Will My New Personal Business Conflict with My Upcoming Consulting Job?

I don't think you should worry about the risk for now. I don't see any conflict of interest or anything of the sort. 

You should just let them know you're going to engage in an entrepreneurship project until your start date. If any, this experience would make you an even more well-rounded consultant who understands how to build a business and team, not just how to apply frameworks. 

All the best in your endeavors. 

Hi there and congrats on your McKinsey offer! 

Very outside-in answer is: I don't think you should worry too much, at least not for now. Main reason for this being that your current personal project does not interfere so far with your consulting job (+ you are not using your consulting position to gain personal financial gain). 

However,  I would still think you should play this very safe and avoid any doubt / further questioning. Therefore, I think you should, for now, reach out to HR and simply ask if they see any issue with this. Be ready to share a bit of details about the business; I except they will also ask if you plan to continue this after your official employment starts. 

Once your official employment starts, I am expecting McKinsey to have very clear rules and processes about these kind of activities. I don't think it's a clear "you are not allowed to do this", but rather a compliance process you need to follow to be in the clear. 

To share some personal examples (different MBB / different office, so use as illustrative): 
(1) I had my own business that I started during an educational break from BCG. Even if my contract was officially paused, I asked for the OK of the office director, which I have gotten. I continued a bit my business during my time at BCG, then eventually closed it. 

(2) I was in the board (non-exec) of a company while in another BCG office and went through the official compliance process and got the OK from BCG to pursue that activity (I had to estimate how much time it would take me and explain why I don't think that would interfere with my day to day consulting job). 

I hope this gives you a sense of the implications, at least how I see it. Please do check with the official relevant sources - no harm in doing that. 

Best, 

Ariadna 

Hi there,

Not a stupid question at all – it’s actually very relevant. Most top consulting firms have strict policies around outside business activities because of potential conflicts of interest, reputational risks, and time commitment concerns. Even if your fitness venture seems unrelated to consulting projects, the fact that you’re targeting consultants and bankers could raise perceived conflicts (e.g., using insider knowledge of your future employer’s lifestyle, marketing directly to colleagues/clients, etc.).

A few things to consider:

• Contract & policies: Once you join, you’ll likely have to disclose any external business and get approval. Firms usually allow passive investments but are cautious about active involvement, especially if it’s client-adjacent.
• Conflict of interest: Since your target audience overlaps with your firm’s own people and clients, it might be seen as inappropriate or competitive, even if it’s just fitness-related.
• Practical risk: If discovered later without disclosure, it could be viewed as a breach of trust. If disclosed early, they might either approve with conditions (e.g., keep it small, don’t market to colleagues) or ask you to pause it.

What you can do:

• Run it now before your start date without issues.
• Once you join, be transparent with HR or your professional conduct/compliance team. They’ll let you know what’s acceptable.

So yes, there’s some risk – but as long as you disclose and get written approval, you should be safe.
 

Best, 

Evelina

Hi there,

Q: Is there any risk that this could affect my future role? Could I encounter any problems?

Unless there is something in your contract preventing a similar work experience before you start, I cannot see any issue. 

The only possible concern is that you will not have much time once you start, thus most likely you will not be able to continue the activity in parallel after January.

Additionally, if you would like to continue working on your project after you start, I would recommend disclosing it at that stage to HR.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there,

I don't see any issue with this. It's a great initiative that does not conflict with your future work.

However, it's likely that you would need to shut it down once you start as the contract usually forbids you from doing any other work. Clarify with HR. :-)

Cheers,

Florian