This event has sold out.  A waitlist is available.  Please complete the form on the right with your email and best contact number.  You will receive an email or phone call should a slot open up.   


Some people have the passion to be independent consultants. Others start a consulting company or sole practice due loss of a job or personal situations. This interactive seminar will cover the key success factors to starting up and sustaining your own small business.

The program will have panelists from varying fields including: management consulting, legal, industry- specific consulting and executive coaching. 

Topics will be segmented into three general areas:

• The decision to start or join a small consulting firm
• The considerations for setting one up and  
• Practical Tips and Techniques to market your services and maximize networking opportunities

The interactive session will have a panel of practitioners with experience to share. They will address such questions as:

• Am I suited to be a consultant or sole practitioner? What is the ideal temperament for a consultant?
• How do you get your first customer? How do you continue to get leads? What is the best way to network? How do you market and who is your target audience?
• How do you illustrate the value a consultant can bring?
• How should you price your services?
• Is it better to be flexible or focused on your offering?
• What are the challenges in understanding a client’s needs?
• What are some of the considerations from a legal perspective to operate as a consultant or sole practitioner?
• What are some of the forms of legal entities to consider and why?
• What are some of the potential liability issues and insurance considerations?
• What are some of the issues which may be addressed in a contract with a client?
• Do consultants need consultants?
• Selecting the appropriate systems, vendors and team of consultants (legal, IT, banking, real estate) to help you get your business started.
• How do you deal with subcontractors? 

Our expert panel consists of people who have started their own consulting or small business practices and many who consult to entrepreneurs, small businesses and CEO’s. They have been there, done that and seen what has worked and what hasn’t.

Moderator: Charles S. Forgang, W ’78, P '11, Employment and Corporate Attorney, Principal, Law Offices of Charles S. Forgang, and Vice President for Career Development of The Wharton Club of New York. 

Panel:

• Carl E. Rosen, WG ’77, Principal, Shelter Rock International, an international luxury goods consulting organization.
• Linda Drabik, WG '07, owner Marencik Group, a digital agency and tech consultancy & founder/organizer IoT NY meetup.
• Antony Hom, W ’92, CPA, CFA, Principal, WYH, an accounting practice, providing tax accounting and financial management and consulting services to small businesses.
• David Rudofsky, WG ’80, President, Rudofsky Associates, a business consulting organization.
• Caroline Strzalka, WG’ 05, Co-founder, itsbyu, a Do-it-yourself floral arrangement company

When:
Thursday, April 21, 2016
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Where:
Midtown Location (Note: Address will be sent via email to all registered guests 24-48 hours prior to the event to the "Primary Email" address listed in your profile. Please review your profile to confirm that the email address listed is correct.)

Cost:
WCNY Supporting Members - $0 (WCNY supporting membership costs $95/yr at Join/Renew Membership)
Other Wharton Alumni/Guests - $40.00

Click here to register. Please register early as events can and do sell out quickly.

Due to building security requirements, you must pre-register for this event. Walk-ins cannot be accepted.
Registration is subject to availability and will close on Wednesday, April 20 at 4:00pm - No Exceptions!