Founder and Business Advisory
See a CLEAR PATH forward.
When you're inside your business every day, it can be hard to see the path forward clearly. In fact, you see too mandy opportunities, obstacles and far - far into the future without steps to get there. I show you the clear path forward and reveal what’s hiding in plain sight.
I work alongside founders, business owners and leaders to find what others miss, help you get get clear about what matters and turn that clarity into revenue.
Most entrepreneurs don't have an idea problem. They have a clarity problem.
You probably don't need someone to give you more ideas. You may need someone who can help you step outside the day-to-day, ask the right questions and see what you're too close to recognize on your own. You need to get out of your head, organize a clear path forward and follow through with a second pair of eyes to keep you on track.
Is this you?
Navigating a transition in your business or your role alone.
Having more ideas than time or staff to execute them.
Desiring growth but unsure if anyone (including yourself) can keep up.
Facing decision paralysis and overwhelm.
Wanting to start something new but unsure if it’s a good idea.
Managing a team while trying to lead the business.
Unorganized, pulled in too many directions to know what actually deserves your attention.
Wishing you had a confidant but aren’t sure who to rely on.
You can do it alone, but you don’t have to.
Where do you need clarity?
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Vision and Strategic Planning
You know you want something different. Let's define what that actually looks like—and what needs to happen next.
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Business Growth
Growth changes the questions you're asking. Together, we'll look at what's working, what's getting in the way and what your next stage requires from both the business and you.
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Business Life-Cycle Transitions
Starting. Scaling. Restructuring. Stepping into—or out of—leadership. Sometimes you need a trained eye to see the possibilities and help you map them out.
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Idea Audit
A new business? A new offer? A new location? A rebrand? Bring me the half-formed idea, the whiteboard, the giant list of possibilities or the thing you can't stop thinking about. We'll figure out what belongs and what can wait.
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Leadership & Decision-Making
When everyone else is looking to you for the answer, it helps to have somewhere you can process without judgement or a final answer. Founder advisory gives you room to think out loud, challenge assumptions and make decisions with greater confidence.
I find what others miss.
My job isn't to hand you a formula for what your business—or your life—is supposed to look like. It's to see alongside you. For 25 years I’ve been helping the primary decision makers in business. It’s my trained skillset and life’s work.
I bring business experience, coaching, creativity and endless curiosity to the table. Together, we uncover what's already there, see new possibilities and create actionable steps to help you see a clear path forward.
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A sounding board
A place to say the thing you're not ready to say to your team, partner or board—and explore it before deciding what comes next.
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Strategic perspective
Step outside the weeds long enough to see the larger picture, identify patterns and focus on what actually matters.
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Innovation
My clients rely on me for my creative, out of the box brain. In fact, there’s been a few million dollar ideas and they can be yours. We'll explore possibilities you may not have considered—and figure out which ones are actually worth pursuing.
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Self-awareness
Your personality, values, motivations and natural tendencies affect the way you build, lead and decide. When useful, I draw from tools including the Enneagram and Predictive Index.
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Action
Clarity isn't particularly useful if nothing happens afterward. We'll turn what you discover into decisions, priorities and forward movement.
Experience from both sides of the table
Like you, my path to becoming who I am today wasn’t a straight line. I started in ministry where I learned how to empathize and lead others. In sales, I learned how to approach people and serve their needs without being gross. I spent more than 15 years as the CXO, I helped grow a small financial advisory firm from fewer than 300 families into a thriving, nationally recognized brand serving more than 800. I learned that business development, branding and marketing and client experience work together as a trifecta. If woven together, they give businesses a competitive edge.
In fact, TD Ameritrade recognized me for offering the best client experience nationally. I still collaborate with talented people who I met there.
Over the years, I've brought business development, brand creation, client experience, marketing and leadership together. In 2013 I became a certified coach, spent 6 years learning to implement EOS principles and coached founders, business owners and leaders.
In layman’s terms:
You’re Ted Lasso and I’m Coach Beard, but I use more words.
You’re Barbie and I'm Weird Barbie, but I won’t embarrass you.
You’re Alice and I’m the Cheshire Cat, but I’m not creepy.
You’re Daniel and I’m Mr. Miyagi, but I’m Finnish.
You’re Luke Skywalker and I’m Yoda, but I’m taller.
You get the idea.
LET’S GET STARTED
What could working together look like?
I start by working 1:1 with you, the founder or leader of the business, to help you get out of your own way and see what’s worth pursuing.
Next, if it makes sense, I work with your leadership team or entire organization to help create the culture you want.
Ideas for Founders
Thoughts on leadership, business, decision-making and building something that actually fits.
Frequently Asked Questions about Founder Advisory
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Founder advisory gives founders and business leaders a trusted outside perspective for navigating decisions, growth, transitions, leadership challenges and what's next.
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Consultants are often hired to diagnose a particular business problem and prescribe a solution. My work is collaborative: I ask, challenge, notice, connect and help you uncover the right answer for your business and your life.
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Absolutely not. Bring the question, idea, opportunity or mess. We'll start there.
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Yes. I'm based in Traverse City, Michigan—a rockhound's paradise—and work with clients across the country remotely and through select in-person engagements.
You don't have to know the answer before we talk.
Bring the question. The idea. The mess. The opportunity. Or the thing you haven't quite figured out how to name yet.
We'll start there.
This article explores a practical approach to making confident decisions when the path forward isn't obvious. Our decision making pathways are deeply rooted in belief systems, patterns and unknown stakes (what we have to lose). Shea tells a story of meeting a fox and how that influenced her decision making.
Learn how to move beyond overthinking, evaluate your options, trust your judgment, and take action with clarity. Whether you're facing a business challenge, leadership decision, or personal crossroads, you'll discover a framework for making choices that align with your values and long-term goals.