A security consulting business provides professional advice, risk assessments, security planning, policies, training, and strategic recommendations to organizations that need to protect their employees, customers, facilities, information, executives, and other important assets.

Unlike a conventional security guard company, a security consulting firm does not necessarily provide uniformed guards or patrol services.

Instead, consultants evaluate security risks and help clients determine what protections are appropriate.

For example, a security consultant may evaluate an office building and recommend improvements to access control, visitor management, surveillance, lighting, employee procedures, emergency communication, workplace violence prevention, incident reporting, executive protection planning, and crisis response.

A professional consulting firm may work with corporations, hospitals, hotels, schools, apartment communities, houses of worship, retailers, manufacturers, construction companies, nonprofits, financial institutions, technology businesses, event organizers, and high-net-worth individuals.

The business can generate income from security assessments, ongoing consulting retainers, workplace violence programs, security policy development, emergency preparedness, security training, executive risk assessments, event security planning, facility reviews, security technology consulting, and other advisory services.

Because most assignments are knowledge-based rather than equipment-intensive, a security consulting company can potentially generate attractive margins without maintaining the large payroll and vehicle fleet associated with a traditional guarding company.

Steps on How to Write a Security Consulting Business Plan

1. Executive Summary

Elton Bannon® Security Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is a professional security and risk consulting company established to help businesses, organizations, property owners, institutions, and executives identify security risks and develop practical strategies for reducing them.

Our core services will include physical security assessments, corporate security program reviews, workplace violence prevention consulting, emergency preparedness, crisis-management planning, executive security assessments, security policy development, security technology advisory, employee training, event security planning, and ongoing security-management consulting.

The company will not initially operate as a conventional security guard business.

Instead, Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will focus on independent advisory services.

Where clients require guard services, alarm installation, private investigations, personal protection, or other separately regulated services, we may recommend appropriately licensed providers or establish the necessary licensed division before offering those services directly.

Our target clients will include:

• Corporate offices
• Commercial property owners
• Manufacturing companies
• Healthcare organizations
• Hotels
• Schools and educational organizations
• Retail businesses
• Apartment communities
• Nonprofit organizations
• Houses of worship
• Event venues
• Technology companies
• Professional services firms
• High-net-worth individuals.

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will initially serve Houston and surrounding Texas markets while accepting selected consulting assignments elsewhere in the United States when practical.

Our long-term goal is to build a nationally respected security consulting brand known for practical recommendations, experienced consultants, clear reports, discretion, professionalism, and measurable improvements in client security.

2. Company Profile

a. Our Products and Services

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will provide the following services:

Physical Security Assessments:

Our consultants will evaluate client facilities and existing protective measures.

Assessments may review:

• Access control
• Visitor management
• Perimeter protection
• Lighting
• Doors and locks
• Reception areas
• Security staffing
• Emergency communications
• Camera coverage
• Alarm systems
• Parking facilities
• Loading and receiving areas
• Security policies
• Incident procedures.

The purpose of the assessment will be to identify reasonable security gaps and provide prioritized recommendations.

Corporate Security Program Reviews:

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will evaluate an organization’s broader security program.

This may include:

• Security governance
• Roles and responsibilities
• Policies
• Reporting structures
• Incident management
• Training
• Vendor management
• Security budgeting
• Emergency procedures.

Workplace Violence Prevention Consulting:

Services may include:

• Policy development
• Program reviews
• Reporting procedures
• Threat management processes
• Employee awareness training
• Management training
• Response planning
• Post-incident program reviews.

Emergency and Crisis Preparedness:

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will help organizations prepare for emergencies through:

• Emergency action planning
• Crisis-management procedures
• Communication plans
• Leadership responsibilities
• Tabletop exercises
• Emergency drills
• Business continuity coordination.

Executive Security Consulting:

Services may include:

• Executive risk assessments
• Residence security reviews
• Travel security planning
• Event security planning
• Security vendor evaluation
• Executive protection program design.

Actual protective-agent services will only be offered when all applicable licensing requirements have been satisfied.

Security Technology Consulting:

The company will help clients evaluate technologies such as:

• Video surveillance systems
• Access-control systems
• Visitor-management platforms
• Emergency notification systems
• Intrusion-detection systems
• Security operations center technology.

