What Is Your Business Core?  

Your Business Core is a combination of your FOCUS (Why and What), IDEAL CLIENT (Who), and SERVICE OFFERING (How.)  Think of them as a book’s first chapter or a movie’s opening scene because they set the stage and impact just about everything a consultant does as they move forward to build, improve, and grow a business.     

There are three keys to Your Business Core:  

  • Focus (Why and What) which is the one thing for which you want to be known; 
  • Ideal Client (Who) is the person you want to work with and who wants to work with you; and 
  • Point of View, Methodology, and Service(s) (How) which explain how you assist a client to achieve what they desire and want.  As a consultant moves through this section, they start working on building relationships.


Discussed are: 

  • Defining your focus 
  • Identifying your ideal client’s characteristics and behaviors 
  • Determining where to find your ideal client
  • Validating your ideal client is interested in your focus 
  • Defining your point of view, methodology, and initial service(s) 



How is Your Business Core course different than the Consulting Mastery program?

The Your Business Core bundle is a SELF-STUDY program comprised of the first three modules of the Consulting Mastery program.  

The course material is similar to the Mastery program but the two weekly clinics, program community group, and one-on-one discussions are not included. Additionally, no individual plan is created. 


What's Included:

  • Videos and Material

    Over 45 Videos with hours of educational material and examples plus over 7 workbooks and 25 templates and checklists including scripts, and numerous additional supporting resources.

  • Life Time Access

    The material is continually updated based on real live events, comments, and feedback from attendees.

Your CORE!

Focus - Ideal Client - Service Offer

What People Have Said...

“More Confidence and More Prepared as Prospective Clients Find Me 👉 When I launched my consulting business, I had no direct consulting experience. My organizational and leadership knowledge and expertise was solid, but when it came to consulting, reading books wasn’t enough. I needed someone who could share expertise as well as guide, encourage, and challenge me. While on LinkedIn, I discovered Laura Burford and signed up for a webinar where it became clear I had much to learn about the “ins and outs” of building a consulting business. I enrolled in the Consulting Jumpstart Blueprint program, which helped me articulate my focus, Leadership Excellence within Education. Understanding my focus helped me define how I serve my clients and enabled me to establish an approach to networking and relationship building. I am much more confident and equipped to find and support my clients. What is great is my prospective clients are finding me and responding with more enthusiasm now that my communication incorporates the principles Laura taught me. I am prepared and ready for all stages of the consulting relationship due to the theory and practice learned from Laura through the Consulting Jumpstart Blueprint program. ”

Allison Langford, Ed.D, ABL Wise Consulting

“Executing a pivot led to confidence and energy to engage 👉 I am confident in my abilities for specialty chemicals and materials processing, but was anxious about moving from my previous corporate career to that of a consultant. Even though I have a strong peer network, I was unsure as to how to identify potential clients. Being a strong believer in making a powerful first impression, I wanted to clearly articulate the services and value I provide to a client. Working with Laura, I quickly learned the power of less being more and the importance of narrowing my consulting focus. This resulted in tailoring my message and aligning my focus with the commercialization challenges facing business development leaders. Additionally, Laura helped me move outside of my comfort zone and focus my energy on further developing my service offering and strategically reaching out to build relationships to find potential opportunities. ”

John Gohndrone, Ph.D, JMG Process Solutions, LLC

“Confidence to craft and test a well-defined niche that I am truly excited about.👉 Prior to working with Laura and taking her Consulting Jumpstart Blueprint program I had obtained consulting clients in a wide variety of industries via word of mouth. After training to be an Executive Coach, I realized I needed to be more intentional about the type of clients I wanted to serve. Based on my interests, experience and skills, I landed on helping CEOs of small professional services companies uplevel their team and processes so their business runs without them. Laura's program provided a step-by-step framework for defining my niche as one that would make me unique, while also allowing me to serve the clients that I most liked working with. Having this focus helps me provide a better service to my clients, and it helps prospective clients recognize me as someone who can help them. The information provided in the course, along with Laura's guidance and attention to my specific situation, gave me the confidence to craft and test a well-defined niche that I am truly excited about. Throughout the process of working with Laura I was impressed by how she goes above and beyond most on-line courses to provide her students as much support as needed to help them get to their goals. ”

