Case Studies:
Foundation & People Systems
Building a High-Performance Team
Task Management System for a Fast-Paced, Multi-Channel Business
Tools, Systems, and AutomationSalesLoft Pilot & Implementation
CRM Implementation & Process Architecture ERP/PSA
Modernization Strategy Brand, Website, and CRM Consultation
Strategic Growth & Market Positioning
IT Service Desk Organizational Design
Financing Strategy for Non-Commercial, High-Dollar Hobby Vehicles
Coaching a Career Transition into an Associate Director Role
Coaching a Bodybuilding Competitor into Higher Education
Partnerships & Expansion
Quarter Horse Association Partnership
Strategic Partnerships to Expand Market Reach
Brand Architecture & Strategy
Structuring & Launching a Creative Venture in NYC
Anonymous Brand Creation & Monetization Strategy
Anonymized Brand Activation for Underutilized Commercial Space
CASE STUDY 01:
Case Study: SalesLoft Pilot & Implementation
Rolling out a major platform across three brands without a playbook. How a custom CRM engagement strategy streamlined outreach, boosted performance, and became the benchmark for outbound teams. Project Focus: Tools & Systems Integration, Campaign Clarity, CRM Optimization Location: Chicago, IL My Role: Strategic Implementer and Team Lead Context: At a $45M consulting firm working closely with private equity-backed portfolio companies, outbound outreach was inconsistent, unstructured, and difficult to scale. With multiple brands operating independently, the organization needed a unified approach to sales engagement that could create repeatable success across the board. Challenge: -Identify and implement a sales engagement platform that could scale with teams across three distinct brands. Bring structure to daily outbound tasks without disrupting existing workflows. -Align CRM and sales execution to ensure consistent, measurable outreach with no existing precedent or playbook. Approach: Empowered Leadership -Was entrusted to lead the full platform selection and implementation process, bridging strategy and execution. Pilot & Certification -Conducted a rigorous evaluation and selected SalesLoft as the best fit. -Became a Level 2 Certified Admin to personally configure and launch the system across brands. Vendor Selection -Championed SalesLoft to senior leadership, articulating its advantages and securing buy-in across departments. Systemization & Standardization -Authored all email templates and cadences for team-wide adoption. -Established a unified outreach framework built on trackable results and consistent brand voice. -Trained sales reps to adopt a systematic, metrics-first mindset, improving both performance and morale. Cross-Functional Collaboration -Worked closely with the firm’s data analyst to ensure segmentation, lead tracking, and reporting aligned with Salesforce CRM and broader marketing strategy. Operational Rollout -Integrated SalesLoft into onboarding and daily workflows. -Created scripting, cadences, and real-time dashboards for new reps to succeed from day one. Result: -Deployed SalesLoft across three business units in record time with full team adoption. -Created measurable gains in outreach consistency, productivity, and response rates. -Transformed onboarding by giving new hires a plug-and-play engagement system. -Strengthened reporting visibility and pipeline momentum across multiple brands. Why This Matters: A well-implemented tool becomes more than software—it becomes a cultural shift. This rollout helped redefine how teams approached outreach, accountability, and scalable growth. What began as a tech implementation became a cornerstone of the company’s go-to-market rhythm.
CASE STUDY 02:
Case Study: Building a High-Output Internship Program
No program. No playbook. Just results. How launching an outbound-focused internship became a blueprint for scalable growth and talent discovery. Project Focus: People Systems, Sales Training, Scalable Team Development Location: Chicago, IL (Downtown & Suburbs) My Role: Manager, Program Architect, and Department Strategist Context: The division had no existing internship framework, and cold outreach efforts were falling flat due to inconsistent training and unclear expectations. With pressure to increase output and scale talent, we needed a repeatable model that could deliver results fast. Challenge: -Create an internship program from scratch in a results-driven environment. Equip interns to make 80+ calls per day within two weeks of onboarding. -Align internal leaders and systems to support high-volume outbound activity. Approach: Bootcamp Design -Created a two-week outbound training bootcamp focused on CRM fluency and sales process fundamentals. -Built call scripts, tone coaching, and objection handling drills. Technology Integration -Piloted CRMs, ZoomInfo, SalesLoft, and Salesforce in a low-risk intern environment. -Linked tools with measurable KPIs and reporting dashboards. Performance Culture -Established daily benchmarks, team rituals, and call-and-response systems. -Celebrated wins while instilling metrics-first accountability. Cohort Management Recruited, onboarded, and managed two cohorts of 5+ interns. -Delivered personalized coaching and clear pathways to promotion. Result: -Interns achieved 80+ calls per day and generated leads that fueled a $280,000 sales month. -Two standout interns were later recognized—one as Elmhurst University’s Student of the Year. -Program was adopted as a model across other departments. -Was invited to co-lead additional training company-wide. Why This Matters: When you treat interns like pros, they deliver like pros. This program proved that scalable systems and cultural momentum can outperform experience alone. It reshaped how the firm viewed early talent and internal training.
CASE STUDY 03:
Case Study: CRM Rollout Across Three Business Units
Three teams. Three approaches. One solution. This CRM rollout brought clarity, consistency, and campaign visibility across a fragmented sales ecosystem. Project Focus: CRM Implementation, Systems Integration, Team Alignment Location: Chicago, IL My Role: Strategic Implementer and Team Trainer Context: Three business units operated in silos, each with their own partial CRM setups and no unified tracking. Sales efforts were disjointed, leadership lacked visibility, and reps had no central place for execution. Challenge: -Consolidate CRM usage across all three business units. Provide leadership with clear campaign insights and conversion data. -Improve rep adoption and ease of use through streamlined workflows. Approach: CRM Selection & Setup -Evaluated platforms and confirmed SalesLoft as the right fit. -Aligned dashboards and workflow automations to each team’s needs. Workflow Optimization -Created custom tagging systems and campaign calendars. -Built cadences for consistent follow-up and account touchpoints. Training & Adoption -Led onboarding sessions across departments. -Used quick wins to drive momentum and early success stories. Data Visibility -Synced reporting across platforms and surfaced pipeline health metrics. -Enabled cross-team collaboration and campaign clarity. Result: -CRM usage became standardized across all brands. -Leadership gained visibility into rep activity and campaign results. -Dormant accounts were reactivated through coordinated outreach. -Reps adopted the system quickly due to workflow ease and visible wins. Why This Matters: CRM tools only work when teams use them. By focusing on user adoption and campaign clarity, we turned scattered systems into a shared source of truth. It paved the way for future cross-brand initiatives and stronger data-backed decisions.