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will initially act as an independent adviser rather than an equipment installer.

Security Policy Development:

We will prepare or review policies covering:

• Visitor access
• Employee identification
• Incident reporting
• Workplace violence
• Emergency response
• Contractor access
• After-hours access
• Security responsibilities
• Travel security.

Security Training:

Training programs may include:

• Security awareness
• Workplace violence awareness
• Emergency preparedness
• Incident reporting
• Supervisor responsibilities
• Reception and front-desk security
• Executive travel awareness
• Security-management fundamentals.

Other Services:

• Event security planning
• Security vendor selection
• Request-for-proposal development
• Security contract reviews
• Construction security planning
• Hotel security assessments
• Healthcare facility reviews
• Retail loss-prevention consulting
• School security consulting
• Security program benchmarking
• Security budget planning
• Monthly security advisory retainers.

b. Nature of the Business

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will primarily operate using the business-to-business model.

Companies and organizations will engage us for individual consulting projects or ongoing advisory services.

The company may also provide business-to-consumer consulting to executives, public figures, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals seeking personal or residential security advice.

c. The Industry

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will operate within the professional security, risk management, and management consulting industry.

Our particular niche will be physical security and organizational security risk consulting.

d. Mission Statement

“At Elton Bannon® Security Inc., our mission is to help organizations protect their people, facilities, operations, and reputations through practical, independent, and professionally developed security strategies.

We are committed to providing thoughtful risk assessments, realistic recommendations, effective training, and security programs that reflect each client’s genuine needs rather than selling unnecessary services or equipment.”

e. Vision Statement

“Elton Bannon® Security Inc. envisions becoming one of America’s most respected independent security consulting firms.

We aim to build a national reputation for professionalism, discretion, practical risk management, experienced consultants, clear recommendations, and long-term partnerships with organizations that take security seriously.”

f. Our Tagline (Slogan)

“Elton Bannon® Security Inc. – See the Risk. Strengthen the Protection.”

g. Legal Structure of the Business (LLC, C Corp, S Corp, LLP)

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will operate as a privately held corporation.

The corporate structure will support:

• Professional liability management
• Future investors
• National expansion
• Additional offices
• Larger corporate contracts
• Potential acquisition of specialized consulting firms.

The company will maintain comprehensive professional liability, general liability, cyber liability, workers’ compensation, and other appropriate business insurance.

h. Our Organizational Structure

• Chief Executive Officer
• Director of Security Consulting
• Senior Security Consultants
• Security Risk Analysts
• Workplace Violence and Threat Management Consultant
• Emergency Preparedness Consultant
• Security Technology Consultant
• Training and Development Manager
• Sales and Business Development Manager
• Accountant/Bookkeeper
• Administrative Coordinator.

Specialists may also be engaged as independent consultants for assignments requiring expertise outside the permanent team’s capabilities.

i. Ownership/Shareholder Structure and Board Members

• Elton Bannon – Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer – 52 Percent Shares
• Michael Bannon – Board Member – 18 Percent Shares
• Robert Lewis – Board Member – 10 Percent Shares
• Anthony Clark – Board Member – 10 Percent Shares
• Sandra Mitchell – Board Member and Corporate Secretary – 10 Percent Shares.

3. SWOT Analysis

a. Strength

• Low Capital Intensity: Security consulting does not require the large vehicle fleets and guard payrolls associated with conventional security companies.
• Professional Expertise: Experienced consultants can command premium fees for specialized knowledge.
• Diversified Client Base: Almost every industry faces some form of security risk.
• Recurring Retainer Potential: Organizations may retain the company as an ongoing security adviser.
• High-Value Projects: Corporate assessments and major consulting engagements can generate substantial revenue from relatively small consulting teams.
• Independent Recommendations: Because the company will not initially depend on selling guard hours or security hardware, clients can receive more objective advice.
• Scalable Expertise: Specialist consultants can be added according to project demand.

b. Weakness

• The company depends heavily on consultant expertise and reputation.
• Experienced security professionals can command high salaries.
• Consulting revenue may be irregular during the early years.
• A new company initially lacks major client references.
• Professional liability claims can arise from poor advice.
• Client information can be highly sensitive.
• Large consulting firms may already have established relationships with major corporations.
• The company may need specialized subcontractors for some assignments.

c. Opportunities

• Workplace violence prevention
• Corporate security program development
• Healthcare security
• School security
• Executive security consulting
• Hotel security
• Security technology modernization
• Emergency preparedness
• Business continuity coordination
• Security training
• Corporate retainers
• National consulting assignments
• Security audits associated with mergers, relocations, and new facilities.

i. How Big is the Industry?

