How to Start a Green Business Consulting Firm

Business Overview:

If you’ve got an interest in the strategies and solutions that can help sustain our natural resources, green business consulting might be the industry for you. A green business consulting firm works hand-in-hand with existing businesses to review and revise (or even overhaul) the company’s production or processing methods in order to make them more environmentally conscious. In other words, you teach businesses how to make less of an impact on the environment in everything they do—whether it’s a manufacturing plant, a newspaper printer, or a technology company—and as a result, they either save money or even make money. It’s an awesome job, and an awesome responsibility, and it requires more than just an entrepreneurial spirit. In order to be a consultant or even just to consider a business idea like this, you need to be talented both in business and environmental science, and you need to be able to develop viable solutions for the businesses that hire you. Unless you have a degree in these fields, you will likely need training and mentoring from green business consultants who are finding success in this field. Luckily, there are many training programs and guidebooks that can help you get your credentials in order and your business up and running. Aside from preparing yourself to enter the industry, there are few startup costs associated with running a business like this, especially if you plan on starting from your home-based office. Once you get your feet wet and you have client recommendations under your belt, the sky is the limit to the number of businesses you can help find their sustainability—a win-win-win situation!

A Day in the Life of a Green Business Consulting Firm Business Owner:

This article brought to you by Business Ideas! If you enjoyed this article, make sure to subscribe to the Business Ideas Newsletter to get ideas sent straight to your email inbox.Initially, much of your time will be spent learning the ropes of this business and understanding what your role as the consultant will be. Once you’re working with clients, your days will consist of networking, researching, planning, and revising the model you will propose to your client. You will need to fully understand your client’s business approach in order to modify it to be more environmentally responsible. Having a solid training background and a mentor you can bounce ideas off of will help you considerably in this business, especially as you first start out. You will also need to prepare either a report or a presentation of your plan for the client, so some writing and interpersonal tasks will be part of your daily activities. At the end of the day, you will want to make sure your efforts pay off and your business is holding up—using financial tracking software will make this aspect of running your business a breeze.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be the owners or managers of businesses who are looking for ways to make their businesses “greener” and ideally will be looking to cut costs while they’re at it. If you can create plans that help businesses cut costs, increase production, and become more environmentally friendly, you will find yourself with no shortage of customers.

What You Need to Start:

• Knowledge of business management and environmental science
• A solid business and marketing plan
• An efficient home-based office
• Training or mentorship in green business consultation
• A pricing schedule for your customers

The Good:

• This business is entirely scalable.
• You can start a business like this with little money upfront.
• Once you start helping clients, you can earn a solid reputation and become the go-to firm for green business consultations.
• You can feel good about what you’re doing to earn money.

The Bad:

• This business is not a one-size-fits-all opportunity; you need some talent and expertise in the fields in order to make it work.
• Your business might start off slow; you might work with a company for weeks or months before they sign off on your plan.

Resources:

• Green Business Association
• Institute of Management Consultants
• Association of Management Consulting Firms
• Wikipedia on Green or Sustainable Business

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