CASE STUDY 04:
Case Study: Dashboard & SaaS Implementation for Sales Enablement
A clearer view of what works. This dashboard project gave leaders real-time insights into conversion metrics, sales performance, and retention strategy. Project Focus: Data Strategy, SaaS Integration, Sales Optimization Location: Chicago, IL My Role: SaaS Strategist and Reporting Consultant Context: Sales managers and leadership were making decisions in the dark. Reporting was manual, delayed, and unclear. We needed to bring clarity, speed, and structure to how the team accessed performance data. Challenge: -Lack of real-time dashboards and daily visibility. -Unclear lead source tracking and conversion metrics. -Disconnected systems between sales activity and pipeline impact. Approach: Salesforce Dashboards -Co-created custom dashboards aligned to key sales KPIs. -Trained managers on daily usage and team coaching. SaaS Integration -Connected SalesLoft activity data to Salesforce pipeline metrics. -Introduced layered filters to analyze deal velocity and touchpoint effectiveness. SQL Analysis -Used SQL queries to segment customer behavior and upsell likelihood. -Provided leadership with custom reporting on retention trends. Training & Coaching -Held walkthroughs for managers on how to interpret and act on data quickly. -Linked dashboards to daily huddles and performance reviews. Result: -Lead response time improved and coaching became data-driven. -12% lift in upsell opportunities and more accurate forecasts. -Daily team accountability increased through visibility. -Company closed a record revenue month with better tactical clarity. Why This Matters: Dashboards don’t just track performance—they drive it. This project turned data from an afterthought into an everyday advantage.
CASE STUDY 05:
Case Study: the-Street Artist Connection – National Mural Team Recruit
A sidewalk conversation. A national connection. How one live mural turned into a future-facing partnership with commercial potential. Project Focus: Strategic Networking, Talent Discovery Location: Santa Monica, CA My Role: Frontline Outreach & Vetting Context: Finding muralists capable of national commercial execution is rare—and most talent discovery happens online. But sometimes the best opportunities are analog. This one started on a sidewalk. Challenge: -Make meaningful connections with commercial-scale muralists outside traditional channels. -Build rapport without interrupting active work. -Understand commercial media pipeline and creative process. Approach: Live Outreach -Approached working muralist on site with curiosity and respect. -Introduced our interest in mural representation and partnerships. Qualification -Learned that the artist was part of a national media brand’s mural execution team. -Asked strategic questions about timeline, scope, and agency involvement. Future Alignment -Offered to stay in touch for collaboration or partnership opportunities. -Documented insight on process, crew size, and project cadence. Result: -Connection made with a national mural execution team. Insight gained into agency-led media mural logistics. -Relationship opened for future vetting, partnership, or referrals. Why This Matters: Not all recruiting starts online. The best partners often emerge in the real world—if you’re willing to stop, ask, and listen.
CASE STUDY 06:
Case Study: Artist Representation Strategy for Muralists & Feature Creators
From pricing to positioning, we sat down with muralists across the country to build a fair, scalable model for representation—grounded in artist trust and client transparency. Project Focus: Artist Strategy, Pricing Systems, Representation Development Location: Multiple Cities (Austin, Chicago, NYC, more) My Role: Lead Strategist and Artist Advocate Context: To launch a gallery and mural representation model, we needed more than talent—we needed understanding. Many muralists face inconsistent pricing, unclear contracts, and a lack of long-term support. Our goal was to fix that. Challenge: -Understand what muralists actually need from a rep or gallery relationship. Build a scalable pricing system that accounts for size, complexity, and social use. Ensure creative freedom and client clarity could coexist. Approach: Artist Listening Sessions -Held one-on-one interviews with muralists from different cities and backgrounds. -Asked about client pain points, project timelines, pricing inconsistencies, and artistic goals. Model & Framework Design -Outlined key gaps in existing agency models—like lack of transparency and cultural misalignment. -Created a draft structure for a representation model built on trust and clear communication. Pricing System Development -Built tiered pricing by square footage, revision rounds, and production complexity. -Created optional add-ons for social media rights, timelapse videos, and commercial application. Result: -Developed a pricing and representation model now used with featured gallery artists. -Gained clarity on what artists value most in project partnerships. -Laid the foundation for scalable, artist-first collaboration. Why This Matters: Artists deserve advocates who understand the business. This work helped us build a model rooted in fairness, clarity, and mutual respect.
CASE STUDY 07:
Case Study: Strategic Realignment of Niche Vehicle Dealer.
Focus: Market Positioning, Brand Development, GTM Strategy Location: National (Chicago HQ) My Role: Acting CDO & Brand Strategist How I helped a niche vehicle company evolve into a premium brand through CRM tools, positioning, and rapid-fire marketing wins. The Challenge: -The company lacked CRM infrastructure and consistent lead follow-up. -Brand perception was unclear—neither fully wholesale nor luxury retail. -The team needed both systems and momentum to compete at a higher level. Our Approach: -Implemented a mobile-friendly CRM to centralize contacts, notes, and outreach. -Created the company’s first outbound sales campaign and social contact workflow. -Secured a jumbotron placement and banner sponsorship at a national event in under 3 weeks. -Aligned sales and marketing language with a unified value proposition. The Results: -CRM was fully deployed across devices and teams within one month. -Sales and sponsorship alignment positioned the brand as a premium lifestyle dealer. -Marketing assets and visual identity clarified the customer experience. -Laid the groundwork for future financing, showroom, and national partnerships. Why It Matters: Every growing business reaches a moment where it must decide who it is and who it serves. This project helped make that decision—and built the runway for what’s next.
CASE STUDY 08:
Case Study: Expo Activation and Prospecting Strategy Across Multiple Talent Brands
Designed a live prospecting and team deployment system for expo activations across three brands — turning foot traffic into qualified leads for Lab Talent, Messina Talent, and Consulting. Short Explanation: -Designed and executed an in-person prospecting and visibility strategy at major industry expos, successfully representing three distinct brands — Lab Talent, Messina Talent, and Messina Consulting — through coordinated team deployment, pre-event targeting, and live engagement systems. Context: -Messina Group operated three vertically integrated service lines: Lab Talent (scientific), Messina Talent (corporate/technical), and Messina Consulting (advisory and solutions). -The company sponsored and attended large-scale industry expos with a strong need to convert visibility into real pipeline. Challenge: -Represent three distinct brands with different value propositions at one event — while appearing unified. -Train and deploy a team capable of live prospecting, qualification, and pipeline development in a fast-paced event environment. -Ensure every interaction led to clean handoffs and trackable follow-ups. Approach: Pre-Event Strategy: -Developed call-and-response brand language for each vertical that emphasized clarity, confidence, and rapport. -Trained team members on “intentional movement” — how to read booth energy, interrupt gracefully, and maximize curiosity-driven interaction. -Created a warm lead tier system, business card tracking rhythm, and field-level qualifying questions. Booth Experience & Team Deployment: -Rotated team members between brand personas depending on the flow of the event, allowing flexible representation. -Developed real-time signal systems (nods, hand-offs, debrief signals) for internal coordination without breaking prospect immersion. -Rehearsed soft invites, booth approach angles, and how to pivot between talent verticals without losing brand consistency. Post-Event Conversion: -Leads were categorized in a structured follow-up cadence by vertical and urgency. Built a shared intake tracker and automated initial outreach templates for post-expo momentum. -Conducted recap sessions immediately after the event to preserve lead context and reassign appropriately. Results: -Dozens of qualified leads funneled into each vertical’s CRM pipeline. -Several near-immediate placements and consulting discussions initiated within a week of the event. -Established a repeatable in-person event model with clear playbooks and measurement tools.