Security consulting is part of a much broader market that includes private security, corporate risk management, management consulting, protective services, security technology, business resilience, and crisis management.

Security consulting itself is not always reported as a separate statistical category because firms may be classified under:

• Management consulting
• Security services
• Engineering consulting
• Information technology consulting
• Investigative services
• Risk management.

This makes the exact size of the standalone security consulting market difficult to isolate.

However, the potential client base is extremely broad.

Large organizations spend money protecting:

• Employees
• Executives
• Buildings
• Manufacturing facilities
• Warehouses
• Hotels
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Data centers
• Events
• Supply chains.

Consulting firms can participate in that spending without directly providing every security service.

ii. Is the Industry Growing or Declining?

Demand for professional security advice has favorable long-term prospects.

Organizations face increasingly complex combinations of:

• Workplace violence concerns
• Crime
• Employee safety
• Executive threats
• Business disruption
• Large public events
• Travel risk
• Insider risk
• Security technology decisions
• Regulatory expectations.

Companies are also more conscious of whether their existing security spending is producing appropriate results.

A business with hundreds of cameras and dozens of guards can still have a poorly designed security program.

This creates demand for consultants capable of looking at the entire system rather than simply recommending additional hardware.

iii. What are the Future Trends in the Industry?

Future trends include:

• Integrated Risk Management: Companies will increasingly coordinate physical security, human resources, legal, cybersecurity, emergency management, and business continuity.
• Workplace Violence Programs: Organizations will place greater emphasis on prevention, reporting, multidisciplinary assessment, and employee training.
• Security Technology Integration: Access control, video, analytics, alarms, visitor systems, and communications will increasingly operate as connected systems.
• Executive Risk Management: Senior executives and high-profile employees may require more formal security assessments.
• Security Program Benchmarking: Organizations will increasingly want to know whether their security programs compare favorably with similar companies.
• Tabletop Exercises: Leadership teams will increasingly test emergency and crisis plans before incidents occur.
• Security Operations Centers: Larger organizations will continue developing centralized security monitoring and incident-management capabilities.
• Independent Technology Advice: Clients will increasingly seek consultants who do not earn commissions from every security product recommended.
• Travel Risk Management: Businesses operating internationally will continue investing in employee travel-security programs.
• Ongoing Advisory Retainers: Smaller companies without full-time corporate security directors may outsource part of the function to consultants.

iv. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?

Yes.

Security consulting niches include:

• Corporate physical security
• Workplace violence prevention
• Threat management
• Executive security consulting
• Residential security consulting
• Hospital security
• Hotel security
• School and university security
• Retail security
• Loss prevention
• Security technology consulting
• Emergency preparedness
• Event security planning
• Construction security
• Travel security
• Business continuity and crisis management.

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will initially concentrate on corporate physical security, workplace violence prevention, executive risk consulting, security program reviews, emergency preparedness, and security technology advisory.

v. Can You Sell a Franchise of your Business in the Future?

Yes, although professional consulting businesses are more commonly expanded through company-owned offices, partnerships, affiliates, or acquisitions rather than traditional franchising.

A future franchise or licensed-office model would require standardized:

• Assessment methodology
• Report templates
• Consultant qualifications
• Training
• Client engagement procedures
• Quality-control standards
• Confidentiality requirements
• Pricing
• Branding.

