a resource that is often utilized by applicant consultants during case interview preparation. These services are aimed at developing and enhancing the applicant’s skill set through advice and assessment.

Additional Consulting Resources

Looking for some more information to get your consulting business off the ground? Our guide to consulting business name ideas can help you determine the ideal name for your new company. We also have further info on how to land your first consulting client and an examination of the pros and cons of a consulting career.

The startup costs are low, especially if you use ZenBusiness to form your LLC for free (+ state fee), and you can even start your company from your home.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

“This is your life.
You want to get it right.”

– Mark Cuban on Starting a Business

Entrepreneur and Shark Tank host lays out
3 steps to follow when starting a business

  • Form an LLC to protect your liability
  • Set up your banking and accounting
  • Grow sales by marketing your website


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