A founder recently asked if I’d be open to being paid on commission instead of my usual retainer for my strategy work.

I get why they asked. It’s tempting to want everything to tie back to a clean ROAS number — especially when budgets are tight and results feel urgent.

But that question misses how growth actually works.

Founders, I hear ya.
Too many priorities, not enough time or hands.

But here’s the thing…

Getting on shelf isn’t the finish line — it’s the starting gun.

Buyers watch those first 3 months closely and if your product doesn’t move fast enough, that space goes to someone else.

“What should a brand do if they don’t have access to big data when pitching a buyer?”

Buyers are measured on a handful of metrics you can actually influence. Here’s what really matters to retail buyers (beyond sales & velocities).

You can win Black Friday and still lose the quarter.
The difference? Systems that turn sales into sustained momentum.

Here’s how the best brands do it 👇
(Part 2: Conversion Strategies — the follow-up to Tuesday's Strategic Foundations.)

Here’s How I’d Be Prepping for Black Friday, starting with strategic foundations for both DTC and retail businesses.

Last week I went to DC Startup & Tech Week, and it was revitalizing to be surrounded by passionate, driven founders — especially in CPG, where you can literally touch and taste the ideas people are bringing to life.

So here’s your gentle nudge.

Hot take: Reddit is one of the most under-leveraged parts of the modern growth ecosystem.

The best prep I did for consulting wasn’t a business plan, savings, or networking.
It was Rover, Etsy, and a DIY website.