Management will initially favor company-owned offices.

d. Threats

• Professional liability lawsuits
• Loss of confidential client information
• Competition from large multinational consulting firms
• Competition from former law-enforcement professionals operating independently
• Economic downturns reducing consulting budgets
• Loss of senior consultants
• Failure to keep expertise current
• Reputational damage from poor recommendations
• Changes in security regulations
• Client dependence on one or two large contracts
• Conflicts of interest.

i. Who are the Major Competitors?

Major companies operating within security, risk, intelligence, protection, and related consulting markets include:

• Pinkerton
• Control Risks
• Crisis24
• Allied Universal
• GardaWorld
• Securitas
• Kroll
• International SOS
• Guidepost Solutions
• Security Management Resources
• Independent regional security consultants
• Former corporate security executives operating consulting practices
• Specialized workplace violence consultants
• Security engineering firms.

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will differentiate itself by providing senior-level consulting without forcing clients to purchase guard services, equipment, or other unnecessary products.

ii. Is There a Franchise for Security Consulting Business?

Traditional security consulting franchises are uncommon.

Professional credibility usually depends heavily on the qualifications and experience of individual consultants.

However, the business can scale using:

• Company-owned offices
• Affiliate consultants
• Licensing arrangements
• Joint ventures
• Acquisitions
• Specialist contractor networks.

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will initially expand through company-owned operations and carefully selected specialist consultants.

iii. Are There Policies, Regulations, or Zoning Laws Affecting Security Consulting Businesses in the United States of America?

Yes.

Requirements depend heavily on what services a company actually performs.

A business providing only high-level security consulting may face different requirements from a company providing:

• Security guards
• Private investigations
• Executive protection
• Alarm installation
• Electronic access installation
• Armored transportation
• Locksmith services.

Because Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will initially operate in Texas, management will distinguish carefully between consulting and separately regulated private-security services.

Texas eliminated the former standalone licensing requirement for security consulting companies.

However, numerous related private-security services remain regulated.

Therefore, the company will not assume that calling an activity “consulting” automatically removes licensing obligations if employees are actually performing regulated services.

Potential business requirements include:

• Corporate registration
• Tax registration
• Professional liability insurance
• General liability insurance
• Workers’ compensation requirements
• Employment law compliance
• Client confidentiality procedures
• Data-security policies
• Contract requirements
• Licensing for any separately regulated services.

Workplace violence consulting will also be handled carefully.

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will develop prevention-oriented programs that help clients assess hazards, establish reporting procedures, train employees, clarify responsibilities, and improve organizational preparedness.

The company will work alongside attorneys, human resources professionals, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and other specialists when client circumstances require expertise outside the firm’s professional scope.

4. Marketing Plan

a. Who is Your Target Audience?

i. Age Range: Not particularly relevant because the primary clients are organizations.

Individual decision-makers will generally be senior managers and professionals.

ii. Level of Education: Our buyers may include university-educated executives, security managers, facility managers, risk managers, human resources professionals, attorneys, property managers, and business owners.

iii. Income Level: Corporate customers will range from medium-sized businesses to large organizations capable of purchasing professional consulting services.

High-net-worth individuals may also purchase executive or residential security consulting.

iv. Ethnicity: No specific ethnicity.

v. Language: English will be the primary operating language. Additional language capability may be introduced as the company expands.

vi. Geographical Location: Initially Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and other major Texas markets.

National assignments will be accepted selectively.

vii. Business Profile:

Our target customers include:

• Corporate headquarters
• Manufacturers
• Warehouses
• Healthcare organizations
• Hotels
• Retail chains
• Commercial property companies
• Apartment operators
• Schools
• Universities
• Nonprofits
• Houses of worship
• Technology businesses
• Law firms
• Private family offices
• Executives.

b. Advertising and Promotion Strategies

• Develop relationships with corporate risk managers.
• Target human resources departments with workplace violence services.
• Build relationships with commercial property managers.
• Develop partnerships with law firms.
• Provide educational security seminars.
• Attend corporate risk-management events.
• Network with insurance brokers.
• Develop referral relationships with security integrators without sacrificing independence.
• Target businesses opening new facilities.
• Contact organizations following major facility expansions.
• Develop annual security review packages.
• Offer security management retainers to businesses without full-time security directors.

i. Traditional Marketing Strategies

• Direct corporate sales
• Business networking
• Professional conferences
• Corporate presentations
• Referral partnerships
• Executive seminars
• Industry association participation
• Direct mail to qualified businesses
• Speaking engagements.

ii. Digital Marketing Strategies

• Search engine optimization
• Professional content marketing
• Email marketing
• LinkedIn prospecting
• Webinars
• Executive briefing publications
• Paid search advertising
• Online consultation requests
• Digital reputation management.

iii. Social Media Marketing Plan

LinkedIn will be the primary social media channel.