CASE STUDY 09:
Case Study: Strategic Content Packages for Real Estate & Auto Dealers
Developed a full content strategy and outbound sales system targeting real estate developers and auto dealers, laying the groundwork for long-term partnerships. Context: -Business was looking to monetize a skilled video production resource through outbound campaigns. -Target audiences included auto dealerships, real estate developers, and construction groups in need of content services. Challenge: - Create content offerings and a consultative sales approach that would resonate with decision-makers in two different—but complementary—industries. - Package services in a way that felt premium, repeatable, and easy to understand. Approach: - Built a structured service menu with pricing, deliverables, and custom add-ons for each sector. -Created a five-step sales system, including call scripts, objection handling, and follow-up sequence templates. -Conducted prospecting outreach to local CEOs, developers, and dealer groups using a custom intake and pitch process. - Partnered internally to align service delivery expectations with production capabilities. Results: -Delivered a market-ready playbook with strategic structure and materials. -Laid the foundation for outbound campaigns and high-end content partnerships. -Positioned the offering to scale across verticals without compromising personalization.
CASE STUDY 10:
Case Study: Early-Stage Market Validation for a Residential Social App
A lightweight social coordination tool was developed to enhance community engagement in residential spaces. This phase focused on validating the concept by running targeted pilot programs in 1–3 luxury apartment complexes. The goal: determine whether residents truly crave low-pressure ways to connect with neighbors through casual meetups like basketball games or board game nights. Challenge: -Determine if resident demand exists beyond student environments. -Establish a repeatable outreach and follow-up system for B2B sales. -Identify decision-makers in residential complexes without relying on internal communication platforms. Strategy -Created a structured sales cadence and outreach script aimed at property decision-makers. -Used AI-driven tools to generate lead lists of high-amenity properties across cities like Nashville, Austin, Chicago, and Miami. -Built a day-by-day follow-up flow incorporating email, phone, and LinkedIn messaging. -Explored parallel channels such as Craigslist gigs, lead marketplaces, and warm intros to find cost-effective acquisition paths. Execution: -Personally conducted 20–30 outbound calls with a consistent cadence: Call → Email → Follow-up Call → LinkedIn → Close. -Balanced confidence in the platform with room for honest learning and curiosity. Identified that resident engagement often hinges on internal community leaders—social, religious, or volunteer-based—pointing toward future focus on “champion creation.” Insights -Cold outreach in property management often requires 5+ touchpoints per prospect. -General Managers are hesitant but responsive to respectful persistence. -Referral incentives (like Amazon gift cards) are best used to reward success, not close deals. Position them as gratitude, not bribery. Next Steps: -Secure 1–3 pilot communities and refine the platform based on real usage. -Explore niche community hubs like churches or local clubs to test pre-existing social glue. -Once validated, scale with trained reps or affiliate partners using the proven cadence and language.
CASE STUDY 11:
Case Study: Social Coordination MVP
Advise and collaborate on the early rollout of a lightweight social tool designed to reduce friction in organizing casual hangouts with friends and local crews. The goal was to simplify engagement while keeping the branding fun, youthful, and emotionally clear. Approach: -Partnered directly with the creator to refine homepage flow, core messaging, and brand clarity. -Flagged unclear wordplay and helped reposition the “homies” theme to feel both relevant and intentional. -Pushed for clarity over cleverness: adjusted CTA language (“receive simple text invites”) and removed overly soft phrasing to increase resonance. -Helped shape the user journey from homepage scroll to final signup by consolidating duplicated CTAs and improving content pacing. -Encouraged the use of real-world examples (“Frisbee tonight at 7pm…”) to show instead of tell. -Recommended launching just one version at a time and shelving apartment messaging to reduce confusion and test social virality with a clean message. -Suggested animation and content enhancements (e.g., GIFs, carousel images) to bring energy to an otherwise beta-feeling design. Result: The site now presents a tighter user journey, with copy and layout that better reflect the intended vibe. Visual hierarchy and homepage flow are improved, setting the stage for the first wave of organic and paid social experiments. The team is moving forward with a one-track brand test and early viral push focused solely on the casual group hangout experience.
CASE STUDY 13:
Case Study: Coaching a Manager Through Compensation Messaging
Guided a mid-level leader through delivering a sensitive pay update driven by regulatory change. manager needed to communicate an immediate salary increase to a direct report, triggered not by merit but by a federal update to minimum salary requirements for exempt employees. The manager felt conflicted, unsure how to deliver the message without sounding disingenuous or creating false expectations. I provided real-time coaching to clarify the manager's role: deliver the facts, avoid overexplaining legal nuances, and stay focused on what the employee values—security and growth. Helped reframe the conversation around stability: "Your current responsibilities now qualify you for a base salary of $44K, effective immediately." Reinforced how to redirect detailed or legal questions to HR while maintaining trust and composure as the supervisor. The manager delivered the update cleanly, preserved team trust, and kept the promotion conversation in motion without confusion.
CASE STUDY 13:
Case Study: Artist Collaboration Discovery – Chicago, IL
In an exploratory conversation with a multidisciplinary artist based in Chicago, we uncovered a compelling alignment of public art ambition, brand-readiness, and strong communication skill. This artist brought a unique dual background in theater and visual art, which has informed both her technical execution and her ability to serve as the face of a project. Process: The conversation served as both a rapport-building moment and an opportunity to identify real-world application of her work across private commissions, public installations, and branded activations. Her resume includes high-visibility work for international brands and regional cultural institutions, completed under tight deadlines and with complex client oversight. We explored her current workload cadence, material preferences, flexibility in scale and creative direction, and long-term brand goals. The artist demonstrated a rare balance of creative intuition and business acumen, further supported by her investment in professional coaching and pursuit of strategic partnerships. Key Themes Uncovered: Strong mural execution background (5+ private interiors) Commission adaptability with clear client consultation process High-profile collaborations including national fashion and food brands Desire to scale up into public-facing and corporate art relationships Exceptional on-site presence and live art potential Willingness to travel and collaborate within team environments Outcome: This session helped qualify the artist for inclusion in future mural rosters, live-art activations, and community-facing installations. Her alignment with mission-driven art, professionalism in execution, and natural charisma position her as a strong candidate for both high-impact public pieces and private commissions requiring a human face. Next Steps: Ongoing conversations will focus on shortlisting opportunities in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Florida markets. A coffee meeting is planned to further align priorities and introduce specific project briefs.
