Don’t wait for 2026 — start building your business now. In this podcast, I’ll walk you through the essential steps from my “Zero to Revenue: Entrepreneurship Essentials” course — how to go from idea to action, validate your concept, and land your first clients before the year ends. Whether you’re still brainstorming ideas or already testing the waters, this session will help you clarify your next move and start 2026 with real momentum.

I’m going live for two full hours — answering your questions about starting and growing a consulting or service business. If you’re: Thinking of starting but unsure what to do next, Feeling anxious or stuck after trying a few things, Or just want a reality check — real, kind, and unfiltered — this session is for you. Bring your toughest questions. Nothing off limits. Let’s turn confusion into clarity!

Most new consultants only think in terms of billable hours — but that’s a trap.  In this podcast, I’ll show you 7 hidden revenue streams (starting with white-labeling) that can help you grow faster, reduce risk, and build a consulting business that lasts.  If you’re just starting out or struggling to find traction, this session is for you.

Every consultant is driving in one of three lanes. Most don’t even realize it. 1. DIY (Do It Yourself): You sell people a guide or template, and they do all the work on their own. Cheap, easy to scale, but you make less money per sale. 2. DWY (Done With You): You work with the client. They do the work, but you coach, guide, and support them along the way. Feels personal, pays more, but your time is limited. 3. DFY (Done For You): You do everything for the client. They just pay and relax. Pays the fastest and the most, but it’s heavy unless you have a team. The lane you choose doesn’t just decide your workload. It decides your income, lifestyle, and the type of clients who trust you. But most consultants drift without ever choosing.  They burn energy switching lanes, never fully owning one… and wonder why money feels unpredictable. This week’s podcast is about making that choice clear. I’ll show you: The 3 consulting lanes every new consultant must know When to use each one How top consultants evolve from lane to lane to deliver value to their clients and build wealth and freedom Because if you can’t explain what lane you’re in, clients won’t trust you with the keys.

You may think your biggest threat is your competition, but no, it’s not. You may think it’s rejection, the ‘no’s you’ll hear when you pitch.  But it’s not that either. Your real enemy is much quieter… and much deadlier. It’s your runway. The sand slipping out of your hourglass while you’re still planning, still perfecting, still waiting for the “right” moment.  That’s what kills more businesses than competition or rejection ever will. I’ll walk you through a tough but simple system to: Develop your 6-month runway Stretch your runway long enough to actually scale Weigh the pros and cons of self-funding, borrowing, or bringing in partners We’ll cover both mindset and mechanics — so you can stop spinning and start moving. Let’s make sure you don’t run out of time — or money — before your business has a chance to grow.

One day, it’s AI. The next day, tariffs.  The day after that….some new disruption. Headlines change fast.  But here’s what doesn’t: Every disruption hides a business opportunity. I’m no tariff expert, but I do have expertise (and a track record :)) in spotting the business hiding in the chaos.  Whether the trigger is tech, regulation, or the environment, these shifts create new pain… and new demand. But let's focus on the real question:  How will you respond? Most will read the headlines, grumble, and move on.  But entrepreneurs?  We look for the gap and step in. Shifts like this create new demand. And where there's demand, there's an opening for you to step in and make an impact.  I’ll walk you through how to do just that: How to recognize disruptive shifts How to link your skills to the pain that these shifts create Real-world examples of turning change into paying clients  This isn’t theory, it’s a method I’ve used again and again. And I’ll show you how to find that gap and turn this disruption into your advantage.

In consulting, 10 + 5 might be the most valuable equation you’ll ever learn. Not because it adds up to 15. But because it finally turns “I think I could…”  into  “Here’s what I do, here’s who I help, and here’s how I make money.” Here’s the truth most people won’t tell you: Consulting doesn’t fall apart because of lack of skills. It falls apart in the space between what you know… and what the market wants. That’s where my 10+5 Map comes in. 10 real conversations with potential clients 5 competitor scans 1 clear, compelling offer with proof behind it It’s the tool I give to every new consultant I mentor, because it’s the fastest way I know to go from fuzzy ideas to real traction. And this livestream is a warmup, a prelude.  A live sneak peek into one of the most important frameworks featured in my upcoming free video: “The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Consulting Business in 2025” That full 50-minute video walks you through everything: How to build and price your offer How to define your ideal client How to land your first paying client And how to build a consulting business that actually lasts If you’ve been stuck between “I’m capable” and “I can close,”  this might be the shift you’ve been waiting for.