Content may include:

• Security management articles
• Workplace violence prevention guidance
• Emergency preparedness tips
• Security leadership insights
• Consultant introductions
• Conference presentations
• Company announcements
• General lessons from security assessments without exposing client vulnerabilities.

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will never publish detailed client vulnerabilities, confidential reports, floor plans, assessment photographs, or other sensitive information simply to generate marketing content.

c. Pricing Strategy

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will use value-based and project-based pricing.

Rates will depend on:

• Facility size
• Number of locations
• Project complexity
• Required expertise
• Travel
• Report requirements
• Training requirements
• Urgency
• Executive involvement
• Duration.

The company will not position itself as the cheapest consulting firm.

Senior consultants will be priced according to professional experience and the value of the work being performed.

5. Sales and Distribution Plan

a. Sales Channels

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will generate sales through:

• Direct corporate outreach
• Executive referrals
• Professional associations
• Law firm referrals
• Insurance broker referrals
• Property-management relationships
• Website inquiries
• LinkedIn prospecting
• Speaking engagements
• Existing-client referrals.

The strongest sales channel is expected to become repeat clients.

For example, a company may initially hire Elton Bannon® Security Inc. to conduct a security assessment at one Houston facility.

If the client is satisfied, the company could later retain us for:

• Additional sites
• Annual assessments
• Training
• Policy development
• Emergency exercises
• Ongoing consulting.

b. Inventory Strategy

A security consulting company has little traditional inventory.

Our primary capacity consists of:

• Consultant time
• Specialist expertise
• Project capacity
• Training capacity.

Physical assets may include:

• Laptops
• Tablets
• Cameras used for authorized assessment documentation
• Measurement equipment
• Presentation equipment
• Training materials
• Secure data-storage systems.

Management will carefully monitor consultant utilization.

Too many consultants without sufficient projects can create excessive payroll.

Too few consultants can create missed deadlines and lost business.

c. Payment Options for Customers

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will accept:

• ACH payments
• Bank transfers
• Corporate checks
• Credit cards where appropriate
• Electronic invoicing.

Large projects may require:

• Initial deposit
• Progress payment
• Final payment.

Established corporate clients may receive approved payment terms.

d. Return Policy, Incentives and Guarantees

Refund/Cancellation Policy:

Consulting services cannot normally be returned once professional work has been completed.

Project agreements will establish:

• Deposits
• Cancellation terms
• Travel costs
• Deliverables
• Project schedules
• Payment terms.

If a project is cancelled after consultants have already performed work, the client will remain responsible for completed services and approved expenses.

Incentives:

The company may provide:

• Multi-site assessment pricing
• Annual consulting agreements
• Retainer discounts
• Training package pricing
• Long-term client rates
• Bundled security program reviews.

Guarantees:

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. cannot guarantee that a client will never experience crime, violence, theft, disruption, or another security incident.

No legitimate consultant can eliminate every risk.

We will instead guarantee:

• Professional analysis
• Clear documentation
• Confidential handling of client information
• Recommendations based on the agreed project scope
• Professional conduct.

e. Customer Support Strategy

Each significant corporate client will receive a designated project manager.

The project manager will coordinate:

• Scope
• Site visits
• Interviews
• Document requests
• Project schedule
• Reports
• Presentations
• Follow-up questions.

Reports will prioritize recommendations.

Clients should not receive a hundred-page document containing fifty recommendations without knowing which issues deserve attention first.

Our reports will generally classify recommendations according to:

• Priority
• Risk significance
• Implementation complexity
• Estimated timing.

6. Operational Plan

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will operate from a professional Houston office with consultants working both from the office and at client locations.

Projects will follow a structured consulting methodology.

