7 Most Common Reasons Small Business Owners Hire Consultants (And Why You Might Need One, Too)

As you’re well aware, running a small business is not for the faint of heart. You sport all the hats, juggle all the responsibilities, and if something breaks… well, it’s your job to fix it. But just because you can do everything, doesn’t mean you should. That’s where consultants come in.

Hiring a consultant might seem like a luxury, especially when budgets are tight. But more often than not, it’s a strategic investment that winds up saving money, time, and sanity in the long run.

⏯️Quick pause. Yes, because of our consulting arm, Bowdel Consulting, we have a biased opinion here. But we also know that the following is true for nearly every business. So, do your homework; find a consultant with expertise who you can trust. Whether you ever work with us or not—we hope you find a consultant who believes in you as much as we do.

So why do smart business owners bring in outside help? Let’s break down the 7 top reasons small businesses hire consultants—plus use cases that show exactly how and where they can add value.

1. To Find the Problem(s)

Sometimes your business hits a wall—and you can’t figure out why.

Sales are slowing. Team morale is low. Margins are razor-thin. You’ve tried tweaking things here and there, but nothing seems to stick.

This is when consultants shine: they’re not emotionally entangled in your business, so they can diagnose problems clearly and objectively.

Use Case: A boutique gym owner noticed a plateau in new memberships despite heavy investment in social media marketing. A consultant conducted a full customer journey audit and discovered the real problem: their website’s mobile booking system was clunky, and their follow-up with leads was almost nonexistent. The issue wasn’t traffic—it was conversion.

Why it matters: You can’t fix what you can’t see. And often, you're too close to the business to spot the real issue.

2. To Create the Solution(s)

Once the root cause is identified, the next logical step is building the right fix. Good consultants don’t just diagnose—they prescribe and implement. They use frameworks, real-world experience, and deep industry knowledge to design tailored strategies that actually work.

Use Case: A local bakery struggling with unpredictable cash flow hired a consultant to stabilize operations. The consultant implemented a new ordering system, created a monthly budget forecast, and introduced prepaid custom cake packages that smoothed out revenue volatility.

Why it matters: Knowing what’s wrong is only half the battle. Having a roadmap to resolution (that doesn’t waste time or money) is what creates transformation.

3. Optimization

Even when things are going “okay,” okay isn’t good enough if you're trying to grow, scale, or dominate your market. Consultants help take existing systems, operations, or campaigns and make them leaner, faster, better, and more profitable.

Use Case: An e-commerce brand was pulling in six figures but struggling with inventory management and fulfillment delays. A consultant helped optimize their supply chain, consolidate their product line, and implement better inventory tracking software—reducing shipping errors and improving profit margins by 17%.

Why it matters: Consultants aren't just for businesses in crisis. They're for businesses that want to go from good to unstoppable.

4. To Gain Specialized Expertise

You’re an expert in your business. But no one’s an expert in everything. Sometimes you need highly specific knowledge you simply don’t have—SEO, HR compliance, data analysis, financial forecasting, branding, etc.

Use Case: A growing meal prep service needed help navigating local food regulations and scaling into commercial production. A consultant who specialized in food-industry operations helped them navigate zoning permits, pass health inspections, and set up a compliant commercial kitchen within budget.

Why it matters: Learning by trial and error is expensive. Hiring an expert saves time, avoids fines, and eliminates costly rookie mistakes.

5. Fresh Perspective & Unbiased Advice

You might have a talented internal team, but sometimes internal dynamics get in the way of clear thinking. People protect their turf. Ideas get shot down for political reasons. A consultant brings fresh eyes and unbiased perspective, unburdened by office politics or emotional baggage.

Use Case: A family-run retail business was stuck in outdated practices and resistant to digital change. The consultant facilitated a strategic planning session with data-driven insights and customer research. Because the insights came from an outside source, leadership finally agreed to modernize operations and launch an e-commerce platform.

Why it matters: An outside voice can break internal deadlocks, challenge old assumptions, and help teams move forward.

6. To Accelerate Projects or Change

Launching a new product? Expanding to a new market? Restructuring your org chart? These things take time, strategy, and manpower—three things most small business owners don’t have in excess.

Consultants help execute complex projects without distracting your team from day-to-day operations.

Use Case: A med spa wanted to launch a new line of skincare products but didn’t have the internal resources to manage branding, packaging, and vendor selection. A consultant oversaw the entire product development process, coordinated suppliers, and handled launch marketing, allowing the owner to keep running the core business.

Why it matters: You can’t scale chaos. Bringing in a consultant ensures important initiatives actually happen—and happen well.

7. To Save Time and Money (Yes, Really)

Let’s bust the myth right now: consultants don’t cost you money—they save you money by avoiding missteps, accelerating progress, and increasing ROI. What looks like a big check up front often results in thousands saved (or earned) down the road.

Use Case: A landscaping business spent months DIY-ing their ad campaigns with little success. They finally brought in a marketing consultant who restructured their campaigns, improved targeting, and helped them generate qualified leads at a 3x return on ad spend. What took them six months to fumble through was fixed in two weeks.

Why it matters: Time is money. Every hour spent guessing is an hour not spent growing.

Final Thoughts: Consultants Aren’t a Crutch—They’re a Power Tool

Hiring a consultant isn’t an admission of failure—it’s a smart, strategic move that shows you’re serious about success.

Whether you’re stuck in the weeds or chasing your next big leap, the right consultant can help you find the problem, create the solution, and optimize every moving part in between.

So ask yourself this: Are you operating at your best—or just surviving?

Because the difference between "getting by" and "getting ahead" might just be a conversation away.