Managers who have to juggle complex business projects are under a lot of stress. This is why project management consultants are so valuable. They use their expertise within a specific field to help other businesses and firms to develop and manage a project. It reduces the stress managers experience and helps a business complete a project on schedule and within its budget.
Consultants typically assist upper level management in overseeing a project from its beginning to its completion, providing a “soup to nuts” service that’s often very “hands on.”
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Start a project management consulting business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Project Management Consulting Business
- Form your Project Management Consulting Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Project Management Consulting Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Project Management Consulting Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Project Management Consulting Business
- Get Project Management Consulting Business Insurance
- Define your Project Management Consulting Business Brand
- Create your Project Management Consulting Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your project management consulting business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Project Management Consulting Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a project management consulting business?
A project management consulting business is a low overhead business. You only need access to a computer, a phone, and a small office to run this business. You can start for less than $1,000.
What are the ongoing expenses for a project management consulting business?
Ongoing expenses are minimal and include costs for office space, computer maintenance and software maintenance and upgrades for project management applications. These costs may range from several hundred dollars per month to several thousand dollars, depending on how large the agency is.
Who is the target market?
Target market for this service are reasonably successful businesses that need help planning and completing complex business projects.
How does a project management consulting business make money?
Project management consulting businesses make money by charging clients a fee for service (per project) or a per-hour fee for consulting. Service contracts are common in some industries, but many businesses hire consultants on a per project or even a per-month basis.
How much can you charge customers?
Project management consultants can charge anywhere between $100 and $500 per hour for consulting. Consultants can also charge on a “per-project” basis, with fees ranging from $1,000 to several hundred thousand dollars.
How much profit can a project management consulting business make?
Project management consultants can make anywhere from $50,000 per year per consultant to $1 million or more in fees for large projects with large corporate clients.
How can you make your business more profitable?
If you want to make the business even more profitable, consider partnering with other non-competing consultants. For example, a project management consultant may need the help of a marketing consultant, a customer service consultant, or some other outside agency which can implement some or all the solutions your agency proposes for your client. By becoming a “one stop shop,” you can simplify the process for your clients, making it more convenient to do business with you.
This, in turn, can command higher consulting fees.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your project management consulting business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your project management consulting business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
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Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a project management consulting business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Certificate of Occupancy
Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a project management consulting business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your project management consulting business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
Services Contract
Project management consulting businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Project Management Consulting Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Project Management Consulting Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a project management consulting business
Promote your business locally through networking, local pay-per-click advertising, website advertising, email marketing, and direct mail. Once you get your first few clients, you can work off referrals.
How to keep customers coming back
Attract more clients through referral business. This will become your main source of leads and clients. In addition to this, you can retain existing clients by providing exceptional customer service and by making projects profitable for your clients.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
This business is perfect for seasoned business owners and advisors who have extensive experience in business management, project management, and who perform well under stress. Because many high level business projects are under strict deadlines, consultants must also be excellent at managing their time well.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a project management consulting business?
A typical day at a project management consulting firm consists of meeting with clients, reviewing a project’s scope, analyzing key performance indicators, and assessing the viability of various projects a business wants to undertake.
Consultants must perform detailed analysis of a project and submit reports to management and sometimes the board of directors to get approval for funding and even the project itself.
A project management consulting business may juggle many different projects at once, relying on an organized system of assistants and templates to complete various project milestones.
Consulting companies must also manage client expectations, behaviors, and attitudes toward the project and set realistic expectations about completion times and budgets.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful project management consulting business?
Business consultants are highly specialized in their education. They often have extensive experience in business management, project management, and financial management. Project managers must have excellent time management and communication skills. Finally, the consultant must understand all aspects of the project management process that most corporations use.
What is the growth potential for a project management consulting business?
This type of consulting business can grow into a large enterprise, but most businesses are run as small agencies. This is because project management consulting is a highly specialized industry where only one or a few individuals have the expertise to advice a business through all stages of a project. Therefore, it’s difficult to scale this business.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a project management consulting business?
Work with local businesses that you already have relationships with. Consider approaching local businesses and offering them complimentary services in exchange for testimonials or referrals for successfully completed projects. You may have to offer discounted rates until your name recognition is enough to command higher fees.
How and when to build a team
Building a team isn’t necessary, but some agencies decide to hire assistants to handle various aspects of the consulting process. Sometimes, an assistant can reduce some of the workload of a consultant by performing routine tasks, working from a template. This can save clients money and simultaneously increase total revenue for the consulting business by streamlining various processes.
For example, the project management process is mostly the same for all businesses. Initial interviews reveal basic information, like costs, project goals, scope, and budgets. This information can be gathered and analyzed by an assistant before a consultant comes in to take over the project. Maintaining a “pipeline” of leads this way, where assistants are completing the initial phases of the consulting work, helps optimize workflow for the consulting business.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
- International Project Management Association
- Project Management Institute (Certification)
- IMC USA(Certification)
Real World Examples
- Blue Beyond Consulting-Castro Valley, CA
- PM Solutions-Chadds Ford, PA
- Line Of Sight- Ellicott City, NJ