Black Belt Startup with Feras

Most consultants are still asking the wrong question about AI. They’re asking: “Will AI replace me?” But the real risk isn’t AI itself. It’s becoming the type of consultant that AI replaces first. Over the past few months, I’ve been studying how firms like McKinsey, Deloitte, PwC, EY, and BCG are actually adapting to AI — and more importantly, what that means for newer and smaller consultants who...

New to consulting sales? Most early-stage consultants don’t struggle because they lack expertise. They struggle because B2B sales isn’t intuitive — especially when you’re navigating both SMB and enterprise clients. In this session, I’ll break down 7 essential principles that separate stalled pipelines from consistent deal flow — and how to apply them whether you’re selling to a small business owne...

Most people don’t fail in business because they lack skills. They fail because they’re fighting the wrong battles. There are four forces quietly shaping whether your business grows—or stalls. In this podcast, I’m going to break these down and show you how to actually apply them to your situation. This is not theory—it’s based on real experience building and scaling multiple businesses, including a...

Most consulting ideas don’t fail because they’re bad. They fail because they were never pressure-tested. You might have the skills. You might even have experience. But if your idea isn’t positioned correctly, timed right, or aligned with real demand—you’re going to struggle. In this live session, I’ll walk through 5 advanced filters (6 through 10) I use to evaluate consulting business ideas—coveri...

Storms don’t send calendar invites. - Technological disruption - Economic shocks - Market downturns - Geopolitical tension Instability is part of the environment entrepreneurs operate in. For early-stage consultants, this can feel especially intense. You’re trying to start something new, build momentum, and figure things out — all while the world around you keeps changing. When turbulence hits, yo...

Most people don’t fail because their business idea is bad. They fail because the idea doesn’t match their experience, the market, or their ability to execute it. Last week I shared 26 consulting business ideas for 2026. But the real challenge isn’t ideas. It’s choosing the right one. In this podcast, I’ll break down the five filters I use to evaluate a consulting idea: - Founder–idea fit - Difficu...

Everyone says, “niche down.” But most new founders do it the wrong way. They pick an industry… but stay generic inside that industry. They narrow their audience… but don’t sharpen their positioning. They say: “I help small businesses.” “I work with startups.” “I do AI consulting.” And then they wonder why: - Clients don’t respond - Conversations stall - Revenue doesn’t move Niching isn’t about shr...

You can be confident at your job. Confident executing. Confident delivering. Confident inside a stable system. But still lack the confidence to build something of your own. That’s the Comfort Trap. Comfort doesn’t kill all confidence. It kills the confidence to do something different. I’ve been hearing this more and more: “I don’t feel like I’ve built something meaningful.” “My confidence is decli...

We’ve been fed this idea: “If you don’t love it, don’t do it.” That mindset is quietly sabotaging a lot of smart professionals. In this live session, I’ll break down: - Why “follow your passion” creates unrealistic expectations - How real businesses are built on needs, not feelings - How to identify profitable “boring” opportunities - Where passion should exist in your work - How this shift reduce...

Pitching your first clients can feel intimidating — especially when you’re just getting started. In this podcast, I’ll gently roast real beginner sales pitches and proposals to show you what’s working, what’s hurting you, and how to fix it before you send it to a real client. No judgment. Just clear, practical feedback to help you pitch with more confidence and clarity. If you’re new to consulting...

Over the last week, I shared a few proposal breakdowns — and the comments blew up. Clearly, many consultants are struggling with pitches and proposals. So we’re taking it to the next level. I’m hosting a LIVE Pitch & Proposal Roast. If you’ve ever hit “send” on a pitch or proposal and wondered: “Is this actually good… or is this why clients ghost me?” This podcast is for you. How it works: - S...

If you’ve ever sent a proposal and heard nothing back… struggled with pricing… or weren’t sure what to include or leave out, bring your toughest questions. I’m dropping my full 1-hour “The Ultimate Guide to Writing Proposals as a Consultant in 2026” in the next couple of days, and this livestream is your chance to get early insights, ask follow-ups, and get direct feedback on your proposal approac...

You’ve sent emails and proposals. You’ve followed up—politely, strategically, repeatedly. And still… silence. That kind of ghosting hits hard. Even seasoned experts start wondering if they’re cut out for business development. Here’s the truth: your problem isn’t the market. It’s that you’re hiding behind a keyboard, acting like a robot. This podcast is about breaking that cycle—moving from technic...

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...