In your first year, success looks like: a live catalog, rate card, and SOW templates with 2–3 anchor assessments signed in the first 90 days; a Principal Consultant and Engagement Manager hired and 2 case studies published by day 180; and by day 365, the practice at or above target margin ( 35% gross), 70–75% delivery utilization, a first partner-delivered engagement, a first advisory retainer, and 40% of assessments converting to follow-on work. Expect to spend roughly 40–50% of your time as a player (leading and delivering assessments, roadmaps, and readouts), 30–35% as a coach (hiring, developing, and reviewing the consulting team; owning methodology, templates, and quality), and 20–25% as a practice builder (owning the catalog, pricing, pipeline, partner delivery, and P&L with Sales and RevOps).