Transparent breakdown of the success-fee model: how payment works, risk-sharing structure, and realistic earnings scenarios for fractional, project-based, and full-time Partners.
Partners earn a percentage of project fees when milestones are complete and clients pay. This is not employment—you're an independent contractor sharing in project success.
You bring the client, you earn 30% of project fees. Higher share rewards sourcing effort.
We source the client, you deliver. Standard delivery rate for Pertama-sourced engagements.
You refer a client, another Partner delivers. Passive income for qualified introductions.
You're not paid until the client pays. If a client doesn't pay or delays payment, your success fee is delayed or at risk.
Upside: You don't have business development overhead, contracting complexity, or invoicing/collections burden. You focus on delivery.
Engagements are structured in 3-4 milestones (typically monthly). Client pays Pertama after each milestone delivery. You receive your success-fee share within 7 days of client payment clearing.
Example Timeline:
If client delays payment 30+ days beyond invoice date, Pertama pursues collections. Your success fee is paid only when client pays—no advance or guaranteed payment.
Historical Payment Rate:
95%+ of engagements result in full payment (based on Founder's 10 years running LearningLeaders). Most delays are administrative (wrong invoice recipient, approval workflows), not refusal to pay.
You're an independent contractor (1099), not an employee (W-2). This means:
Non-US Partners: Payment via wire transfer, tax treatment per your country's contractor regulations.
What can you realistically expect to earn in Year 1 (2026) based on engagement mode and sourcing mix?
Assumptions:
Earnings Breakdown:
✓ Good for: Keeping full-time job while building consulting practice on the side
Assumptions:
Earnings Breakdown:
✓ Good for: Primary income source, flexible schedule, 3-4 focused engagements per year
Assumptions:
Earnings Breakdown:
✓ Good for: Long-term commitment, building firm equity, predictable base income + upside
Assumptions:
Earnings Breakdown:
✓ Good for: Well-connected executives who don't want hands-on delivery, passive income
Unlike employment, you have zero guaranteed income. If you don't close engagements, you earn nothing. If clients delay payment, your cash flow is affected. This model only works if you're financially comfortable with uncertainty.
Pertama pipeline is founder-dependent in 2026. Early Partners should expect to source 50%+ of their own clients initially. If you don't have strong existing networks or business development skills, you'll struggle.
Pertama owns client relationships. You cannot take Pertama clients to your independent practice. If you're building your own consulting brand, this model conflicts with that goal.
As 1099 contractor, you handle your own: health insurance, retirement savings, estimated quarterly taxes, self-employment tax (15.3%), and business expenses. Factor these costs into your earnings expectations.
$200-300+/hr effective rate vs. $100-150/hr as employed consultant. If you can handle the risk, the upside is 2-3x higher than traditional consulting employment.
Pertama handles contracting, invoicing, collections, conflict management, and AI tooling infrastructure. You focus on delivery and client relationships, not administrative tasks.
Early Partners (2026) get equity grants, higher success-fee share (30%), and input on firm direction. If Pertama scales, Founding Partners benefit disproportionately.
Work fractionally (10-15 hrs/week) while keeping full-time job, or go full-time with equity. Choose your engagements, set your schedule, and operate independently.
Before applying, honestly assess if this model fits your situation:
Can I handle 3-6 months with zero income? If you need immediate cash flow or can't afford financial uncertainty, this model won't work.
Do I have strong networks or BD skills? In 2026, you'll need to source 50%+ of your own clients initially. If you can't do that, earnings will be limited.
Am I comfortable not owning client relationships? Pertama owns clients. If you want to build your own independent brand, this model conflicts.
Do I have 10+ years experience and C-suite credibility? We only accept senior practitioners. If you're mid-level, you won't pass the bar.
Am I excited about AI-native delivery? If you're skeptical about AI or prefer traditional consulting models, this won't be a good fit.
If this model fits your situation, review the Partner Program and apply. We'll discuss economics in detail during the interview process.
