Ventures Built.Results Delivered.
These are the stories of executives who made the decision to build something of their own — and what happened when they did. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect client confidentiality.
94%
of clients sign their first engagement within 90 days
$218K
average first-year revenue across all programs
200+
executives served across industries
3.2×
average income multiple vs. prior corporate salary
M. Richardson
Chief Financial Officer, Fortune 500 Financial Services
$312,000
First-Year Revenue
11 Weeks
Time to First Client
3 Clients
Active Retainers
The Challenge
After 22 years in corporate finance — the last seven as CFO of a publicly traded firm — M. Richardson was ready to step away from the corporate ladder. She had deep expertise in capital structure, M&A integration, and financial transformation, but had no framework for how to package and sell that expertise independently. She came to us uncertain about pricing, positioning, and whether the market would pay for what she knew.
Our Approach
We began with a comprehensive expertise audit that surfaced three distinct, high-value niches within her background. Rather than positioning her as a generalist CFO consultant, we built a focused advisory practice around M&A financial integration — a specific, underserved need where her track record was exceptional. We designed a retainer-based engagement model, developed her outreach strategy targeting private equity-backed portfolio companies, and built the infrastructure for her practice in parallel.
The Outcome
Within 11 weeks of beginning the program, M. Richardson had signed her first two retainer clients — both PE-backed companies navigating post-acquisition integration. By the end of her first year, she had built a practice generating $312,000 in revenue with three ongoing retainer relationships and a growing referral pipeline. She now works 25 hours per week and has declined two return-to-corporate offers.
"I spent 22 years building expertise that I was essentially giving away in exchange for a salary. The work we did together helped me see that what I know is genuinely rare — and that there is a market willing to pay significant fees for it. I wish I had done this a decade earlier."
M. Richardson — Chief Financial Officer, Fortune 500 Financial Services
Across Industries. Across Programs.
D. Thompson
VP of Operations, Global Manufacturing
$185,000
first-year revenue
8
weeks to first client
A 19-year operations executive who had led plant turnarounds across three continents built a boutique consulting practice targeting mid-market manufacturers struggling with operational inefficiency. Signed first project engagement within 8 weeks and reached $185,000 in year one.
"The positioning work was the breakthrough. I went from 'operations consultant' to a specialist in manufacturing turnarounds — and that specificity changed everything about how prospects responded to me."
S. Laurent
Chief Human Resources Officer, Healthcare System
$240,000
first-year revenue
14
weeks to first client
A CHRO with 25 years in healthcare HR built a dual-track practice: an advisory offering for health system boards navigating executive succession, and a coaching program for emerging HR leaders. Reached $240,000 in year one across both revenue streams.
"I had always thought of coaching as something I did informally. The program helped me see it as a scalable, premium offering — and gave me the framework to price and position it accordingly."
J. Morales
Managing Director, Investment Banking
$480,000
first-year revenue
6
weeks to first client
A 17-year investment banking MD built a capital strategy advisory practice serving founder-led companies preparing for institutional fundraising. Leveraged an existing network to close first engagement within 6 weeks and built a $480,000 practice in year one.
"The hardest part was giving myself permission to charge what my expertise is actually worth. Once I did, I never looked back."
A. Kessler
Chief Marketing Officer, Consumer Brands
$165,000
first-year revenue
10
weeks to first client
A CMO with deep experience in consumer brand building launched a brand strategy advisory practice targeting emerging CPG brands seeking enterprise-level marketing leadership without the enterprise cost. Built a portfolio of four retainer clients in year one.
"I had the expertise. What I lacked was the confidence and the structure. The program gave me both — and a clear path from idea to income."
R. Blackwell
SVP of Technology, Regional Bank
$210,000
first-year revenue
9
weeks to first client
A technology executive with 20 years in financial services built a digital transformation advisory practice serving community banks and credit unions navigating core system modernization. Reached $210,000 in year one with a mix of project and retainer engagements.
"The market for what I do is enormous — I just didn't know how to reach it. The client acquisition strategy we built together changed that completely."
C. Nakamura
General Counsel, Technology Company
$195,000
first-year revenue
13
weeks to first client
A General Counsel with expertise in corporate governance and technology transactions built an advisory practice serving startup boards and growth-stage companies that need senior legal strategy without in-house counsel costs. Signed first advisory board seat within 13 weeks.
"I started with the Foundation program because I wasn't sure what I wanted to build. By the end, I had more clarity than I'd had in years — and a real plan to execute."
All case studies reflect real client engagements. Names, titles, and identifying details have been changed or anonymized to protect client confidentiality. Revenue figures represent individual client outcomes and are not guarantees of results. Results vary based on individual effort, experience, market conditions, and other factors.
What Will Your
Venture Look Like?
Every one of these executives started where you are — with deep expertise, a sense that there was something more, and uncertainty about how to get there. A strategy session is where that changes.
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