Local small business advisor on retainer

Owner-operators and small businesses in your region that have outgrown doing everything themselves but can't afford a full-time manager.

A monthly retainer for regular sessions and support, plus extra fees for one-off projects such as a business plan, systems set-up or workshop.

• Practical business experience, ideally running or managing a business
• Building trust with owners
• Numbers and planning
• Networking and following up

• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
• Don't give regulated financial, tax or legal advice unless properly licensed, check with ASIC and the relevant bodies
• Retainers can end quickly if clients don't see results, so agree clear goals up front
• Travel time between clients, which eats into billable hours
• Use written agreements covering scope, confidentiality and fees

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your insurance, travel setup and how you market yourself. These are estimates, so confirm your own figures before you begin.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many retainer clients you hold and your fees. Estimates start from about 20 hours a week, and travel time between clients can eat into billable hours.

Things to check include professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and not giving regulated financial, tax or legal advice unless properly licensed (check with ASIC and the relevant bodies). Use written agreements covering scope, confidentiality and fees.