10 Biggest Mistakes Consultants Make Trying To Scale Their Business

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What does it really take to grow a consulting business from $800,000 a year to nearly $4 million in annual revenue? Well, for Adam Cooper, founder of Ascent, the answer wasn't simply working harder. It was finding the right people, building the right systems, and learning to charge for the value that his firm creates. Adam first joined me on the podcast way back in Episode 12. Well, a lot has changed since then. In this episode, we unpack the key decisions that helped him break through the million-dollar ceiling, how he built a team that could both sell and deliver without him, and the pricing shifts that took his engagements from $5,000 to six figures and beyond. We explore the systems he uses to protect profit margins as his team grows. And if you're looking to scale your consulting business beyond yourself, Adam's journey offers a powerful roadmap. Enjoy it. Welcome to the Consulting Success podcast. I'm your host Michael Zipursky, and in this podcast, we're going to dive deep into the world of elite consultants where you're going to learn the strategies, tactics and mindset to grow a highly profitable and successful consulting business.Before we dive into today's episode. Are you ready to grow and take your consulting business to the next level? Many of the clients that we work with started as podcast listeners just like you, and a consistent theme they have shared with us is that they wished they had reached out sooner about our Clarity Coaching Program rather than waiting for that perfect time. If you're interested in learning more about how we help consultants just like you, we're offering a free, no pressure growth session call. On this call, we're going to dive deep into your goals, challenges and situation and outline a plan that is tailor made just for you. We will also help you identify where you may be making costly and time consuming mistakes to ensure you're benefiting from the proven methods and strategies to grow your consulting business. So don't wait years to find clarity. If you're committed and serious about reaching a new level of success in your consulting business, go ahead and schedule your free growth session. Get in touch today. Just visit Consulting Success - Grow to book your free call today.Adam Cooper is the Founder and CEO of Ascent Consulting. With over two decades of experience in engineering, business, and construction management, he founded the firm to give back by helping contractors grow. Adam began as an electrical apprentice while pursuing an engineering degree, eventually reaching senior operational roles at top U.S. electrical contractors and owning three electrical companies. He holds a GA Class II Unrestricted Electrical Contractors License, is an EC&M Magazine contributing writer, and was honored by Marquis Who's Who in 2024 for Construction Business Consulting. Connect with Adam Cooper: LinkedIn.com/in/adamcooperDiscover more about Ascent Consulting: ascentconsults.com

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What happens to your consulting business when clients believe that AI can do the work themselves? That's one of the biggest shifts Dan Bernoske is seeing firsthand, as many other consulting business owners are, as well. As the founder of Cortado Group, Dan helps private-equity-backed companies to accelerate revenue growth, and he is watching AI fundamentally change how clients buy consulting services. You likely are too.Well, in this episode, we explore why information alone is becoming less valuable and why clients increasingly want implementation rather than just another PowerPoint presentation or another deliverable, and how consultants can adapt their delivery to meet these changing expectations. Dan also shares why his two biggest competitors aren't other consulting firms, but clients choosing to do nothing or do the work themselves.If you're thinking about how to position your expertise, evolve your services, and stay relevant as AI reshapes consulting, this episode will give you plenty to consider. Enjoy it. Welcome to the Consulting Success podcast. I'm your host Michael Zipursky, and in this podcast, we're going to dive deep into the world of elite consultants where you're going to learn the strategies, tactics and mindset to grow a highly profitable and successful consulting business.Before we dive into today's episode. Are you ready to grow and take your consulting business to the next level? Many of the clients that we work with started as podcast listeners just like you, and a consistent theme they have shared with us is that they wished they had reached out sooner about our Clarity Coaching Program rather than waiting for that perfect time. If you're interested in learning more about how we help consultants just like you, we're offering a free, no pressure growth session call. On this call, we're going to dive deep into your goals, challenges and situation and outline a plan that is tailor made just for you. We will also help you identify where you may be making costly and time consuming mistakes to ensure you're benefiting from the proven methods and strategies to grow your consulting business. So don't wait years to find clarity. If you're committed and serious about reaching a new level of success in your consulting business, go ahead and schedule your free growth session. Get in touch today. Just visit Consulting Success - Grow to book your free call today.Dan Bernoske is the Founder of Cortado Group, a consulting firm built on his vision to unite skilled experts to lead meaningful change. Leveraging his product management background in Fortune 500s and startups, Dan applies productization to consulting, creating a team of data-driven sales, marketing, and operations experts. A Six Sigma Green Belt and GE Crotonville alum, he previously helped launch Nextel’s mobile data services. Today, he drives GTM success for clients through Strategic Advisory, Interim Leadership, and Due Diligence. Connect with Dan Bernoske: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbernoske/Discover more about the Cortado Group: https://cortadogroup.com/

