Starting and Building Your Consulting Business

The consulting and professional services industry is booming, creating a prime opportunity for professionals to turn their expertise into a flexible, highly marketable, and rewarding career. In the United States alone, the consulting market is valued at $250 billion and is projected to grow three times faster than the general labor market through 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

As demand for specialized, independent expertise rises, this program helps you define your niche, sharpen your value proposition, and build a competitive edge as a consultant or trusted advisor.

Designed for professionals looking to launch or expand a consulting or advisory practice, this program equips you with the core business skills needed to attract clients, identify high-potential opportunities, and position yourself where demand is growing. By integrating your subject-matter expertise with practical tools for building and sustaining a practice, you’ll be prepared to strengthen your market positioning and navigate a highly competitive landscape.

The program provides a strong foundation to lead with confidence and create meaningful, lasting impact — whether consulting is your primary focus or a strategic next chapter in your career.

Topics Covered

In addition to deep expertise in your field, starting a consulting business or professional practice requires knowledge of client development, sales and marketing, contracting, pricing models, and other operational details. The program will cover topics including:

• Determining your ideal consulting or advisory niche
• Effectively communicating your value to prospective clients
• Using content and digital marketing strategies to engage with prospects
• Choosing the appropriate billing model for each client
• Drafting and reviewing engagement letters, service agreements, and consulting contracts
• Closing the deal and negotiating terms
• Leading client engagements and managing long-term relationships
• Knowing when and how to add additional consultants or associates
• Identifying the investments that you should and shouldn’t make

Benefits of the Building Your Consulting Business Program

This program mitigates the uncertainty of launching or expanding a consulting or advisory practice, providing you with a proven roadmap for turning your expertise into a sustainable business. By the end of this program, you will be able to:

• Build accurate sales funnels and develop strong referral networks that consistently generate new business.
• Price your services with confidence using value-based strategies that reflect the impact you deliver.
• Differentiate your practice with an integrated marketing strategy that clearly communicates your unique value proposition.
• Protect your business and revenue through well-structured engagement letters and contracts that meet professional standards.
• Anticipate demand, manage client expectations, and recognize the right moment to expand your team.

These clear, actionable skills will prepare you to launch or elevate your practice with confidence and long-term success.

All participants will earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education.

Who Should Enroll in the Building Your Consulting Business Program

This program is designed for current and aspiring independent consultants, as well as service-based professionals who want to launch, grow, or strengthen a client-facing advisory practice. It is especially relevant for expert advisors such as:

• Accountants and CPAs
• Lawyers and Legal Consultants
• Financial Planners and Wealth Advisors
• HR Professionals and Recruiters
• Executive Coaches
• Other service-based advisors

This program is also invaluable for professionals charged with building or expanding an advisory practice within a pre-existing organization.

Attendees should have a minimum of five years of professional experience.

“I recently completed two courses with the great Shawn O’Connor. I run a consulting company and was able to apply most of the things from the course very quickly. Surveys from our clients have given us better ratings and we have achieved new and more significant contracts.

—Stefan Fijala, Managing Director/Consultant, Wacky Advisors