Small Business Strategy, Finance & Communication

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. You should consider two major factors: cost and value.

Relative to the cost, what is the real value you are likely to get out of the service provider? Is there a more financially attractive alternative? There are many consultants and coaches that can provide esoteric and vacuous ideas, which eventually amounts to little in the way of actionable insight or analysis.

On the other hand, there are almost no businesses of any size that realize meaningful success without external help and expertise. Will the service provider deliver objective, honest and clear-eyed analysis? Or will they simply fill the role of the Yes Man, for a fee? Answering these kinds of questions will help you decide which service providers to use.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Two major reasons:
(1) Affordability. For the level of quality, my services are particularly attractive to those for whom money is tight. Small businesses and micro-businesses need to stretch every dollar they can, and my rates reflect that.
(2) My approach. I don't waste time on fancy rhetoric or the "buzzword" of the week from the business schools, and at the end charge you through the nose for my infinite wisdom. Instead, my approach is very results-oriented and straightforward. My first-hand experience in the trenches of small business, along with my formal study of business, economics and management, enables me to tailor my approach to the unique challenges facing the entrepreneur.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Helping passionate, energetic and bright entrepreneurs and small business owners realize their goals. I enjoy learning all about their projects, their ideas and their innovative solutions. And I especially enjoy contributing directly to their success by giving them the analysis, insight, expertise and hands-on work they need to add value and get results. I have a passion for problem-solving, for understanding the challenges facing a project, and exploring creative and out-of-the-box solutions for them.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Q. What about your fees?
A. My fees vary depending on the exact package of services you need. I am happy to start out with a smaller relationship, at a low rate, and see where things go from there. My clients generally find that, although money can be tight, the investment is worth it. My experience in small business and my approach to problem solving have proven to be highly valuable.

Q. How can you help my particular business?
A. Part of the process is learning all about you, where you have been, and where you are going. Only then can I make the best contribution. While implementing tried-and-true principles of business success, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. Every business, and its set of challenges, is unique.