Launch help is billed in one of four ways, depending on how much you want to do yourself. Hourly consulting runs $175–$350 an hour, a defined launch project runs $3,500–$25,000, a monthly retainer runs $2,500–$12,000, and the Growth Partner Program is custom and performance-based. Prices are in Canadian dollars, before tax, and follow the published rates on BusinessConsulting.ca.
Hourly consulting
$175–$350 /hour
Strategy sessions and expert advice by the hour.
Project
$3,500–$25,000 per project
Defined-scope work such as a plan, assessment or launch, with milestone payments.
Monthly retainer
$2,500–$12,000 /month
Ongoing advisory and execution support.
Growth Partner Program
Custom
Performance-based partnership: Ali invests time upfront and is paid on measurable results. Limited partnerships available.
Free initial consultation · no lock-in. The initial 30-minute consultation is free, with no obligation.
Prices in Canadian dollars. Sales tax is added based on the client's province (as of October 2026, CRA rates): 5% GST in Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut; 13% HST in Ontario; 14% HST in Nova Scotia; 15% HST in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and PEI; 5% GST plus 9.975% QST in Quebec. Provincial sales tax (BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) only where it applies to the service. See full pricing on businessconsulting.ca/pricing.
The four ways to work with us
| Option | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly consulting | $175–$350 per hour | Founders doing most of the work who want an experienced reviewer |
| Project | $3,500–$25,000 per project | A defined deliverable, such as a naming shortlist, brand sheet, launch website or 90-day plan, with milestone payments |
| Monthly retainer | $2,500–$12,000 per month | Ongoing advice and execution during the launch period |
| Growth Partner Program | Custom | A performance-based partnership in which Ali invests time upfront and is paid on measurable results; limited partnerships available |
The initial 30-minute consultation is free, with no obligation. There's no lock-in on any option.
What drives the cost of a launch project
A project quote depends on a handful of factors, and we'll show you which ones are pushing the number up:
- How many stages you need. Naming alone is a small project. Naming, brand, website and a 90-day plan together is a larger one, though doing them in sequence avoids paying to redo work.
- How much is already done. If your name is registered and your positioning is clear, we start later in the sequence and the project is smaller.
- Website scope. A five-page launch site costs far less than a site with many service pages, a second language or online booking.
- Language. An Ottawa or Peel launch that needs French or another language from day one adds writing and testing time.
- Hands-on support. A written plan you run yourself costs less than having us set up and manage channels week by week.
Ad spend, domain registration, hosting fees, printing and any government filing fees are separate and paid directly by you. As of October 2026, Ontario's registration page lists $60 to register a sole proprietorship and $300 to incorporate a business corporation; check the current fees there.
Worked examples of how founders typically spend
These are illustrations of how the price ranges get used, not fixed packages:
- The do-it-yourself founder. Two or three hourly sessions to check the name shortlist, the positioning sentence and the launch website draft. At $175–$350 an hour, that's a few hundred dollars to roughly a thousand.
- The founder who wants the thinking done properly. A project covering naming and brand identity, at the lower end of the project range, then building the site themselves.
- The founder who wants a full launch. A larger project covering all four stages, followed by a short retainer for weekly support through the first 90 days.
The right choice depends on your time as much as your budget. If you have evenings free and enjoy writing, hourly review is good value. If you're still working a job while starting the company, a project buys back time.
How to choose
Work out what you can spend on getting started without putting the company at risk, then pick the option that covers the earliest unfinished stage. Three questions help:
- Which stage isn't done yet? Start there. The services page has a quick self-test.
- How much of the work will you do yourself? More of your own time means hourly review; less means a project.
- Do you need help after launch day? If yes, a short retainer through the first 90 days usually costs less than fixing a stalled launch later.
When you're ready, tell us what you're starting by call, text or email through the contact page, and we'll come back with a written scope and a price range before any work begins. Common questions about contracts and ownership are answered in the FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. The initial 30-minute consultation is free and carries no obligation. It's a working conversation about what you're starting, not a sales presentation.
Are prices before or after tax?
Prices are in Canadian dollars and before tax. Ontario founders add 13% HST; confirm the tax line on your quote before you sign.
What's the cheapest useful way to get help?
A couple of hourly sessions. Many founders book two hours: one to review the name shortlist and positioning, one to review the launch website and plan. You do the work; we check it.
Is there a contract or minimum term?
Hourly work has no commitment beyond the hours booked. Projects are quoted with milestones. Retainers have no lock-in; ask about the notice period when you receive your proposal.
What is the Growth Partner Program?
It's a performance-based partnership in which Ali invests time upfront and is paid on measurable results. Partnerships are limited and terms are custom, so it suits some companies better than others.
Sources
- BusinessConsulting.ca: Pricing (2026-10-22)