How I Started My Microsoft 365 Consulting Business in 7 Steps

Everyone says “just start consulting,” but no one explains what actually works. I built my Microsoft 365 consulting business by turning decades of real Outlook, Exchange, and 365 support work into a focused, sustainable practice without becoming an MSP or burning out.

In this session, I’ll walk through the 7 practical steps I took to go from “the Outlook person” to a paid consultant: choosing a niche, setting boundaries, onboarding clients, tracking time, billing clearly, and learning when to say no.

This isn’t theory or hustle culture. It’s what worked and what didn’t. If you’ve thought about consulting but want a realistic path, this session is for you.

Key Takeaways

How to define a profitable Microsoft 365 niche
Consulting vs support (and why it matters)
Simple onboarding, time tracking, and billing
Pricing expertise without apologizing
Mistakes that cost consultants time and money

Audience
IT pros, admins, MVPs, and Microsoft community members considering independent consulting.