CASE STUDY 14:
Case Study:Advising the Launch of a Human-Centered Social Coordination Platform
Category: Strategic Innovation & Platform Testing Role: Strategic Advisor to Founder & CEO | Messaging Architect | Outreach Lead Project Type: Product Validation | Go-to-Market Strategy | Brand Development Overview I advised the creator and CEO of a new social coordination platform designed to reduce the friction of planning casual group activities. Whether for residents in apartment complexes or friend groups organizing pickup basketball or game nights, the tool centers on low-pressure engagement: pulsing group interest, allowing upvotes on activities, and minimizing the responsibility of a single initiator. My Role: -Served as an early strategic advisor to the founder Helped frame and differentiate dual go-to-market paths: business-to-consumer (friend groups) and business-to-business (apartment communities) Led development of early sales collateral, including flyers, email outreach, and phone scripts -Co-developed the platform’s “pulse check” model—enabling casual, opt-in social coordination -Provided field testing support through live events and weekly engagement experiments Challenges: -Unclear Product-Market Fit: Interest existed, but consistent event turnout remained low Coordination Bottlenecks: -Most social groups rely on one organizer, leading to burnout B2B Access Issues: -Gatekeepers at apartment complexes stalled contact with decision-makers -Unclear Feature Set: The value of things like white-labeling, flexible coordination, and minimal planning lift was not obvious at first glance Strategic Solutions: Pulse-Driven Design: -Helped implement a lightweight interest system where users “upvote” activities before committing Flexible Initiation: -Advised on decentralizing event planning by letting any user trigger a potential hangout Sales Approach Revamp: -Suggested reframing early outreach to assume buy-in—offering plug-and-play pilot kits for apartment staff Audience Split: - Differentiated two clear customer types: B2B: Property teams needing resident engagement tools B2C: Friends wanting to spend more time together with less hassle Results: -Contacted 10+ apartment properties, resulting in 3 pilot conversations -Ran ongoing live tests through weekly basketball meetups with measurable opt-in behavior -Enhanced sales and email engagement through personalized collateral and clearer framing -Provided long-term strategic direction on refining product scope and messaging split Key Takeaway: Sometimes the goal isn’t to make people show up—it’s to give them a reason to raise their hand. By shifting focus from planning to pulse-checking, this tool became more than a scheduling app. It became a low-pressure, high-signal way for groups to reconnect on their terms.
CASE STUDY 15:
Case Study: Digital Infrastructure Transition & Workspace Deactivation
Full-Scale Migration: Domain Transfer, Platform Consolidation, and System Streamlining Overview: Led a full digital transition for a creative organization seeking to consolidate platforms, eliminate legacy systems, and simplify its operational footprint. The scope included domain migration from Wix to Squarespace, seamless handoff of all DNS records, and a full deactivation of an outdated Google Workspace tied to a now-defunct admin account. Objectives: -Migrate the domain to a new platform without service interruption Sunset unused email infrastructure while maintaining email integrity -Prevent redundant billing and security exposure from inactive systems Execution: -Orchestrated the complete domain transfer, including registrar coordination, DNS record configuration, and propagation monitoring -Ensured a zero-downtime transition with full alignment across web, email, and backend services -Handled the deactivation of the existing Google Workspace account despite inactive admin credentials, working directly with Google to confirm domain ownership and initiate account termination -Audited and updated MX records to ensure clean and uninterrupted email flow post-migration Outcome: ✅ Domain successfully migrated and live on new platform ✅ Legacy email and admin systems fully shut down ✅ No billing continuation or technical liabilities ✅ Infrastructure positioned for long-term simplicity and scalability Strategic Impact: -This project exemplifies my ability to manage high-stakes digital transitions — balancing technical detail with strategic oversight to ensure clean migrations, eliminate operational risk, and future-proof digital assets.
CASE STUDY 16:
Case Study: Discovering Best Practices for a World-Class Gallery
How one in-depth session with a seasoned gallerist helped shape our vision for a gallery and international nonprofit. The Challenge:: -As we began laying the groundwork for both a nonprofit art initiative and an elite contemporary gallery, we knew we needed to understand more than just curating and sales—we needed to master operations, client experience, inventory systems, and the nuances of high-end art presentation. To fill in the gaps, we scheduled an immersive in-person discovery session with a long-standing gallerist who had quietly built a successful 15+ year practice with a focus on elevated yet approachable art sales. Our Approach: -This session was about listening, not pitching. Over the course of nearly two hours, we walked the physical space, reviewed inventory storage and framing operations, discussed pricing philosophies, and explored what separates a truly exceptional gallery from a forgettable one. Key topics included: Positioning the gallery experience as concierge-level service Structuring international art sales around donor engagement Rotating artwork and exhibit layouts to encourage repeat visitors Establishing limited edition runs with strategic framing partnerships Building a “viewing room” experience for private collectors Understanding the expectations and etiquette of elite art fairs Avoiding common pitfalls like overstock, underplanning, and artist imbalance The discussion spanned everything from wall height and lighting choices to community perception and the tension between exclusivity and accessibility. The Results: This conversation directly informed our gallery model. Several strategic decisions were shaped in real time, including: A gallery layout that supports both public exhibits and private donor events A print and framing strategy with local and scalable referral partners A renewed emphasis on rotating inventory and planning exhibits 12–18 months in advance A clear path to preparing for elite art fairs like Art Miami through phased participation Operational tweaks to increase readiness for hosting, curating, and closing high-value art sales Cultural positioning that honors the grassroots nature of our mission while elevating the art experience This session gave us more than insights—it gave us an operating lens. It clarified what it takes to not just display art, but to create a sustainable, reputable, and desirable gallery experience from the inside out.
CASE STUDY 17:
Case Study: Structuring & Launching a Creative Venture in NYC
Partnered with the founder of a creative startup to build the structural, brand, and outreach foundation for a New York-based venture — leading team formation, audience engagement, and digital presence. Context: - A creative initiative based in New York was entering its formative stage with a clear vision but no established infrastructure, identity, or outreach systems. - The founder sought support in building out brand messaging, recruiting a launch team, creating a digital presence, and hosting early public events. Challenge: - Shape the venture’s positioning and service clarity. - Build systems for team recruitment and audience outreach. - Help translate a founder-led concept into a strong, collaborative brand with long-term viability. Approach: - Collaborated on building a clear leadership persona and guiding internal culture. - Wrote outreach scripts, team invitations, and internal communication tools. - Developed messaging and targeting for early attendee engagement. - Shaped the brand identity, tone, and visual elements across digital and physical spaces. Results: - Launched with a cohesive leadership identity and visual presence. - Recruited a team and launched successful first-round events. - Built a brand that continues to attract creative collaborators and clients.
CASE STUDY 18:
Case Study: Financing Strategy for Non-Commercial, High-Dollar Hobby Vehicles
Consulted with lenders and developed creative financing strategies for high-end hobby vehicles that fell outside standard loan approval models. Context: -At a specialty dealership offering high-end trucks and unique, custom vehicles, a surprising obstacle emerged: many of the buyers — although financially well-qualified — couldn’t secure financing because the vehicles didn’t meet commercial use standards or fit into traditional loan categories. Challenge: -Most lenders were open to financing if the vehicle was for business use. But these trucks were often lifestyle purchases — lifted, customized, or collector-grade — and the buyers, while wealthy, didn’t align with the underwriting models of standard banks. The vehicles didn’t fit into a box. Approach: Reframed the Challenge: -This wasn’t about credit risk — it was about how these assets were perceived. Consulted with Regional Lenders: -Actively reached out to banks, credit unions, and private lenders to consult on what was blocking approvals and how to present vehicles in a way that made sense for underwriting. Positioned the vehicles based on real market demand and asset strength, not just outdated valuation models. Created Personal Loan Pathways: -Helped shift the financing conversation from “vehicle loan” to personal asset-backed lending, when appropriate. Built a short list of lenders willing to look at these purchases with a more flexible lens. Internal Deal Structuring: -Flagged high-likelihood financing issues early, giving the sales team time to reposition deals. -Created simple intake language and process suggestions to improve lender confidence without overcomplicating the buyer experience. Result: -Recovered and closed deals that would’ve otherwise stalled or been lost. Helped high-net-worth buyers secure vehicles they couldn’t traditionally finance. -Built a foundational system for financing unusual, high-ticket, non-commercial vehicle sales — making the dealership more competitive in its niche.