Monica Borrell, Monica Borrell Coaching

“Within 90 days less resulted in more money 👉 I started my consulting business enthusiastic, but after a few months I was still spinning my wheels and struggling to define my focus resulting in limited client opportunities. The Consultancy Model and Laura’s ability to help me leverage my strengths, narrow my focus, and clarify my point of view enabled me to create and then deliver a concise, aligned message to the right people. The result-several new clients and fully booked on engagements. Beyond the obvious financial benefit, my confidence in how I present myself is at an all-time high. ”

Ryan Walter, Parrels Advisory

“Gained clarity around my focus, ideal client, and brand. 👉 I started taking Laura’s courses when I began my consulting and coaching business because I needed to gain clarity around several consulting topics. The courses are clear and concise but the work you do is heavy lifting. Laura challenges you to think beyond what you know and requires you to think outside your comfort zone. Her approach helped me gain clarity around my focus, ideal client, and brand. I highly recommend Laura's courses and the support and interaction you receive from Laura. Believe me when I say her objective is your success.”

Charlotte Anderson, Transformation Keys, LLC

“Successful engaged with new clients without using third parties 👉 After years of working with third parties to find work, I decided to directly acquire my own clients but didn’t know where to start. The Consulting JUMPSTART Blueprint program helped me clarify my focus and ideal client—helping CIOs obtain the benefits of agile transformation without destroying the morale of their staff—and improve my approach as to how I support my client’s needs. The best part is as I validated my agile offer, within a couple months I engaged with two new clients without the use of any third parties. With increased confidence, I’m now positioned to productize my services and to continue building relationships. If I get stuck, I know I can get help by joining a weekly call or dropping a question in the community group. ”

Pat Delany, eSelect Consulting, Inc.

“Combining of my passions leads to viable Consulting Career 👉 As both a nonprofit executive and a professional comedic improviser, I was struggling to combine my passions into a viable consulting career. Now I am poised to launch my own business helping professional women unlock their power as public speakers. With Laura's support and guidance, I was able to hone in on my focus, ideal client, and messaging with confidence. Laura is a great listener with a personalized approach, and the system she has developed provided the structure I needed to actually make progress towards my goals. ”

Lura Barber, Phase Zero Consulting, LLC

“I’ve tried to establish my own consulting practice, but struggled. After taking Laura’s course and actively participating in the group discussions, I realize my services were too broad and my message needed to be further refined so that it was more than good-it was GREAT!”

Valentina Crosson, VCI Innovative Solutions, LLC

“I found the tools and Laura’s approach invaluable in helping me to understand my targeted client, the service offerings I can provide, and the messaging to use. Without this course, I would have struggled and made many mistakes. The course provided the confidence to pursue my client in a clear and laser-focused way!”

Tom Scurria, IAWL Advisory, LLC

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long does it take to complete the course?

    This is a tough question to respond to because so much depends on you. It takes time to listen to the videos and then walk through the exercises in the workbooks and complete the templates. The activity that takes the longest is the validation effort. I've seen consultants complete this activity within 2 weeks and others take more than 2 months. The material is designed so that you can work at your own pace and revisit material as necessary.

  • What is the difference between the modules in the Consulting Mastery program and CORE self-study modules?

    There are several differences starting with the creation of an individualized plan. People who take the Consulting Mastery program work with me to create a plan to help them navigate through the program. The self-study is just that-self-study. The second major difference is the Consulting Mastery program includes much more in that a consultant can ask questions and obtain feedback plus there is a Community Group as an added place to ask for help. The third major difference is the self-study is a no frills version with no extras.

  • I signed up for the self study course but have decided that I would like to be part of the Consulting Mastery program. Is it possible?

    Yes, it is possible. I provide a credit to you for the bundle so that you only need to pay the difference. Contact me directly at [email protected].

  • I feel I need more support than the course provides. Is it possible to obtain one-on-one assistance?

    Yes. One-on-one assistance is available but it depends on my availability. Contact me directly at [email protected] so that we can discuss your needs and determine next steps.