In 2018, SBA reported:

• 30.7 million small businesses in the U.S. (SBA defines small business as those with less than 500 employees)
• 99.9% of businesses in the U.S. are considered small businesses
• 98.2% of those have less than 100 employees
• 80.9% of those have less than 20 employees

Millennials and Generation Z are 118% more likely to own a business than baby boomers (Salesforce 2019).

Even with the difficulties small businesses are facing due to the pandemic, consultants will continue to be able to make money working with small businesses.

You can make a tangible difference with small businesses.

 The need to understand, initiate, and manage change has escalated. This affects small businesses because they’re having to change all the time for survival reasons to become profitable. 

They are looking for outside help because there often isn’t anybody inside who understands change and can offer an objective perspective. 

Starting with an initial engagement and developing trust with your client positions you well to deepen the relationship and offer additional services over a longer term. With just a few of these types of retainer relationships a year, you can make a very good living.

To make money, you need to be clear about what you have to offer, who you want to offer it to, and make sure you understand and speak to their specific needs.

Working with small businesses allows you to develop significant relationships with your key clients.

These relationships will not only be personally and professionally rewarding, but they will undoubtedly lead to more work, allowing you to build a sustainable, successful consulting business.