CASE STUDY 19:
Case Study: Brand Architecture and Strategy
Advised the creator and CEO of a new social coordination platform designed to reduce the friction of planning casual group activities. Whether for residents in apartment complexes or friend groups organizing pickup basketball or game nights, the tool centers on low-pressure engagement: pulsing group interest, allowing upvotes on activities, and minimizing the responsibility of a single initiator. Category: Strategic Innovation & Platform Testing Role: Strategic Advisor to Founder & CEO | Messaging Architect | Outreach Lead Project Type: Product Validation | Go-to-Market Strategy | Brand Development My Role Served as an early strategic advisor to the founder Helped frame and differentiate dual go-to-market paths: business-to-consumer (friend groups) and business-to-business (apartment communities) Led development of early sales collateral, including flyers, email outreach, and phone scripts Co-developed the platform’s “pulse check” model—enabling casual, opt-in social coordination Provided field testing support through live events and weekly engagement experiments Challenges Unclear Product-Market Fit: Interest existed, but consistent event turnout remained low Coordination Bottlenecks: Most social groups rely on one organizer, leading to burnout B2B Access Issues: Gatekeepers at apartment complexes stalled contact with decision-makers Unclear Feature Set: The value of things like white-labeling, flexible coordination, and minimal planning lift was not obvious at first glance Strategic Solutions Pulse-Driven Design: Helped implement a lightweight interest system where users “upvote” activities before committing Flexible Initiation: Advised on decentralizing event planning by letting any user trigger a potential hangout Sales Approach Revamp: Suggested reframing early outreach to assume buy-in—offering plug-and-play pilot kits for apartment staff Audience Split: Differentiated two clear customer types: B2B: Property teams needing resident engagement tools B2C: Friends wanting to spend more time together with less hassle Results Contacted 10+ apartment properties, resulting in 3 pilot conversations Ran ongoing live tests through weekly basketball meetups with measurable opt-in behavior Enhanced sales and email engagement through personalized collateral and clearer framing Provided long-term strategic direction on refining product scope and messaging split Key Takeaway Sometimes the goal isn’t to make people show up—it’s to give them a reason to raise their hand. By shifting focus from planning to pulse-checking, this tool became more than a scheduling app. It became a low-pressure, high-signal way for groups to reconnect on their terms.
CASE STUDY 20:
Case Study: High Performance Team
Created a new outbound sales role, hired five team members, and launched them on the same day—establishing a scalable, high-volume lead generation engine. Context: -A $45M consulting firm, I was asked to build a new outbound sales team from scratch to support talent outreach and lead generation efforts. Challenge: -Establish a full outbound team making 80+ calls per day without any pre-existing structure, playbook, or role definition. Approach: -Created the job structure and recruitment process from scratch. -Synchronized all new hires to start on the same day, creating early camaraderie and momentum. -Led a high-energy onboarding program built around CRM, cold outreach training, and daily KPIs. -Emphasized a metrics-first, community-based performance culture. Result: -The team consistently hit call goals and contributed to a marked increase in weekly pipeline activity. The approach became a blueprint for future team scaling. -The role became institutionalized as a core part of our outbound process.
CASE STUDY 21:
Case Study: Creating Market-Specific Identities for a $45M Firm
Developed and launched three distinct talent brands under a consulting firm umbrella, crafting positioning, messaging, and digital presence in close partnership with leadership. Context: -A $45M consulting firm needed to spin off and launch multiple distinct brands under a single operational umbrella — each with a unique target market. Challenge: -Develop differentiated brand identities while maintaining alignment with the firm’s broader mission and capabilities. Approach: -Partnered closely with the CSO and Managing Director to define brand pillars and target audiences. -Named and positioned three distinct divisions across financial, engineering, and lab-focused verticals. Built cohesive messaging and narrative structures for each brand. -Oversaw the design and launch of separate websites optimized for inbound lead capture and intake. Result: -Each brand launched with clear market differentiation, strong -internal buy-in, and a custom digital footprint. -Site traffic and inbound lead conversion improved. -The firm was better equipped to speak directly to different buyer personas under one parent strategy.
CASE STUDY 22:
Case Study: IT Service Desk Org Design
Supported the talent and consulting teams in designing a full IT service desk structure for a national trade association, contributing to candidate fit and long-term retention. Context: -A major national trade association needed to build a high-functioning internal IT service desk, supporting hundreds of affiliate users. Challenge: They lacked the structure, process clarity, and recruiting bandwidth to do it alone. Approach: -Partnered with internal talent and consulting leads to evaluate role types and ideal candidate profiles. -Supported the creation of job descriptions and culture-fit criteria. -Contributed to the evaluation and refinement of the team structure in line with business goals. Result: -The client built a fully staffed, top-tier IT service desk with -100% retention. Internal satisfaction scores hit all-time highs. -The team was set up for long-term success with a structure and feedback loop we helped co-create.
CASE STUDY 23:
Case Study: Brand, Website, and CRM Consultation for an Established Vehicle Dealer
Consulted on brand, website, chatbot, and CRM strategy for an established dealer, helping evolve its digital presence without losing its legacy. Context: With over 15 years of success and an active online presence, the company had built a loyal customer base and strong reputation in the high-end vehicle market. As the business entered its next chapter, I was asked to consult on how to enhance its brand presentation, web functionality, and customer experience — without compromising its original identity. Challenge: Help refine and elevate the brand’s digital presence while preserving its legacy. The scope included reviewing the existing website, suggesting improvements, and integrating new tools like a chatbot and CRM workflows — all with an emphasis on keeping the customer experience smooth and scalable. Approach: Strategic Brand & Website Audit: Partnered with a creative collaborator to assess the site’s tone, flow, and messaging. Created a full brand dossier and site strategy document, outlining recommended content, design adjustments, and audience segmentation improvements. Provided respectful feedback that built on the company’s established voice and values. Chatbot Implementation & Script Creation: Led the development of a site-based chatbot, writing the full conversation script to guide users through common buyer, seller, and financing scenarios. Integrated the chatbot touchpoints into a broader CRM flow, ensuring leads were properly categorized and followed up. CRM Alignment & Process Integration: Consulted on how to sync chatbot interactions and form submissions with the CRM system to maintain clean records and improve response time. Helped connect brand strategy with backend organization — aligning messaging, automation, and internal tracking. Result: Delivered a respectful, strategic update to the company’s digital presence — including copy, tone, and structure improvements. Successfully implemented a chatbot with clear, guided customer interactions. Strengthened the connection between front-end branding and back-end operations through CRM integration, laying the groundwork for long-term scale and lead quality.
