Consider this:

I recently saved a client $500,000 and took a pay cut in the process.

Last week a new client hired me to draft a business plan for a Bed and Breakfast she was planning to start. I thought my fee would amount to $2,000-$2,500 which I shared with her and she agreed to. The goal was to create an objective and analytical document that would show the bank her business was worthy of a $500,000 secured loan to purchase and renovate a property. Early in the process, after extensive research, I realized her business model would likely not work due to certain attributes of the marketplace and the target demographic. After more research and consultation we agreed that the plan would be exceptionally risky and would unnecessarily add a boatload of stress to her life. Upon recalibrating, she is still planning to start the business, but within her existing home to start, so she can test out the market and gain experience. As a result the business plan is not needed and therefore my role on this project is complete.

I take great pride in my work and always look after the best interest of my clients. Instead of plowing ahead with this project and taking $2,500 I helped my client arrive at the right decision, and at a fraction of the cost of my original estimate.

Over the past 18 years I have started four businesses, three of which turned out successfully. I also was involved in two nonprofit startups, one of which I still manage today as Board President. Good writers are a dime a dozen — what I offer is context. The value I add to your decision-tree or the development of your vision will be as, if not more, valuable than the words I put down on paper for you.

Doing so would have