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today! www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

How do you enter an established market with no brand, compete against legacy firms, and build a consulting business that actually grows year after year? Tim Viands did it by going where the incumbents were weakest. After spending twenty-five years inside independent schools, Tim founded IndySchool Consultancy because he believed the traditional executive search model was adding burden for clients instead of reducing it.Rather than simply selling access to candidates, he built a more relational model around the work that happens before a candidate ever reaches the client.And so in this episode, you're going to discover how Tim found his initial market position, turned his methodology into a proprietary framework, and built a seven-person team capable of delivering beyond the founder.If you want to differentiate your expertise, systemize what you do, and create a consulting firm that can grow beyond you, you will enjoy this conversation.Welcome to the Consulting Success podcast. I'm your host Michael Zipursky, and in this podcast, we're going to dive deep into the world of elite consultants where you're going to learn the strategies, tactics and mindset to grow a highly profitable and successful consulting business.Before we dive into today's episode. Are you ready to grow and take your consulting business to the next level? Many of the clients that we work with started as podcast listeners just like you, and a consistent theme they have shared with us is that they wished they had reached out sooner about our Clarity Coaching Program rather than waiting for that perfect time. If you're interested in learning more about how we help consultants just like you, we're offering a free, no pressure growth session call. On this call, we're going to dive deep into your goals, challenges and situation and outline a plan that is tailor made just for you. We will also help you identify where you may be making costly and time consuming mistakes to ensure you're benefiting from the proven methods and strategies to grow your consulting business.So don't wait years to find clarity. If you're committed and serious about reaching a new level of success in your consulting business, go ahead and schedule your free growth session. Get in touch today. Just visit Consulting Success - Grow to book your free call today.Tim Viands brings over two decades of experience to independent education as a former teacher, administrator, and Head of School. After successfully leading boarding and day schools toward sustainable growth, Tim founded IndySchool Consultancy. Driven by his own frustrations as a client of traditional search firms, he pioneered a transformative Competency Based Hiring model and The d4 Process for strategic planning. Today, Tim leverages his vast expertise in international education and innovative learning models to help independent schools thrive and secure top-tier leadership.Connect with Tim Viands: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-viands-05371219/Discover more about IndySchool Consultancy: https://indyschoolconsultancy.com/

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today! www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

