Black Belt Startup with Feras

You’ve built real expertise over the years — and whether you’re thinking of starting your consulting business or already started but feel stuck — this podcast is for you. Maybe you’re done with corporate. Maybe the last round of layoffs made that decision for you. Either way, the transition to consulting is the ultimate test of discipline. Think of it like this: Corporate life is a cruise ship — t...

New year. Same pricing mistake. Every January, professionals reset their goals — and carry the same broken pricing into a new year. Whether you’re guessing your hourly rate or using one that no longer works, the result is the same: Tight margins Overwork Constant second-guessing We’ll cover: How to calculate a defensible hourly rate Why hourly pricing still matters (when used correctly) How to pre...

2025 is almost over — and if this year came with rejections, slow growth, or missed opportunities, you’re not alone. I was reminded of something powerful at BizWorld’s RiskMaster Luncheon, watching young entrepreneurs pitch their ideas and negotiate like pros. At one point, I offered a young girl $3 for her $5 bracelet. She looked me dead in the eye — no hesitation, no discount. Respect. That’s en...

A lot of smart professionals say they want to start consulting — and some even take the leap — but end up stuck, overwhelmed, or second-guessing every move. In this episode, I’m breaking down why so many skilled people never turn their expertise into a sustainable business — and how to avoid the traps that keep new consultants spinning their wheels. I’ll answer the top questions I get from aspirin...

When you’re in the thick of it — chasing leads, sending proposals, and facing rejection after rejection — it can feel like every door is locked. But it’s worth pausing to reflect on how those past and present challenges have shaped you into a better founder and a better person. If you don’t stop to recognize the importance of the hard stuff in your journey, you risk missing the very lessons that c...

Don’t let another year pass you. Every entrepreneur deals with fear, but not all fear looks the same.  Some freeze. Some overthink. Some rush in and crash. And with 2026 just around the corner, now’s the time to confront those fears before they follow you into the new year. In this live Confidence Ladder session, I’ll walk through 26 real fears and challenges that keep ambitious professionals stuc...

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...

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 clar...

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 i...

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 th...

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 deman...

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 mark...

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: W...

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 le...

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...

🥋 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 sou...

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...

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 th...

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 offe...

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? -Sh...

🥋 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...

🥋 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 t...

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