WHAT TO CONSIDERWHEN STARTING ACONSULTING FIRM

MATTHEW REDINGTONFounder of Gangstir: Restaurant Consultancies

Starting your own consulting firm canbe an exciting prospect. Owning your

own firm allows you to work in anindustry about which you are

passionate, and to make money on yourown terms.

However, getting a consulting firm offof the ground is a difficult task. You

need to have the right experience, begreat at networking, and know how to

sell yourself.

So, if you're thinking about startingyour own consulting business, you

need to ask yourself...

Am I Qualified?

To be a consultant, you must be an expert in your field. Thisinvolves having spent several years within the field, learning

the ins and outs of all of its facets.

Am I Social?

Being a consultant is 80% networking. In order to be successful,you must be comfortable socializing with strangers.

Do I Have Realistic Goals for myFuture?

Starting your own consulting business takes a lot of time,effort, and sleepless nights. If your current living situation does

not allow for most of your time and energy to be spentelsewhere, then you are not ready to open a consulting

business.

Can You Be Objective?

When consulting, you will be hired by businesses to identifyproblems, point out what they are doing wrong, and provide

advice. In order to do this effectively, you have to be asobjective as possible.

Are You a Good Teacher?

A lot of consulting is just going into businesses and teachingthem techniques specific to your field.

Am I Organized?

Any business owner needs to be incredibly organized in order tokeep track of clients, progress, and projects.

For more advice, check outEntrepreneur.com!