About Us
I am a private business coach, advisor, and mentor for owners of small businesses who have lost or are losing hope. As a certified coach, I help bring clarity to the owner in purpose and goals. As a business advisor, I am experienced in formulating strategy and business plans. help formulate strategy and plans. As a mentor, I have led multiple companies in growth from single-digit millions to double digits.
How We Got Started
I've worked for eight entrepreneurs over the past 35 years and held the number two slots in 6, eventually rising to run the company for 4 of them. I understand and enjoy the dynamics of small and family owned companies because in them each person has the opportunity to make the biggest difference. After my last employer sold the company for strategic value in 2016 I reassessed what I wanted to do next, and decided what I enjoyed most, and was best at, was helping businesses take advantage of their most powerful competitive weapons and differentiators, their vision, values and culture. And coaching leaders in how to do it themselves.
The products and services we offer
Recommendations Received (22)
"Keith is your definition of a professional best friend!! He asks the greatest questions to really..."
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"Keith is your definition of a professional best friend!! He asks the greatest questions to really make you think deeply, as well as keep you aligned with your purpose, goals and values. "
"Keith brings an extensive field experience and helps business owners reach their goals. He know..."
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"Keith brings an extensive field experience and helps business owners reach their goals. He know what it takes to get a business on track."
Products & Services
Working one-on-one with CEOs and owners of small businesses ($1m to $40m) to help them get everything they are willing to work for. After all, a ...
Entrepreneurship doesn't have to be isolating. And being the solopreneur is especially lonely. Mastermind groups are a great way for business owne...
One of the primary causes for company underperformance is a lack of alignment between the owner's needs and the business' needs. Without this alig...
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Recommendations Given (19)
"Nancee is not only expert at the elements of marketing, but also provides a template to educate..."
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"Nancee is not only expert at the elements of marketing, but also provides a template to educate her clients on the entire process. Her clients walk through the process with her, fully informed of both steps, the cost, and the expected results collaborative. If you are tired of being sold “stuff” and want to get results, call Nancee at WSI."
"Chelsie brings a passion and a personal touch that allows her to be effective in helping you..."
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"Chelsie brings a passion and a personal touch that allows her to be effective in helping you improve your fitness while coaching online. She has a holistic approach to fitness, including psychological and emotional aspects, along with diet and exercise."
Recent Activity
I make every effort to take the weekends off in that I do not schedule any work with clients or for myself. That being said, I tell my clients I am available for them 24/7/365 and when they contact me I will happily (if groggily) respond.
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I make every effort to take the weekends off in that I do not schedule any work with clients or for myself. That being said, I tell my clients I am available for them 24/7/365 and when they contact me I will happily (if groggily) respond.
This is why selling on cost alone is risky. What do you offer that is of higher value than low cost alone IN THE EYES OF THE CUSTOMER? Availability? Fast delivery? Customer service? Add-on products or services? This can make the total value the customer receives greater than price alone - and...
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This is why selling on cost alone is risky. What do you offer that is of higher value than low cost alone IN THE EYES OF THE CUSTOMER? Availability? Fast delivery? Customer service? Add-on products or services? This can make the total value the customer receives greater than price alone - and point it out aggressively.
No. In fact, I don't encourage reviews from anyone on any platform who (1) hasn't experienced my work or (2) knows me. It is also why so many of the reviews are platitudes. I do appreciate the sentiment of those trying to help me but I believe such specious reviews also lead to the massive...
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No. In fact, I don't encourage reviews from anyone on any platform who (1) hasn't experienced my work or (2) knows me. It is also why so many of the reviews are platitudes. I do appreciate the sentiment of those trying to help me but I believe such specious reviews also lead to the massive distrust of reviews in general. Want to see where relevant reviews exist? Product reviews on Amazon. You won't have any problems discerning what they liked about the product or what they didn't like. And as a result, there is a high volume of reviews and people pay attention to them.
For me (and many of my clients) it is the lack of understanding how to measure the cost performance of outsourced activities. For example, outsourcing anything that you don't understand why it needs to be done and what the outcome should look like is just paying someone else while you close your...
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For me (and many of my clients) it is the lack of understanding how to measure the cost performance of outsourced activities. For example, outsourcing anything that you don't understand why it needs to be done and what the outcome should look like is just paying someone else while you close your eyes. It doesn't mean you'll get a bad outcome, but it will be luck if you get a good one.
Here is a couple of common examples.
Imagine outsourcing your marketing (e.g. SEO, social media, etc.) without a clear understanding of your brand, or the 3 basic questions (who are your customers, why did they choose you, why do they continue to buy from you). If you don't know these answers you are just pushing pictures and messages blindly. And you won't know how to measure the results. Clicks only are easy and expensive to follow up on.
