SNAPSHOT

i PROVIDE CONSULTING & MICRO-INVESTMENTS TO STARTUPS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

Consulting topics: business strategy, product development, eCommerce, operations, leadership, marketing & customer experience

Typical consulting rate: $75/hr (flexible)

Consulting structure: project-based or hourly/unstructured

Typical investments: $5,000 - $50,000 for 10% - 50% equity

I FOCUS ON STARTUPS AND SMALL BUSINESS

Whether you're a team of 2 or a group of 20, I specialize on businesses at their earliest stages. I do this for a couple of reasons: 1) it's what I know - from my family's business as a kid to building a multi-million dollar eCommerce business recently, I've flourished in setting the foundation for founders and early teams. 2) it's fast, exciting, and allows me to make a big impact - I like making a difference, and by working with startups, I get the pleasure of working with the people that are wanting to make their own difference, in the local community or in the world.

CONSULTANT OR MICRO-INVESTOR, I DO BOTH

I understand that most startups and small businesses are strapped for cash. I also don't want that to get in the way of me helping them. Therefore, my compensation is tailored to the situation at hand and falls into 2 major avenues: 1) I assist with your business on a contractual basis for a flat fee, or 2) I make a micro-investment into your business and we hit the ground running as partners.   

I LEARN MANY PIECES OF THE PUZZLE

Since my first days at college, I adopted the following philosophy: "I may not be the one that connects every piece of the puzzle, but I will be the one to know what the final picture looks like and how the pieces will need to go together." In other words, I work every day to explore, learn, and understand the fundamentals of a wide range of business functions. I've heard it said too many times that "the owner just asked me to design XYZ in 2 weeks... if he knew that's like building the great pyramids in 2 months, he'd already know this project will be late, over budget, and won't jive with the research of the marketing and sales teams." Using my puzzle piece philosophy, I can go into most meetings with an understanding of product design, marketing analytics, photo/video, software, operations, key financial components, and more. This gives me a holistic perspective to every decision, and as long as you stay out of analysis paralysis, it's an extremely powerful tool to have in your toolbox.

Business strategy

Business is challenging, with many moving parts, surprises, victories, and setbacks. A comprehensive strategy provides the foundation for clarity, stability, and motivation for a high performing team. As a business leader, your job is to traverse your team across the ocean, and a proper strategy will help ensure you have the right boat, with the right supplies, moving in the right direction with everyone playing their critical part to sail onward. 

eCommerce

The world of shopping has been forever shaken by eCommerce. Convenience, selection, confidence, and cost savings have resulted in millions of people shopping daily online. For the past 4 years I led a startup team to build a multi-million dollar, direct-to-consumer eCommerce business. I'll be the first to tell you the internet provides incredible opportunity, but the world is your competition. It isn't easy, but I can help establish your online business to maximize the upside.

business operations

Internal business operations can make or break the mission. Done poorly, the best ideas will sink in an abyss of expenses, poor quality, and inadequate output. Done well, these operations can provide a competitive advantage that is difficult for other brands to copy. I take a holistic engineering approach to operations, first honing in on the true requirements at hand, establishing goals, and then developing systems that optimally deliver the necessary results.

leadership

Even the best strategies will become a waste of ink on paper if a proper leader isn't in place to cultivate, develop, motivate, and support the team. My leadership style involves lifting up those around to achieve more than they thought possible, with integrity, compassion, and an infectious energy. Leadership is one of the most challenging qualities for business leaders as every action, every decision is gauged by your team; thus, great leaders don't think about leading - it's become instinct. I can help you get there.

product development

With years of engineering experience and bringing products to market, I can assist with every facet of the product development cycle. From the initial understanding of "the problem we'll solve" through technical requirements and design, I provide a unique perspective to a product development team with my ability to combine engineering aspects with the marketing, sales, operations, and financial components of the project. With my help, we can launch your new idea to incredible highs.

marketing & customer experience

"The best ideas go mute if none hear of it". The past 20 years have revolutionized the customer experience and marketing landscape. Now more than ever before, businesses of any size have the ability to reach their precise target audience, provide them with an incredible customer journey, and measure their marketing success. I have extensive experience in online marketing, and I place a priority on optimizing the entire customer experience from advertising awareness through post-purchase technical support.