You might be facing a tax issue, reviewing a contract, or planning your next big move and wondering, am I missing something? Should I ask for help? Figuring out when to ask for advice, and who to ask, can feel tricky. There are different titles, specialties, and fees. But the right advice at the right time can change everything.
This article helps you decide which advisors your business needs, when to bring them in, and how to build relationships that help your business grow with confidence.
You don’t need every expert on day one. Your needs change as your business grows. The best time to bring in help is when your stage of business calls for it.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Advisors: CPA, attorney
These two help you set up legally and financially. They prevent early mistakes that could cost you later.
Advisors: Bookkeeper, insurance broker, banker
As your business handles more money and hires, these advisors help you stay protected and plan ahead.
Advisors: Operational consultants, marketing advisors
You’re optimizing now. These experts help you run more efficiently and reach more people.
Advisors: Tax strategist, industry-specific experts, business coach
Your decisions get bigger, you need people who can guide you through risk and opportunity.
It’s not about building a giant team. It’s about finding the right advisors for your current challenges.
Some industries have extra rules. If you work in a regulated space like healthcare, finance, construction, or education, general advice may not be enough.
You might need:
When the rules are detailed, you need someone who can explain them clearly and help you take action.
Still not sure where to begin? Start by identifying your biggest challenge. These areas often signal it’s time to bring in help:
Pick one area. Focus there. Bringing in one expert to solve one key problem is often more productive than trying to solve everything at once.
Different situations call for different kinds of advisors. Some work with you over time. Others jump in for a specific job and move on.
Ongoing (Retainer-Based) Advisors
Project-Based Experts
Knowing what kind of relationship you need helps you avoid miscommunication, mismatched expectations, and surprise costs.
Think back to previous advisors you’ve hired. Reflect on what helped and what didn’t. Ask yourself:
Use those lessons to guide your next decisions. Define what success looks like before the project starts. Ask your questions early. Write down the expectations. You’re not starting over; you’re getting smarter with every experience.
Here are the most common advisors and how they usually help:
| Advisor | When to bring in | Why |
| CPA (Certified Public Accountant) | At launch and throughout the year | Helps you manage taxes, understand cash flow, and make better financial decisions |
| Attorney | At setup and before you sign anything important | Keeps your business out of legal trouble and helps you handle contracts with confidence |
| Insurance Broker | Before launching and during major business changes | Protects your assets and helps you avoid costly gaps in coverage |
| Banker or Funding Advisor | When you need capital or better financial tools | Helps you access funding without locking into bad terms |
| Consultant (Operations, Marketing, Technology) | During changes, launches, or pivots | Gives you outside perspective and focused expertise so you don’t waste time guessing |
Think of your advisors as a bench of trusted resources. You don’t need everyone all the time. But when a challenge comes up, you’ll know exactly who to call.
Getting advice is only part of the value. The other part is building a partnership that supports your business.
Here’s how to get that right:
The best advisors grow with your business. Over time, they become more than experts. They become trusted partners.
Take five minutes and think through what feels confusing, risky, or frustrating right now. Then match that issue to the right kind of advisor. The best business owners aren’t the ones who do it all alone. They’re the ones who build strong teams, one good advisor at a time.
Need help figuring out your next advisor move? Start with the biggest challenge on your plate. A short conversation today could save you time, stress, and money tomorrow.