What if the biggest thing holding back your consulting business isn't your expertise, your offer, or even your marketing, but the relationships you're not actively building? In this episode, I'm talking with Stephanie Wachman, founder of Symetree Strategies, who has spent fifteen years building a consulting business around leadership, culture, coaching, and organizational development. Stephanie shares how she went from believing a website and a stack of business cards would bring in clients to learning that real growth happens when you get out from behind your computer and build relationships with the people who can actually move your business forward. You're going to discover how she turns small engagements into long-term corporate relationships, gets access to senior decision makers, and uses directness and generosity to create opportunities. If you want to build a consulting business driven by trust, relationships, and reputation, you're going to get a lot from this episode. Enjoy.Welcome to the Consulting Success podcast. I'm your host Michael Zipursky, and in this podcast, we're going to dive deep into the world of elite consultants where you're going to learn the strategies, tactics and mindset to grow a highly profitable and successful consulting business.Before we dive into today's episode. Are you ready to grow and take your consulting business to the next level? Many of the clients that we work with started as podcast listeners just like you, and a consistent theme they have shared with us is that they wished they had reached out sooner about our Clarity Coaching Program rather than waiting for that perfect time. If you're interested in learning more about how we help consultants just like you, we're offering a free, no pressure growth session call. On this call, we're going to dive deep into your goals, challenges and situation and outline a plan that is tailor made just for you. We will also help you identify where you may be making costly and time consuming mistakes to ensure you're benefiting from the proven methods and strategies to grow your consulting business. So don't wait years to find clarity. If you're committed and serious about reaching a new level of success in your consulting business, go ahead and schedule your free growth session. Get in touch today. Just visit Consulting Success - Grow to book your free call today.Stephanie Wachman is the Founder and CEO of Symetree Strategies, an executive coach, speaker, and bestselling author. With over 20 years of experience, she advises Fortune 500 executives and professional firms across 23 countries. Rooted in behavioral science and neuroscience, Stephanie’s work empowers leaders to enhance executive presence, build high-performing cultures, and drive strategic growth. She is a Co-founder of The Entourage Leadership Group for Women and the author of OWN Your Time and Sell Without Being Salesy.Connect with Stephanie Wachman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniewachman/Discover more about Symetree Strategies: https://stephaniewachman.com/

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today! www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

There is a dangerous point in growing a business when you are making enough money to get comfortable, but not enough to truly scale. Cameron Hemphill has seen entrepreneurs get stuck there again and again. Instead of reinvesting to buy back their time, hire expertise, and build infrastructure, they protect their current income and unintentionally become the bottleneck.Cameron is a consultant, operator, and investor who has worked with hundreds of businesses and built a highly specialized company serving more than 1,200 medical aesthetics practices before successfully exiting.In this episode, you are going to discover why knowing your numbers may matter more than trusting your gut, how specialization can become a powerful competitive advantage, and why saying ‘no’ to the wrong opportunities is critical to building a scalable business. We also explore what AI means for consultants and why the people who combine technology with discipline, focus, and real-world expertise may have the biggest advantage going forward.If you are looking to build a consulting business that can grow beyond you, this conversation will give you plenty to think about.Enjoy.Welcome to the Consulting Success podcast. I'm your host Michael Zipursky, and in this podcast, we're going to dive deep into the world of elite consultants where you're going to learn the strategies, tactics and mindset to grow a highly profitable and successful consulting business.Before we dive into today's episode. Are you ready to grow and take your consulting business to the next level? Many of the clients that we work with started as podcast listeners just like you, and a consistent theme they have shared with us is that they wished they had reached out sooner about our Clarity Coaching Program rather than waiting for that perfect time. If you're interested in learning more about how we help consultants just like you, we're offering a free, no pressure growth session call. On this call, we're going to dive deep into your goals, challenges and situation and outline a plan that is tailor made just for you. We will also help you identify where you may be making costly and time consuming mistakes to ensure you're benefiting from the proven methods and strategies to grow your consulting business.So don't wait years to find clarity. If you're committed and serious about reaching a new level of success in your consulting business, go ahead and schedule your free growth session. Get in touch today. Just visit Consulting Success - Grow to book your free call today.Cameron Hemphill is a visionary entrepreneur, consultant, and investor specializing in scaling medical aesthetics practices. As the founder of Growth99, he pioneered data-driven marketing strategies and automation, growing the firm to serve over 1,200 clinics before a successful private equity exit. With an extensive background in SaaS and CRM technology, Cameron now helps practice owners optimize profitability and achieve financial freedom. Known as "The Medical Millionaire," he is a sought-after speaker dedicated to teaching disciplined business growth and wealth creation.Connect with Cameron Hemphill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronhemphill/Discover more about Cameron and his work: CameronHemphill.com