STUDENT FAQ’s
1. Is P&P a club or an actual firm?
P&P is very much a full-fledged consulting firm. We are not a club and have no direct affiliation with UCLA. We’re a non-profit entity and believe in empowering students of all backgrounds to help revolutionize the LA venture ecosystem. Our goals are to help our student consultants learn about startups, gain exposure to incredible networks, and help scale startups inexpensively.
2. Can I get paid for my work?
Absolutely. Because we’re nonprofit, we do not charge for our services and receive donations from businesses for our work. We do not retain a single penny of these gifts, and distribute them all back to our consultants and project leads.
3. Do I have to be a business major?
Definitely not. The best consultants are analytical, thirsty for knowledge, and bring fresh perspectives to every problem. Every major is capable of that level of thinking, and we firmly believe in being inclusive and diverse with our recruiting practices. We are constantly working towards complete transparency, a flat hierarchy, and a humble culture, where every consultant has the resources and support to thrive. We invest in people, not in their majors.
4. Do we care about GPA?
We couldn’t care less about your GPA. We care deeply about how much you’ve challenged yourself and are looking for a passion for entrepreneurship and startups. For some, GPA can be a good indicator of success, but for most, it’s nothing more than a number, and we won’t knock you for having an imperfect one.
5. What does P&P look for in an applicant?
We look for people who have a fire in the belly to make a difference. People that are willing to go the extra mile when others have quit, and are insatiably curious about the world of startups. We look for people who work well in teams, are monster problem solvers, and prefer the deep end of the pool. User empathy, great intuition, and a relentless ‘get-things-done’ mentality will set you up for success here. Although prior consulting, operator, or startup experience is great, we don’t weigh past experiences nearly as much as a drive to gain future ones.
6. Are applications accepted on a rolling basis?
Yes, we accept applications on a rolling basis. Startups don’t operate on quarterly cycles, and neither do we. We’re trying to build a flexible team that’s ready to jump on a project when it arrives. So don’t worry about deadlines or information weeks — let us know when you’re ready, and we’ll be ready for a conversation.
7. Do I need to have prior consulting experience?
No prior consulting knowledge is required. Consulting can be a vague and intimidating term, but it’s not that scary. You’ll pick up key metrics, industry specific models, and pricing techniques on the job. Project cycles can be challenging, but you’ll be fine as long as you’re crazy about solving problems.
8. How much time do I need commit to P&P on a regular basis?
It’s hard to give an exact number, since every project is different, and different people take different amounts of time on tasks. We expect the average consultant to spend between 5–10 hours on P&P work.
COMPANY FAQ’s
- What kind of services does P&P offer?
We help startups with product strategy, business development, and market research. In the last cycle, our client roster included Los Angeles startups backed by Greylock Partners, First Round Capital, Upfront Ventures, Greycroft Ventures, and more. You can view our case studies by clicking here.
2. What industry does P&P specialize in?
We take pride in our ability to learn the fundamentals of virtually any industry. Our consultants come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, and have a great tenacity to dive into new arenas. We would like to believe that if we pool our collective strengths and passions, there is no market we cannot serve. So far we have served startups in the car-rental, blockchain, and social media spaces. Having said that, we believe that the value we bring to the table is not necessarily industry expertise, but initiative and drive to tackle a diverse set of complex problems.
3. What does it mean to be an Associate Consultant at P&P?
Being an Associate Consultant means getting up to speed on projects rapidly, and devoting time talking to Project Managers, Startup Founders, and Venture Capitalists to make sure we think about a problem the right way. As an Associate here, you’ll learn about companies you never knew existed, devise your own techniques to help these startups scale, and witness the effects of your efforts firsthand.
4. How does the process work?
Every startup is different. Most clients approach us with a project or problem description. We engage over project cycles that range from 4 to 12 weeks, based on scope. We also present a professional strategy brief or deck as our final and mid-cycle deliverables, but this is dependent on project cycle. We also meet with our clients regularly to ensure that needs are being met and our work is staying impactful.
Generally, as part of the process, we’ll first hold an initial interview with your company in order to understand your business needs and priorities. After that, you’ll be set up with a team of 6–7 student consultants and assign your project a project manager. The team will help you conduct high quality and impactful research over the next 4–12 weeks.