CASE STUDY 24:
Case Study: ERP/ PSA Modernization Strategy
Helped evaluate and roadmap a new ERP/PSA system for a PE-backed firm with legacy tools—improving visibility, billing speed, and organizational scalability. Context: A PE-backed advisory firm relied on a WordPress-based homegrown system with disconnected spreadsheets and outdated tools. They needed a path forward. Challenge: -Their PSA/ERP system couldn’t scale. It was harming cash flow, creating compliance risks, and slowing down the business. Approach: -Participated in internal strategic roadmapping with enterprise and business architects. -Helped document current-state issues and identify future-state functional requirements. Mapped business pain points to operational goals for the PE sponsor group. -Evaluated product options aligned with their services-based workflow. Result: -The client received a clear modernization strategy to consolidate systems and improve time capture, billing speed, and data integrity. -The roadmap was projected to boost cash flow by 30%, increase billable hours by 3–5%, and eliminate custom dev costs.
CASE STUDY 25:
Case Study: Brand Strategy & Market Positioning for a Natural Wellness Venture
Helped transform a natural remedy idea into an investor-ready brand with clear messaging, supply chain strategy, and go-to-market planning. Short Explanation: Guided the early-stage development of a wellness product line focused on natural immune and allergy support — from concept validation and brand identity to packaging strategy, pitch prep, and funding pathways. Context: -The founder had a promising idea for a natural remedy product aimed at supporting immune health and combating seasonal allergies. -He needed guidance turning the concept into a viable consumer product while navigating branding, supply chain strategy, and investor readiness. Challenge: -Create a brand system and narrative that would resonate in a crowded natural wellness space. -Identify pathways to production, packaging, and distribution with minimal upfront capital. -Prepare the founder for investor conversations and potential expo opportunities. Approach: Brand Strategy: -Developed naming, tone, and visual identity options with a focus on clean, modern wellness aesthetics. -Crafted key brand messaging pillars rooted in transparency, effectiveness, and natural integrity. Product & Packaging: -Explored sourcing partners, for contract manufacturing. Outlined packaging needs (label compliance, consumer trust indicators, shelf appeal). -Advised on small-batch production vs. scalable fulfillment planning. Investor & Expo Preparation: -Refined pitch narrative and go-to-market roadmap. -Helped prepare for conversations with investor/consultant. -Recommended industry events. Founder Coaching: -Positioned the founder as the passionate, informed face of the product. -Outlined next steps for pre-orders, testing, customer testimonials, and influencer strategy. Results: -Brand narrative and product concept refined toward a polished investor-ready strategy. -Founder gained clarity on funding options, production partners, and next-stage moves. -Strategic coaching established a roadmap from concept to early launch phase.
CASE STUDY 26:
Case Study: Task Management System for a Fast-Paced, Multi-Channel Business
Designed and implemented a flexible task management system that brought clarity, accountability, and speed to a fast-moving business. Context: In a growing operation with multiple moving parts — including sales, sourcing, marketing, and shop logistics — responsibilities were stacking up and communication was mostly happening through calls, texts, or side conversations. The result was delays, missed follow-ups, and a general sense of disorganization that didn’t reflect the quality of the work being done. Challenge: Introduce a task management system that could help the team stay accountable and move faster — without feeling like extra work. It needed to be flexible, easy to update on mobile, and built to reflect how the business actually operates. Approach: Platform Selection & Setup: After evaluating several tools, I selected a task system that could handle team-wide visibility, real-time updates, and role-based boards. The tool was chosen for its clean layout, drag-and-drop usability, and lightweight mobile interface. System Design: Built custom boards to track sourcing assignments, outreach, internal deadlines, marketing content, and shop tasks. Used statuses, due dates, tags, and notes to make ownership and blockers immediately clear. Organized tasks by project type and urgency, keeping it easy to read at a glance. Cultural Integration: Rolled it out in a way that felt supportive, not controlling — focused on clarity, momentum, and shared ownership. Kept training short and example-based, allowing the team to adapt without pressure. Encouraged quick comments and updates instead of long meetings or follow-up loops. Cross-Team Flexibility: The system was designed to handle both frontline tasks and leadership visibility, making it a hub for daily operations as well as long-range planning. Result: Replaced scattered communication with a simple, shared system of action. Made it easier for everyone to know what was in motion and what needed follow-up. Created breathing room and improved execution without adding red tape or micromanagement.
CASE STUDY 27:
Case Study: CRM Implementation & Process Architecture
Built and launched a fully customized CRM in under three weeks, turning a scattered sales process into a structured, trackable system. Context: At a $20 million-a-year vehicle sales company, there was no centralized system for tracking customers, sourcing opportunities, or managing follow-ups. Day-to-day workflows were scattered across texts, notes, and individual habits — and nothing was unified or trackable. Challenge: Build a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system that could organize the business across sourcing, sales, financing, and follow-up — while being compatible with Mac computers, mobile devices, and a hybrid work style. The decision had to be made fast, with implementation completed in less than a month. Approach: Three-Week Selection Process: Piloted several top tools, including monday.com, Apollo, and Pipedrive, evaluating each for mobile use, ease of adoption, and native compatibility with Mac systems. System Design: - Created clear, customized pipelines for buyers, sellers, vehicle sourcing, financing, and follow-up. - Built in tags, urgency markers, and custom fields that matched our real process — from VIN numbers to financing conversations. - Designed everything to be intuitive and actionable, with no wasted clicks. Team Rollout: - Trained the team through hands-on walkthroughs. - Introduced a shared language around pipeline stages, task ownership, and customer notes. - Set up live dashboards and clear workflows to guide daily priorities. Result: -Launched a fully functional, Mac-compatible CRM system in under three weeks. - Created a central hub for all lead activity, deal tracking, and task assignment. - Gave leadership full visibility into the sales pipeline for the first time. - Laid the foundation for the company’s first outbound customer contact campaign — a structured pursuit of new business that hadn’t been attempted before.
CASE STUDY 28:
Case Study: Securing Exclusive Partnership Rights
A $20 million-a-year revenue company specializing in high-end vehicle sales sought to elevate its brand visibility within niche markets. -Partnering with the Quarter Horse Association for their major event in Columbus, Ohio, in late summer was a prime opportunity. Challenge: -Establish a high-impact partnership in a short timeframe, maximizing exposure while negotiating beyond standard sponsorship terms. Approach: Rapid Engagement: -Secured the partnership after just two days of prospecting, quickly aligning with the association’s needs and our brand goals. Negotiation Mastery: -Achieved special banner rights and a jumbotron reel opportunity. Creative Solution: -Negotiated a jumbotron reel with double the typical runtime and the flexibility to update content as often as needed. Result: -Achieved a highly visible presence at the Columbus event, enhancing brand recognition. -Demonstrated negotiation skills and strategic thinking with a swift turnaround. -Set a precedent for future high-value partnerships.