You’d be shocked how many talented consultants I’ve seen ghost a lead at the exact moment things were about to close. Not because they didn’t care, but because they didn’t realize: Responsiveness is your first deliverable. Before they trust your offer… they test your follow-up. And if you fail that test? Doesn’t matter how good your pitch is. You’re done. In this livestream, we’re going deep on: Why responsiveness isn’t just polite, it’s your sales engine How I use the 2-1-2 Rule to build trust before the first invoice The invisible cues that make clients think “this vendor is sharp” or “this vendor is sloppy” Plus: an open Q&A where we’ll workshop your bottlenecks If you’ve ever lost a deal and couldn’t figure out why… This might be the missing piece.

You can generate 6 or 7 figures in revenue and still feel broke, still anxious, still stuck in a cycle of high income, low control. And if you're just getting started, chasing financial freedom? The chaos often starts early. Because here’s the truth: Financial chaos doesn’t disappear when your revenue grows. It just hides behind a prettier bank balance. The real threat isn’t lack of money, it’s leaks in your systems. Gaps in your judgment and habits you haven’t outgrown. In this livestream, I’ll break down the invisible patterns that quietly sabotage financial independence- whether you’re just getting traction or already earning six or seven figures.. And more importantly, how to escape them. If you’re working harder than ever, or gearing up for your first breakthrough, but somehow still can’t breathe? This is for you.

Overnight success is often 5+ years in the making. If you’re waiting for fireworks today… …. you’ll miss the sparks that are already trying to ignite. So many would-be founders get stuck right here: - They’ve seen smart people fail, wondering, “Why should I be any different?” - They want to build something, but fear what their boss (or company) might think. - They’re frozen, not because they don’t want it, but because they don’t know where to start. If that’s you, this livestream is your flashlight. Together, we’ll learn how to: - Launch on the side without burning bridges at your job - Validate an idea without overthinking or overplanning - Get your first customer (without fancy marketing) - Overcome the fear of failure by getting into motion You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start on purpose, and without shame. Come learn how.

🥋 Kickstart your consulting business today: https://www.blackbeltstartup.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sometimes, you’re doing what looks smart, just at the wrong time. You say no to smaller clients too early. You hold off on raising prices. You niche down too far. You stick to your original idea even when the data says pivot. These decisions sound strategic, but when done too soon or held too tightly, they quietly stall your growth. Not with a crash, but with a slow loss of momentum, your pipeline thins. Progress fades. You feel like you’re working hard but getting nowhere. You’re not lost, just stuck in patterns that no longer fit where you are. This livestream breaks down why it happens and what to do when smart moves start holding you back. 💻 Check out the video on our website: https://www.startupwithferas.com/how-to-fix-failing-consulting-business/

Most new consultants never get stuck on strategy. They get stuck waiting to feel “ready.” They overthink and overplan. And quietly delay the launch for months. Here’s the truth: Perfection is a trap. And action before clarity is often the only way through. In this livestream, I’ll walk you through: 1. Why launching before you’re ready is the smartest move you can make 2. Why overplanning might be the #1 thing holding your business back 3. What a $7.5K mistake taught one consultant about follow-up 4. How to build trust with clients by leading with empathy If you’ve been stuck in “prep mode,” this is your sign. Show up. Take notes. Let’s move forward — imperfectly. 💻 Check out the video on our website: https://www.startupwithferas.com/how-to-start-consulting-business-before-ready/

Smart consultants don’t grow by doing more. They grow by doing less of the wrong things. In this live stream, I’ll show you: 1. How to spot what’s draining your time and energy 2. The simple framework I used to reclaim 10+ hours a week 3. How to delegate, automate, and streamline operations—even on a tight budget 4. Why acting like a CEO (not an employee) is the first step to scaling We’ll walk through my Founder Schedule Optimizer live so you can leave this session with a clear action plan.