The typical process will include:

• Client consultation
• Scope definition
• Proposal
• Contract execution
• Document review
• Site assessment
• Stakeholder interviews
• Analysis
• Recommendations
• Report preparation
• Executive presentation
• Follow-up.

Sensitive information will be stored using appropriate security controls.

Consultants will receive confidentiality training.

Client reports will not be circulated internally beyond employees who reasonably need access.

a. What Happens During a Typical Day at a Security Consulting Business?

A typical day depends on current client projects.

Some consultants may begin the morning at a corporate facility conducting an authorized security assessment.

They may meet:

• Facility managers
• Security managers
• Human resources representatives
• Operations leaders
• Executive management.

Other consultants may remain in the office reviewing documents and preparing reports.

The sales team contacts prospective clients and prepares proposals.

A training consultant may conduct a workplace violence awareness session for a corporate customer.

Senior consultants may meet with executive teams to discuss security priorities.

The project manager tracks:

• Hours
• Deadlines
• Deliverables
• Travel expenses
• Client communications.

At the end of the day, assessment notes and authorized photographs are securely stored.

b. Production Process

There is no conventional manufacturing process.

Our consulting production process consists of:

1. Receive client inquiry.
2. Conduct discovery meeting.
3. Define project scope.
4. Prepare proposal.
5. Execute consulting agreement.
6. Collect approved background information.
7. Conduct site visits and interviews.
8. Analyze findings.
9. Develop recommendations.
10. Prepare written report.
11. Conduct quality review.
12. Present findings to client.
13. Provide agreed follow-up support.

c. Service Procedure

When a prospective client contacts Elton Bannon® Security Inc., management will first determine what the organization actually needs.

The client may believe it needs more guards when the underlying problem is poor access control.

Another client may ask for more cameras when the real weakness is that nobody has clear procedures for responding to alarms.

The discovery process will therefore identify:

• Client objectives
• Facilities involved
• Existing security program
• Known concerns
• Project deadline
• Required deliverables.

A written proposal will then define the scope.

Consultants will perform only authorized work.

After completing the assessment, findings will be presented in practical business language rather than unnecessary technical jargon.

d. The Supply Chain

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will maintain professional relationships with:

• Security technology manufacturers
• Security integrators
• Licensed guard companies
• Executive protection providers
• Private investigation firms
• Emergency management professionals
• Insurance brokers
• Attorneys
• Human resources specialists
• Training providers
• Information technology professionals
• Architects and engineers
• Commercial property professionals.

These relationships allow the company to help clients implement recommendations without pretending that our permanent staff has every possible specialty.

e. Sources of Income

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will generate income from:

• Physical security assessments
• Corporate security program reviews
• Workplace violence consulting
• Emergency preparedness projects
• Security policy development
• Security training
• Executive security consulting
• Residential security assessments
• Event security planning
• Security technology consulting
• Security vendor selection
• Monthly advisory retainers
• Multi-site corporate contracts
• Tabletop exercises
• Specialized consulting assignments.

7. Financial Plan

a. Amount Needed to Start your Security Consulting Company?

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will require an estimated $175,000 to establish a professionally staffed security consulting operation in Houston, Texas.

A solo security consultant working from home could start for considerably less.

Our proposed budget is higher because Elton Bannon® Security Inc. intends to launch as a professional consulting firm capable of serving corporate clients with multiple consultants, secure technology, professional insurance coverage, marketing, travel capacity, and sufficient working capital.

b. What are the Costs Involved?

Our estimated startup budget is:

• Office Deposit, Furniture and Setup: $20,000
• Professional Liability Insurance, General Liability, Legal and Corporate Setup: $15,000
• Security Assessment Equipment and Consulting Tools: $20,000
• Laptops, Secure IT Systems, Phones and Cybersecurity: $15,000
• Vehicle, Transportation and Initial Travel Budget: $25,000
• Website, Branding and Launch Marketing: $15,000
• Professional Training and Certifications: $10,000
• Working Capital: $55,000.

Total Estimated Startup Requirement: $175,000.

