Do you need some kind of degree or masters to run a consulting business? For example, to help small businesses grow.

Nope, no degree required. By law, you don't need anything to be a consultant (though liability insurance is not a bad idea).

Your clients will probably want to know where your experience comes from, but that doesn't mean you have to have been to school for it.

I'm a business and marketing coach, not that different from what you are doing. I have a high school diploma and some college classes, but my clients hired me because I ran my OWN small business for 2 years and because I provide clear value to them in the first 5 minutes or so we spend together.

Rebecca