Imagine outsourcing your accounting to a CPA (e.g. tax accountant, bookkeeper, etc.) without a clear understanding of how your cash flow works, COGs, or targeted operating profit. Without instruction, all your CPA can do is prepare your financial reports and manage your tax liability. Secret: this won't keep you from having a failing business.
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Many members have offered the most basic question of WHY are they leaving in the first place. The primary way to retain employees is to ensure they have no reason to leave. And no, this is not usually about compensation.
Perhaps less obvious is retention starts with hiring. The top attribute...
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Many members have offered the most basic question of WHY are they leaving in the first place. The primary way to retain employees is to ensure they have no reason to leave. And no, this is not usually about compensation.
Perhaps less obvious is retention starts with hiring. The top attribute you should be searching for is someone who fits your company culture and work-life. If you make the mistake many do, which is to hire for talent first, you will enter many employment relationships that are doomed for failure. That doesn't mean that talent or skills don't matter. But talent without fit creates a lot of noise.
One creative thing I've done. While I was the president of a technology company we had a difficult time finding high tech / high talent people we needed. Then we realized this was because we created a container that didn't fit, (1) local, (2) 40+ hours/week. When we looked we realized there were a large number of stay-at-home spouses or single parents who had the ability but not the time flexibility. When we became more flexible in our work requirements we not only had plenty of candidates but also became the place to work for our competitor's talent who desired a more sane workplace.
I am aware of my competition and substitutes because I often refer them for prospects I am not a good fit for. Now I don't spend time "researching" them, but I am always happy to meet them and see how our methods may support each other. Candidly I've only met one other coach who does what I do...
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I am aware of my competition and substitutes because I often refer them for prospects I am not a good fit for. Now I don't spend time "researching" them, but I am always happy to meet them and see how our methods may support each other. Candidly I've only met one other coach who does what I do anyway.
I tell people who ask what I do that "I help business owners have more fun and make more money." Most just ask out of courtesy anyway. This states quickly and simply the need I can meet.
For the few who say tell me more about that I reply "I find the biggest obstacle to business performance is a lack of alignment between the owner's needs and the business' needs." This offers a logical answer to the need I've identified. But I still don't tell them what I do.
Only if they ask to hear more do I tell them I am a business and clarity coach and what my solution is to the lack of alignment issue. What I do is not the only solution, and there are multiple ways of approaching the issue. If they believe my solution is credible, I have a very high close rate. If they prefer another solution, I try to refer them to someone good who can help them. This keeps my solution in their mind even if they decide to take another path and sometimes I hear back from them a year or so later if the other approach doesn't work.
Relationships and referrals are my primary lead sources.
The best (and perhaps unique) form of advertising I use is Solopreneur Roundtables. I facilitate groups of 10 over Zoom with the purpose of (1) help solopreneurs find "professional best friends," (2) a team of advisors who know you and...
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Relationships and referrals are my primary lead sources.
The best (and perhaps unique) form of advertising I use is Solopreneur Roundtables. I facilitate groups of 10 over Zoom with the purpose of (1) help solopreneurs find "professional best friends," (2) a team of advisors who know you and your business, and are willing to provide support and advice.
By helping others I am able to learn much and share what I what I know. My roundtable members are a major source of referrals for me because I have already demonstrated by skills, knowledge, and how much I care, with the groups.
Great question. Would need to know more to provide you a quality answer. What is the purpose of the teams? Why are they offering support? How does one qualify to get answers and financial support?
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Great question. Would need to know more to provide you a quality answer. What is the purpose of the teams? Why are they offering support? How does one qualify to get answers and financial support?
The most important thing you can do when you launch and work your venture is the remember the purpose of YOUR business. You are the owner and part of taking responsibility for it is defining WHY it exists and WHAT it does. Make sure it stays faithful to the WHY.
As you work on (and in) the...
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The most important thing you can do when you launch and work your venture is the remember the purpose of YOUR business. You are the owner and part of taking responsibility for it is defining WHY it exists and WHAT it does. Make sure it stays faithful to the WHY.
As you work on (and in) the business you will find your first few years of work to be largely transactional (e.g. more customers, more sales, product fulfillment, delivering quality, customer service) and there is nothing wrong with these. But if you think of your transactions apart from your purpose it is easy to lose your way and go down the wrong path.
Operating your own business is a combination (not balance) of delivering what your customers will buy while meeting your life goals at the same time. It is not either or.
The specific types of businesses that have experience and expertise working with. When I hire a CPA I want specific, not general services. I want to know they can help me run my business better by knowing how my cash balances, cash flow, collections, etc. compare to similar businesses they have...
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The specific types of businesses that have experience and expertise working with. When I hire a CPA I want specific, not general services. I want to know they can help me run my business better by knowing how my cash balances, cash flow, collections, etc. compare to similar businesses they have seen.
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