These figures are business-plan assumptions and will vary depending on staffing, office selection, insurance, travel, and consultant experience.

c. Do You Need to Build a Facility? If YES, How Much Will it Cost?

No.

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will not construct a new facility during the startup period.

The company will lease a modest professional office.

The office will provide:

• Reception area
• Consultant workspace
• Secure document storage
• Conference room
• Training/presentation space
• Administrative office.

Many consulting activities will take place at client facilities, reducing the need for an expensive headquarters.

d. What are the Ongoing Expenses for Running a Security Consulting Business?

• Consultant salaries
• Payroll taxes
• Employee benefits
• Professional liability insurance
• General liability insurance
• Workers’ compensation
• Cyber insurance
• Office rent
• Utilities
• Secure technology
• Software subscriptions
• Travel
• Hotels
• Vehicle expenses
• Professional development
• Certifications
• Marketing
• Legal services
• Accounting
• Professional association memberships.

e. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?

Our projected compensation structure is:

• Chief Executive Officer – $115,000 Per Year
• Director of Security Consulting – $110,000 Per Year
• Senior Security Consultants – $95,000 – $125,000 Per Year
• Security Risk Analysts – $70,000 – $90,000 Per Year
• Workplace Violence/Threat Management Consultant – $95,000 – $120,000 Per Year
• Emergency Preparedness Consultant – $80,000 – $105,000 Per Year
• Security Technology Consultant – $90,000 – $120,000 Per Year
• Training and Development Manager – $75,000 Per Year
• Sales and Business Development Manager – $70,000 Per Year plus incentives
• Administrative Coordinator – $42,000 Per Year.

Senior specialist consultants engaged only for individual assignments may instead be paid on a daily or project basis.

f. How Do You Get Funding to Start a Security Consulting Business?

Potential funding sources include:

• Personal savings
• Founder equity
• Business partner contributions
• Bank financing
• SBA-backed loans where eligible
• Business credit
• Private investors
• Family and friends
• Reinvested consulting revenue.

Because this is a professional-services business, management will avoid unnecessary debt for expensive equipment that does not directly support consulting revenue.

8. Financial Projection

a. How Much Should You Charge for Your Product/Service?

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will use hourly, daily, project, and retainer pricing.

Our preliminary rates are:

Security Consultant Hourly Rates

• Security Analyst: $125 – $175 per hour
• Security Consultant: $175 – $250 per hour
• Senior/Executive Security Consultant: $250 – $400+ per hour

Physical Security Assessments

• Small Facility: $3,500 – $7,500
• Medium Facility: $7,500 – $15,000
• Large/Complex Facility: $15,000 – $40,000+

Corporate Security Program Review

• $10,000 – $50,000+ depending on organization size and number of locations.

Workplace Violence Prevention Program

• Small Organization: $5,000 – $10,000
• Medium Organization: $10,000 – $25,000
• Large Multi-Site Program: $25,000 – $75,000+

Security Training

• Half-Day Training: $2,000 – $4,000
• Full-Day Training: $3,500 – $7,500+

Travel expenses may be additional.

Tabletop Exercises

• Basic Executive Exercise: $5,000 – $10,000
• Complex Multi-Department Exercise: $10,000 – $25,000+

Monthly Security Advisory Retainer

• Small Business: $2,500 – $5,000 per month
• Medium Organization: $5,000 – $12,500 per month
• Large Corporate Client: $12,500 – $30,000+ per month

b. Sales Forecast?

Based on security assessments, training, corporate retainers, workplace violence consulting, emergency preparedness, and multi-site projects, Elton Bannon® Security Inc. projects:

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): $450,000
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $750,000
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $1,100,000

FY1 will concentrate on building a strong portfolio of Houston corporate clients.

During FY2, the company expects more repeat assignments, multi-site assessments, and monthly retainers.

By FY3, Elton Bannon® Security Inc. expects to perform consulting assignments throughout Texas and selected national markets.

c. Estimated Profit You Will Make a Year?

Our projected profit after tax is:

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): 15 Percent
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): 20 Percent
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): 25 Percent

At projected revenue levels, this represents approximately:

• FY1: $67,500
• FY2: $150,000
• FY3: $275,000.

d. Profit Margin of a Security Consulting Business

The ideal net profit margin Elton Bannon® Security Inc. hopes to achieve will be approximately 18 to 30 percent once the business reaches stable utilization.