When the economy dips, big business hits the brakes. They slash budgets, lay off talent, and pause R&D. This retreat creates a massive opening for nimble entrepreneurs. Service businesses, in particular, are perfectly positioned to take advantage, with less risk than product-based businesses. Why? Because service businesses come with: • Lower startup costs • Faster path to cash • Flexible offers that meet shifting demand • The ability to serve recession-proof sectors like healthcare, education, and financial advisory, among others. In this livestream, I’ll share how you can turn this uncertainty into your biggest entrepreneurial opportunity.

Two weeks ago, I posted on Reddit and it blew up! I got 300+ questions and spent 10 hours answering them! Here are the hottest topics: — Balancing time while scaling — Finding high-ticket clients — Monetization & retention — Increasing conversion rates These are real challenges I’ve faced and solved, so I’ll share the strategies that helped me.

If you’re stuck, join me this week to get your questions answered. Whether you’re thinking of starting a business or are struggling with one, ask what’s on your mind, and I’ll answer. If you don’t have burning questions, tune in to see what other founders are struggling with. Some questions I’ll address: -How and where to start a business. -1 year into it and barely making it, what to do next? -Should you niche down or go broad? -Struggling to land high-value clients? -Not sure how to stand out in a crowded market? -I own a construction company that specializes in exteriors, and another electrical business. I started this with a goal to sell in 5 years. How would you scale? -Well I work a full time job so I don’t have time to sell as much as I’d like. I do as much as I can outside of work. Thoughts on how to maximize the time I have for lead generation? -My business constraint would definitely be generating leads. I spent 9,000 in my first year on Facebook ads for my business and got back maybe half that in client retainers.  -I struggle with finding freelancers to give tasks, marketing and increasing prices, even though the competition charges more For a similar product. 🥋 Kickstart your consulting business today: https://www.blackbeltstartup.com/ Let's connect! 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferasalhlou/

🥋 Kickstart your consulting business today: https://www.blackbeltstartup.com/  When I started my first business, I thought my skills would speak for themselves. They didn’t… I had no tagline. No strong presence. Just a flimsy, forgettable business card. I realized two things early on: 1- Image matters: branding isn’t just for big companies–there are basic but essential branding any small business needs 2- Branding isn’t about looking good—it’s about being remembered, trusted, and chosen. We don’t buy from businesses. We buy from people and brands we believe in. Let's connect! 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferasalhlou/ 💻 Check out the video on our website: https://www.startupwithferas.com/your-business-looks-amateur/

🥋 Kickstart your consulting business today: https://www.blackbeltstartup.com/  Dragging people back to the office won’t fix a broken work culture. I learned that back in 2013. When two key team members had to relocate. I faced a decision: lose great people or adapt. I chose to adapt. We went remote before it was cool—way before the world was forced to. Once we had two people working remotely, I thought, Why not hire the best talent, no matter where they are? We made mistakes. We fumbled a lot. But we figured it out. We got intentional about how we built culture, trust, and productivity. And it worked. Since then, I’ve built three companies—all remote. If you’re an early-stage entrepreneur wondering how to make remote work work, this episode is for you. Let me show you how I made remote work not just viable but a massive advantage. Let's connect! 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferasalhlou/

Your business can grow by 1,700% in 3 years. It sounds impossible, but research by Gallup states that "high delegators" achieve an average three-year growth rate of 1,751%. That's 112% higher than those who struggle to delegate. So, how can you become a delegating queen? In this live stream, we’ll talk about how to delegate tasks effectively without losing control. YouTube: @StartUpWithFeras

Your best clients are slipping away while you're 'busy being busy.' If you focus too much on one thing, you risk damaging another. Being a business owner isn’t about running from one thing to the next; it’s about getting what’s critical out of the door with the best quality possible. Let's connect! 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferasalhlou/ YouTube: @StartUpWithFeras