Start-up Business Consulting Services

**BusinessAdviser** · 12-31-2007 11:25 AM

I am considering something new.

As some of you know, I offer business consulting services on a very selective basis. In particular, I specialize in helping entrepreneurs develop their ideas, put those ideas into motion, and maximize the opportunity for their start-ups to be successful.

However, quite the catch 22 exists when it comes to consulting for start-ups - those most in need of help are least able to afford it. In order to help young entrepreneurs who are in the same shoes in which I used to be, I want to try to change this.

Rather than charging the typical $150-250 per hour, I'm going to try something new:

I'm going to offer unlimited general business consulting services to YE members for $100 for an entire month. This will include email, instant message, and phone correspondence to answer questions, work through problems, make suggestions, and offer advice - basically help you identify the best way to make your idea or business successful.

Obviously I am not doing this to make money, but rather to try to help other entrepreneurs in ways that are otherwise unavailable to them. As a result, I do not know if I will be able to continue to offer business consulting services at this price for long, but I want to try, even if just for a short while, so that other entrepreneurs might find the success that I have been able to find.

My question to you all now is:

Is this a service that you, as a young entrepreneur, would consider using now that it is affordable, in order to turn your idea into a reality or to really get your start-up headed in the right direction? Or is there a general unwillingness to hire a business consultant even this early in the game to make sure that your idea or start-up have a solid foundation?

Thanks for your answers.

**BusinessAdviser** · 12-31-2007 08:41 PM

Could anyone offer advice as to whether this is even an offer worth making? Are entrepreneurs here in search of such advice and mentoring? Or are they happy doing it their way, come hell or high water?

**BusinessAdviser** · 12-31-2007 09:21 PM

You are entirely correct in that observation. However, I'm just trying to help others, not to make a buck. Maybe there is no demand. Maybe entrepreneurs here want to give it a go on their own rather than try to increase the likelihood that they will be successful. I guess only time will tell. The sad thing is that an opportunity like this is rare. I wish someone had been willing to help me like this back when I started.

**rlmedia** · 12-31-2007 09:57 PM

Do you cover Online Marketing and able to contact bigger companies that will get sites a large amount of potential public exposure?

**BusinessAdviser** · 12-31-2007 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by rlmedia

Do you cover Online Marketing and able to contact bigger companies that will get sites a large amount of potential public exposure?

Certainly. However, as my focus is more on the business side than the IT side, my consulting is most concerned with identifying the most effective and efficient strategies for marketing to your target market, for example. This could include online marketing efforts and strategies for drawing attention and publicity from others, but I would have to start working with you to know for sure whether this would even be the best route to take. Thanks for the question.

**rlmedia** · 12-31-2007 10:20 PM

I have a lot knowledge in the design and create area but I'm lacking the knowledge to get my project to potential viewers.

Do you have a portfolio I could see which would help me out alot.

Thanks

**Hovad** · 12-31-2007 10:51 PM

I would possibly be interested too. I've read several of your posts on the forum and can tell that you have a fair knowledge of certain issues that I would need help with. Seeing a portfolio would be a great way for me to determine if it'd be worth your time and my money.

Thanks.

**rlmedia** · 12-31-2007 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Hovad

I would possibly be interested too. I've read several of your posts on the forum and can tell that you have a fair knowledge of certain issues that I would need help with. Seeing a portfolio would be a great way for me to determine if it'd be worth your time and my money.

Thanks.

RLMEDIA 2007 - 2008 - it's fairly new though.

**rlmedia** · 12-31-2007 11:39 PM

lol thanks, I'll take is a compliment :P. I've still gotta work on it - It was just to show a people what I can do but I got a new inspiration in my head on how to reshape it

so expect more blurring :P

**BusinessAdviser** · 01-01-2008 12:36 AM

Thanks for the advice, Nick. I appreciate it. Anyone else have thoughts?

**rlmedia** · 01-01-2008 12:38 AM

I would so take that advertising as i really need it but it's not free :/

**rogercbryan** · 01-01-2008 12:35 PM

I think there is a real need for some sort of consulting service for people on this site. There are a lot of great ideas floating around, but not a lot of organization. If you had a service that helped people to organize their thoughts and to present their proposals in a more professional manner I know I would be happy to take a look at the proposals. I’m still looking for the right investments. I’m just getting a little frustrated with the information people keeping sending me.

**BusinessAdviser** · 01-01-2008 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by rogercbryan

I think there is a real need for some sort of consulting service for people on this site. There are a lot of great ideas floating around, but not a lot of organization. If you had a service that helped people to organize their thoughts and to present their proposals in a more professional manner I know I would be happy to take a look at the proposals. I’m still looking for the right investments. I’m just getting a little frustrated with the information people keeping sending me.

That's exactly what I'm able to do, but it seems as though people just aren't as interested as I would have expected. I don't know whether it is the fact that entrepreneurs just want to and think they can do everything on their own or the fact that they don't understand that they could REALLY use some help (which is very evident in the vast majority of young entrepreneurs). It's really raising some interesting issues as to WHY those most in need of help fail to accept it when it is made available and affordable to them. Very interesting.

**BusinessAdviser** · 01-01-2008 01:19 PM

To add to that, I'm confused as to how young entrepreneurs expect to get the financing necessary to succeed when they do not know how to properly present their idea or company in a way that would even ALLOW them to get financing. Why not get help in doing so?

**closedbook** · 01-01-2008 03:10 PM

Jonathan,

Though I haven't been on YE in a while, I know that you provide quality responses and posts in the forums. Maybe talk a little about your background as a consultant and an entrepreneur, or maybe provide a link to your signature. I'd like to use some sort of consulting services once I actually get a business running, especially marketing, idea development, and monetization with the least amount of capital.