Consulting can generate healthy margins because there is little inventory.

However, consultant payroll represents a major expense.

The company must therefore monitor:

• Billable consultant hours
• Consultant utilization
• Average project value
• Travel expenses
• Customer acquisition cost
• Report preparation time
• Revenue per consultant.

A consultant earning a substantial salary but spending most of the month without billable work can quickly reduce profitability.

e. Consultant Utilization Projection

Management will target approximately:

• FY1: 50 – 60 Percent billable utilization
• FY2: 60 – 68 Percent billable utilization
• FY3: 65 – 72 Percent billable utilization.

The remaining time will cover:

• Sales
• Training
• Administration
• Professional development
• Proposal preparation
• Internal quality review.

f. Recurring Revenue Target

By the end of FY3, Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will aim for approximately 30 to 40 percent of annual revenue to come from recurring consulting retainers, annual assessment agreements, and repeat corporate programs.

Recurring revenue will reduce dependence on constantly finding new one-time projects.

9. Growth Plan

a. How do you intend to grow and expand? By opening more locations or selling a Franchise?

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. intends to grow through company-owned offices and specialist consulting practices before considering any franchise structure.

Growth will occur in stages.

Stage One – Establish Houston Practice

Management will build expertise and references in:

• Corporate assessments
• Workplace violence prevention
• Training
• Emergency preparedness
• Security program reviews.

Stage Two – Develop Recurring Corporate Retainers

The company will convert one-time clients into ongoing advisory relationships.

Stage Three – Build Specialized Practices

Specialist divisions may eventually include:

• Healthcare security
• Executive risk
• Education security
• Security technology
• Workplace violence prevention
• Hospitality security.

Stage Four – Establish Additional Texas Offices

Dallas and Austin are expected to be early expansion markets.

Stage Five – National Expansion

The company will gradually establish consultant coverage in additional major metropolitan areas.

Stage Six – Acquisitions

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. may eventually acquire respected independent consulting practices.

b. Where do you intend to expand to and why? (Geographical Locations)

Potential expansion markets include:

• Dallas, Texas
• Austin, Texas
• San Antonio, Texas
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Washington, D.C.
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Chicago, Illinois
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Los Angeles, California
• New York City.

Expansion decisions will be based on:

• Corporate headquarters
• Commercial real estate
• Healthcare systems
• Large employers
• Hospitality
• Manufacturing
• Existing client demand
• Availability of experienced consultants.

The company will not open an office merely for prestige.

An additional location must have enough client demand to support qualified professionals.

10. Exit Plan

Elton Bannon® Security Inc. intends to build a professional consulting company capable of eventually being sold, recapitalized, merged, or transferred to future management.

The preferred long-term exit strategy will be acquisition by a larger risk-management, professional-services, insurance, security, or consulting organization.

Potential buyers may include:

• Global security companies
• Risk consulting firms
• Management consulting organizations
• Security technology companies
• Insurance and risk-management groups
• Private equity firms
• Other professional-services companies.

The company’s eventual value will depend heavily on whether clients belong to Elton Bannon® Security Inc. or merely to Elton Bannon personally.

Management will therefore build:

• Institutional client relationships
• Multiple senior consultants
• Standard assessment methodologies
• Recognizable branding
• Recurring consulting contracts
• Documented procedures
• Strong financial records
• A diversified client portfolio
• Professional management.

No individual client should eventually account for an excessive percentage of revenue.

Similarly, no single consultant should hold all critical client relationships.

Another potential exit strategy will be management buyout.

Future senior executives could purchase the founders’ shares while maintaining the Elton Bannon® Security Inc. brand.

The company may also eventually merge with a larger organization seeking to add a physical-security consulting practice.

Ultimately, Elton Bannon® Security Inc. will be built as more than an experienced security professional selling his personal time.

The objective is to create a scalable professional-services company with respected methodologies, qualified consultants, recurring corporate relationships, measurable client value, and a brand capable of continuing successfully long after the founder leaves day-to-day operations.