Cansulta on The Startup Talk Podcast | The Startup Talk Podcast

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Alexandra Kapelos-Peters, the founder of Cansulta joins the Startup Coach for this Startup Talk Podcast interview. Cansulta is a platform that makes it easy for individuals and businesses to find and book consultations with vetted experts in a variety of industries. During the interview, Alexandra shares the inspiration behind starting Cansulta, how it differs from other consulting platforms, and the process of finding and booking a consultation. She also talks about the challenges faced while building and scaling the business, future plans, and the team behind Cansulta. This is a must-watch for anyone looking to start their own consulting platform or for those looking for an easier way to access expert advice.

Cansulta Links:

Website: https://www.cansulta.com/
Blog: https://www.cansulta.com/blog/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cansulta/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cansultacom
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cansulta
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cansulta
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cansulta

Show Notes:

Introduction of guest, Alexandra Kapelos-Peters, founder of Cansulta
Explanation of what Cansulta is and how it differs from other consulting platforms on the market
- We’re AirBNB + Match + Upwork + Etsy combined for consulting—an online platform for businesses to access the expertise of vetted professionals, easily & affordably. We’re consulting for the modern era 😉
- How we’re different:
  - Everyone is vetted; we accept <20% of applicants
  - Consultants set their own prices & can make custom offers
  - No hidden fees, no overhead
  - Flexible! Collaborate as-needed: by the hour, task, project, team.
- Our Benefits page (https://www.cansulta.com/benefits/) explains more about how we’re different
Discussion on the inspiration behind starting Cansulta and the problem it solves
- Business leaders lack the time, knowledge, and resources to tackle every problem and opportunity.
- It’s difficult and expensive to find available, trustworthy and effective consultants to help
- Big businesses & enterprises have in-house teams or support from large consultancies, but startups and SMEs don’t have the same resources
- Every business deserves to benefit from the transformative impacts of great strategy, direction, advice, and consulting from reliable experts and those who have “been there, done that”
- Cansulta bridges that gap, provides access, makes it easy & affordable to get support
Walkthrough of the process of finding and booking a consultation on Cansulta
- Our “How it Works” page explains the simple steps for clients and consultants to work together: https://www.cansulta.com/how-it-works/
Information on how experts on the platform are vetted and qualified
- It’s an intense process, arguably as rigorous or more than securing a full-time position! Steps include: resume screening, recorded video interview, Case Study with live presentation, references from previous clients, legal/financial compliance.
Sharing of success stories of clients who have used Cansulta to solve a problem or grow their business
Explanation of the benefits for independent consultants who use the platform
- We handle the “front end” (sales & marketing) and the “back end” (billing & payment) so that consultants can focus on what they do best: helping clients!
Discussion of challenges faced while building and scaling Cansulta
- Many see consulting as a luxury, premium, or nice-to-have service; but really, it’s a critical component that can impact the ultimate success or failure of any venture
Mention of industries and areas of expertise currently represented on Cansulta
- We’re industry-agnostic and support all business areas
- Currently we have a very strong roster of experienced startup, marketing, strategy, operations, HR and leadership consultants and deep expertise in charity/nonprofit, law/legal, pharma & healthcare, banking/fintech/insurance, food & beverage, retail, manufacturing and transportation.
Information on how Cansulta handles payment and billing for consultations
- Pay with credit card or direct transfer; it’s as easy as shopping online!
Discussion of future plans and developments for Cansulta
- Just launched! Our new Associates program offers vetted junior professionals https://www.cansulta.com/associates/ to complement client internal teams and work alongside senior consultants
- Expanding our offering of Cansulta Solutions: products and services at consistent fixed prices that can be provided by multiple professionals
Explanation of features built into the platform to enhance user experience
- Browse people by skill, language, or location; secure virtual meeting rooms; calendar syncing; file sharing; private messaging; community forums & chat; universal search; Google and LinkedIn connect
Discussion of Cansulta’s plans for growth and expansion in the next 5 years
Introduction of the team behind Cansulta and their roles
Information on how Cansulta supports independent consultants in terms of marketing and visibility
Details on how Cansulta handles customer support and satisfaction
Mention of notable clients or companies that have used Cansulta
Discussion on how Cansulta ensures data security and privacy for both clients and consultants
Conclusion and advice for other entrepreneurs looking to start a similar platform or business