CASE STUDY 29:
Case Study: Coaching a Bodybuilding Competitor into Higher Education
Coached a personal trainer and bodybuilder through a successful transition into higher education, leading to a long-term role as an Events Specialist. Context: - A client sought guidance during her transition from personal training and bodybuilding into a full-time campus-based role. - Though naturally charismatic and driven, she lacked formal experience navigating professional interviews and organizational dynamics. Challenge: - Prepare her to stand out as a capable and trustworthy Events Specialist despite limited conventional work history. - Build confidence, interview fluency, and a narrative that framed her athletic discipline as workplace value. Approach: - Provided hands-on coaching through structured mock interviews and live feedback. - Helped develop a professional narrative that framed her competitive discipline as a strength in coordination, scheduling, and stakeholder communication. - Advised on interpersonal cues, tone, and how to align her responses with the university’s culture and values. Results: - She was hired into the Events Specialist role at a major university. - She successfully held the position for over two years, demonstrating leadership and strong relationship management. - The experience validated her ability to thrive in structured environments beyond fitness.
CASE STUDY 30:
Case Study: Anonymous Brand Creation & Monetization Strategy
Helped develop and launch a fictional character brand with complete anonymity — creating the persona, visual identity, e-commerce backend, and long-term monetization strategy. Context: - A client approached with the desire to build a fictional character online while maintaining total anonymity from their real identity. - The goal was to create a profitable brand presence without any trace to their personal life. Challenge: - Balance fiction, privacy, functionality, and monetization — all without revealing any personal details. - Create systems that could support revenue growth and brand integrity long-term. Approach: - Developed the character dossier, tone, visual language, and persona backstory. - Created a brand identity and aesthetic aligned with the fictional voice. - Built the website, payment systems, fulfillment strategy, and drop-ship flow. - Continued to advise on content, positioning, and product extensions on a performance-based consulting agreement. Results: - Brand successfully launched and built a niche, loyal customer base. - Creator retained total anonymity while generating profit. - Business continues to grow with minimal overhead and outsourced fulfillment.
CASE STUDY 31:
Case Study: Anonymized Brand Activation for Underutilized Commercial Space
Built a brand-first marketing concept that drove visibility, foot traffic, and intrigue to underutilized commercial properties—without requiring an active venue. Context: - A vacant space in a downtown corridor presented an opportunity to experiment with mystery-driven branding and passive activation. - The concept needed to generate attention and leads for both events and long-term tenant interest. Challenge: - Create a compelling public-facing identity without explaining the brand or hosting events. - Turn empty space into a lead magnet for foot traffic, interest, and community engagement. Approach: - Designed a full brand system using red and black visuals, vintage aesthetics, and QR-only signage. - Created an air of exclusivity and controlled curiosity that encouraged scanning and word-of-mouth spread. - Drove visitors to a website and lead collection system that doubled as a rental funnel. - Offered foot traffic and exposure as added value to partnering landlords. Results: - Brand signage alone attracted interest, leading to a full-time tenant for the space. - Created a reusable framework that could be applied to other underutilized properties. - The venue was not required for success — proof that identity and intrigue alone can drive conversion.
CASE STUDY 32:
Case Study: Payment Systems Overhaul for a Historic Stone Supplier
Consulted on the overhaul of a legacy payment infrastructure, reducing costs by 25% and implementing online systems for long-term financial efficiency. Context: - A well-established stone supplier was operating on outdated manual billing and check-based systems. - Recent acquisition by a parent firm highlighted the need for modernization and cost-cutting. Challenge: - Implement online portals, improve credit card processing, and create a more modern, trackable system. - Reduce overall transaction fees and increase cash flow transparency. Approach: - Audited the existing payment system and identified inefficiencies. - Implemented secure online billing portals and integrated credit card acceptance. - Negotiated new processing terms to reduce transaction fees. - Built internal usage guides and workflows for staff adoption. Results: - Reduced payment processing costs by 25%. - Improved speed of cash flow, user convenience, and backend reporting. - The relationship evolved into long-term financial consulting support.
CASE STUDY 33:
Case Study: Strategic Partnerships to Expand Market Reach
Created high-impact brand partnerships with aligned organizations and events, building visibility and goodwill through fast, strategic outreach. Context: At a $20 million-a-year high-performance vehicle company, there was a clear opportunity to elevate the brand by aligning with organizations that catered to potential customers and community influencers — but no partnership structure or process had been established yet. Challenge: -Create a new path to visibility by building relationships and sponsorships that were both authentic and strategic. The goal was to increase exposure and credibility with target audiences, without relying on traditional marketing channels. Approach: Prospecting Framework: - Developed a rapid vetting process to identify organizations and events that matched the brand’s customer base — prioritizing regional events, lifestyle associations, and industry-adjacent groups. Outreach & Negotiation: -Personally initiated contact with key decision-makers across multiple organizations. -Approached each one not just with a pitch, but with a sense of what we could co-create or enhance together. Execution & Activation: -Negotiated banner placements, video loops, tabling rights, and premium positioning at live events. In some cases, secured flexible terms — like extended video airtime or the ability to change promotional materials throughout the season. Worked fast: -One key partnership was secured the day before the event, after just two days of outreach. Relationship Building: -Focused not just on one-off exposure, but on long-term goodwill and repeatable models that could be used for future partnerships. Result: - Gained direct access to large, aligned audiences with minimal spend. - Created repeatable models for activating sponsorships and community visibility. - Reinforced the brand's presence not just as a vehicle dealer, but as an active player in the lifestyle, sport, and enthusiast spaces its customers care about.
CASE STUDY 34:
Case Study: Coaching a Career Transition into an Associate Director Role
Worked closely with a driven, recently graduated MBA to refine her job search strategy, elevate her professional presence, and ultimately help her land an Associate Director position in higher education. Context: - A recent MBA graduate with prior experience managing sales teams was struggling to transition into a more purpose-driven role. - Despite strong qualifications, she wasn’t receiving responses to job applications and was growing frustrated with the lack of traction. Challenge: - Build a repeatable job search rhythm that combined outreach strategy with clarity of intent. - Shape her interview presence and professional voice in a way that aligned with her new industry goals. - Sustain energy and confidence over the course of an intensive search process. Approach: - Held weekly coaching sessions that focused on interview psychology, presentation clarity, and professional self-concept. - Created frameworks to help her identify ideal teams, define cultural fit, and pursue roles that aligned with her long-term goals. - Tracked over 120 applications while refining her narrative, adjusting her outreach style, and building momentum through each iteration. Results: - She secured her ideal position as Associate Director at a major university. - Over five years later, she continues to thrive in the role and remains aligned with the institution’s mission and culture. - The process left her with a sustainable foundation for long-term career navigation and future leadership opportunities.
