What is a Business Growth Adviser?
If you’re running a business, chances are you’ve hit a point where things feel stuck. Maybe revenue has plateaued, or you feel like you just can’t figure out your org chart. Maybe you don’t even know how you’re stuck, but you know something is off.
That’s where a business growth advisor comes in.
A business growth advisor is a strategic partner who helps you identify opportunities, solve bottlenecks, and build the roadmap to scale your business in a practical way.
Unlike a business “coach” who may focus primarily on mindset or motivation, a growth advisor brings hands-on experience, data-driven insight, and practical strategies to help your business move forward.
Let’s break down what a business growth advisor does, why they matter, and whether your business might be ready for one.
What does a business growth advisor do?
At the core, a growth advisor helps you answer one big question: How do I grow this business, sustainably and profitably?
That means they are capable of wearing many hats. They can be:
A Strategist
They work with you to define goals, set priorities, and build a roadmap that matches your resources and stage of business.
An Analyst
They dive into your numbers - revenue, margins, customer acquisition costs, retention - to spot where the opportunities (and risks) really are.
An Operator
Many advisors have backgrounds in operations and finance, so they don’t just tell you what to do - they help you implement systems, processes, and structures that can actually scale.
Where a consultant may come in for a project and hand you a report, a business growth advisor often works more closely and consistently with you to execute strategies and measure progress.
Why does working with a growth advisor matter?
Running a business is inherently isolating. You’re responsible for sales, operations, finance, hiring, all while trying to serve your clients or customers. It’s easy to get lost in the weeds or over-index on the wrong priorities.
A growth advisor brings outside perspective and experience. They’ve seen patterns across businesses of different industries and stages, which means they can often spot solutions and pitfalls faster than you can from the inside.
They also help you avoid one of the most common traps: chasing growth at any cost. Growing topline revenue without considering profitability, cash flow, or operational capacity can quickly backfire. A good growth advisor ensures your strategy balances ambition with sustainability.
What areas does a business growth advisor typically focus on?
While every advisor has their own expertise, here are some of the most common areas they’ll support you in:
Financial modeling & pricing:
Helping you understand your unit economics, margins, and pricing strategy so you’re not just selling more, but actually making more.
Operations & efficiency
Streamlining workflows, introducing automation, and documenting systems so your business runs smoothly without everything falling on you.
Sales & marketing strategy
Identifying which channels drive the highest ROI, clarifying your messaging, and building repeatable sales processes.
Team structure & hiring
Advising on who to hire, when to hire, and how to structure your team for scalability.
Strategic decision-making
Acting as a sounding board when you’re deciding whether to launch a new product, pivot your business model, or raise capital.
In short, a growth advisor looks at the big picture of your business, then zooms in on the areas that will move the needle fastest.
How do I choose the right business growth advisor for my business?
Like any professional relationship, fit matters. The best business growth advisors aren’t one-size-fits-all – they should align with your business stage, values, and goals.
The first thing to look for is actual, real-world experience running a business of the same size range as yours. Ask about their background and the results they’ve helped other companies to achieve.
The advisor also needs analytical skills. They should be comfortable digging into numbers, not just offering generic advice. Look for someone who provides actionable recommendations and can assist with implementation and monitoring the impact of those changes, rather than just offering big-picture theory.
Lastly, look for someone you feel comfortable with. This is a close working relationship, so you should feel comfortable being candid with them.
Hiring a Business Growth Advisor for your business
A business growth advisor isn’t just a nice-to-have. For many entrepreneurs, they’re the missing piece that turns ambition into reality.
By bringing expertise, structure, and accountability, they help you scale smarter, faster, and more sustainably.
If you’re at a crossroads in your business and need clarity on the path forward, consider whether a growth advisor could be the right investment.
The right advisor won’t just give you advice, they’ll help you build the systems and strategies that fuel long-term success - with the best chance of seeing the best ROI on your investment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Makena (She/Her) is the Founder & CEO of The Boutique COO. Makena is a seasoned business professional with over 10 years of experience in business operations consulting, spanning from large public companies to early-stage start-ups. Her main role at TBC is to manage the team, but she also offers 1:1 business coaching for a select group of entrepreneurs. Learn more about that here.
