From Consultant to Owner: The Hard Truths of Running a Business

After nearly two decades in management consulting, I was confident. I knew the frameworks, the strategies, the “right” answers. Then I bought into a client’s business—and reality hit like a freight train.

My grand plan? Turn it around in three years and move on. The reality? A decade-long journey of stress, survival, learning, and—eventually—success.

Here’s what I thought would happen vs. what actually did:

🔹 Leading from the top? More like dodging incoming fire. Every day was a battle—absenteeism, quality issues, supply chain dramas. I wasn’t strategising from the boardroom; I was in the trenches.

🔹 Authority comes with the title? Not in a long-standing family business (nor any business for that matter). Deep-rooted loyalties don’t shift overnight. Change meant resistance, drama, and trust that had to be earned over years, not months.

🔹 People are the key? Yes—but they’re also the biggest challenge. Difficult personalities drain time and energy. High staff turnover slows progress. Performance reviews? Sometimes helpful, often meaningless.

🔹 Lean and process improvements? Worthless without the right people. My early "Lean initiative" fizzled —until years later when the team was ready for it. Right approach, wrong timing.

🔹 It’s lonely at the top? Absolutely. You’re the outsider, the disruptor. Having external advisors and a strong inner circle isn’t just helpful—it’s crucial.

🔹 Every decision carries weight. As a consultant, I analysed financials and KPI's with objectivity but distance. As an owner, every decision—good or bad—had a direct, tangible impact. The pressure was constant.

🔹 Leadership is built on the floor. No amount of consulting experience fully prepares one for running a business. You have to live it, breathe it, and learn from every mistake.

Would I do it again? Maybe. Would I do it differently? Definitely. But one thing’s for sure—being a consultant and being an owner are two entirely different games.

After divesting the business 10 years ago, I returned to management consulting but much wiser, realistic and empathetic to my clients' challenges.

This has definitely improved me as a consultant.

Ever made the jump from advising to owning? I’d love to hear what surprised you most.

Or, if you're looking for an experienced management consultant that also understands business from an Owner or Senior Manager's perspective, please contact Nestadt Consulting.