CASE STUDY 35:
Case Study: Sales Infrastructure That Sparked Inc. 5000 Recognition – Year One
What does it take to make the list? Relocation, ground-up recruiting, and high-velocity growth. We were recruited to launch a new office—and helped build a national campaign engine. Project Focus: Office Launch, Sales Infrastructure, National Recruiting Strategy Location: Chicago, IL (Relocated Launch Office) + National Recruiting Scope My Role: Office Builder, Foundational Recruiter, and Commission System Architect Context: A lean, high-potential energy firm sought to expand beyond residential door-to-door sales into commercial B2B. Leadership recruited us specifically for our ability to build scalable sales teams and Inc. 5000-worthy systems from the ground up. Challenge: Launch the company's first-ever B2B office in a brand-new market. Recruit, relocate, and train a team capable of high-volume performance. Build the systems, branding, and compensation structures from an independent office model. Establish a national recruiting channel to scale residential and commercial campaigns nationwide. Approach: Personally recruited and moved a high-potential team from out of state to Chicago. Developed all branding, onboarding, and internal systems to support the new office model. Created scalable compensation and commission frameworks in collaboration with stakeholders. Oversaw rapid team growth—from 5 reps to over 30 in just 3 months. Established a repeatable national recruiting and intake model that supported every new market launch that followed. Result: The company earned its first-ever placement on the Inc. 5000 list, with a 618% growth rate over three years. The Chicago B2B office became the foundational proof point for future commercial expansion. National recruiting systems seeded growth across multiple regional offices. The playbooks and comp systems built during this period went on to define the company’s entire campaign model. Why This Matters: Showcases how real leadership starts with taking the leap—new city, new market, no excuses. Proves that infrastructure, recruiting, and compensation design are inseparable from rapid growth. This work was the springboard for multiple years of national recognition and expansion.
CASE STUDY 36:
Case Study: Outbound Systems That Drove Triple-Digit Growth
We were recruited after proving our ability to build scalable teams. Then we built the outbound and recruiting systems that fueled over 800% growth and earned Inc. 5000 recognition. Project Focus: Sales Enablement, Outbound Process, CRM Infrastructure Location: Chicago, IL HQ + National Markets My Role: Sales Systems Architect and Recruiting Lead Context: Following our success launching a high-growth sales office that earned Inc. 5000 status, we were brought in to architect the next phase of national expansion. This company had high-volume potential but lacked structured systems, scalable recruiting, and consistent sales execution. Challenge: Build a national recruiting engine to fill multiple verticals. Create repeatable sales playbooks and outbound messaging cadences. Implement systems to support both residential and commercial sales teams. Align lead flow and sales process across multiple departments. Approach: Recruited and developed foundational teams across sales, ops, and inside support. Authored custom outbound scripts, objection handling frameworks, and onboarding guides. Worked cross-functionally to ensure CRM and lead management systems supported rapid scale. Introduced weekly accountability rhythms and rep performance tracking that tied into leadership KPIs. Result: The company earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list in 2017, with an 821% growth rate over three years. Sales systems became the internal benchmark across departments. The outbound program improved lead conversion and created a culture of structured success. These systems served as the launchpad for expanded services and future verticals. Why This Matters: Reinforces how sales execution and CRM alignment create sustainable momentum. Demonstrates how thoughtful onboarding and scripting unlock team performance. Proves that high growth is rarely an accident—it’s built on intention and process.
CASE STUDY 37:
Case Study: Channel-Driven Growth & Green Energy Sales Enablement for Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Company
As a Channel Partner and strategist, we helped scale a clean energy firm into the Inc. 500. Our work expanded rep toolkits, introduced solar incentives, and fueled over 1,500% growth. Project Focus: Channel Expansion, Sales Enablement, Green Energy Integration Location: Chicago HQ + National Expansion My Role: Channel Partner, Sales System Strategist, and Talent Architect Context: A fast-rising clean energy firm had the engineering and project pipeline to grow—but needed help building a scalable sales structure. Leadership brought us in as proven channel partners to help design a national recruiting engine, expand rep capabilities, and align messaging around energy incentives and green tech. Challenge: -Launch scalable sales infrastructure to support national project demand. -Add solar and sustainability offerings to reps’ existing product mix. -Build a recruiting and onboarding system for consultants in technical and municipal sectors. -Align field activity with emerging tax credits, rebates, and solar incentives. Approach: -Operated as strategic channel partners while helping develop a talent pipeline across verticals. -Trained sales reps to speak fluently about solar programs, tax incentives, and LED retrofits. -Built onboarding frameworks and vertical-specific sales processes tailored to each energy offering. -Reinforced product knowledge with updated sales decks, outreach scripts, and performance goals. Result: -The company secured a place on the Inc. 500 list in 2017 with a 1,537% three-year growth rate. -Sales reps transitioned from single-solution sellers to consultative partners offering full energy strategies. -The infrastructure supported contracts across commercial, nonprofit, and public-sector verticals. -The firm continued its Inc. 5000 momentum in subsequent years, gaining national sustainability recognition. Why This Matters: Shows that meaningful growth comes not just from new markets—but better-trained reps. Reinforces the importance of aligning sales infrastructure with evolving energy policy. Demonstrates how channel partnerships and enablement can fast-track national recognition.
CASE STUDY 38:
Case Study: Salesforce Lightning Pilot Implementation
Brought in to test and implement Salesforce Lightning six months before its company-wide rollout, I served as the sole pilot user—training others, liaising with leadership, and shaping the system’s long-term deployment. Focus: CRM System Test & Implementation – Salesforce Lightning Location: Chicago, IL (Multi-office, hybrid environment) My Role: Salesforce Lightning Pilot Lead, Systems Trainer, CRM Advisor Context: The company had long operated on Salesforce Classic but was evaluating a transition to Salesforce Lightning—a more modern, flexible CRM interface offering enhanced reporting, automation, and UI. I was specifically hired and tasked with adopting Salesforce Lightning as a lone pilot before it was released to the rest of the company. My role required hands-on use of the new system while reporting directly to the CEO and senior leadership on system performance, rollout viability, and long-term integration strategy. Challenge: -Become fluent in a new version of Salesforce while the rest of the company remained on the legacy system. -Validate Lightning’s features across multiple departments, each with distinct workflows and reporting needs. -Identify potential friction points, UI gaps, and opportunities for streamlining daily tasks before a full migration. -Build trust and authority as the internal point person despite being a new hire. Approach; -Immersed in the Lightning environment from day one, using it as my exclusive platform for all CRM activity. Liaised with sales, recruiting, and operations teams to gather use cases and translate Classic workflows into Lightning functionality. -Codevelop custom dashboards and reporting tools that mirrored leadership KPIs and department-specific metrics. -Created and shared internal training content, tutorials, and live walkthroughs to introduce others to the system before migration. -Regularly met with executive leadership to review findings, offer migration strategy, and flag key improvement areas. Result -Served as the internal benchmark for Salesforce Lightning adoption, enabling a frictionless rollout across the company. -Created dashboards and workflows that became the foundation for multiple departments post-launch. -Reported and resolved dozens of usability and performance concerns prior to company-wide exposure. -Played a pivotal role in accelerating digital adoption, with full transition completed in under 60 days once approved. Why This Matters: -Early-stage CRM pilots done right can make or break digital transitions. By embedding myself in the Lightning system and guiding others through its strengths and quirks, I helped position the company for operational growth and smarter data visibility. Strategic CRM adaptation isn’t just about tech—it’s about building internal trust, clear training systems, and scalable implementation frameworks. This case delivered on all three.
